| Typist: Bethany After six and a half weeks of hanging around our beautiful Seattle neighborhood, the Cascadian Nomads humans and canines packed up and hit the road again. We started with a beautiful drive to the Southwestern-most corner of Washington State, Cape Disappointment. Just before highway 101 winds along Willipa Bay, we stopped in Raymond, Washington and enjoyed part of Lewis County's impressive, leashed dog-friendly Willipa Hills Trail.  Willapa River, Raymond, Washington |  Northwest Carriage Museum, Raymond |
We arrived at Cape Disappointment State Park at dinner time and were fortunate to enjoy a spectacular sunset after setting up camp. Cape Disappointment State Park is the most dog-friendly camping we have ever done. Really. It has everything you could need when camping with dogs: paved walking through the campground's many, spread out loops (which we saw a lot of people doing,) multiple forested hiking trails (which we did not have time to enjoy but are definitely going back for) and a gorgeous, leashed dog-friendly beach.
The Cape Disappointment sunset did not disappoint.
Gorgeous sunset with three dogs, brown pelicans and the North Head Lighthouse
Blue moon at Cape Disappointment
 Camping at Cape Disappontment, Wilhelm was called "moss man." |  Camping in style at dog-friendly Cape Disappointment. |
Such dog-friendly camping means a lot to us, of course, but my very favorite part of Cape Disappointment State Park is that is has not one but two lighthouses. While it is unlikely the dogs cared about the lighthouses, we did have fun hiking the beach from one lighthouse, the North Head Lighthouse, to the other, the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse, on our one full day at the park. Plus we were blessed to do it on a once in a blue moon (literally) warm, sunny Washington beach day.
It was one of those days where even the Washington State Pacific Ocean water was warm and even if a cold wave hit you, the sun was so warm that it didn't matter. The beach at Cape Disappointment had tide pools in the sand that were as warm as bath water. Even Wilhelm, who is always cold and has never voluntarily swam, jumped in to a warm pool for a swim! Brychwyn also did a bit of swimming during our beach hike but Huxley only had interest in wading or digging in the sand.
It was one of those days where even the Washington State Pacific Ocean water was warm and even if a cold wave hit you, the sun was so warm that it didn't matter. The beach at Cape Disappointment had tide pools in the sand that were as warm as bath water. Even Wilhelm, who is always cold and has never voluntarily swam, jumped in to a warm pool for a swim! Brychwyn also did a bit of swimming during our beach hike but Huxley only had interest in wading or digging in the sand.
 Not a dog but our three-year-old friend Mac checking out the awesome tide pools. |  Huxley loves the sand and the waves but is not interested in swimming |
Jason captured Wilhelm coming out of the warm tide pool he'd voluntarily jumped into for a swim.
Brychwyn and the warm, sparkly beach.
 Dachshunds were born to dig. |  Collies were born to help dachshunds dig. When we reached the jetty, the mouth of the mighty Columbia river lay before us. We could see Oregon, the Astoria-Megler bridge and the Astoria pillar (which we visited in February.) But all of this loveliness paled in comparison to my opportunity to photograph all three dogs in the fore ground of two lighthouses from one locale. |
Three dogs, the Columbia River and the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse (far left.)
Three dogs, the Pacific Ocean and the North Head Lighthouse (far right.)
After such an exciting day on the beach, we got a very good nights sleep. There was dog play with friends at the campground in the morning before we packed up and headed to Long Beach, Washington, for the International Kite Festival.
 Sleepy, sandy dogs. |  Morning campground fun. |
The International Kite Festival, Long Beach, Washington
The Long Beach International Kite Festival was one of the most breathtaking things that I have ever seen. If you have never been, go. If you have never considered going, add it to your bucket list right now. I'm pretty sure the dogs just noticed a huge beach full of people to admire and pet them but I met a startling amount of kind, talented and creative people, saw things I still can't believe and took some of the most beautiful photographs I have ever taken. Instead of posting an hour long slideshow of 'R' Blood on the Track Boys at Long Beach with spectacular kites, I have posted a short sample video of what three quad string stunt kite flyers can do. During my short time at the Long Beach International Kite Festival, I saw eight quad string kite stunt flyers line up and fly together. Their individual four strings twisted and untwisted and the groups kites strings twisted and untwisted. I just couldn't believe my eyes. One stunt flyer I spoke with tried to convince me learning these tricks was easy. I told him that I can barely keep three dog leashes from tangling into knots that will never come untied and that is enough skill mastery for me, for now.
Huxley, Wilhelm and Brychwyn at the International Kite Festival, Long Beach, Washington
Disappointed? We didn't think so! Please join us for "Disappointment, Flattery, Deception, Part 2" tomorrow.
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