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On the North West Coast not far from the Canadian border
in the State of Washington, this stretch of the Pacific is
known as the Olympic Peninsula. La Push is an
undiscovered jewel in the wilderness of the Olympic Peninsula.
It's situated 12 miles from Forks, Washington and is
part of the Olympic National Parks Rainforest. It takes
its name from a corruption of la bouche, French for
mouth as the village sits at the mouth of the Quillayute
River.
Home to the Quileute Tribe of Native American Indians
and their tiny one square mile reservation, visitors can stay
here in simple cabins on the beach. Flanked on three sides
by ancient rainforest and by the wild Pacific Ocean
on the fourth, the tiny enclave of La Push remains isolated
and unspoilt. First Beach is a place of rugged beauty,
offering scenic views of sea stacks, driftwood, tide pools,
and sometimes dramatic and stormy surf. James Island
is the burial place of Quileute tribal chiefs.
When to Visit
- For less crowded beaches visit during the winter, when
you'll be rewarded with winter storms, great beachcombing,
your pick of the accommodation, and you can warm up in the
evening with a romantic beach fire - although make sure you
adhere to the camping rules.
- Grey whales may be spotted as they come close to
the shore during their annual migration in spring and autumn,
and if you're lucky you may be able to get close enough to
kayak along side them.
- Over one weekend in mid-July each year you can attend two
days of cultural heritage celebration in La Push, where you
can take part in traditional song, dance, salmon bakes, and
arts and crafts.
Traditional Salmon Fishing
Stay at either Ocean View Resort or Lonesome Creek
RV Park (both Quileute Indian Tourist enterprises) overlooking
First Beach and you will be able to take part in traditional
salmon fishing trips by taking a kayak out from the beach
and heading to the traditional fishing spots. The Quileutes
invoke the good luck of the salmon spirits through song; if
it's the first salmon caught in the spring, the head and bones
are thrown back into the water to ensure a good harvest for
the year to come. The future of the salmon is considered to
be linked intrinsically to the future of the tribe. You then
take the fish back to the beach where they will show you how
to prepare the salmon and bake it in the traditional way;
a wooden tee pee is constructed around the fire so that the
salmon is effectively smoked.
Travelers' Tips
When visiting Native American lands it's advisable to bear
a few things in mind so you don't cause offence: never take
alcohol onto their lands, do not take photographs without
asking permission first, dress appropriately, and do not clap
during ceremonies - they are traditional and sometimes religious
events, not entertainment.
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