"Too many people drive through the Makah Indian Reservation with only one thing in mind: Cape Flattery, the most northwestern point of the contiguous United States, reached by a three-quarter-mile trail past stunning views of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary and, finally, the cliffs of Tatoosh Island, the only piece of land between Cape Flattery and Asia.

What these hikers often miss is a Native American culture that predates our statehood by a few thousand years.

As winter's approach saddens the skies into one, long weepy drizzle, there is no better place to be than watching the Pacific Ocean pound the beach from Neah Bay's Hobuck Cabins, which have been revamped and expanded.

Use the cabins as a base camp to explore the Makah culture, whether by taking a basket-weaving or drum-making workshop at Raven's Corner art gallery, strolling through the lush Makah Cultural Museum's archaeological wonders, or just hanging out at the marina or local pizza joints to catch some conversation."

Get the Story:
Threads of time at the Makah Indian Reservation (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 11/6)