Fort Vancouver

The first weekend in October we traveled south to visit Tyler’s brother Jayson and his wife Andalyn in their new home in Camas, Washington.  They recently moved from Spokane so that Jayson can attend Chiropractor school in Portland.  Knowing that his mandatory credit load is between 22-28 credits each quarter we knew that once his classes started he would have little free time for visitors so we planned our trip for the weekend before his classes began.  We arrived Friday night after dark.  However, we were still able to get in some play time & brownies and ice cream before bed.

Saturday Jayson made us breakfast and Andalyn packed us a picnic lunch and we all loaded up and adventured to Fort Vancouver, a United States National Historic Site.  It was AMAZING.  I bet we didn’t even get to see half of the place, it was so huge.  When we first arrived we were in two-hour parking.  We walked down to the airplane museum and went inside to check it out.  It was beyond what we could have imagined.  There were plans from every time period, flight simulators and more.  After visiting the airplane museum, we walked up to the playground to have lunch.  The guys moved the cars and then enjoyed some Frisbee. 

After lunch we took a mice walk through the grounds garden and adventured into The Fort area.  For a steal of a deal- $3.00, you can get full access including a personal audio tour, and a few demonstrations and small presentations by employees dress in appropriate period attire.  The audio tour was detail and to be honest with two small children, I only caught bits and pieces but I and everyone thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  The children were getting restless so we left before seeing everything but we plan to make a visit in the spring and walk the trail along the Columbia River to downtown. 

Both the kids took naps in the car on the way back to Jayson & Andalyn’s place.  When they awoke, Tyler and Jayson walked with the kids to the neighborhood park to play while Andalyn & I stayed behind as she prepared enchiladas.  After dinner we all watched Ferngully, read some books and horsed around with the kids before bed.  In the morning, Jayson made breakfast and I took the kids for a walk before we headed out for lunch at my Grandpa’s house in Salmon Creek. 

 

Above- coming back from the park

Bellow- the kids with Great Grandpa Phil

We had a nice four hour plus visit at my Grandpa Phil’s house with his wife Barb, my uncle Greg and Cousins Emma & Jacob.  The kids enjoyed some time in the back yard, smelling the flowers and picking apples and veggies from the garden to bring home.  We don’t get to see this part of my family more than once or twice a year so it is always good to catch up.  After lunch, we headed out for the journey home. Our trip south was a perfect mix of family and fun.  We can’t wait to make our next trip south in the Spring.