IN
THE
MIST
A journey to Long Island
BY DAVID CAMPICHE
Willapa Bay’s Long Island stretches for 6
miles and is nearly half as wide. With a rich
and diverse western shoreline, its landscape
varies from sandy shores, Agate Beach
being a favorite, to tall, imposing cliffs,
shaped by storm tides and tsunamis. A long
scamper across the shore reveals miles of
enchantment and photo opportunities.
Toward the island’s southern end is the
Don Bonker Cedar Grove Trail, contain-
ing nearly 300 acres and housing a for-
est of ancient
cedar trees. As
An ancient cedar stump,
the giants go,
surrounded by foliage.
these Western
cedar trees are
David Campiche
estimated to be
1,100 years of
age, maybe older. A marvel at least, spiri-
tual at best, this Northwest landscape over-
whelms with awe.
The Friends of Willapa National Wild-
life Refuge barged about 100 people to the
island on one Saturday afternoon. Smiling
faces and glorious exaltations danced out of
the lips of all those lucky enough to enroll
in the adventure. Dozens of happy words
chirped through the wet, veridian forest,
mingling with forest songs while staring up
at a 160 foot evergreen.
These great trees, this environment, sup-
ports a cornucopia of all things wet and
green, creatures big and small. All said, the
grove is a wonder.
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