For me and other older Americans there’s a putrid sense of déjà vu surrounding soured U.S.-Russian relations, a feeling of “here we go again” as we wonder whether a sudden new cold war could metastasize into something hotter.

Three downward-pointing yellow triangles in my hometown post office showed the way to a fallout shelter during my 1960s boyhood. It was an ominous symbol, not reassuring. I half imagined a dark subterranean chamber, which once entered could never be exited — a haunted place.

My remote town was, of course, flattering itself to think anyone would ever consider it important enough to bomb or invade. Anyway, in typical Mountain West fashion it might have been a tough nut to crack for any invader, sporting about six firearms for every woman, man and child.

Pacific County isn’t anywhere close to being as remote as my hometown is, but it was isolated enough during “Cold War Part 1” to attract the attention of Civil Defense bosses in Olympia. Far away from any conceivable nuke target and separated by an ocean from potential A-bomb fallout plumes, our idyllic coastline was eyed as a semi-safe haven from civilization-ending annihilation. It was decided that the governor, some other top state leaders and essential state archives would be rushed here — to an underground bunker at Fort Columbia — just before the missiles started to fly.

In preparation for what we’re certain will be a fascinating feature, photographer Luke Whittaker and I spent an hour in this distinctly spooky old shelter, guided by State Parks Interpretive Specialist Stephen Wood. Now hosting a town of enthusiastic little bats, the padlocked bunker still resonates with 20th century history. It’s easy to imagine huddling around a radio listening to JFK give an update about the Cuban Missile Crisis, with guards standing ready to swing the blast doors closed.

As usual, we have a variety of main front-page options for our April 27 edition. As of this moment, I may decide to give the bunker content another week’s work, and instead highlight the charming return of the Black Lake kids’ fishing derby. Rest assured — bats or no bats — there’s always a lot of hard news, interesting features, opinions and photos in each issue of the Chinook Observer, where we chronicle one of the West Coast’s most fascinating places.

Speaking of bats, I’m sure you’ll enjoy Ann Dudley’s nostalgic celebration of Major League Baseball, which comes to us courtesy of her writing coach, Pulitzer Prize winner Tom Hallman Jr., who is a long-time subscriber, supporter and part-time Ocean Park resident.

If you’re not already a subscriber, we’d appreciate it if you’d become one. The survival of this community project relies on your support.