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!

ABC Wednesday - Year 2 #8

Go here if you would like to join us for ABC Wednesday. . . Mrs Nesbitt


There are a lot of historical homes preserved for our heritage history in Vancouver, Washington.

I could have showed you the Hidden House, (1863 -- L.M. Hidden moves to Vancouver to begin a life of civic contribution. His brick company has turned out more than 100 million bricks for such landmarks as The Academy and St. James Church. 1885 L.M. Hidden House is built with bricks made by his Vancouver company.)

OR the Covington House, (Covington House (log cabin) built by Richard Covington who came from London with his wife to teach children at the Fort. Oldest existing school building in the county.)

or Slocum House (1867 Slocum House is built. First elegant mansion in Vancouver. Moved one block north of its original site in 1966 to rescue it from urban renewal. Now in Esther Short Park and used for theatrical productions.)
OR
the Padden House whom our latest freeway is named for or many others. Remember, our town just celebrated our 150th birthday of incorporation last summer but was a Fort before that.

There is a big poster in a gazebo at Esther Short Park that tells you how to get to them. Historic sites in Clark County Map

The ones I focus on today are on that map in a row on one block on Evergreen Blvd. in west Vancouver.

First is the Simpson House. . . I could find no information on this home but I wonder if it has some connection to the Simpson House Inn in California? It is next door to the other two homes I am featuring today and the architecture looks similar in some features. As you can see, it is also labeled -- without a date tho.



Then there is the Eddings House, also on Evergreen Blvd in west Vancouver. I could not find a thing about him on the internet. Guess I need to go to the museum and find out more about the historic register for Vancouver.



The last one of the three I took photos of is the Cushing-Caples House.

This house was once the home of Charles W. Cushing. He was well known in Vancouver as a talented painter of houses, signs, and carriages. The house was purchased in 1890 by John W. and Harriet L. Caples. They were employed in the fur trade; and Mrs. Caples worked as an interpreter at Fort Vancouver.  During the twentieth century the house came to be known as the Fort Vancouver Seamen’s Center. This house is a fine example of the pioneer or homestead style of houses, with subtle Victorian details including the scroll work on the front porch. Built circa 1888. Listed on the Clark County Heritage Register in 1996. This property now houses a private business.

Well, there you have three historical homes on W. Evergreen Blvd. For a better detailed view, click on photos to enlarge. They will not be original size since I made them smaller to fit the collages.

ABC Wednesday Year 2 #6

Go here if you would like to join us for ABC Wednesday. . . Mrs Nesbitt
Welcome to FORT Vancouver National Historic Site. This is the sign you see FIRST when you enter the site.
You have to look really hard but FLAT Daniel is on the sign and then he moved over to the theFENCE by the garden at FORT Vancouver. Then he hoofed it on FOOT over to the entrance of the FORT gate. Can you spot him on the right hand side? If you need to, click on photo to enlarge. FLATDaniel visited me FROM California FOUR years ago.























F is also for FLOWERS. Only the mini Daffodils are from this year. The rest are from last year.
















































This is the FLAG of my country.

















And my FINAL photo for "F" is for FOG outside my window.