FURTHER PERIPHERIES
WIDENING THE EDGES
At a half million acres, Thurston County is almost the exact size of New York City. While I’ve lived here most of my life, even after countless rambles, I’ve still only seen a fraction of the strange, curious pockets. I’m determined to see them all — every last one. So when the periphery whispers, “Come explore,” I do. This week, I’m out hunting jarring juxtapositions in this jurisdiction. Come with me, as we weigh the hot soul of a 600-year-old oak against the cold efficiency of Grimm Collections.
ANCIENT AIRPORT
The Olympia airport has no commercial flights. The only things passing in or out are private and cargo planes, and metric tons of flight safety information sheets. The Interaction Group, the world’s first and largest producer of word-free seat-pocket hieroglyphics, is located near the old airport. Drawing on Olympia’s deep pool of visual artists, the team has been banging out crash cards for over 46 years. Next time you’re bored onboard, look for “MADE IN OLYMPIA” at the bottom of your safety card.
BALLOON ARTIST
For thirty years, Gene Bowdish has been providing balloon animals to Olympia. Gene also provides his customers Byzantine musings on economics and social science. It’s not clear if these are symptoms or part of his shtick.
During our interview, he acknowledged his path is an unusual one, and his “fiscal model” relies on people “feeling sympathy.” Almost everyone enjoys his balloons and gives him a dollar or two for a dog, bird or sword. Gene sometimes gets harassed or accused of running a scam. Yet I’ve seen him delicately offer critics smaller balloons for free. He hands everyone little squares of paper advertising his website.
His site is a cryptic array of market analysis and mathematical formulas related to cancer therapy. There are optical illusions and connect-the-dot activities. There are parts of Gene’s business that don’t make a lot of sense, but it’s clear Gene is making lemonade as best he can from the lemons he’s been given. I think Olympia is lucky to have him around.
GRIM(M)
Founded in 1945, Tumwater’s Grimm Collections is the longest-running debt retirement firm in southwest Washington. They claim having the first drive-up window in Thurston County. According to their website, their excellent track record also relies on this “unique blend of advanced technology, proven techniques, and a highly trained staff of seasoned collection professionals.”
When I interviewed the owners, no one besides me thought their name was funny. They pointed out the family name has an extra M: “That’s the M for moderation.” I thought this was a valiant but vain effort to shift the focus to the so-called “services they provide their creditor clients,” rather than the truly grim, immoderate business of squeezing dimes from debtors. My friends and I, all of us in arrears, arrived on bicycles, and surrendered.
WOLF HAVEN
As human civilization spreads ever further toward total global domination, all living things are feeling the strain. It’s just not easy being a wild animal. This is particularly true for wolves. Of course, Olympia, the undying defender of underdogs, is home to one of the world’s oldest and largest wolf sanctuaries. Since 1982, Wolf Haven has provided a home for over 200 wolves, 3 foxes, 6 coyotes and even a handful of wolf-dog hybrids.
Facility tours include exchanging heartbreaking glances with the beautiful beasts held here behind cyclone fencing for their protection (and ours). Posters indicating “Hang In There” (printed in both English and Wolf) remind the caged canines that humanity is profoundly sorry, and this is the best we can do.
Through education and lobbying for the expansion and maintenance of protected wilderness areas, Wolf Haven is a true leader in wolf advocacy. This commitment to the wild spirit is perfectly balanced by the reality that less than a couple miles down the road, one of the area’s largest pig farms offers a mythologically (and spiritually) appropriate follow-up tour.
AN UPDATE ON THIS SEGMENT APPEARS HERE
ANCIENT TREE
The 600-year-old Garry oak on the corner of Capitol and Almar is a remnant of the region’s historic oak prairie savannah. The tree is on the Tumwater Register of Historic Places. It served as a landmark along the ancient Cowlitz Trail, the home stretch of the Oregon Trail. The tree was named after environmentalist Jack Davis and pioneer Ezra Meeker.
The City of Tumwater believes the tree is a public hazard and has argued for its removal, citing significant decay found in its trunk and main stem, particularly after a large branch fell in early 2024. Tree advocates hold this quercus is not only healthy, but historically vital. They believe the rot can be addressed by pruning and cabling, and that the City’s push to terminate it is related to secret plans for airport and highway expansion. City officials deny this.
Anti-arbortion, pro-life tree advocates have filed lawsuits and organized public demonstrations to protect the unwitting oak. The verdict on this venerated vegetable is being ventilated in court, making it a top community issue. In the meantime, a concrete barrier and a fence have been added.
I did not know about the Davis-Meeker oak, despite living quite near it in my youth. If I had, I might of done a song about it on "Olympia: A True Story". Thanks! Keep it coming!
Anti-arbortion 🤭🌲🌳🌴