Vancouver, WA & Portland, OR - Sep. 18 - 25, 2008
On September 18th we moved 50 miles from Castle Rock to Vancouver RV Park conveniently located just a few blocks off I-5. The park is pleasant and surprisingly quiet considering its proximity to the freeway. We anticipated good weather so we upgraded to an extra large site that provided a large lawn area and ample parking for the car. As it happened we had one sunny day... oh well.
Our first order of business was to get new booties for Kermit. Bill had ordered tires a week before and we had an appointment with an installer in Portland. In short order we were rolling down the road on new rubber.
A downside to the RV lifestyle is rarely are there RV parks in city centers or that are conveniently served by transit. Because we tend to avoid the traffic and parking challenges, we don't spend as much time in urban centers as we would like.
That said, on Saturday we drove into Portland for a walking tour of the city. Portland is a very walkable city and we had a great time visiting the various parks, searching out numerous fountains and statues, being amused by the "24 Hour Church of Elvis", admiring the architecture, strolling along Waterfront Park, visiting the very extensive Saturday Market and Chinatown, and browsing the stacks at Powell's Book Store.
Powell's is one of those multistory, multiple-room bookstores where you can lose yourself for hours. So Susan did just that. Literally - no pun intended. There are several entrances to the store and we agreed to meet back at the Green Entrance. Unfortunately, Susan became temporarily color blind and waited at the Orange Entrance. Oops. But all was forgiven over a tasty, if very late, lunch.
At the end of the day we drove 15 minutes east to McMenamin's Edgefield in Troutville, as recommended by some locals we had met. This being Saturday, many people had the same idea and the place was packed, although there were no special events scheduled. Edgefield is a very interesting place that includes a 19th Century historic hotel, vineyard and winery, brewery and pub, an experimental garden, concert and picnic areas, golf course, spa, and pottery and glass blower studios.
We returned to Portland a few days later to visit Washington Park's impressive International Rose Test Garden and Japanese Gardens. We discovered why Portland is called the City of Roses. The terraced rose garden, established in 1917, encompasses nearly 5 acres and exhibits over 10,000 roses.
The harmonious Japanese Gardens, perched high on a hill above the Rose Gardens, exhibits five distinct garden styles. Both the Rose and Japanese Gardens offer spectacular views of Mt. Hood beyond the Portland skyline.
No trip to the Portland/Vancouver area would be complete without a drive up the Historic Columbia River Highway, the oldest scenic highway in the US. The Highway's design and execution were the products of two visionaries, Samuel Hill, lawyer, entrepreneur, and good road's promoter; and Samuel C. Lancaster, engineer and landscape architect. (There will be more on Sam Hill when we visit Maryhill, WA.) When completed in 1922, this beautiful road included pedestrian paths to the many waterfalls along the route and Vista House at Crown Point overlooking the Columbia River where the weary traveler could rest, dine and absorb the natural beauty of the Gorge.
The timing of our visit to the Portland area was very fortunate in that Bill's former work colleague Dale and his wife Jeannie were in town staying with their daughter's family. They graciously invited us to lunch at their daughter's home. We enjoyed meeting their family, including two grandsons, and catching up with events in their lives and developments in Sacramento. (Thanks again for lunch and, more importantly, your friendship.)
It was time to leave Portland/Vancouver. We knew we were headed to Wenatchee, WA, but had not determined our path. We settled on a Columbia River route, crossing the river at the Dalles and spending three days at Maryhill State Park. We will tell you in advance, it was a great choice.
