Lexa W. Lee is a New Orleans-based writer with more than 20 years of experience. She has contributed to "Central Nervous System News" and the "Journal of Naturopathic Medicine," as well as several online publications. Lee holds a B.S. in biology from Reed College, a naturopathic medical degree from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine and served as a postdoctoral researcher in immunology.

Long Beach is a city in Washington state that was founded in 1880, according to the City Data website. It is located on a 28-mile-long peninsula that is the longest contiguous beach in the United States.

Long Beach is where Lewis and Clark ended their journey on November 19, 1805. Clark carved his name and the date on a pine tree there. The city itself was later established as a tourist camp for the Portland area.

The citys Ocean Beach Boardwalk, developed in 1990, was the first true boardwalk in the Pacific Northwest. Long Beach also hosts the annual Washington State International Kite Festival in August. Also, the area is known for its rich harvests of salmon, halibut, cod, oysters and razor clams.

The food and hotel industry is the major employer in the city. Long Beach has a population of 1,365 that is mostly white, with 21.7 percent of German descent. The cost of living index in December 2009 was 95.3, compared to the national average of 100, according to City Data.

Long Beach is a peninsula at the southwest end of Washington State.