If your next destination is the isolated upper reaches of Hood Canal on Quilcene and Dabob Bays, Make it a weekday trip so you can visit the Point Whitney Selfish Interpretive Center. It isn't Open on weekends. The center sits at the end of Bee Mill Road, four miles off the U.S. Highway 101, just below the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife marine science laboratory. The 15-minute drive to the bay front cuts through madrona, evergreen and oak woods and passes Camp Parsons Boy Scout Camp. It is paved and wide enough for boat, trailers, and recreational vehicles. Near the roads ends is the several-acre WDFW shellfish laboratory and hatchery.

Here you can launch your boat, wade surf, picnic, clam, crab or pick oysters- boundless Activities limited only by tides, weather and the all-important attention to licenses and Regulations. These are not available at the WDFW office, but may be picked them up in most Sporting goods stores, or at cove RV as you turn off U.S. highway 101.

This is a working operation and not opened to the public, so drive the short distance to the shore And park at the interpretive center, you'll learn about the sea life and shellfish of Hood Canal, Including world-famous Quilcene oysters. You're standing at the very bay where they're Harvested.

The interpretive center is 20 years old. The glass-fronted outdoor display of calcified Crustaceans and shellfish is permanent. Inside are well designed and easy-to-study display of Hood Canal shellfish. They are clearly labled and arranged by type and sized. There is also a Large "touch tank" with critters that don't bite, such as urchins and sea cucumbers.

Hal Beattie, a lead research scientist of the WDFW shellfish enchantment, says his agency could Use some dedicated funds from the marine fisheries budget to upgrade the interpretive center. He's hoping for some financial aid by the first weekend in July when several seasonal Celebrations along Hood Canal will be combined for the first time into one ambitious event called Fjord fest.

Linda Tudor, manager of the Brinnon chamber of Commerce, says activities are planned for Brinnon, Quilcene and Point Whitney. Participants include the Quilcene chamber, Olympic National Park, Olympic National forest, Washington State Parks and American Indian tribes. Contact the chamber (360-765-4999) for information.

Peninsula Daily News, March 26, 2000