We took a walk around the park this morning and met our newest neighbours before getting showered (at the restroom showers) and heading into Chehalis. This town has been here since 1873 and I’m sure once upon a time was a thriving community but it has definitely seen better days. We walked through the ‘historic’ part of the town but there were more boarded up storefronts than anything else. There was a small farmer’s market taking place but there didn’t really seem to be a whole lot of life left in this place, a sad fact we’ve become all too familiar with as we traipse around the country.

Mike: Americana is disappearing at an alarming rate! I'm glad I remember the way it was!

The neighbour

Downtown Chehalis

After walking for a while and browsing the stores that were still open we got back on the road and headed a few miles north to Centralia, which along with Chehalis forms the commercial center of the Chehalis Valley farmlands and timber lands. Centralia had a little more bustle to it particularly if antiquing is your thing. We visited Centralia Square Antique Mall which was three floors of antique dealers selling all kinds of ‘old’ things. Mike spent most of the time reminiscing about things from his childhood that were for sale, and remembering how he used to dance along to the radio with his mum – I would have paid money to have seen that.

Spot the oldest antique

Antique Mall, Centralia

After a quick whiz around the outlet mall we visited Fort Borst Park which is named after Joseph Borst who was one of the first pioneers who settled the area in the 1850’s. His house, built in 1864, is still standing due to the wood and joints having been dipped in white lead to waterproof them.

We ate lunch in the park alongside the little lake with lots of other people before heading home.

Fort Borst Park

In a hurry to have lunch