Washington State Parks Do It Right

[plateauguy]

There are very few things in Washington state that I can brag about other than it's beauty. BUT . . . after camping at Grayland State Park on the Pacific ocean for the last 3 days, I feel compelled to say that the Parks Dept is outstanding.
The RV sites are semi-private - not crowded together, the bathrooms are very clean and monitored. The park rangers patrol the park continuously. They even have an in-house system with other state parks to be on the look out for sex offenders. We very rarely ever camp in a private campground.
Since I'm the first one to complain about our tax and spend government, I thought I'd tell all of you looking for a great place to visit, Washington is it. The ocean is 2 hours away from the mountains, and the desert is another hour from the mountains. There's something for everyone. The website is: www.parks.wa.gov - just go to Reservations and Find a Park. There are even pictures of most of the campsites. Enjoy!

 

[peckinpahhombre]

As a young child raised in a suburb of Vancouver, we would go every summer to camp in a park in Washington State called Lake Chelan. It has been over 30 years now since I have been there, so I have no idea what it is like now, but my memories are idyllic. Every time I go camping with my kids I tell myself "I hope it is as good as Lake Chelan was when I was a kid."

 

[4dotsasieni]

Peck, don't visit Chelan -- you will be very disappointed. Tons of subdivisions crowding the hills, and at least one forest fire every year. It's like Georgian Bay, where my family used to go every year on holiday -- you can't go home again.

 

[plateauguy]

Peck,

Lake Chelan is still there and extremely popular. Unfortunately the college kids have turned it into a party place during the summer and the area can get pretty rough. My nephew was almost beaten to death because he stopped a guy from beating up his girlfriend. Several surgeries later, he's fine. The rangers and police are getting it under control, but until they do, it isn't a place where I would take my children.
All of the older people wait until after September 15th so that they can go with their dogs and the college kids are gone. Keep your memories, eventually they will be true again.

 

[plateauguy]

I forgot to mention that there are 3 parks in the Chelan area - a private one, city-county, and state. It was the city park that my nephew was injured in.

 

[zonomo]

This thread is interesting to me plateauguy because recently, I decided to go eat my lunch at Lake Sammamish, feed the ducks and basically be alone to think. But now they charge you to get into the park! I was only going to be there for about an hour so I said Forget This and left. The beauty is unmatched though.

 

[plateauguy]

The "Discover Pass" is BS - taxpayers already pay for the parks. I'm not sure how legal it is, but no-one has challenged it.
Another thing the state does is try to sneak in a $5.00 "donation" when you renew your car license - it's up to you to remove it before re-licensing.
The parks are great, but Washington is truly a "TAX and SPEND past their means" state.

 

[allan]

Plateguy
That is an awful story about your nephew. Have the police got those involved?
I certainly hope he is ok now.

 

[plateauguy]

My nephew had to have reconstructive surgery after the swelling in his brain went down. They were also able to save his eye that erupted out of the socket. The worst part was that after beating him and leaving him for dead, they stole his wallet so that he was a John Doe for awhile.
When he was able to, he wrote his name (his jaw was also broken). His mom and dad were out of town, so his grampa had to drive 2 hours to get to him (we were gone also). Grampa was a force to deal with, he wouldn't take NO for an answer and hounded the police until they found them. What a surprise, they had a record of violence. They not only got the 2 guys, but they are still in jail (this happened 8 years ago).
My nephew is doing well, he's married now with a little boy. Thanks for your concern.

 

[bentmike]

I spent my time in the service stationed in eastern Washinton. Been across the Cascade Range a couple times. Washington's natural beauty is varied and amazing to be sure.