Law enforcement agencies across the country actively warn the public against waiting to report, as those first few hours are the most critical for an investigation.
An altar is a table used for religious worship, rituals, and offerings.
An ax, also spelt axe, is a sharp-edged tool used for chopping wood.
The banks are the elevated land along the sides of waterways and function as the border keeping the water from flooding the surrounding areas.
Barley is a highly adaptable, nutrient-rich cereal grain used in food, as livestock feed, and for beer and whiskey.
A barrel is a large, round wooden, metal, or plastic cask with bulging sides used to store liquids like wine or oil, or dry goods.
Beach cliffs or coastal cliffs are steep, near-vertical rock faces where the land meets the ocean; formed primarily by relentless sea wave erosion.
Bedridden is when someone is forced to stay in bed all or most of the time due to severe illness, or injury.
A deep-fried French pastry made from sweet yeast dough, cut into squares, fried until golden, and dusted with powdered sugar.
Belly chains are employed as a high-security restraint for prisoners and are made of heavy-duty metal. The chains are wrapped around the waist, held in place by a padlock, and designed to keep the hands secured at the sides of the waist.
French for Jewel. The name of Thomas' three-year-old black Labrador.
Biodegradable loofahs are 100% natural sponges from dried, fibrous Luffa vines; belonging to the cucumber family and widely used for scrubbing dishes.
Board games are games played by moving pieces on a surface or "board". They range from pure games of chance like Snakes and Ladders to skill-based strategy games like Chess or Checkers.
A boat is a watercraft, smaller than a ship, and used for traveling, working, or recreating on the water. Many watercraft are casually referred to as a "boat" from small rowboats and canoes to large submarines and ferries.
A boathouse is a building where you can store smaller watercraft like canoes, rowboats, and motorboats. Built on water at the water's edge; these buildings protect boats from storms and severe weather and often serve as clubhouses.
The bobcat is a medium-sized, elusive wildcat native to North America, known for its stubby, "bobbed" tail. Roughly twice the size of a house cat.
To boil means to heat a liquid to its boiling point, causing it to rapidly change from a liquid into a steam. At sea level, water boils at 212°F.
French for Hello Grandmother.
A border is a line, edge, or boundary that separates one distinct space, or territory from another space or territory.
French for Donkey.
A tree branch is a woody extension growing out from a tree's main trunk. It supports leaves, flowers, and fruit, and is vital to carrying water and nutrients to the root system.
A cabin is a small, simple house made of wood, usually tree logs, often located in forest or mountains.
Canned foods are perishable food cooked at hot temperatures to kill bacteria and then sealed in airtight metal containers or jars to preserve them for future use. Canned foods have a long shelf life of one to five years.
A cavity in the Earth is an underground pocket, or hollow in the soil or rock. These spaces range in size from tiny pockets to massive cave systems, and can be made by natural processes or by human activity.
Chicken meat, often referred to as "chicken," is the edible parts of the domesticated chicken and a budget-friendly lean, protein source.
Clothes are wearable items like pants, shirts, dresses, and coats, which are worn to cover bodies for warmth, comfort, protection, and personal styles.
Cloudy and yellow from age indicates prolonged UV exposure which alters the glass creating a yellow hue. And moisture in the air with temperature fluctuations cause corrosion of the glass causing cloudiness.
The coast is the area where land meets a large body of water like the ocean or a sea; also known as the seashore.
Keeping company is visiting or staying in a social capacity with other people or animals like pets.
Damp refers to unwanted or unpleasant moisture or wetness.
To be dead means a state of being deprived of life, or no longer functioning or operating, or tired as in "dead tired".
A deadbolt is a strong door lock that requires a key to open and close.
Decorate is to make something more attractive by adding ornaments, color, or other enhancements.
A detergent is a cleaning agent that removes dirt, grease, and stains.
French for God.
"Double pneumonia" is an infection that inflames both lungs, causing them to fill with fluid, and is commonly caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi.
Floating, swimming, or flowing with the current of a river or stream towards the mouth or sea.
A dresser is a common piece of bedroom furniture with several drawers used for storing clothes.
A driftwood shelter is a temporary structure on a beach using tree branches, tree trunks, and wood debris that has washed ashore. The wood is exposed to water, sun, and sand, and has been stripped of bark and naturally smoothed.
Ducks are small to medium-sized waterfowl with short necks, bills, and webbed feet.
Earbuds are miniature, portable speakers for the ear made for private audio listening to music, podcasts, and calls.
Clay earth is dense dirt composed of very fine mineral particles which retain water and hold plant nutrients. Clay earth is used in pottery and ceramics for bricks and unglazed cookware. Clay like kaolin is used in poultices to absorb impurities from the skin. Clay mixed with sand and straw is used in houses and structures.
Eight-year-old Ella is the older twin of Emma, born in the early hours the next day.
Eight-year-old Emma is the younger twin of Ella.
Encouragement is the act of providing support, confidence, and hope for someone to reach goals and overcome challenges.
Eternal damnation is a religious concept that souls of unrepentant sinners are permanently condemned to eternal spiritual ruin, punishment, or separation from God in Hell after death.
Being "excited" means feeling heightened energy or anticipation, enthusiasm, eagerness, or happiness.
Exist means something is real, can be known, or is present in the physical world.
Exploring is traveling through or investigating unfamiliar places, subjects, or concepts to discover, learn, and understand more about the place, subject, or concept.
Favor refers to an act of kindness, a feeling of approval, or showing preference to someone.
A fire starter is a physical tool or material used to ignite fires.
Fireweed flowers are vibrant magenta-pink flowers known to be one of the first plants to return to burned areas.
Fishing is the activity, sport, or occupation of catching fish for survival, commerce, or recreational reasons.
A fishing lure is an artificial, inedible device with hooks, designed to appear and move like natural prey.
A fishing rod or fishing pole is a long, flexible pole equipped with a line, reel, and hook used to catch fish.
A flower is the reproductive structure in flowering plants, which usually produce seeds.
Fluorescent pens are writing devices that use vivid, bright neon ink and gel that are made of fluorescent compounds that absorb UV light and emit it as visible light; the pens are popular for journaling and art.
Fog is a thick ground cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in air close to the Earth's surface and is formed when air cools causing invisible water to form visible water.
A folding bed, or a rollaway bed is a space-saving bed with a hinged frame that folds in half and wheels for easy movement to and from storage.
A football field length refers to the dimensions of a regulation American football field, which is exactly 120 yards or 360 feet long from one zone to the other.
"Found" is past tense of "find", to discover or locate.
In building, a foundation is the lowest, load-bearing part of a structure, usually made of concrete or stone.
"Freed" is the past tense of the verb "free", which means to give someone or something liberty, relieve confinement and obstructions.
Boots are footwear that covers the foot, ankle, and sometimes the leg to the calf, knee, or even the hip. Boots are designed for ankle support, durability, and protection against harsh work, environments, and weather.
A glove is clothing worn on the hand and wrist for warmth and protection, usually made with individual finger and thumb sheaths to aid flexibility and the use of the hand.
The phrase "got the nerve" means gathering courage, confidence, or bravery to do or say something that makes you feel anxious, intimidated, or hesitant.
French for Grandfather.
Grasslands are open areas where the dominant vegetation consists of grasses rather than trees or shrubs.
Someone looking or feeling sick and nauseated. The idiom describes someone who appears about to vomit.
Guidance refers to help, advice, or direction given to resolve a problem or guide someone's conduct to help serve a better outcome.
A hammer is a hand tool for striking, driving nails, or shaping materials like metal. It has a heavy metal head attached to a handle.
Handcuffs are locking metal or plastic rings designed to bind a person's wrists together and are employed by law enforcement to prevent escape.
A hand shovel is a small tool used with one hand that has a scoop attached to a short handle to aid digging, scooping, and moving loose materials.
A "Hangman's Rope Ring" on a tree branch is a specific type of sliding loop knot used to suspend objects or animals.
To hibernate means to spend the winter in a deep, dormant state where body temperature drops, and heart rate slow down to conserve energy. Hibernation allows bears, ground squirrels, bats and other animals to survive harsh winters and go months without eating.
Honor is high respect, moral integrity, and a sense of duty.
Horsetail Falls is a popular 176-foot waterfall located off the Historic Columbia River Highway in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge.
To "hang back" means to hesitate, linger, or stay a short distance back.
Hunting is the practice of seeking, pursuing, and capturing or killing wildlife.
An icicle is a long, downward pointed spike of ice formed when water dripping from objects like roofs freezes as the water falls.
"Instant" means happening immediately in an extremely brief moment in time.
An Israelite refers to the ancient biblical people who were descendants of the patriarch Jacob later named Israel.
Something jagged is rough, uneven, or harshly notched with sharp points like a broken piece of glass, a saw or mountain range.
Jam is a sweet, spreadable food from boiled crushed or chopped fruit, sugar, and pectin. It contains whole fruit or pulp making it thicker than jelly.
A key is a small piece of metal cut to fit a lock to open a door or an ignition to start a vehicle.
A killer is any person, animal, or thing that causes the death of another and applies to intentional acts, accidental acts, deadly diseases, or predatory animals.
A laundry table is a flat surface used for sorting, folding, and stacking clean clothes, and often holds laundry supplies.
Leg irons are metal restraints fastened around a person's ankles and connected by a heavy chain; they prevent running, jumping, or physical resistance.
Lost is when something cannot be found, has gone out of one's possession, or cannot find its way such as when you cannot find your way home.
Lulling means to calm, soothe, or cause someone to fall asleep by using soft sounds or gentle, rhythmic motions.
French for My mother.
Marvella is a name of Latin origin meaning "miracle," "wonder," or "marvelous."
A meadow is an open field vegetated by grasses, herbs, and non-woody plants, often a mix of wildflowers.
Mice are small rodents that have pointed snouts, small rounded ears, and long slender tails.
A microwave oven is a kitchen appliance that cooks and heats food using electromagnetic radiation.
Thomas' fifteen-year-old older brother.
A miracle is an extraordinary, seemingly impossible event that defies natural or scientific laws. A deeply divine, statistically improbable occurrence.
The Mojave Desert is over 25,000 square miles of extremely arid rain shadow desert in southeastern California and southern Nevada with small sections in Arizona and Utah. Named after the Mohave people.
A large natural body of fresh water wih over 120 miles of shoreline covering 6,500 acres in Moses Lake Washington.
The mule deer is a medium-sized ungulate native to western North America and has oversized mule-like ears and black-tipped tail.
Multnomah Falls is a two-tiered 620-foot waterfall located in the Columbia River Gorge, it is the tallest waterfall in the state of oregon.
The ocean is the large body of salt water that covers over 70% of the Earth's surface and is divided into five basins: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and Southern Oceans.
Overhanging describes something physically suspended over a lower level.
French for Father.
"Peace be with you" is a blessing, a prayer, and a gesture of goodwill wishing someone deep inner tranquility, safety, and wholeness.
Peaceful is free from disturbance, conflict, or violence and means untroubled, calm, and quiet.
Perch are popular, ray-finned freshwater fish known for their distinctive spiny dorsal fins and flavorful panfish meat.
Perched means to sit or rest in a high, elevated place like a branch, ledge, or the edge of a hillside.
"Pink and Lavender Onion Flowers" are the blooms of onions which are valued for their drooping bell-shaped, pom-pom-shaped floral heads.
A pond is a small body of water, smaller than a lake and serves as habitats for aquatic life like aquatic plants, fish, frogs, and insects.
Ponytail Falls, also called Upper Horsetail Falls is an 88-foot waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area near Cascade Locks, Oregon.
Praise is the act of expressing admiration, approval, or commendation for someone's actions, traits, or achievements. In a religion it refers to honoring, worshiping, and expressing gratitude to God.
Prancing means moving with high, springy, and energetic steps, often in a proud, confident manner.
A pup or puppy is a juvenile dog under 12 to 18 months old. While "puppy" refers to young dogs, "pup" is used both for dogs and the young of various other mammals like seals, sharks, wolves, and rats.
Purple Asters are daisy-like flowering plants known for their vibrant purple petals and bright yellow centers the bloom until late summer and fall.
Queasy is a feeling of mild nausea, unease, or being sick to your stomach. It can be caused by sickness or anxiety.
A rabbit is a small, furry, herbivore mammal that lives in underground burrows, has long ears, a short tail, and long hind legs for hopping.
A ravine is a deep, narrow valley with very steep sides, carved out of the landscape by water erosion.
A fishing reel is a hand-cranked device attached to a fishing rod and facilitates winding, storing, and deploying the fishing line while fishing.
Rescuing is to save someone from danger or harm by bringing them to safety.
Roast beef is a large, hearty, tender, thick cut of beef for slow cooking and often sliced thin for sandwiches, cooked in stews, or served as a cold cut.
Rye berries are the whole, unprocessed seeds of the rye plant. They have a hearty, chewy texture, and a nutty, slightly earthy flavor.
The Sabbath meaning "to rest" is a day set aside for rest, worship, and spiritual renewal.
A salmonberry is an edible plump fruit that is grows in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. The berries get their name from their vibrant, fish-egg colors from yellow to reddish-orange.
Sand is composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles measuring between 0.06 and 2 millimeters in diameter. Sand is often located on beaches, and used for concrete, mortar, glass, and microchips.
Seagull is informal for a gull, a group of medium-to-large seabirds which are highly adaptable, intelligent scavenger coastal birds known for their distinct cries; often seen on beaches and docks.
A sea lion is a highly social, intelligent marine mammal with ear flaps, long front flippers, and the ability to "walk" on all fours. The sea lion belongs to the "eared seal" family and is famous for a loud, dog-like bark.
A dense, dark volcanic rock that is almost the entirety of Earth's oceanic crust, formed when magma cools rapidly underwater. The Hawaiian islands are made of basalt sea rocks.
That crisp, refreshing scent of sea salt is a nostalgic fragrance. The aroma isn't pure salt, but a mix of sea spray, phytoplankton, and drying seaweed.
Shells, or seashells are the hard, protective outer coverings (discarded homes) of marine snails, clams, oysters, and scallops.
A shrine is a sacred place dedicated to God, a saint, a martyr, or an ancestor where people can worship, pray, or pay respects.
Someone who is sick is in a state of ill health, affected by a disease, or experiencing nausea.
A sin is an offense against religious or moral law. A sin is any thought, word, or act considered immoral, shameful, or harmful to oneself and others.
A sling bag is a compact, crossbody-style bag with a single strap worn diagonally across the body, designed for hands-free use and comfort.
When something slopes, it slants or inclines, or tilts leaving one end higher than the other end.
Socks are knitted or woven feet coverings made to absorb moisture, reduce friction, provide cushioning, and keep feet warm inside footwear.
A spare is something kept in reserve for emergencies or future needs and not currently used, like a spare tire or a spare key.
Being "in high spirits" means someone is extremely happy, enthusiastic, and full of positive energy.
Splendor is great, awe-inspiring beauty, magnificence, or brilliance the deserves deep admiration.
Starvation is a deficiency in energy intake needed to sustain life, worse than malnutrition. Prolonged deficiency leads to permanent damage and eventual death.
The stomach is a hollow organ that stores food and aids in the digestion of food.
Strawberries are bright red, sweet, and juicy fruits highly valued worldwide for their aroma and taste.
Traditional Native American nickname for full moon in June marking ripening strawberries. Blood moon is a full moon during a total lunar eclipse.
To survive means to continue to live or exist in spite of difficult conditions, danger, illness, or a life-threatening situation.
Swim and swimming are the actions of propelling the body through water using the limbs, fins, or tail.
Taught is past tense of "teach". It means to have provided instruction, educated someone, or helped someone acquire knowledge or a new skill through study and practice.
Ten Mile is a rustic mixed-pine forest campground in the Colville National Forest in Washington state with 5 sites, picnic tables, fire rings, and an outhouse.
In the 1700s, native peoples in the Pacific Northwest were masterful carvers and seafaring whalers. Their culture featured monumental totem poles and complex social and oral traditions. They lived in smaller family clans with spiritual beliefs connected to the land, sea, and animal life.
Thinking is the mental process of manipulating information to form concepts, solve problems, and make decisions. Thinking involves remembering, analyzing, and imagining.
The tide is the regular rise and fall of the Earth's surface waters caused by gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun. Tides follow a cycle of two high tides and two low tides every 24 hours and 50 minutes.
Trees are plants with a wooden stem or trunk to grow tall, supporting branches and leaves to compete for sunlight.
Turkey is a type of white meat that is lean, protein-dense, and served as roasted whole birds, deli slices, and ground meat.
Tonton is French for uncle. Uncle Tonton is like saying "Uncle Uncle".
Unlucky means experiencing or bringing bad fortune, misfortune, or failure. It usually describes a person who often meets with bad circumstances with poor outcomes.
Waded means to have walked through water, mud, or another substance that slows down movement.
A skilled and experienced fighter in combat.
Waterproof material or objects that are completely impervious to water and prevents moisture from penetrating.
Wheat is a cereal grain cultivated worldwide for its dry, edible seeds, which are ground into flour to make foods like bread and pasta.
White rice is a refined, milled grain that has a milder flavor, softer texture, and a longer shelf life.
A wood-burning stove is a self-contained solid metal heating appliance that generates radiant heat by burning firewood or wood-derived products in a firebox, making them more efficient than a fireplace.
A workday refers to a day devoted to work as opposed to a weekend day or holidays.
Goldenrods are yellow-flowering plants known for their tall stalks and bright golden-yellow blooms that bloom late summer and early fall.
Zigzagging is moving in a series of sharp, alternating turns like the letters "Z" or "S" rather than a straight line.