Friends,

I wish I could thank you all personally for visiting either again or for the first time. Some of you have come to the guest house so many times that you've become true friends with whom Pat and I enjoy our visits each visit. We started the "guest house" format back in 1990 having said our goodbyes to the folks who had rented the place since 1985. We could have stayed with the "renter" theme but felt we needed a change and voila, we made the change in the spring of '86. Things were slow in the beginning but we persevered and each year brought more and more folks who were looking for a comfortable vacation place within a reasonable price range. Bingo! You, yourself might have been one of those who signed on during one of those early years. The list is too long to include all these pioneers but they know who they are and we especially want to thank them for coming along for the ride.

This beginning wasn't perfect and we're still finding problems we need to deal with. Luckily, many of our Clearwater friends know more about carpentry and plumbing than we do. Thanks so much for all your help because as they say, "I never could have done it without you.

This year we had a special challenge to deal with. The fishing seasons-upon which most of our winter trade depends-were cut back to just a few weeks. I won't go into the many reasons that the Department of Fish and Wildlife has given for the closures, but they didn't help pay the light bill and their decisions cast a pall over anyone who had hoped to enjoy a day or two on the river. Hopefully, things will improve and we'll be able to dust off our rods, patch up our waders and go after salmon and steelhead again.

If the fishing was lame the clamming was great and anyone who loves digging the tasty bivalves had plenty of opportunities to do so. I'm always amazed at the number clams that can be dug without putting a strain on the population. They seem to be without number. One of the things I enjoy about razor clam digging is that everyone can get into the act, mom and dad, grandpa and all the kids, too. This is so different than other consumptive wildlife like deer, elk, duck and upland bird hunting. Everyone gets to participate and it’s rare that a clammer comes off the beach with an empty bucket.

Another activity that pleases nearly everyone is mushroom gathering. The tasty chanterelles can be found in the wooded areas that surround the guesthouse. If you’re new to chasing the delicious fungus, see if you can bring along a friend who know the ropes. It’s well worth it!

So much to do, so little time to do it. I haven’t even mentioned smelting, surf fishing, beachcombing or hiking. It’s all there waiting for you, your family and your friends. And when you get back to the house, why not build a fire in the backyard firepit and celebrate a great day among friends and family. If you’re in luck, the elk will make an appearance in the pasture across from the guesthouse.

And so ends this little missive that I hope will encourage you to make a return or debut trip to the guesthouse. But if this is not your year, we’ll be waiting for you in the years ahead.

Our very best to you and yours,

Joe and Pat