A good day on the Washington coast

Justin Johnson | Dec 01, 20220

Justin Johnson count

The ocean swell crashes against a breakwater wall in Westport on Thanksgiving Day. It was the first king tide of the season, measuring +10.8 feet.

After a fall that included several months of lead-up to the midterm elections and a busy high school sports season, last week afforded me a chance to get away from the Journal's office for a few days to recharge.

It felt good and allowed me an opportunity I haven't yet had during my four years here in the Evergreen State.

My parents and much of my family are a 14-hour drive away in Idaho and Utah and with the general unpredictability of wintertime weather on Interstate 84 through eastern Oregon and southern Idaho, I generally find myself left on my own for most of winter's major holidays.

So what does one do with nothing to do?

For me it's pretty simple.

The call of the coast beckons.

Holidays are a personal favorite of mine to visit the ocean. Far from the intensity of summer crowds, one can spend time on the beach in relative solitude. Reflecting on life as the winter waves churn ashore.

On Thanksgiving Day, I decided to head out to Westport as the tidal forecast called for the first set of king tides for the season - +10.8 feet, which is about as high as it gets.

My first stop, as usual, was Twin Harbors State Park.

Back on Christmas Day 2018, just a few weeks after I moved to Washington to write for the Journal, it was the first coastal park I visited, and now it's become a holiday tradition.

In the winter, Twin Harbors tends to be the quietest place along that stretch of the coast.

In fact, on Thanksgiving I had the entire park to myself for 45 minutes. Something you'll never get on a warm summer's day.

As the height of the tide approached, I took the short trip north to Westhaven State Park and climbed up on the western bank of Half Moon Bay to watch the swells crash ashore on the breakwater wall. It didn't disappoint.

While not as dramatic - or dangerous - as they would be on windy day, the crescendo of water meeting was still a fun sight (as you can see in the picture above).

I also visited the Westport viewing tower and observation deck down by the marina to round out the trip before heading home.

To me, there isn't much that beats the sight and sound of the ocean. It excites, delights and relaxes in a way that few other things can match.

It was a good day.