Vancouver, WA

During the fall there are some really great events at the Library.

This was done with so much fun that the kids had no idea they where learning anything at all, it was worth the time and trip. For a couple of hours she had lots of fun and learned something in the meantime.

There’s nothing like a ferry ride, pumpkins and hot cider to make kids young and old miss summer a little bit less. Today the sun was out, the air just slightly crisp. We put on our sweaters, packed a quick snack and headed out the door.

I’m always on the lookout for a good book, and you can’t beat the Vancouver Community Library sales for great books and even greater prices; just $.50 for a book that would cost between $6 and $10 at a store. While I was informed that the Three Creeks Community Library, located at 800-C NE Tenney Road adjacent to or in the Fred Meyer parking lot in northern Hazel Dell, plans their sales to last only one day, I have been to other libraries that make a whole weekend event out of their book sales.

saw the small sign “Earth Friendly Garden Tour” as I was driving down Evergreen Highway. I love to see what other people are doing with their yards, but I was on the wrong side of the street and I didn’t want to attempt a u-turn, so I kept going. I made it about half the way home before I talked myself into turning around and going back. I’m really glad I did.

Check in with Shorty’s at http://www.shortysgardenandhome.com/?cid=893 to find out what their next free seminar is and when it will be held. Shorty’s is located almost at the corner of Mill Plain Blvd and SE 98th Avenue, 10006 SE Mill Plain, a right turn coming from the east into their lot, or a left turn at 98th if coming from the west. Since I came from 98th I crossed Mill Plain, went about a block, took a right and went in the back way. (I don’t believe you can cross the meridian in front of Shorty’s coming from the west.)

It’s time for a Staycation. The sign at the gas station read $4.08 a gallon. You read that right, that is for gas. It’s a bit crazy, but the reality we now live in. They expect gas over $5 by summers end and some are saying that $7 a gallon is not all that far fetched. With the increase cost of fuel for our cars, pretty much everything else is going up in price too. Airfare, hotels and pretty much everything are up.

Esther Short Park is 155 years old and over the decades has served as the town square, hosted a wading pool and skating rink and has come to be considered Vancouver’s centerpiece, its hub of community, culture and history. The park is host to the open air Vancouver Farmer’s Market on the weekends and is bordered by a variety of shops, cafes, and boutiques. It is a great place to ensure a Saturday afternoon is well spent.

It was just this past year that I finally stopped in at Borders, located at 811 SE 160^th, just off the southeast end of Mill Plain. I’ve been avoiding it because I have an addiction to books; ancient history and mysteries being my favorites. But at this time I was searching for information about writing a short genealogical history and couldn’t find what I wanted. I finally headed for the information desk and was amazed at how knowledgeable their staff was. Not just about the books they have available in the store and through their website, but about what is involved in writing a book and getting it out to the public.

It’s very difficult for me to get to Vancouver’s Farmer’s Market… okay it’s not, I live a block away, but sometimes I have to wait for the light to change! Vancouver’s Farmer’s Market is located on 8th and Esther in downtown Vancouver, Washington. It’s open every weekend from the beginning of April through the end of October. It opens at 9am on Saturdays and 10am on Sundays and closes at 3pm.Now Vancouver’s Farmer