“Through this chronicle of journeys through the Northwest (Oregon and Washington), Mrs. Ross has contributed an animated account of its background, its legend, its pictorial pleasures, its life today. More than just a travel book, many phases of this vital region are recorded. Peoples, whether Indians, Basques, missionaries, vigilantes, leading citizens and eccentrics today and yesterday. Cow country, ranches and round-ups, the Indian spirit dances, the ghost towns and the modern great irrigation projects side by side. The cities and what to see—where to go—their social and cultural life—their personalities. An enthusiastic, warm and colorful portrait of two states, which should prove popular with their natives and ingratiating with their visitors.” —KIRKUS REVIEW, 1941

Nancy Wilson Ross was a popular writer of both fiction and nonfiction. She was born in Olympia, Washington, in 1901, and she attended the University of Oregon. Her book WESTWARD THE WOMEN (1944) profiles the pioneer settlers of the region. She traveled extensively—in England, France, China, Korea, and Japan—and later became known as an expert on Eastern religions. She died on January 18, 1986.

SECTION I The Last Playground 1 What Is the Pacific Northwest? 2 Historical Background LOOKING BACK EXPLORERS BY BOAT THE RIVER OF FABLE THAT REALLY EXISTED EXPLORERS ON FOOT FURS FAITHS HOME-MAKERS 3 The Seasons 4 Where to Play SECTION II Some Places and People 1 Cow Country 2 Farewell Bend 3 Among the Basques with a Scotchman 4 Burns 5 John Day Country 6 Gold, Uncivic Potatoes, and a Centenarian 7 Enterprise—A Lost Hat—The Canyon of Hell 8 Pendleton Round-up 9 Grande Ronde Country: An American Family 10 En Route: In Sheep Country 11 Walla Walla: Missionaries, Vigilantes, and a Rawhide Railroad 12 Yakima Valley: Two Towns. Irrigation and Indians 13 Apple Valleys 14 Beautiful Deep Water 15 Grand Coulee Dam: Man’s Biggest Job to Date SECTION III Cities as Symbols 1 Seattle 2 Portland 3 Spokane 4 Tacoma SECTION IV More Places and People 1 The Islands and the Land To and From 2 Spirit Dancing 3 Olympic Peninsula: Big Trees—Sacred Elk—Ghost Towns 4 Capital Towns: Olympia, Salem 5 River of the West 6 Oregon Coast 7 Southern Oregon: Pelicans, Pears, Spade Beards, and Cave Men SECTION V Highlights on the Last Horizon 1 Tales, Tall and Small 2 Paul Bunyan’s Larder 3 The Jumping-off Place Reading List Index