Beaches at Cape Disappointment

Cape Disappointment. Not exactly a promising name for a place you’re planning to vacation. However, my wife, two-year-old son and I just returned from a long weekend at Cape Disappointment State Park where we vacationed with friends and had a wonderful time.

Located in Washington State’s southwestern most corner, Cape Disappointment is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the mighty Columbia River to the South.  The park offers 27 miles of ocean beach, two lighthouses, an interpretive center and hiking trails.

Cape Disappointment, discovered and named by English fur trader John Meares on July 6th, 1788 was so named because at the time Meares was disappointed that he had not discovered the mouth of the Columbia River. A storm forced him to give up his search just north of the river’s mouth.  I’m sure he was truly disappointed when he later realized precisely how close he was. Sometimes the breaks just don’t fall your way.

It’s one of the foggiest places in the country with the equivalent of 106 days of the misty white stuff hanging around to greet you – not unusual in Washington State.  Fog notwithstanding, this park is a beautiful place.  Majestic vistas abound with views of the vast Pacific Ocean to the west, the mighty Columbia River to the south, and acres of lush green forest to the east and north.  As mentioned the park has multiple hiking trails of varying difficulty.  One such hike led our families to the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse.  The trail began at the Lewis and Clark interpretive Center, down a ravine past a beautiful hidden cove appropriately named Dead Man’s Cove, and back up the other side to the lighthouse.

Dead Man's Cove From Hiking Trail

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I’ve written four entries over the past couple of weeks that detailed the experience I had planning our Epic Summer Road Trip. During the course of my planning I learned some things that I’d like to pass on to you, gentle readers.

1. Plan your route. That may seem a bit obvious, but while a favorite saying of my home state of Maine is, “You can’t get there from here,” there are actually a LOT of ways to get EVERYWHERE. So know which way you want to go. And consider taking a different route coming home than you took getting to your destination.
2. Buy an actual physical map, or a road atlas, so you can see both ends of your route at once. GPS is all well and good, MapQuest and Google Maps will get you there (usually), but it’s always best to have an actual map of the state you’re travelling through. Especially for taking scenic detours.
3. When on-line reservations fail you, try picking up an actual phone and talking to a real, live person. As was the case for my Old Faithful Inn reservations, even if the on-line system says the place is fully booked, often times you can still reserve rooms directly with the reservations representative.
4. Consider renting a car instead of driving your own. If your vacation budget allows for it, renting a car can save a road-tripper a lot of anxiety. If a rental car breaks down, the rental company obliges with a Brand! New! Vehicle! And you can continue on your merry way, with the merest inconvenience to your plans. If your own car breaks down on you, well, you’re stuck with trying to get a tow, get a repair, and/or get an alternate means of transportation SMACK in the middle of your much-anticipated vacation. Said vacation may be derailed entirely, even. Another thing to consider is gas mileage and gas prices. My personal vehicle requires premium gasoline and gets MAYBE eighteen miles to the gallon (no Green lectures, please!). The one we’re renting for our road trip gets 25 miles to the gallon and takes regular unleaded. I’m thinking the expense will be a wash, in the end.

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"Pink skies at night, sailors' delight."

This photo taken from a dockside restaurant near the Rhode Island-Connecticut border is a typical scene in seaside towns along the coasts of Rhode Island and Southeast Connecticut. If only the sunsets were always this beautiful.

I just spent a 3 day weekend in Lexington, Kentucky.

The locals were fantastic.  The service at my hotel was phenomenal.  My traveling companions were wonderful to hang out with.

And I could not wait to get out of Lexington.

I absolutely love experiencing new places.  Before I leave, I always do a quick google search for “things to do in INSERT CITY NAME HERE” to get an idea of the must see attractions in the area that will give me a sense of the local culture.  When I arrive, I immediately ask the hotel concierge what tourist (and not so touristy) attractions they recommend.

All of my attempts to discover “things to do in Lexington” lead me to the same response.

Bourbon and Horses.

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