Cape Disappointment Weekend

Camping and Riding Bikes With A Friend

produce, and left empty-handed but content. For dinner, I made a comforting soup with miso, edamame, black mushrooms, wakame, buckwheat noodles, and furikake seasoning—a warm hug in a bowl.

That night, I got up four times to pee. The first time, around 12:30 a.m., I nearly walked into a doe and a button buck standing by my car. Just as I was drifting back to sleep, something thwapped my tent. Then came a chatter that sounded suspiciously like laughter. Raccoons. The little stinkers thwapped my tent three times, clearly playing some midnight prank.

By morning, I was sleep-deprived and achy. I told Heidi I’d be heading home instead of doing another ride. My leg was protesting, and my body was ready for a real bed.

Final Reflection

Despite the forgotten tent poles, deer droppings, and raccoon shenanigans, the weekend was a reminder of how friendship and fresh air can turn even the oddest moments into cherished memories. There’s something magical about sharing laughter over take-out, discovering new trails, and waking up to wildlife—planned or not. And while I didn’t get the sleep I hoped for, I left with something better: stories worth retelling and the kind of connection that makes every bump in the road feel worthwhile.