Making Tracks

By Kat Bryant

One year ago this week, I set foot in Aberdeen for the first time. Having accepted this job sight-unseen, I’d rented a house via email, packed up my life and transported it 1,320 miles through four states to start anew.

And now, a year later, I feel I can finally tell you this: When I drove past the Bluff and across the Wishkah Bridge on March 1, 2017, my first impression was far from positive. As I surveyed dilapidated buildings, billowing smokestacks and uninviting waterfront, my stomach did a little flip. I actually said aloud: “Oh gawd, what have I done?”

My three cats looked at me like “We told you not to move.” (If cats could roll their eyes, they would have.) Rose, of course, wagged her tail and started whining in anticipation because we were slowing down, which meant we were Almost There. (Where didn’t matter to her one bit.) I took my cue from her and stayed on course.

My trepidations started to fade in the ensuing weeks as everyone — co-workers and community members alike — welcomed me as if I were an old friend. In my new role as a professional storyteller, I began to learn about native Harborites’ traditions, passions, livelihoods and daily lives. And, in seeing through their eyes, I was able to look beyond the rickety structures to see all the bright spots in this city.

Over the past year, I have discovered (to my joy and relief) that there’s way more to Aberdeen than my first impression indicated. And it’s primarily about people — many of them volunteers — stepping up to help make this a great place to live:

• Thanks to Bobbi McCracken, Bette Worth and many others, we have well-organized efforts to brighten things up downtown.

• Thanks to Jenny Fisher, Douglas Orr and many others, we have a terrific base of artists doing their part to give us a taste of local color.

• Thanks to Dann Sears, Dave Morris and many others, we have a quirky history museum that also is more than it seems.

• Thanks to Brandi Bednarik, Michael Kellick and many others, new generations can learn firsthand about the tall ships that once sailed to and from the Harbor.

• Thanks to Wil Russoul, Ericka Corban and many others, we have a diverse music scene that doesn’t rely on Kurt Cobain’s legacy.

• Thanks to Kari Hasbrouck, Tiffany Maki and many others, we have opportunities for amateur music lovers to sing and play instruments together.

• Thanks to Erik Simonson, Barb Dyer and many, many others, we have a thriving Boy Scout district with lots of great youth activities.

I keep saying “we” because, despite my initial reaction, I’m now proud to be a part of this community. I just wish others passing through, seeing only what I saw on my first day, could know what I know today.

Here’s to many more years in Aberdeen. I am home.

Kat Bryant is lifestyle editor of The Daily World. She’s glad she hung around long enough to see below the surface. Reach her at kbryant@thedailyworld.com or on Facebook at Kat Bryant-DailyWorld.