Camping at Beard’s Hollow – 1940s

I’ve done lots of camping in my time. I’ve camped in state parks, in national parks, and at all manner of non-parks. All of my camping was done out of a VW bug, usually with kids but sans tents or other ‘costly’ equipment. We camped because we loved to travel and see the sights/sites and because it was the only way we could afford to do so. It’s been 40 years since those old Coleman stove days and I don’t miss it a bit!

But I do have fond memories, especially of Yosemite and Yellowstone and other places where the personnel were so personable and there were informative activities offered. So when I was asked recently if I would agree to be the storyteller at “Campfire” at Cape Disappointment, I hardly hesitated at all. Never mind that there won’t really be a campfire. (There’s a burn ban throughout the state.) And never mind that I was a bit fuzzy about where exactly I’ll be telling these stories – as in where exactly is this new amphitheater behind the campsites?

The Amphitheater at Cape Disappointment State Park

Nyel, good sport that he is, agreed to go to last Tuesday’s campfire talk so we could check it out. We left ourselves plenty of time to get there which was a good thing – it’s a fair distance from the entrance to the campgrounds. The talk, “What Makes Cape Disappointment So Cool,” was by one of the park employees. He arrived a bit early with lots of visual aids – huge maps and photographs and charts that he attached to the screen at the back of the stage area. Plus he had a big table on which he placed artifacts and other “stuff.” I began to feel inadequate right away.

I was told that I could choose any topic I want. Of course, I choose Oysterville! – With a ghost story or two thrown in for good measure. I probably won’t have any visual aids – just stories. (A little ghostly accompaniment would be lovely, but most of our Oysterville ghosts are shy…)

It would be nice, though, to see a few familiar faces in the audience and, along those lines, I’m trying to spread the word that these campfire talks are free and open to the public.   You need only display a Discover Pass in your vehicle.   So, it’s “The Ghosts of Oysterville” (or something like that) at 7:00 PM, Wednesday, July 22^nd, Benson Beach Amphitheater, Cape Disappointment State Park. Come on and have a ‘camping experience’ with me! (And with Mrs. Crouch if I can convince her to come.)