Out & About: Raising a stink over goose poop

OUTCRY – Asotin, Wash., resident Charlotte Tuttle detoured from the usual Asotin County Commissioners meeting Monday to let them know what’s on the mind – and feet – of people visiting parks along the Snake River near Lewiston and Clarkston:

“We’ve got goose poop up to our ankles and mandates up to our eyeballs,” Tuttle said, according to the Lewiston Tribune.

Tuttle said there are so many geese along the river near Swallows Park that people can no longer swim at the park or walk on the bike path without encountering gobs of goose waste.

Butch Aiken, emergency services director for the county, said anytime there’s a trouble-making goose in the Seattle-Tacoma area, it’s brought to eastern Washington, and now those geese are causing problems on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property near the river. 

Children cannot swim at Swallows Park because it’s contaminated by the geese, Aiken said.

Residents asked commissioners to explore possible solutions, such as allowing people to hunt geese during a certain time period.

“It’s worth looking into,” said Asotin County Commissioner Jim Fuller.

Parks loaning gear to new campers

OUTBOUND – Idaho State Parks has partnered with North Face to loan camping equipment at no charge to first-time campers through September.

The Explore Your Parks program is underway at two North Idaho state parks: Hells Gate, (208) 799-5015, and Priest Lake, (208) 443-2200.

New campers can check out tents, tarps, chairs, cooking equipment, lanterns and other gear – everything needed except sleeping bags and food.

The only costs are the normal campsite and reservation fees.

Park staff will assist with campsite setup and offer tips on camping basics.

Often the state parks also have programs, such as staff-led nature hikes and family activities.

Geocaching featured at Washington parks

OUTLOCATE – Geocachers have a new reason to find their way to Washington State Parks. To celebrate the state parks centennial, 100 geocaches have been hidden in 100 state parks.

Geocaches are containers stashed around the world with their GPS (Global Positioning System) coordinates registered on a public website ( geocaching.com).

Caches in the Washington State Parks Centennial GeoTour were placed by the local geocaching community and approved by a ranger at each park.

Centennial GeoTour players can download the GeoTour passport, map and guidelines on the Web at parks.wa.gov/geocaching.

Vehicles entering state parks must display a Washington Discover Pass.

Sekiu fishing resort hits 80th anniversary

OUTLAST – Olson’s Resort at Sekiu, Wash., well-known for harboring salmon anglers venturing out on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, is celebrating its 80th anniversary this weekend.

How will they celebrate? With a fishing derby …