Saturday at Cape Disappointment State Park

View of the Pacific Ocean from Beard’s Hollow Overlook  

Since we visited Cape Disappointment State Park in April, a new Beard’s Hollow overlook has been built along the road into the park.

Beard’s Hollow is named for Captain Edward Beard, the commander of the Vandalia.  In January, 1853, his ship was sighted sailing nearby with no sign of trouble.  One week later, the Vandalia washed ashore near McKenzie Head.  The captain’s body was found in this inlet.  No one survived to tell the story, but many attribute the loss of the Vandalia to the treacherous conditions at the mouth of the Columbia River.  Many ships have been lost in this area, which is how it got it’s name, Cape Disappointment.

Dave at the Beard’s Hollow Overlook

There’s nothing disappointing about the park, though, and this weekend was one of the busiest summer weekends.  Many people were enjoying the park’s Waikiki Beach.  Unlike its better known cousin in Hawaii, this Waikiki is full of driftwood.

Waikiki Beach

  North Jetty’s rocks

Pelicans over Waikiki Beach

Last night Long Beach had fireworks in celebration of the Kite Festival.  The display was supposed to start at 9:30, but it didn’t get going until 10 pm.  In the meantime, we watched night kite-flying demonstrations.  It was interesting seeing the kites all lit up.  Unfortunately, it was very COLD at the beach, but we unthawed on the way back to our campsite!