We recently had our anniversary celebration at The Covington House and it was pretty great. We're…read morebig fans of historical places and each year on our anniversary we go to an historic home. This way we were able to do that and have our friends join us for dinner & a nice celebration. They've done a nice job of setting this building up for an intimate gathering during bad weather and I imagine during good weather you could really spread out and make it a beautiful location for an outdoor wedding or event. The big fireplace made for a beautiful backdrop to the autumn theme we had and kept the place nice and toasty, too! The people we worked with to coordinate the rental were friendly and supportive. There was a lady that met us there right before and right after the event to help make sure we'd remembered all the clean up items we needed to wrap up to get our deposit back. They had a nice kitchen to work with and, while we brought most of our stuff prepared--we appreciated that they had serving utensils, coffee pots, and other supplies to use in the kitchen if we needed them. I think the only challenge we bumped into was enough refrigerator space, but that was a minimal issue and partially our fault. We were going to bring a cooler and forgot to. How can you go wrong having dinner in the same room where Ulysses S. Grant dined with the family that ran the school that resided in this building back in the day? How cool is that? We definitely will consider using this location again. If you are considering renting it, I recommend you set up a time to go visit the building and check it out. That way you can take some pictures and do some planning and just enjoy the ambiance of the house.

This is an awesome historical landmark right in a busy part of Vancouver. It's also now a group of…read more3 Poke Stops if that is important to you. Unfortunately you can't actually go inside the house, but you can walk around it. Looks to be holding up in good condition after 150+ years.

This is such a beautiful place to walk around! In addition to the beautifully restored Officer's…read moreRow buildings, there are barracks and gardens to walk through. The grounds are well maintained and there's plenty of free parking available. In the spring there's a row of beautiful cherry blossom trees, and tulip trees around the property. In the summer, there's many gorgeous hydrangea and butterfly bushes. There's a rangers station on the property where you can find information about Fort Vancouver and Pearsons Air Museum. There's so much to do here! I would highly recommend a visit.

Officer's Row is lovely place to just take a stroll and enjoy the various older homes that were…read moreonce the housing for Army Officers stationed at Fort Vancouver. There are informative signs along the path about the history of the area & homes. You can also take a free tour of the Marshall House, home to General Marshall (see the Marshall House website for details of what days each month they do the tours, and see my separate review of that home for additional info). As of this writing there's a winery/restaurant called Willful Wine, located inside the Grant House on Officer's Row, that I highly recommend for a meal or a glass of wine. Oh, and there's info about a self-guided Botanical Tour of the various trees along Officer's Row available on the Officer's Row website.

Excellent paved path for pedestrians bridging over Hwy 14 connecting the Columbia River side of…read moreVancouver to Fort Vancouver. It's clean & well maintained, with a flat paved path. There is a gentle sloping incline at each end, since it is a bridge, but they've made it so it's not steep and very manageable for a variety of people's abilities & ages. There are a few art pieces along the way, and informational signs about the areas history & vegetation. There are also some benches at a few spots if you want to rest.

Perfect for a leisurely stroll and exploration of some historical sites, this location offers a…read moregradual incline over the highway, making it suitable for all kinds of visitors.

If you are anywhere near Vancouver and have even the slightest appreciation for history, do…read moreyourself a favor and walk the waterfront, then wander over to Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and soak it all in. Right nearby sits Old Apple Tree Park, home to what was known as the oldest apple tree in the Pacific Northwest. I remember seeing the old tree standing there like some weathered pioneer that had witnessed centuries pass by. The original trunk finally died, but shoots from its living roots were replanted, and the tree lives on through its offspring. Considering apple trees were not native to this land and had to be brought across oceans and continents, there is something downright incredible about standing next to the very beginning of Northwest orchard history. Fort Vancouver itself is fascinating. Established by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1825, it became the center of trade, farming, and industry in the Pacific Northwest long before Washington or Oregon were even states. Back then this place was a bustling multicultural settlement with trappers, traders, farmers, blacksmiths, sailors, and families from all over the world. They cultivated massive gardens, orchards, and farmland here to feed thousands of people traveling through the region. It was essentially the headquarters of the Pacific Northwest during the fur trade era. Walking through the fort today feels like stepping into another century. Between the wooden palisades, parade grounds, river breeze, and views of the Columbia, you can almost imagine canoes arriving loaded with furs while smoke curled from fireplaces inside the fort walls. It is peaceful now, but this place once shaped the entire region. I honestly think one of the best afternoons you can have in Vancouver is to stroll the riverfront, grab a coffee, walk through the historic reserve, and end up here reflecting on how much history happened on this patch of ground. Relish it. So much of the Northwest rushes forward so fast that we forget where it all began. Fort Vancouver reminds you.

We love visiting this 191 acre site! There's so much to see...Officer's Row, barracks, gazebo, the…read moreFort, gardens, land bridge trail, and the Pearson Air Museum. We've been to almost everything this historical site has to offer. Our favorite part is just walking around any time of year and seeing what's in bloom. In the spring they have gorgeous cherry blossoms and tulip trees. In summer there's tons of hydrangeas around the historic buildings along Officer's Row. The Fort Vancouver gardens are gorgeous in summer with a wide variety of plants and flowers. There's a lot of vegetables too! Overall a great place to explore. I feel so lucky to have such a gem so close to home! Would highly recommend.

Dougan Falls is so incredibly beautiful. My wife and I go there at least once in each season. This…read moreFall the water was so powerful and it was pouring outside which was a lot of fun because we like outings in the rain! We were the only ones there but there is plenty of parking even when it's busy. Just make sure you have a "Discover Pass". You can swim there in the summer too. It's just a peaceful beautiful place to be and the drive up the Washougal River is beautiful too.

East to access (not wheelchair accessible tho for going down into the water). There is a restroom…read moreand a garbage bin. I enjoyed my visit but do bring a spare trash bag and help keep it clean. Few bad apples leaving food to rot on the rocks and cans/bottles and doggie bags left behind. Could use more visits for the trash service as the bin was overflowing and folks were not packing out their trash as they should have.

Many of my friends lived in the notorious (in a good way) apartments across the street from the…read moreSimon Benson House and kitty corner to the Old Church. They explored the old house and related the incredible detail and materials which could never be recreated today. They were founders of the group that lobbied for years, ultimately successfully, for the home to be saved and restored. Sadly that friend perished in a freak drowning accident in Oaks Bottom before the building could be moved. So I always think of the restored home as a memorial to her.

The shininess of Joanie on the Pony always brightens my day. The main thing I have to say is that…read moreshe's located in the middle of the only traffic circle I know of that has stop signs, even for the right turn only lanes. So, don't let the sun glinting off the horse distract you from PBOT's practical joke.

The statue is truly stunning! It's a delight to see Joan of Arc's statue standing proudly in the…read moreheart of this historic district. We strolled around, soaking in the shade from the ancient trees and admiring the charming vintage residences. Finding parking on the street was a breeze. A visit to this place is highly recommended.

St. John's Bridge? Oh, now that's a sight that makes my little beaver heart thump like a tail on…read morewater. Those tall green towers stretchin' up into the sky, all graceful like cedar trees in a morning mist--just beautiful. And the way the bridge arches over the river? Why, it casts the nicest shade for an afternoon float. The water beneath is calm enough for a good paddle, and the banks are full of fine lookin' plants--perfect for a snack or two if you know where to nibble. And let me tell you, the breeze that drifts under that bridge? Cool, quiet, and peaceful... just the way us woodland folk like it. If you're lookin' for a place to sit by the water, watch the sun touch the treetops, or just listen to the soft current drift by, St. John's Bridge is the kind of spot that makes you feel lucky to share the forest!

In my esteem, the St. John's Bridge is the most beautiful bridge in all of Portland. Prior to the…read morebridge, the neighborhood of St. John's was served by a ferry and the construction of the bridge began just a month before the stock market crash of 1929. The bridge was built in 21 months and even one million under budget. Government officials waited until St. Patrick's Day 1931 to proclaim the bridge would be painted green. The bridge dedication ceremony was postponed until the 23rd annual Rose Festival on June 13, 1931. The bridge is a suspension style, at 2067 feet long, and 400 feet high. It's a Portland Historic Landmark and underneath you will also find stunning views from Cathedral Park. 2025 - Review # 17

Woohoo! I just hit my 6,000th review! Whenever I hit a landmark review like this I go write about a…read morelandmark in the Pacific Northwest. Some say they haven't seen an account with this many reviews but there is indeed some accounts that have way surpassed my amount of reviews. I believe there is a Yelper out there (Bruce K.) that is from Charlotte, North Carolina that comes in with 23,000 reviews and 61,000 pictures for his reviews as of 2024 so I have waaaay more review writing to do to even get remotely close to this guy. The reviews I write is for something that is unique only to the place I have adopted as home ( or the region that I call home as opposed to a city). Previously I have written about the mountains of our region like Mount Rainier but this time around I wanted to write about something more urban and a place I always love visiting...Portland! The White Stag Sign is so signature Portland! We have seen it lit up at night and have seen it during the day. All of which we have managed to get different angles to look at. As other reviewers say the admission is free... which kind of makes sense since it's a sign. This sign at times seems to be so obvious that it's hard to miss but other times on the Interstate we miss it completely giving it that "camouflaged" notion in amongst the building and bridges... of course we may just be looking in the wrong place too...keeping one's eyes on the road is an upmost priority... which should go without saying. But you can still stroll by here as a pedestrian and get some great pictures of this Portland landmark and a landmark that totally smacks of Cascadia and the Pacific Northwest!

Finally got the chance to see and be where the stag sign is after many years! Street parking is…read moreavailable in the area and a quick walk towards the park where you have a better view of it. You can also go up the stairs and see it from a closer view. Tree branches do obscure the view a bit. Very satisfying experience!

FOR THOSE WHO ALWAYS LOVE A "DEEP DIVE" --…read more When I visit the grounds and Visitor Center of the Portland Oregon Temple near the intersection of Hwy 217 and I-5 in Lake Oswego (and what I think of as its "sister" Temple in Washington DC), I feel I am shedding my stress, worries and fears and gaining calm, peace and God's awareness of both my struggles and victories. Tense micro-management of the vagaries of mortal life, the "hyper-vigilance" inherent in the Post Traumatic Stress disorder I acquired through a chain of near-death experiences, simply dissolves. The presence of the Holy Spirit is so tangible! Temples (nearly 400 of which are in 45 U.S. states and 80 countries on 6 continents) are considered by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be the most sacred places on earth -- literally, Houses of the Lord. When members are ready to step up to a higher degree of faithfulness, they go there to make and keep solemn promises to follow the ways of Jesus Christ and thus obtain a deeper understanding of God's plan of happiness for them, their families, and really, all of humankind. Non-members are welcome to visit the beautiful grounds and Visitor Center of the Portland Temple, and all are welcome to attend Sunday worship with their Mormon neighbors at local community chapels ("meetinghouses".) * Latter-day Saint Temples are some of the most beautiful buildings in the cities graced by them, fusing elegant design with robust structural engineering. In this respect, they share the purpose of the majestic cathedrals and basilicas of other faiths which is to elevate the spirit, teach the Gospel through art, and provide a venue for holy sacraments and ordinances. They symbolize heaven on Earth and glorify God through structures that express our deepest devotion to our Father in Heaven. This devotion is exemplified by six years of painstaking renovation and seismic strengthening of the historic and iconic Salt Lake City Temple. This "labor of deep love" honors the forty years of original work by the hand labor of pioneers in the late 1880's. Reservations for it's Grand Opening to Visitors from April to October 2027 are already being accepted. Tickets are free but mandatory to help avoid the long lines that have marked pilgrimages to the reconstructed Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. (Having been blessed to sing at cathedrals and basilicas across the U.S. and six other countries, I will never forget breaking into tears as I watched heartbreaking news coverage of the fire that ripped through that iconic, beloved ediface, that was the setting for Victor Hugo's French Gothic novel published in 1831: "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." The "Book of Mormon" was published in that same year. The hunchback Quasimodo's plea for "Sanctuary!" mirrors the plea of Mormon pioneers for religious tolerance and defense of their most profound dictates of individual conscience. And as they were driven from their homes onto frozen prairie land without food, water and adequate shoes and clothing, they too must have queried their tormentors as Quasimodo so poignantly did: "Why was I not made of stone, like thee?" The Portland Oregon and Washington DC temples share a certain ethereal beauty. Other Temples many consider particularly stunning are the Salt Lake Temple ("iconic", "historic"), Cardiff Wales Temple ("warm", "glowing") Paris France Temple ("elegant", "modern"), Rome Italy Temple ("classical grandeur"), Jordan River Utah Temple ("expansive", "serene") and the Temples in Laie Hawaii, Seattle Washington, and Winter Quarters Nebraska for their "striking designs and settings." See them all online at: [ churchofjesuschristtemples.org ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * "Meetinghouse" (or, "Meeting-house" originated in England to refer to a place of worship for nonconformist or dissenters from orthodox creeds; it is associated with certain Christian movements after the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century and during the Restorationist movement in America. A colonial era meeting-house in America was often the first public building raised in any new village. It served as both a place of worship and public discourse. As towns grew and separation of church and state in America matured, buildings used as the seat of local government became known as "town-houses" or "town halls". Many New England communities still have active "meetinghouses" for such dual use. Denominations which use the term "meetinghouse" for dedicated weekly worship include Anabaptists, the Amish, Congregationalists, Christadelphians, Latter-day Saints (Mormon), Mennonites, some Methodists, Quakers, Spiritual Christans from Russia (indigenous "folk Protestant" sects who broke from the Orthodox church such as Doukhobors, Molokans and Sabbatarians), Unitarians, Unitarian Universalists, and Unificationists.

Yes one of my favotite looks for a temple. very pretty. People have the kindness I…read more wish for the world. Feel close to Heavenly Father. Learn to be my true self as a loving happy child of God. I feel like a magnet to the temple. something on me always longs to be there to be closer to God's presence. I reaaly wanna be closer to God's presence. Different temples have different flavers to me. Compared to the one I go to in Rexberg now, I was having a harder time with angsiety and intrusive thoughts in this one. But most people I hear from say they don't have any anxiety in temples so don't take my word for it lol. I go through phsycological stuff I still cary some with me in the temple exept it feels alot better in the temple then anywhere else.