We live in a paradise for walking, an advantage I was reminded of this holiday weekend during outings with my daughter Elizabeth, friend David Campiche and cousin Bob Bell — in addition to a couple more walks with only my puppy for company.

Most were on Benson Beach, a seven-minute drive from home in Cape Disappointment State Park, while others were in Leadbetter Point State Park and Fort Columbia State Park.

Despite living near it for the better part of three decades, it was only during the initial pandemic shutdown that I truly discovered Benson Beach. During that strange and scary time, some took government advice to mean they shouldn’t even walk around outside. State parks were officially closed for most uses but unofficially wide open for reasonably cautious walkers. It was revelatory having thousands of acres basically to one’s self. As I remarked during an enjoyable recent lunch with Pacific County’s dedicated long-time tourism consultant Carol Zahorsky and dynamic new Visitors Bureau Director Katja Spitz, what I had always thought of as the “tourist beach” is easily one of our state’s best seashores. Free from the dangers and distractions of unpredictable drivers, it’s a wonderful place to commune with wild nature.

Get out during any break in the weather and enjoy our world-class park and trail system. People who have lived here all their lives have little idea how lucky we are. Humans are made for walking — study after study shows it is one of the best forms of exercise. Go outdoors and get some miles in whenever you can.

We plan our usual mix of news, features and sports in the Nov. 30 edition of the Chinook Observer, including a story and photos of the tragic holiday weekend fire that claimed a life Friday morning. On a much happier note, looking toward the eventual start of commercial crab season, we’ll have a story about Dales Hughes and his half century of keeping boats on the water with high-quality work at Chinook Marine Repair.

As always, we’re interested in every aspect of local life in Pacific County and appreciate you allowing us to share your triumphs, successes and sorrows. Thank you for your support.

Get walking! This photo is of a toy truck I spotted on Benson Beach this Sunday morning. You never know what the Pacific Ocean will deliver.