Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the back-story on creation of this website?

Back in 2009, a retired FAA air traffic controller living outside of Portland, OR begins what becomes an annual drive to Sol Duc Hot Springs – for a few days of soaking, camping, and lots of great hiking. The thought crosses his mind, especially while relaxing at Sol Duc, that perhaps he should look into selling his Oregon rural acreage and moving to the north Olympic Peninsula area. He’s a bit slow; it is not until the last day of the hot springs season of 2018, that he decides he should at least see what’s available in the area. Less than three months later, he moves to a new home in Joyce: peaceful, forested acreage just a short walk from the Olympic Discovery Trail Adventure Route.

Three years and one global pandemic later, he decides it is time to create a website sharing what he has learned about this area. In three years, he has gotten to learn some of the details of community history, and he has met a few other local residents, many of whom had a similar path to moving here, and were attracted by the same incredible natural qualities. But, during the pandemic years, it also became apparent that the community would benefit from more transparency, more thoughtful sharing of information to empower the residents to participate in important choices for their future.

 

Why the name ‘Re-Joyce!’?

The short answer is very simple: the author, on his first drive through Joyce in late 2018, saw a handmade sign on the east end of Joyce, asking people to come back again, to ‘Re-Joyce’. Cute and creative.

The longer answer has to do with what the author observed, once he became a new resident.  There is a huge amount of heart and history here, but in many regards this area is on the down-side of history, declining from its earlier glory years. For example, a new church building was built in 1998, on raw acreage in the middle of Joyce, and it failed; that property was purchased by the local fire district, just before the pandemic. As another example, consider the outstanding natural resources here: still jaw-dropping in many ways, yet what really amazes is that we used to have lots more huge trees, and a seemingly infinite fishery in the Strait and in our rivers. So, in the context of these relative declines, this website focuses on the implications of the ‘Re-’ portion of the name.

Yes, it is about Joyce and the Joyce area. But, the new website is largely aimed at helping to ‘re-create’ this area to what it could and should be. ‘Reviving’, ‘rejuvenating’ and ‘rebuilding’ a community that has a colorful and proud past; a ‘re-birth’, where we ‘re-focus’ on our roots and our natural resources, seeking to make this area the best it can be for both residents and visitors.

There’s a parallel meaning, too: the word ‘recreate’ screams also of the opportunities here, for so much outdoor recreation in this beautiful area, such as hiking on the Olympic Discovery Trail or trekking into the Olympics.

What is the overall plan for Posts on the ‘Re-Joyce!’ Blog?

The blog will not be a news service, though occasional news items will get covered. It will be more about sharing data and documents that help people understand what’s needed, to participate meaningfully in the making of good public decisions. Additional Posts will do research and provide analysis. Ideally, others in the community will offer guest-posts. There will be no advertising.

Most Posts will be dated on the day they are published. Some posts, especially those discussing or analyzing past events and key documents, will be dated using the actual date of the event or document.

Readers are encouraged to use Categories and Tags to efficiently view other Posts and Pages of interest.

How can this website help the community?

Improving transparency and the sharing of data and information within the community, to facilitate discussion and decision-making.

How can this website help visitors?

Mostly by providing a compilation of resources to facilitate planning a good visit.

Can I offer suggestions for improving this website?

Of course. Good ideas are always welcome. And, guest-Posts would likely be greatly appreciated by everyone.

What’s a ‘short-list’ of must-dos for a 1-day visit?

One day is way too short for what is here. But, depending on what you seek (how physical vs how easy, minimal driving vs lots of driving), a short list might include any of these:

1. a drive up to Hurricane Ridge, and hike or beach out at Dungeness Spit;
2. the ~20-mile Seven Lakes Basin loop above Sol Duc Falls, followed by a hot springs soak; or
3. or a trip out Highway 112 through Neah Bay to view Tatoosh Island, with a side-trip to Lake Crescent and Devil’s Punchbowl.

What’s a recommended ‘short-list’ for a 4-day vacation?

That’s enough time to get a quick overview of the area. Perhaps… from Hoh River Rainforest to Ozette Lake and the trails to the Ocean …then out to Neah Bay and Cape Flattery …then to Sol Duc for camping and hiking. On the last couple days, check out Salt Creek, PA for a meal, Hurricane Ridge, Dungeness Spit and Sequim for another meal. Even better, give this itinerary a whole week, so you are not too rushed.

Does Re-Joyce have a bias toward self-powered recreation?

Absolutely. This website avoids promoting recreation that centers around fossil fuels, such as powered boats, airplanes, off-road vehicles, oversized campers, etc. Too often, these recreational activities diminish the experience for others, because of their noise and air pollution. And, they create excessive climate impact. So, the recreational activities encouraged for this area are hiking, backpacking, biking, birding, paddling, etc.

How can I be a responsible climate-citizen while recreating in the Joyce area?

Best is to live here. If visiting, plan your trips to travel with family and friends. Avoid air travel. Especially if you are driving more than a couple hours, don’t make it a day trip – make it many days.

Where are the closest shops for rentals and repairs?

Kayak rentals and bike shops exist in Port Angeles (PA).

How has COVID-19 impacted the Joyce area?

In the early lockdown months, the air was clearer and the roads were quieter with a lot less traffic; social distancing was guaranteed almost everywhere you might go to recreate. By the first summer, though, many people were realizing the Olympic Peninsula area was a good day-trip or even short camping trip… and a good escape from the city. It appears traffic may actually have increased substantially over pre-COVID traffic levels.

With enhanced remote-work and remote-learning, it feels like lots of new people are choosing to come to the area. The low population density and abundant public lands mean that some may be here embarking on nomadic lifestyles.

What is the weather and climate like in the Joyce area?

Wet for much of the year, but not uncommonly dry and very pleasant through the summer months. Temperatures are moderated by the proximity (~2-miles) to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Record highs were in the mid-upper 90’s in July and August, before the June 2020 Heat Dome event set new records, right up to 100. Record lows tend to correlate with winds from the Fraser River in BC, east of Vancouver; single-digits have been recorded in December through February. Rainfall averages ~56″ annually. Rainfall in Joyce appears to be roughly double the measured totals at the airport in Port Angeles (KCLM METAR data).

Actually, the summer weather is commonly not just pleasant but beyond pleasant: comfortable temps, low humidity, no bugs, clean sunlight. For much of the time, from May into October, this a glorious place to be.

How is government structured in Joyce?

There is no local government; the town is not incorporated, and has no mayor or governing body. There is no community center.

The closest thing to ‘local’ leadership comes from the full-time paid Fire Chief who administers the paid-volunteer Joyce Fire District, under an elected 5-member Board of Fire Commissioners. A 9-member (appointed) Crescent Community Advisory Council meets 6-times yearly, and includes one of the County Commissioners.

Regional leadership comes from the 3-member elected Clallam County Board of Commissioners: currently Mark Ozias (District 1 – east), Randy Johnson (District 2 – central), and Bill Peach (District 3 – west).

Where is the Post Office?

There is a small P.O. in the front corner of the Joyce General Store. It is a historical relic, with beautiful brass P.O. boxes.

For those who are curious, postal routes are operated from the larger USPS facility in downtown Port Angeles. Mail to/from this area gets sorted and routed through Tacoma.

What would a graph look like, for the economy and vitality of the Joyce area?

Population figures are one way to estimate when a community or economy is strong or weak. Perhaps Joyce figures are available, but they have not yet been located. As an alternative analysis, data was found for annual population totals, from 1960 forward, for Clallam County, as well as for the state and nation. For most of those 6+ decades, Clallam County has trailed national and state growth. But, there is one decade where Clallam County was booming, far exceeding the state and national growth rates. From 1973 thru 1980, while the U.S. population grew 7% and the Washington state population grew 20%, the population in Clallam County jumped 37%.

In terms of commercial development, a drive through town suggests there has been very little in this area for a long time. The newest example would be the LDS church building in 1998; very well constructed, but no longer active as a church; sold in early 2020, as evidence that Joyce growth failed to meet what was hoped for. Every community wants to believe they are exceptional and economically vibrant, but that may not be a fair assessment for today’s Joyce.

What are the biggest pluses and minuses of residing in the Joyce area?

People are different, so one person’s plus is another’s minus. Almost everyone who enjoys nature will love how wild and fresh this area can be. But, two qualities that tend to either make or break residency include:

1. 1. 1. Remoteness: there are fewer people per square mile here; you’ll probably need to go to town and restock on groceries. There are plenty of areas beyond cell coverage.
      2. Wet weather: if you do not love rain and how it enriches the local forests and streams, or if you cannot adjust to staying in with other projects during extended rain events, the charm of this area may not last.

How does the Joyce area cost of living compare with elsewhere?

Probably cheaper, compared to the Seattle area or western Oregon. But, if your lifestyle is one where you impulsively dash off to a store for one thing at a time, it will become more expensive than living in town.

What are the various taxes in the Joyce area?

Property taxes are roughly $9 per thousand in valuation. Area sales tax is 9.8%. The State of Washington has no personal income tax.

Are forest products and timber still a big part of the local economy?

Yes, but not as big as they used to be. Mill automation has greatly reduced the number of jobs. Plus, there are far fewer mills. Most trees today are cut using huge machinery, and a lot less labor. And, on top of that, a huge portion of the cut is exported for processing out of area, such as at Chinese mills.

A March 2012 report by HeadwatersEconomics.org assessed that, in 2009, there were roughly 1,000 jobs in Clallam County for forestry, logging, and mills; 90% of these were as employees, 10% were ‘self-employed’.

Is clearcutting of forests still practiced?

Yes, for the most part. Half a century ago, a clearcut meant loggers would remove everything, and many people protested not just the eyesore but also the loss of habitat and the erosional destruction to logged areas. In the years since, public pressure has caused policies to emerge that retain riparian buffers (trees left standing keep waters cool in summer) and nurse trees or small tree islands.

As you recreate in this area, you will notice that new cuts will leave a few trees standing (they are marked to be left standing, by crews preparing the timber sales). But, a year later, you likely will see some of even many of those trees are broken, down or dead; mostly uprooted or snapped, as a result of wind exposure. Trees grow fast and tall here, and are rooted on generally thin soils. Point being, if you remove too many trees and expose previously-protected trees to the full brunt of winds, losses will accumulate in the next few years.

What percentage of lands are publicly owned?

The recreational potential of the north Olympic Peninsula is amplified by this figure: roughly 60% of lands are publicly owned. Principal public land owners include ONP, ONF, DNR, Washington State Parks, and Fish & Wildlife (both state and federal).

As a resident, how can I help the Joyce community?

Get informed and be involved. Be active; attend meetings and participate in civic discussions. Cooperate with your neighbors, and take the time to talk through differences of opinion. If we all work at it, we can achieve a shared vision of what Joyce can become for our grandchildren.

As a visitor, how can I help the Joyce community?

Help us keep this place fresh and natural. Tread lightly. And, spend a few dollars at the store and restaurants, or donate to some of our service groups and non-profits, etc. Oh, and be sure to ‘Re-Joyce!’