Journalist By Nature: Risk and Reward On Thursdays

To go outside or not?

Our hiking group, comprised of women of a wonderful age, has a standing joke about the weather. No matter what the predicted pattern from weather forecasters, it always seems to be a dry day, more or less, on Thursdays, our appointed day of gathering. Thus we refer to our hiking day as Dryday. Yet every week we debate the merits of risk and reward, some members eschewing the risk of cold and possible rain while others embrace the potential reward of discovery and fresh air. Busy schedules, family obligations, health and travel plans contribute to the delicate balance we seek to achieve by reserving Dryday as "our day" together.

This week's adventure centered on Fort Vancouver, Washington. It is an integral part of the history of the Pacific Northwest. Currently owned and maintained by the National Park Service, it was purchased from the U.S. Army last year. It was originally a site for the famed Hudson's Bay Company under the direction of Dr. John McLoughlin. This national historic site encompasses 366 acres nearly bordering the Columbia River in Vancouver, Washington. The fort is a replication of the original ones which either rotted out or burned down at various times over the past 190 years. Neat rows of pointed logs form the stockade of the main fort. A number of buildings are sheltered here which serve to educate and enlighten visitors of all ages. Various holidays are celebrated as reenactments with volunteers dressing in period clothing and conversing with visitors as if they were present in the 1800s. See here and here for events you might wish to attend. School children regularly visit the fort when they are studying Washington State history.

Our day of exploration was enhanced by the research of Laura Foster's book Portland City Walks. We toured the main house, filled with antiques and a large collection of early Spode china. The dining tables are set with period pieces of dinnerware and service pieces so that you can imagine a meal in the 1850s. There is a trading post, filled with the currency of animal furs used by early pioneers and business owners, and other goods needed by the settlers. During the winter festivals at the fort, the kitchen house rustles up a vast menu of period foods and serves them to the reenactment volunteers while visitors watch quietly from behind cordoned spaces.

The grounds are freely open for exploration and there is always a well-informed park ranger present to answer questions. Outside the stockade are fields once used for orchards and crops, two cabin replicas, a formal vegetable garden and the vast Army headquarters complex along Officer's Row. Most of these buildings are closed to visitors but the Park Service is investigating ways to lease out space to suitable occupants to reduce the cost of maintaining the site. Large residences are immaculately maintained, some housing public services or restaurants, others open for tours. At Christmastime the homes are decorated with lights and buggy tours take visitors up and down the streets to view the scene.

Taking in all these sites while reading aloud the history of the buildings and grounds, we made our way across the Interstate highway bridge to the city of Vancouver. Here we found a mixture of old and new, historic homes, churches and businesses amid high-rise brick office buildings. The downtown area is comprised of many single-story buildings housing various businesses. Searching for an interesting lunch spot we voted to eat at the local Thai Orchid rather than risk an unknown eatery. This particular venue served sushi as well as a vast selection of Thai items and offered a more cozy ambiance than others we have been in. The reward of fine, freshly prepared food was enjoyed by each of us.

Refueled by our amazing lunch we walked through Esther Short Park, stopping to inspect the many pieces of art scattered throughout the grounds. The carillon bells chimed the quarter hours from atop a brick tower rooted among "flying" salmon and a wandering manmade stream. The railroad trestle near the Interstate Bridge is painted in panels depicting many military themes as well as other artistic endeavors, some of which approach tag art. A well-designed walkway turns under the freeway girders and follows the Columbia River upstream, bordered by the edges of Fort Vancouver and the raised level of the railroad line. Hikers and bicyclists can continue up the pathway for about five miles, cross the earth bridge or go through the tunnel and return to the Fort Vancouver grounds by way of the cabins and fields. There are resting/viewing stations along the way, many with indigenous Indian motifs. No matter where you go in Vancouver, there is something interesting to see or learn. Put this trip on your schedule any time of the year for a great getaway that is nearby. It's all about risking for the reward!