Farthest Reach

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.

“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

• SECTION I The Last Playground1 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 Seasons4 Where to PlaySECTION II Some Places and People1 Cow Country2 Farewell Bend3 Among the Basques with a Scotchman4 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 Family10 En Route: In Sheep Country 11 Walla Walla: Missionaries, Vigilantes, and a Rawhide Railroad12 Yakima Valley: Two Towns. Irrigation and Indians13 Apple Valleys14 Beautiful Deep Water15 Grand Coulee Dam: Man’s Biggest Job to DateSECTION III Cities as Symbols1 Seattle2 Portland3 Spokane4 TacomaSECTION IV More Places and People1 The Islands and the Land To and From2 Spirit Dancing3 Olympic Peninsula: Big Trees—Sacred Elk—Ghost Towns4 Capital Towns: Olympia, Salem5 River of the West6 Oregon Coast7 Southern Oregon: Pelicans, Pears, Spade Beards, and Cave MenSECTION V Highlights on the Last Horizon1 Tales, Tall and Small2 Paul Bunyan’s Larder3 The Jumping-off PlaceReading List Index