A few days ago, on one of the nicer October days we’ve had, I accompanied a good friend on a walk around the Centralia-Chehalis Airport. I’m not normally one to spend time on such an adventure, but it was a special occasion so I agreed to go along.
I knew a little bit about the trail on the airport levee from an article that was in The Chronicle about a year ago.
We parked at the airport entrance, and set out north for our walk. The trail continues for 2 miles along the top of the levee along Airport Road, past the Riverside Golf Course, with a view of farmland on one side, and the airport on the other. The surface there is compacted gravel, easy to walk on. As you head toward the freeway, the trail drops off onto the sidewalk by I-5 Toyota and continues to Louisiana Avenue in front of Home Depot, Walmart, Kmart, and the State Patrol office.
Before we left, we had talked to a friend at church, Lorna Johnson, who said the best way to experience the walk was to go to the north end of the airport and then turn around and walk back. The southbound part of the trail is in busy traffic, and there are no sidewalks by Kmart and the State Patrol office.
Johnson was right; I should have listened to her. We did have the luxury of a Chehalis police officer when we wanted to cross the road. She just happened to be coming by, and spotted us waiting. She stopped traffic so we could safely cross.
I’ll walk the trail again, but I’ll follow some good advice, and go half way and turn around.
The Airport Levee Trail is part of a system of trails and walks formed by Lewis County Community Trails, a nonprofit organization. The group was founded several years ago with the goal to improve existing trails and walkways in the local area, as well as building new paths for Lewis County residents to enjoy the outdoors.
The LC Community Trails has a board of directors, headed by Steve Ward, a vice president at Centralia College. The board consists of local business and professional folks, and people who just love the outdoors.
I spoke with Bob Ellingson, who is in charge of communications on the board. He said that they are active, seeking grants and funding and working on improving walkways and paths. If you are interested in more walks, check their website, lewiscountytrails.org.
Cooks Hill Power Lines
For those of us who live along Cooks Hill Road in Centralia, we’ve spent most of the summer and now fall dealing with the installation of new power poles and lines along the road. Two people who have had a real impact on motorists are the women who are the flaggers.
I spoke with Bambi Parry, one of the people who make sure the traffic is moving safely and smoothly. Parry is from Goldendale, and has been on the job here the whole time. She is employed by Michels Power, the contractor doing the upgrade. She’s been a flagger for 18 years, and enjoys her job. When I asked how she gets along each day, Parry replied that everything’s OK if she has her lunch and some snacks. I don’t envy her on the cold and wet days, or the few days when it has been hot.
She said for the most part, drivers have been very nice, and she always has a smile and a wave for everyone who passes.
For her and the rest of us on Cooks Hill, it will be just a week or two longer till she moves on to the next job. We’ll miss your smile, Bambi.
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Paul Crowner, a retired Centralia music educator, can be contacted at PaulCrowner@RainierConnect.com.
