Sky Watch Friday #22

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These are some different sky views through the iron structure on the Confluence trail. To read more about this project in Vancouver, WA, go here.




See that sun shining through the iron bars?




Looking through iron rod canopies that are on the Confluence walking and bike trail over Hiway 14, alongside the train tracks and into Fort Vancovuer.. Clouds moving in on a beautiful day and warning that the rain storm is coming.

For more information and photos of this Confluence Project see Thursday's post and more will be coming on Saturday. I also wrote about it in March -- see link on yesterday's post.

My First Walk Across the CONFLUENCE PROJECT (land bridge)

All these photos can be enlarged by CLICKING on them.

Today I decided to investigate the Confluence Project from the Old Apple Tree Park side. (I had tried to find the entrance from the Fort Vancouver side earlier this week to no avail.) I walked under the railroad trestle and into the park site. There was the OLD APPLE TREE . . . in glorious bloom!


I was so excited to finally take my first walk across the bridge. It was perfectly landscaped with plants and trees that were native to the area at the time of the beginnings of Fort Vancouver, later to become Vancouver USA. Each side was properly fenced in because the railroad was beside part of it and Highway 14 went under the bridge. These photos will show you mostly the walking areas as I meandered up and over and across the bridge built for pedestrians. Other people walked in front of me, cars sped past under me and as luck would have it, an Amtrack train passed me before my journey across was over.



To the right of the apple tree was the beginning of the walking bridge. A posted notice said that it would be completed in warmer weather, sometime this summer but one could walk over the bridge now if one chose to do so. I DID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The beginning. . .



I begin my walk on land, heading towards a "gate" that is opened.



Not sure just when this gate will be closed -- maybe during winter snows?



The path starts to curve. . . not sure what the black metal canopy is -- perhaps we are beginning to cross the Highway 14 and it is there to prevent "jumpers?" I don't know yet. . . for sure. Maybe something to do with the historical art displayed on the wall? We will just have to wait and see.


The iron canopy is on the other side now so will have to find out just what it is.



Looking back from where I came. . .


Different angle to get shot of a bench for my other blog "For the love of benches."


You might have to click on this one to see the TRAIN! It came so fast, I had no time to adjust light or anything but you can see the engine of AMTRACK IF you click on photo.



A circular canopy coming up.



Closer view of the circular canopy.



This circular canopy area is called "RIVER."



I turn around and take a photo of the I-5 bridge over the Columbia River.



Many boats were on the river -- probably because the Salmon fishing season has been cut short this year.



The bridge continues with patterned area. I am not sure why part has this pattern to walk on and part is jsut concrete. I will ahve to find out.






Coming to the other circular ironwork -- this one is called LAND.



The trail is bending towards Fort Vancouver and is almost over Hiway 14.



Looking over the railing, I can see Hiway 14.



Looking back at the circular canopy.



A closer view of the circular canopy. . .



A sky view of the canopy. . .



I can see the gate at the other end.



Looking back from the ending iron gate near Fort Vancouver.




The end of the Confluence near Fort Vancouver.

































I also enjoyed the signs about the native plants; the photography artwork about our history and the sculptures telling about the bridge between the land and the waterfront.

Walking across the bridge, there were areas that featured LAND and areas that featured WATER -- in art sculptures .


The sign at the beginning promised more was to come before the project was completed this summer so I shall write about it once more LATER. (Tonight the news said it is going to snow at 500 feet tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) If you missed my first posting about this land bridge, you can read up on it earlier blog

I will post a few more photos Saturday. . .

It was amazing and I can hardly wait to walk it again!

Building Bridges -- March 2008

RuneE is sponsoring this monthly challenge on the first Monday of every month. Building Bridges is subject to open interpretation. I have taken a very wide and literal interpretation for this month. . . They are still "building" this bridge and it should be finished this summer but I couldn't wait to share it with everyone. We have been wanting this for years. Now, it is built to celebrate a special event for the Northwest commemorating Lewis and Clark's expedition in our area.

Our city, Vancouver, Washington is almost finished with this bridge. It is a pedestrian bridge and starts near the old Fort Vancouver replica,


crosses over Hiway 14 and ends at the Old Apple Tree Park,


famous for having the oldest apple tree in the northwest.

This is a photo of the architects plan that is posted across the street from the Old Apple Tree Park. Click on photo to read more about it on the sign. You can also read more about it here: Confluence Project Along the Columbia River. The project itself is a bridge between Washington history and the present day.


I took this photo in a moving car as we were headed west on Hiway 14. The bridge is almost finished. It was supposed to have a completion date of 2007 so we are anxious to use it soon.

Hope you enjoyed learning about my first entry for "Building Bridges." I will update on this challenge when I get to walk across the bridge on its official opening day this summer.