I read a post at 1000 Things To-Do in Tucson, Arizona about The Frog and Firkin and was surprised when I drove by The Firkin and Frog here in Vancouver the other day. The sign alone made me want to take a look inside. Today (Sunday) I gave them a call to make sure they were open…it turns out they had opened at 9:30…but we decided to wait until lunchtime.
Once we were seated and had ordered, I had a chance to look around. My first take was that this was for the die-hard sports fan whose wife wanted him to take the family out for a fancy dinner. There were at least six flat screen TV’s with almost that many different games, a couple of the screens were tuned to the same channels, but there was golf, football and basketball all going at the same time. My husband would love to have this setup at home. The interior was elegant, with a choice of tables, booths or a fabulous bar. Read the rest of The Firkin and Frog is now in Vancouver! »
When we first went to Heritage Park in Camas I found out the Heritage Trail was over three miles long and that there was another trailhead at the other end with parking and a restroom. Years ago I had volunteered at Camp Currie for a weekend children’s event and we had taken canoes to where Lacamas Lake flows under the bridge at Goodwin Road. I thought this end of the trail might start near that bridge. Good thinking, I found the parking area for the trail just before you round the curve and go over the bridge.
There were quite a few cars parked at the entrance to the trail, and we met a few people going both directions but for the most part we enjoyed our walk with no one else around, except the golfers. This end of the park is right next to the Camas Meadows Golf Club and it weaves in and out of view on the right while a church camp is located on the left. At one point there was a yellow do not cross tape tied to a section of trees on the left side of the trail, an odd thing to see in the “woods”. Read the rest of Second Heritage Trailhead Northeast of Vancouver »
My husband and I rarely have an opportunity to go out to eat lately, so I took some money out of the bank and asked him out to dinner the following evening. I walked to the store in the morning and somehow lost half the money, but we decided to go out anyway. My husband, a spaghetti lover, picked the Old Spaghetti Factory. The first time we went to the restaurant it was located in downtown Vancouver at the Academy and we were glad to see it relocated to East Vancouver at 730 SE 160th Avenue on Mill Plain Boulevard.
It is now housed in a plain brick building but the minute you walk through the door you are transported back in time. The furniture, booths, tables and atmosphere remind me of the early to mid 1900’s. There is a small bar to the left and three large eating areas, which can be closed off for banquets or when business is lighter. We were seated in the middle section in a booth next to a stained glass window. Behind me, near the entry to this section, is what looked like a large train car with more booths in it: A collection of oddities that somehow comes across as elegant.
Read the rest of Vancouver’s New – Old Spaghetti Factory »
I picked Layla up at bible camp today, then stopped at Freddie’s for our favorite chicken strips before heading out to find our park for the day, one I’ve seen from 1-205 for years and had always planned to visit. I had my little trusty map that I had looked up online and had a pretty good idea how to get there, unfortunately, on that day every time I turned down a road that I thought would lead either to the park itself or to a road close to the park, we ran into road blocks; they were paving the streets.
Despite her hunger, Layla was fighting off a nap and I knew if I didn’t find the park soon it would be a loosing battle. I had been down Talton numerous times and seen a small park sign, which I was betting was a second entrance. So, trying to keep Layla awake, I headed down Talton. The park was right where I thought it was but Layla had given up the fight. Normally I opt for sleep, but I decided that food was more important this time. Read the rest of Wildwood Park in East Vancouver »
I first found the Antique Mall a few years ago and visit it fairly frequently. I love the antiques, but I really go for the books available from Secondhand Prose, a “Friends of the Oregon City Library” used bookstore, which is located inside the mall. The bookstore is small, but packed with great books starting at only a dollar for most paperbacks. I wish I could find a few more bookstores like this.
When I told a good friend about the store she told me to let her know when I was going and she would see if she could go with me, so I called her up. I knew she would not mind if I spent a lot of time looking through the books. I am such a voracious reader I need to spend a lot of time checking out the books to make sure I haven’t already read them, she is much more organized than I. She usually has a list of what she would like and a pretty good memory for books that aren’t on the list, but we usually finish up about the same time. So far I have lucked out and only bought a couple of re-reads. Read the rest of Oregon City Antique Mall, A Short Vancouver/Portland Day Trip »
Joe’s Place Farms is located in East Vancouver within minutes of the Chkalov/Mill Plain Fred Meyer and I stopped in today to see what was available. Though I was raised out in the “boonies” on 110th Avenue just a few blocks from the store, I had never met Joe who was born in the little house at the entrance to the farms at 701 NE 112th Avenue.
My favorite memory of Joe’s Place was when I took my son and his two cousins to get pumpkins for Halloween one year. I told them they could get anything they could carry and it was hilarious to watch an eleven year old, a five year old and a three year old try to lug their huge pumpkins out of the field to the hay wagon that would take us all back to the parking area. This is something every parent and child should try at least once, so I decided to come to Joe’s place early this season to find out if the hayride was still a feature in the fall. You are in luck, not only do they still have hayrides to help pick up your pumpkins, but you can take a trip through a “corn” maze. These and other activities come up in October, be sure to check them out! Read the rest of Joe’s Place Farms in East Vancouver, WA »
I found Goot Park by accident while looking for a way down to the Washougal River. I gave up on the river idea and was wandering around trying to locate a road that would take me back to Highway 14 when I glimpsed a playground out of the corner of my eye.
The park was obviously old, with no sidewalks or paths, but Layla and I strolled through the grass and lush old trees, passing by picnic tables that ranged from worn wood to modern metal. We stopped at a covered area that is positively ancient and did not inspire in me any desire to eat my lunch there; but Layla turned on the faucet and washed her hands so I assume the electricity worked as well. Read the rest of Goot Park – Quaint and Lovely in Camas, WA »
Today my niece picked me up and took me out for lunch at Boppin’ Bo’s Malt Shop and Grill located at 7809 Plaza Drive, Suite 110. The place was loaded with 50/60’s film and music memorabilia, an old-fashioned soda counter and three rooms filled with booths and tables.
The biggest excitement for the kids was that their lunches came in cardboard replicas of antique cars, two Mustangs and a Thunderbird; we all chose sandwiches or hamburgers. My lunch came with shoestring fries, something I had never experienced before. They were very good…though I suppose a bit misleading because I didn’t feel like I was eating as many as usual. Read the rest of Beaver Marsh Natural Preserve at Vancouver, WA »
Imagine this romantic date: Strolling the streets of Northwest Portland, holding hands while window shopping. Stopping for flowers outside the City Market, and then enjoying a meal at a cozy Mexican hot spot. Later, a short drive or streetcar-ride away the Portland Aerial Tram whisks you up to the top of Marquam hill, treating you to a picturesque view spanning from downtown, across the river and all the way to Mt. Hood.
That’s how it could be, and it would be lovely. It also makes for a fun way to spend an afternoon with my husband and our three kids. Read the rest of An early dinner capped off with a scenic ride on the Aerial Tram »
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