Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ship Ahoy!
It's not unusual to come around a bend on Wash. 4 and be face to face
with a freighter. In places, the shipping channel is no more than 100 yards
from shore, and the sight of a rusty hulk of a ship rumbling through the
trees just off the side of the road has caused more than a few unsuspect-
ing motorists to hit the breaks and hit their brakes. Feel free to put on
your starboard turn signal and pull over for a better look.
Moments
4pm; November through April, it's open Thursday through Sunday from 1 to
4pm. Admission is by donation. Cathlamet is connected by bridge to Puget
Island, which was settled by Scandinavian fishermen in the late 1800s. Today
the island is covered with farms and is a popular spot with bicyclists. The flat,
uncrowded roads and river views make for an ideal day's bicycle tour. However,
you'll have to bring your own bike as there are no bike rental shops on the island.
The last ferry on the Columbia River connects the island to Oregon.
East of Cathlamet begins the most picturesque portion of this drive, with the
cliffs of Little Cape Horn marking the start of this scenic stretch of road. Due
to its strong winds, the Little Cape Horn area is popular with windsurfers.
WHERE TO STAY
Skamokawa Inn Located in the tiny historic fishing village of
Skamokawa, this inn caters primarily to people coming to town to go sea kayak-
ing with the affiliated Skamokawa Paddle Center. The inn's rooms, which are in
a restored historic building, are modern, comfortable, and cheerful. Two have
their own small balconies and all have river views. If you have the family or some
friends along, consider the apartment, which is in an adjacent house. The inn is
located right on the water, with its own dock. On the ground floor, there's a gen-
eral store that has a casual dining room as well as a store. Canoes, kayaks, and
mountain bikes can all be rented here.
1391 W. State Rte. 4, Skamokawa, WA 98647. & 888/920-2777 or 360/795-8300. Fax 360/795-8304. www.
skamokawakayak.com. 12 units. $85-$90 double; $135-$235 apt or suite. Rates include continental break-
fast. MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant (American); watersports rentals; bike rentals. In room:TV.
Finds
3 Vancouver & Vicinity
6 miles N of downtown Portland, 120 miles SE of Long Beach, 40 miles S of Longview
Because Vancouver, Washington, is part of the Portland metropolitan area, and
because it bears the same name as both a large island and a city in Canada, it is
often overlooked by visitors to the Northwest. However, the city has several his-
toric sites and other attractions that make it worth a stop. It was here, at Fort
Vancouver, a Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) trading fort, that much of the
Northwest's important early pioneer history unfolded.
ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE Vancouver is located on I-5 just north across the
Columbia River from Portland, Oregon. I-205 bypasses the city to the east,
while Wash. 14 heads east up the Columbia Gorge.
With the Portland International Airport just across the river, Vancouver is also
well connected to the rest of the world via numerous airlines. The city is also
served by Amtrak trains.
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