 "The Berry Harvest" murals near Main Ave & Powell Blvd, Gresham OR; note Mt Hood Gresham is the 4th largest city in Oregon by population, and it melds into its neighbors so that it's hard to know where the fringes are. In fact, Gresham's boundaries might remind one of fringes, rather than a straight edge or selvage. It has an interesting history, and a lot of inviting things to see and do. Over the years I've trapsed here and there, and following are some of what I've seen.
Historic Downtown--so walkable, with lots of eating options For more about Feather Your Nest Quilt Shop--Corner of 2nd &, 130 N Main Ave, Gresham OR; scroll down at
Heroes Memorial--corner of Powell Blvd & Roberts Ave. Gresham OR Main City Park--219 S Main Ave, Gresham, OR 97080 A family and community friendly park with plenty of amenities. More parking & skate park south of Powell Blvd on Roberts Ave. There's a nice little Japanese garden, but some of its trails are a problem for disabled. Gresham Center for the Arts--NE 2nd St between NE Kelly Ave and NE Hood Ave, Gresham OR I went to the first ever lighting of the Menorah in Gresham OR, the first night of Chanukah in 2021, the year of the opening of Chabad Jewish Center of Gresham / East County. The event was at the Gresham Center for the Arts, a nice plaza on 2nd St between NE Kelly Ave and NE Hood Ave where they have a Farmers Market, restrooms, and a splash pad in summer, a drop box for letters to Santa during the season. More info and photos of that at Gresham Town Fair--300 NW Eastman Pkwy, Gresham OR 97030 Photos below from April 2024. Gresham Shopping Square--390 NW Burnside Rd, Gresham, OR 97030
Gresham Civic Center, City Hall, Police, & Fire--1333 NW Eastman Pkwy, Gresham, OR 97030 Gresham Station--649 NW 12th St, Gresham, OR 97030 Driving along Division Gresham Toyota-- 950 NE Hogan Dr, Gresham, OR 97030 Oregon Trail Shopping Center--2101 NE Burnside Rd, Gresham OR 97030 Washman Car Wash--24161 SE Stark St, Gresham OR 97030, kitty corner from College Square College Square--2800 NE Hogan Dr (Stark St & Hogan Dr), Gresham OR 97030; + Quality Inn & Public Storage  NE Hogan Dr & Red Sunset Dr left, NE 23rd St right; Deep Creek Garden Center, fun lighthouse at storage center beyond; Gresham OR Red Sunset Park--2403 NE Red Sunset Dr, Gresham OR 97030 Such a pretty, family/kid friendly park with fun play equipment, pond with a fountain, Canada Geese, picnic tables with grills, group picnic shelters, restrooms, basketball, soccer & softball fields, rec programs, paved trail Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center--24800 SE Stark St, Gresham OR 97030 Regal Stark Street--2929 NE Kane Dr, Gresham, OR 97030 Right across from Mt Hood Community College, Tues discount prices are great. Mt Hood Community College--26000 SE Stark St, Gresham OR 97030 (official address) Beside the entrance off Stark St, there's more than one entrance off NE Kane Dr.
Hogan Butte Nature Park--757 SE Gabbert Road, Gresham OR What a wonderful find! It was difficult to see & get a photo of Mt Jefferson from a wheelchair, but a guy there helped me out. Nice wide paved walks, though I recommend some form of power for a wheelchair. Picnic tables, group picnic shelter, flushing restrooms, interesting interpretive signs, views of Mt St Helens, Mt Adams, Mt Hood, Mt Jefferson (possibly Mt Rainier & Larch Mtn, if you can recognize). Binoculars a good idea. Powell Butte Nature Park--16160 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97236 Hogan Butte was a great find, Powell Butte even more spectacular! Seems I couldn't get enough . . . At or near the Visitor Center What at first just appeared to be art or play structures were actually the sizes and purposes of the pipes in the water system. Grasslands exhibit near intersection of Park Center Trail & Mtn Finder Trail Oak Savanna exhibit near trail marker no 6 Forest info--along the Park Center Trail Photos from along the trail up to the Mountain Finder at the top of the hill . . . there were SO many great views of Mt St Helens and Mt Adams I won't include every shot I took . . . The Mountain Finder circle at top of the accessible trail has plaques & pointers. Some views blocked by trees. In the vicinity of 181st-182nd In 2022 I was working on "Savor the Latin Flavors" when a couple of churches as well as Vance Park caught my eye while I was traveling to investigate the little restaurant Sabor Catracho (742 NE 18125 Ave, Portland/Gresham) and Supermercados Mexico (17420 SE Division St, Portland on the fringe of Gresham--see next section below). More info & captioned photos of Sabor Catracho at Supermercados Mexico--17420 SE Division St, Portland OR; right on the fringe of Gresham This was such a wonderful supermarket, with imports from various Latin American countries beside Mexico. Gresham Food Carts--2280 NW Burnside Rd, Gresham, OR 97030 When I was gathering content for my "Buddha . . . & Cultural Connections" post, I was excited to find a food cart offering selections from Singapore at Gresham Food Carts. I found a great variety of cuisines at Gresham Food Carts, and very pleasant dining outdoors and in. I was truly disappointed, however, that the Singapore food cart was not open as scheduled, they didn't answer my calls, and it was too hot to wait for them (in case some unexpected emergency had come up). While there are great advantages to food cart places, one of the disadvantages is that some of the carts may be poorly manned, or have a high turnover rate, though since COVID in particular, small businesses have struggled. Perhaps more reason to support them. Getting to Gresham Wood Village & Fairview Exit 16 off I-84 leads to the geographical puzzle of Wood Village, Fairview, and Troutdale. Wood Village straddles the freeway, with Walmart & other shopping, gas, food, and accommodations on the north, and more of the town south of it. At the intersection of 238th & Halsey (south of the freeway), go east to Donald L Robertson City Park (24300 NE Halsey St, Wood Village). Wood Village Town Center is at 223rd & Glisan.  Welcome & Thanks for Coming sign for Wood Village OR; exit 16 off I-84 puts you on 238th. Wood Village straddles I-84 on the north and south of it. Fairview At the intersection of 238th & Halsey (south of I-84), go west to get to Fairview Woods Wetlands City Park (460 Bridge St, Fairview), Marilyn City Park (Halsey & 223rd), Heslin House Museum & historic jail (223rd north off Halsey), and Cleone City Park (NE 213th Ave north off Halsey). The bus serves Fairview & more: TriMet Bus #77 Broadway/Halsey from NW Portland to Troutdale Chinook Landing Marine Park . . . Blue Lake Regional Park . . . and Salish Ponds Photos taken Feb-Mar 2020. I was particularly impressed with the family and community friendly amenities at Blue Lake Regional Park, as well as lots of room to run, and events. As part of Metro system of parks, it has free parking days every month. Salish Ponds have two access points: one by The Lodges at Lake Salish Apts--20699 NE Glisan St, Fairview, OR 97024, and the other behind Salish Ponds Elementary--1210 NE 201st Ave, Fairview, OR 97024. For more info & photos about Salish Ponds & Blue Lake Regional Park, scroll down at Troutdale I went through Troutdale on my way to Oxbow Regional Park in 2020, and as part of checking out every exit along I-84 in 2020 as well. There have been other reasons for visiting various places in Troutdale, but at last I found opportunity to explore more. Not that I have seen it all, but, here’s a start. I’ve linked the I-84 post later, but here’s a link to the Oxbow trip:A map with some interesting physical features depicted: Columbia Gorge Outlets—exit 17 off I-84, NW Graham Rd, Troutdale OR From the freeway, this is what one sees of Troutdale. Historic Downtown Troutdale OR The Gateway to the Gorge arch is a memorable, defining entry to the historic section of Troutdale. Just past it is Kendall Rd, where the Municipal Court and Multnomah County Sherriff have offices (234 SW Kendall Ct, Troutdale OR 97060). Next is Buxton Rd (just east of Bandit's Bar & Grill), which curves into Troutdale Rd further south. The main street of downtown Troutdale is the Historic Columbia River Hwy. It's a delectable walk, but parking is at a premium. Watch for signs pointing out parking just off to the north, or south a block from the main street (unfortunately, it's rather steep hills up or down to reach them). One of my trips to Troutdale was part of a Quilt Shop Hop in Sept 2024. My Quilting Loft--253 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale, OR 97060; scroll down at The Troutdale House by the Sandy River (wedding venue)--411 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale OR Depot Rail Museum/Visitor Center--473 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale, OR 97060; & Depot City Park Continuing south & east on the Historic Columbia River Hwy Fred E. Harlow House Museum--726 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale OR 97060 Visionary Park--601 SE Jackson Park Rd (just at the bend of the Columbia River Hwy), Troutdale OR 97060 Bronze Pond--902 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale OR 97060; not sure how to access Troutdale Art Center--903 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale OR 97060Bridge over Beaver Creek Glenn Otto Park--1102 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale OR 97060 Glenn Otto Park adopted by NW Steelheaders. No alcohol, no pets, no glass containers, no dogs at the beach. Sugarpine Drive-In--1208 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale OR 97060, next to Glenn Otto Park Sandy River Bridge--1225 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale OR 97060 Lewis & Clark State Recreation Site--go north after crossing the Sandy River Bridge . . . The Historic Columbia Hwy makes an L with Crown Point Hwy Or, take exit 18 south off I-84, the east side of the Sandy River has access to the river & the Rec Site. A Troutdale Loop What looks like an interesting way to lasso in a lot of Troutdale could begin back at Buxton Rd (the west side of Bandit’s Bar & Grill in historic downtown), heading south on Buxton. It curves into Troutdale Rd, which meets Stark St. I haven't yet seen the following parks, but the link below tells about them, as well as those I've seen. Helen Althous City Park--248 SW 7th St, Troutdale OR 97060, west off Buxton Weeden City Park—1323 SE Beaver Creek Lane, Troutdale OR 97060, east of Troutdale Rd, must walk in Kiku Park--1800 SE Beaver Creek Ln, Troutdale OR 97060, east of Troutdale Rd Troutdale City--Parks & Greenways Stark Street from Troutdale Rd west to NE Hogan Drive Stark Street seems to be the cutting edge that divides Troutdale and Gresham. What looks like a worthwhile detour from Stark Street is north on 257th to get to Sunrise City Park. Sunrise City Park--600 SW Hensley Rd, Troutdale OR 97060 (see Troutdale parks link above) Safeway shopping center--25691 SE Stark St, Troutdale OR 97060; with a Walgreens etc. CP City Park (north behind Safeway)--1212 SW 28th St, Troutdale OR 97060 Cannery Park north on McGinnis--2664 SW McGinnis Ave, Troutdale OR 97060 Home Depot--25101 SE Stark St, Troutdale OR 97060 TacoBell/Long John Silver’s etc. in the same place Tonkin Gresham Honda--24999 SE Stark St, Troutdale OR 97060 Troutdale water tower--24451 SE Stark St, Gresham, OR 97030 North on Hogan Dr/242nd Dr from Stark St to Cherry Park Rd, N on 257th Dr eventually becomes Graham Rd Woodale City Park--2326 SW 22nd St, Troutdale OR 97060 (east of 242nd, see Troutdale parks link above) Cherry Park Market Center--2457 SW Cherry Park Rd, Troutdale OR 97060 Safeway gas was a dime or more less than anything else at the time. Imagination Station (Columbia Park)--1900 SW Cherry Park Rd, Troutdale OR 97060 Next to Reynolds HS Helen Althaus City Park—west entrance off 257th Dr (see Troutdale parks link above) Until next time, the next adventure . . . enjoy today, look forward to the future.
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 Mike Falls, Golden Ears Provincial Park--24480 Fern Crescent, Maple Ridge BC V4R 2S1, Canada, 40 mi/2 hrs east of Vancouver BC; photo courtesy Nicole Calvert Provincial Capitals of Canada
 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:National_flag_of_Canada Victoria BC—provincial capital of British Columbia The Parliamentary grounds are so beautiful, they are well worth wandering. For more about the Parliamentary complex of Victoria, and more links for things to do/see, scroll down to the bottom of
 Parliamentary Buildings with statue of Queen Victoria, Victoria BC on a glorious day mid October Coming into Victoria via the Ferry from Port Angeles WA The Black Ball Ferry Line--430 Belleville St., Victoria BC V8V 1W9, Canada
Surrounding the Parliamentary Complex
Government Street north to Wharf St/Humboldt St intersection
Wharf St Sites to see going north along Wharf St from Government St (I didn't get to see all on first trip to Victoria)
Government Street north toward Chinatown
Chinatown While the Chinatown gate is at Fisgard & Government St, Victoria's Chinatown covers an area from at least Pandora Ave north to Herald St, and east on Fisgard to Douglas St. It's a delight to explore! Victoria Chinatown Museum-- 10 Fan Tan Alley, Victoria, BC V8W 1W3, Canada Open Thurs-Sun 11am-5pm, and all statutory Monday holidays. It wasn't open when I was there. Bucket List Chinatown Victoria CRD (Capital Regional District) Square—across from the Chinatown gate at Fisgard & Government St. Worth a stroll or a roll, with a statue of Dr Sun Yat-Sen & Bright Pearl “As the centrepiece between Centennial Square and historic Chinatown, the Bright Pearl honors the many people who immigrated here from the Pearl River Valley in China. The Bright Pearl welcomes citizens and visitors alike to this civic square, especially those from our twin cities around the world . . . added the finishing touch to the official opening of the Capital Regional District [CRD] Building.” Yen-Wo Tsung Tsin (Hakka) Society Bldg—w/mural on the side (Government St north of Chinatown gate)
Douglas St--I wheeled south on Douglas St, but my phone battery died ☹ Victoria Public Market at the Hudson on Douglas St between Fisgard & Herald, Victoria BC Beehive Wool Shop--1700 Douglas St, Victoria, BC V8W 2G7, Canada; yarn store at Fisgard & Douglas St Centennial Square Parkade--645 Fisgard St, Victoria, BC V8W 1R7, Canada
Miniature World—649 Humboldt St (just west of Douglas St), Victoria BC The Maritime Museum of British Columbia--744 Douglas St--or 634 Humboldt St, Victoria BC Mungo Martin House in Thunderbird Park-- 475 Belleville St., Victoria, BC V8V 2P8, Canada; Belleville & Douglas Thunderbird Park-- 638 Douglas St, Victoria, BC V8V 2P8, Canada James Bay Inn--270 Government St, Victoria BC (a block west of Douglas St & Beacon Hill Park) Hotel, Suites, Cottages. Dating from 1911, “No air conditioning & no elevators. Access to a sunny verandah on floor 2 & 3. Art Deco Cafe & Restaurant and a friendly pub on site. No smoking, no pets.” Itinerary Ideas for 1-4 or so days in Victoria BC--choose what looks fun I suggest first going to see Confederation Fountain/Park at Belleville St & Menzies St, across from the Parliamentary campus. Next tour the Parliament buildings, or at least the grounds. After that, see the Royal BC Museum, and from there head north up Government St, past the historic Fairmont Empress Hotel. Stop for info at the Greater Victoria Visitor Center, and continue north on Government St as far as Chinatown. Return south on Wharf St (after crossing the Johnson St Bridge and seeing Songhees Park, if you like), check out the Fort Victoria National Historic Site and pass the Old Victoria Customs House, (optionally have lunch at Red Fish Blue Fish if that brings delight), see the Veteran Sailor Statue and the Homecoming Statue, and detour to walk along the Inner Habour Causeway. This could take a whole day, and if you have an electric wheelchair, may seriously deplete your battery. Return to Belleville St and head east to Thunderbird Park, then north again on Douglas St (aka Trans-Canada Hwy 1). See the Victoria Crystal Garden, The Maritime Museum of British Columbia at Victoria Conference Center, detour a half a block west on Humboldt St to see the Miniature World museum, before continuing north on Douglas St (half a block west on Courtney St is the Bug Zoo, half a block east on Broughton St is the Greater Victoria Public Library). St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, then Bay Center shopping mall are north on Douglas St, and Haunted Manor mini-golf & ping pong are just to the east on Yates St, as is Cineplex Odeon Victoria Cinemas. Victoria City Hall is at the corner of Pandora Ave & Douglas St, and next north of it is Centennial Square with it’s fountain & plaza, and restrooms on the first floor of the Centennial Parkade. Victoria Public Market is between Fisgard & Herald streets on Douglas St. This could well take a 2nd day, but if not, head south as follows. Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre arena is on Blanshard St at Caledonia (next street north of Herald St), and you can return south along Blanshard, stopping at what appeals (Capitol 6 Theatres are nearly opposite the Cineplex Odeon Victoria Cinemas at Yates St, and the Royal Theatre is at Broughton). An interesting detour east on Broughton is Pioneer Square, and south of that is Christ Church Cathedral, across from which is the Afghanistan Memorial. Returning to Blanshard on Burdette Ave is the Provincial Courthouse. Continue south on Blanshard St to St Ann’s Academy and Auditorium National Historic Site (enjoy the grounds of the complex), and if you have energy left, explore Beacon Hill Park, with it’s elegant gardens, ponds, bandshell, ball fields, pickleball, children’s farm (if open), sun clock, totem pole, etc (has restrooms). This could take a day or two as well. The long walk along the shore on Dallas Rd takes you past historic Holland Point Park, in view of The First Nations Breakwater Mural, and in sight of the Breakwater Lighthouse (a “massive white lighthouse, built in 1916, with scenic views at the end of a long breakwater walkway”, which the ferries pass, but I didn’t see). Continuing along Dallas Rd is the interactive Ogden Point Sundial, and eventually Fisherman’s Wharf/Fisherman’s Wharf Park (“Visitors can see seals & other marine life along this quaint floating pier with food kiosks & shops”). A few zigzags will get you back to Belleville St where you began. In all, there’s plenty here for 4-5 days, not even counting the sights of West Victoria, the famous Buchart Gardens, Craigdarroch & Hatley Castles, and so much else Vancouver Island has to offer! Holland Point https://beaconhillparkhistory.org/contents/appendix_C2.htm Ogden Point Breakwater Lighthouse (one of 4 active lighthouses listed for Victoria) https://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=1202 Brochures & Maps from the Ferry--choose the map that makes most sense to you Butchart Gardens—13.5 mi NW of Victoria, travel by car, bus, tour, taxi, boat Sunken Garden, Rose garden, Japanese Garden, Italian Garen, Mediterranean Garden; Visitor Centre, Gift Shop, Carousel, Wharf, places to eat Victoria Butterfly Gardens--1461 Benvenuto AVE Brentwood Bay BC V8M 1J5 (said to be 5 min from Butchart Gardens) Vancouver Island Vancouver Island Bucketlist British Columbia Grouse Mtn Resort—15 min drive north of downtown Vancouver BC 2024 Other than driving by car, you can travel by public transit, or take a free summer shuttle from downtown Vancouver (with the purchase of a roundtrip admission ticket). Photos courtesy Nicole Calvert Golden Ears Park--24480 Fern Crescent, Maple Ridge BC V4R 2S1, Canada (40 mi/2 hrs east of Vancouver BC) Photos courtesy Nicole Calvert  USS Turner Joy Naval Memorial Museum, and the marina from above, near the Kitsap Conference Center at Bremerton Harborside--100 Washington Ave, Bremerton, WA 98337; the ferries at hand Coming into Bremerton Puget Sound Naval Shipyard--1127 Charleston Beach Rd W, Bremerton WA 98312 (vehicle inspection gate) off Charleston Blvd (aka Hwy 304) Bug & Reptile Museum--1118 Charleston Beach Rd W, Bremerton, WA 98312; across from the Naval Yard Bremerton WA Boardwalk--at the east end of 2nd St; find parking before you get there (some ideas further on). USS Turner-Joy museum & gift shop In the vicinity of Bremerton Harbor Seattle-Bremerton Ferry--211 1st Street, Bremerton WA Follow the signs carefully, which if you don't want to go to the ferry can be awkward with all the one-way streets. Puget Sound Navy Museum--251 1st St, Bremerton WA 98337; free The Navy Museum can be seen from the ferry terminal, but walk along 1st St to Pacific Ave and cross the street to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Memorial Plaza. Harborside Fountain Park--251 1st St, Bremerton WA 98337; near the ferries & Puget Sound Navy Museum Could be a pleasant place to picnic for lunch. Bremerton Fountains park--219 Pacific Ave, Bremerton WA 98337 (Burwell St, aka Hwy 304, to Farragut Ave) Just up the street from the entrance to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard And Intermediate Maintenance Facility (1400 Farragut Ave, Bremerton, WA 98337), this interesting art and history-filled park features cut & polished rock sculptures as well as restrooms, tables, & benches (google maps claims). A wider walk/drive around downtown Bremerton Discover Bremerton—links for history, facts, attractions & events, arts, recreation, sister city, transpo, etc PDF chart of parks & amenities, with addresses & map The Roxy Theatre-- 270 4th St, Bremerton, WA 98337; next to the Kitsap History Museum Kitsap History Museum--280 4th St, Bremerton, WA 98337; narrow one-way street, drop off only Seefilm Cinemas-- 655 4th St, Bremerton, WA 98337 Kitsap Regional Library--612 5th St, Bremerton WA 98337 Admiral Theatre--515 Pacific Ave, Bremerton WA 98337; 30 min parking in frontPacific Planetarium-- 817 Pacific Ave, Bremerton WA 98337 More sites that caught my eye around Bremerton Bremerton avenues are north-south, streets are east-west. Kiwanis Park--1701 5th St, Bremerton WA 98337; 2 hr street parking across the street. Blackberry festival at Kiwanis Park (360) 473-5305 Evergreen Rotary Park--1500 Park Ave, Bremerton WA 98337 Farmer’s Market Thur eves late Apr-Sept; (360) 473-5305 Warren Ave Bridge (north-south trending) connects east & west Bremerton over the Port Washington Narrows of Dyes Inlet (one of the waterways of Kitsap Peninsula), off the Puget Sound.
Olympic College--1600 Chester Ave, Bremerton WA 98337; off Warren Ave, aka Hwy 303  Although in the photo it looks diminutive and distant, I caught a glimpse of the amazing view of Mt Rainier from the Warren Ave bridge which spans the Port Washington Narrows, Dyes Inlet of the Puget Sound, Bremerton WA Sheridan Rd is north of the Warren Ave Bridge, in East Bremerton. The Sheridan neighborhood of Bremerton was an historic small town in the 1890s. The west end of Sheridan Rd meets into Lebo Blvd a little west of the inviting, family & friends friendly Lion's Park with its great amenities. I didn't know about it then, but now I do. Illahee State Park--3540 NE Sylvan Way, Bremerton WA 98310 Such a lovely place to spend the day or camp. U.S. Naval Undersea Museum--1 Garnett Way, Keyport WA 98345 I was traveling north toward Port Angeles (on my way to Victoria BC), so though I found this as part of Bremerton sights to see, it's actually north of Bremerton (at the south end of Liberty Bay off Port Orchard waterway--all part of the Kitsap Peninsula and the complex arm, elbow, and fingers of the Puget Sound). This museum seemed so apropos of the area, I just had to include it.
Poulsbo WA I saw something about the SEA Discovery Center aquarium in Poulsbo, so close to Bremerton, and thought it a good way to round out all the waterside explorations of my trip, so went to check it out. Wow! Although I didn't get to explore inside the center, I was so enamored with historic downtown Poulsbo, and it so befit my "Skoal Scandinavia!" post (see link below), that I was pretty ecstatic to have happened upon it (not quite by accident). Poulsbo is at the other end of Liberty Bay from Keyport.
SEA Discovery Center--18743 Front St NE, Poulsbo WA 98370 City of Poulsbo Waterfront Park--18809 Front St NE, Poulsbo, WA 98370 (aka Liberty Bay Waterfront Park) And the Port of Poulsbo. Parking was crowded even in October. Historic downtown Poulsbo WA Poulsbo Maritime Museum, Visitor Center and Gift Store--19010 Front St NE, Poulsbo, WA 98370 Bainbridge Island--east of the Port Orchard channel from Bremerton, east across the Agate Passage Bridge (Hwy 305) from Poulsbo; west of Seattle via the ferry across Puget Sound. Kitsap County
Gig Harbor, Olalla, Port Orchard, Bremerton, Bainbridge Island, Silverdale, Poulsbo, Suquamish, Kingston, Port Gamble, Hansville . . . Since a year ago when a friend and I toured Providence Academy, I was anxious to take my sister on that tour, and to see the enchanting Enchanted Rose with its vintage wares and decor. It was there we learned of the Spools & Stitches Quilt Shop Hop. We thought we might only be able to get to perhaps 4 shops, but as it turned out, we managed to make it to every one, beside a couple of Joann Fabrics and Crafts. The 6" square kits were free, it was $5 for the extensions that would make them into 12" blocks. We chose to do just the 6" squares, for the most part, but that doesn't mean we didn't spend quite a lot of money. 😉 Note: click on photos to enlarge and show captions. Click on the right to advance, left to reverse. The Enchanted Rose Emporium—inside the Historic Providence Academy, 400 E Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver WA The new main entrance to Providence Academy is at the back of the new parking lot off Evergreen Blvd. From that entrance one must wind around a bit to get to the quilt shop. Classes, vintage clothing repairs and alterations, etc. Fort Vancouver is just to the east: for more info about it, scroll down at the 2nd link below. Fiddlesticks--2701 NE 114th Ave, Vancouver WA 98684 A fun place for quilters, with fun quilter events. Paint Chip Challenge display & judging Sept 27-28, 2024 at Fiddlesticks Quilt Shop Kitten in a Pumpkin pattern for the Spools & Stitches Quilt Shop Hop from Fiddlesticks Quiltshop. Quilted Treasures--6400 NE Hwy 99, Vancouver WA 98665 (Hazel Dell) This shop is committed to accessibility (wide aisles), having an employee in a wheelchair. The shopping strip owner is not quite as committed to providing convenient handicapped parking. Just For Fun Quilting--1503 NE 78th St, Vancouver, WA 98665 (Hazel Dell) A dazzling array of samples, kits, and pattern books for embroidery machines is like a carnival of colors and seasons, and for every month of the year, events, and special occasions. JoAnn Fabric & Crafts--7907 NE Hwy 99, Vancouver, WA 98665 (Hazel Dell) Hwy 99 is a major commercial artery in Vancouver, as in other towns of the Pacific Northwest. Feather Your Nest Quilt Shop--130 N Main Ave, Gresham, OR 97030 This quilt shop is right in walkable, shoppable, historic downtown Gresham with lots of restaurants, lovely murals and sculptures, and the history museum. Parking can be at a premium at times; I have parked at the Main City Park before, which is not far. The Main City Park has a Japanese garden as well as playground, heroes memorial, skate park, as well as picnic tables, shelters, and ball park. Post about Gresham coming. My Quilting Loft--253 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale, OR 97060 Located in historic downtown Troutdale, down the street from the Depot Rail Museum & the Visitor Center with a small park along the Sandy River. Within a short walk to the west of the shop is the pleasant Mayor's Square City Park with its beautiful mural, picnic tables, fountain, and sculptures. All along the street are places to shop and eat. The Outlet Mall is off I-84 as you travel toward historic downtown, and driving west through town the Columbia River Hwy takes you past the Harlow House Museum, Glen Otto Community Park on the Sandy River, and across the Sandy River is the Lewis & Clark State Rec Park and access to the Sandy River for fishing and playing in the water. Just on the east of the bridge across the Sandy River is a pull-out with signs of early Oregon History. For more about those, scroll down at the 2nd link below. Sewlarium--3236 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97217 Very interesting fabrics, personable owner. I didn't get a good pic of the quilting machine. There are a few parking spaces in the rear, including a handicapped one (though not enough room for my ramp to deploy when someone parked next to us). Mike's Drive In (burgers etc) is across the street, Goodwill 3 short blocks east. Sharon's Attic Quilt Shop--2950 SE Cornelius Pass Rd #100, Hillsboro, OR 97123 A large shop with a nice variety of fabrics, accessories, tools, patterns, and kits. I loved the way the fabrics were organized, by colors and themes (natural, holiday, etc). Road "improvements" have made this shop difficult to get to from certain directions. Joann Fabrics & Crafts--7270 NE Butler St, Hillsboro, OR 97124 Located at The Crossroads at Orenco Station, off NE Cornelius Pass Rd & NE Butler St, one of 40 places to shop, eat, explore. This is a huge store, not perhaps at its tidiest when we were there. |
