On May 12 we went to La Push on the long awaited and planned hallibut opener only to be attacked in our tent camp be two tribal members. We were camped at the southwest corner in a green Alaknak in the corner spot I had negociated in march when my wife and I went for a winter getaway. It was the most unbeleavable thing I have ever experianced. They came into our camp after we were asleep, put wood on our almost out fire and started going through our cooler. My son woke up and asked them what they were doing only to be spit on,punched and told that was their reservation and they could do what ever they want. He went in and woke up the second member of our group and he was punched in the face three times for showing-up. I was in the tent with earplugs sleeping like a baby when my son came in frantickly waking me and saying something about we had to call the police. By the time I got to my feet, put on my shoes and walked out side he was in his car and on his way to where we had seen police cars parked on our way in. I walked out to two WOMEN, yes women standing there cussing us up one side and down the other. I walked over to the 5 gal. water bottle that had been knocked over and said something to the effect of " get the *&ell out of here" and was kicked in the face while bent over and attacked by both of them. Scratched,punched,hair pulled,you name it. NOW IM PISSED. I was able to struggle to my feet after slamming one of them against the picknic table and the fight was on. I had to fight both of them like I would two men and only after punching them both in the face re-peatedly did they decide to leave. TWO ABSOLUTE ANIMALS who hated us because we were outsiders. One was arrested and the other one got away. SO, BEWARE, there are people on the reservations that are capable of this and if you are as unlucky as us you too will become the victim of there HATE. I should say that there was a steady stream of others that came by the next day after we get back from fishing to appolajize and say "were not all like them".The police started regulur patrols to "keep an eye on things" but we decided to leave because I knew if they returned with their friends there would be blood spilled. I AM NOT A PACIFIST. The people from the store were helpful as well as the police but we left after finding a threatening note on our table when we got back that was left by one the attackers mothers. One week later I am still on the mend. I am following up with the police. More later.

Exactly why I haven't been to Neah Bay for 10-12yrs.

that sucks glad no one was seriously hurt. and stories like this is why we dont stay at neah anymore. to bad too we used to camp there all the time only a few years ago.

I probably would have shot someone.

When you say southwest corner do you mean Hobuck beach park? Or is southwest corner a campground? Just curious.

I have spent a week at LaPush in September Salmon fishing and stay in our MH in parking lot for last 5 years and never had a problem. I remember that in the early 70's I had heard of issues when we stayed there fishing. There is an old timer that lives across from the parking lot that has loaned us tools for repairs and other natives that are very informative. I am sorry to here that you had a bad experience.

LaPush/Quills, not Neah Bay/Makahs.

I would have been VERY suprised if the problem had been @ Hobuck. I've camped there before and it's always been a quality experience. Much better than in town.

.02,

Brian

Anybody else have an encounter with the "angry guy" a few blocks north of the marina in La Push? We were looking for a parking spot on Saturday morning and he was out in his front yard going nuts. We decided not to park in front of his house.

There are drunks, asshats and crackheads in every town. Try Sultan for example. We saw pair of tweekers panhandling in Duvall recently.

What I want to know is what the police and courts do. It they want to keep the tourism $ they need to show it with serious consequences for tresspassing and assault.

Please keep us informed as to how this pays out.

your probably luck they didn't turn into warewolves!..

all kidding aside, its a good thing things didn't get worse... could have gone real bad, and hopefully the law will punish them!

Wow that is some story. You haven't stated the level of intoxication of the offenders. On any given weekend there are quite a few surfers camped out there, in vans, tents, etc, and pretty much every surfer who stays there has a 1st or second hand account of this type of thing happening. Bring up camping at LaPush and the terms "dodgy, and sketchy" immediately follow.

I cannot imagine a more beautiful setting for a sh!thole than LaPush.

Did you have any bikes or space heaters in plain view?

That is messed up. I've been out there quite a bit over the years. While it is a pretty sketchy place, I've never had a violent experience up there. That is really too bad. Such a great location and beautiful place, that has all the makings of a gold mine of a little town but it is run like crap. Sorry to hear about your experience. I've got a place reserved at 3 rivers for the summer and I hope the "treaty line" helps. Ha!

heard reports of the gas at the marina having a lot of water in it, but most people were happy campers...

When I used to surf out there some friends and I paid for a campsite to the right of the Lapush store. As we were unpacking we were told by a local that we were in the "wrong" parking area. He threatened that if we didn't move right now he was going to come back with a large chain and lock and rap it around my truck's driveline. Guess I really wouldn't be moving after that!

A simple "Could I get you to move your vehicle please" would have been easier.

All they wanted was some more firewater... Should have had the firewater sitting on the picnic table, they'd have swooped though without making a peep.....

Keith

I'm always surprised that people that commit such acts can get away with it more than a few times. Same thing with people that break into houses. SUCH an easy way to justifiably get killed.

My understanding is that both of the girls were recetnly released from jail. Apparently a little too soon. I have never had a problem in Lapush but have heard similar stories from that campground. -TBJ

Never has a problem @ Lapush, but have had some sketchy chit happen in Neah Bay a few years back.Glad no one got hurt bad.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Me too,.....someone would have been walking away with a serious limp. Never leave home without it.