The Mighty Chehalis

The Mighty Chehalis


On our way back
from the coast,
we took the road
out of Raymond
to I-5 at Centralia.
This road follows
the route
of the Chehalis river.

We had planned on
stopping at a park
(can't remember the name)
to stretch legs and use
the facilities.

The park,
being across the river
from the road,
is (used to be)
accessed
by a nice solid bridge
steel beamed
and cable anchored.

Gone.
The hefty granite
and masonry anchors shattered,
steel beams bent
and the whole thing
gone.

You remember
when I-5 was closed
due to flooding?
This was the river
that did it.

Ripped out trees,
fields knee deep in mud.
Farmers with 'dozers
and back hoes digging
out their driveways.

I hope
for their sake
that the free delivery
was good rich topsoil.
Floods and farmers
usually have
a good relationship.

Doug Palmer 2008