August 2008
It's just a short jaunt across the waters from Victoria BC to the US check-in at Port Angeles.
Then another short Western hop to the Makah Indian Reservation in Neah Bay to get fuel and wait for a good weather window before heading around the NW tip of the state. When we arrived I was anxious to go because it seemed to me that there was not much to do in Neah Bay. We stayed for more than the overnight we planned.Neah Bay is a very small village with one grocery story, 2 pizza places, one restaurant and one Makah Indian museum. ‘Oh well, we can go to the museum while we’re waiting for better
weather.’ So the following day when the rain let up a little, we walked over to the Coast Guard station and the museum. There we learned more about the Makah culture. We found the Makah to be a very warm and welcoming people with a history of trading all along the coast from California to Alaska and inland. So when we heard that the biggest celebration, Makah Days, would be the coming weekend,
we There was all night drumming and a throwing of the bones game called Slalah, traditional salmon bake, dancing, a decided to stay and watch the festivities. talent show, and a parade. We laughed so hard during the talent show with 3 year olds
performing and a young standup comic that had nothing to say but was hilarious just being himself. And then there was the crowning several princess and warriors. Interestingly enough, to compete for the title, true to the traditional tribal customs of sharing food and wealth, the person that raised the most money was the person to receive the crown. The money was used to give out money to different charities. Just as the festivities were winding down, a weather window broke and we headed off around the tip of Washington and down the coast for more adventures. It was a wonderful stay and a great way to say ‘goodbye’ to the Northwest. But not before making some hot soup to eat during the 4 day passage to Eureka.
