Just up the road from Long Beach is the town of Ilwaco.  It's a small, harbor village that seems to be hanging on by a thin thread. Many storefronts in the downtown core are vacant, and the smattering of houses in the town's few blocks are a mix of historic structures in need of a major overhaul, cozy beach cottages and expensive homes with spectacular views.

​Like many small towns looking to draw tourists and locals, Ilwaco boasts a fairly vibrant Saturday market:

Quilt LadyI've dubbed her Quilt Lady...obviously.
Minkoff Barry Minkoff, maker of handcrafted knives and wooden cutting boards.

EvelynEvelyn De Asis, proprietor of delicious produce.

Farmer's markets tend to have lots of color, texture, and some very interesting people. Learning how all these folks came to be here and why is fascinating to me.  The things they make or acquire or sell are reflections of where they've been and often where they want to go.

And now, breakfast. Not just any breakfast.  A short stack of marionberry pancakes from Laurie's Homestead in Seaview:

Marionberry PancakesMarionberry pancake breakfast from Laurie's Homestead, Seaview, Washington. (iPhone shot)

Why Carla will never be a runway supermodel: reason #715. But then we go for a hike because even non-supermodels want to burn off a short stack. Not a bad place for a hike, eh?

Long Beach BoardwalkA gorgeous afternoon along the boardwalk in Long Beach, Washington.