Taking A Ride Before the Big Snow Storm in Vancouver WA 2012

Here in Vancouver WA (just next to Portland) it is big news when the Weather Service expects a big snow storm to come through the area.  We don't have snow on the ground often enough, and for long enough, for the local road crews to budget adequately for the rare large snow storm. 

When I know a big storm is on its way I like to make certain we have a week's worth of supplies on and be ready to stay real close to home for a few days.  This time around I felt we we ready BUT, saw no need to start the "hunkered-down" phase just yet -- if we did I know the onset of the dreaded Cabin Fever would happen sooner!  So, even though there was a slight drizzle outside (and most home buyers were getting ready for the storm) I felt I better get a bike ride in.

Thankfully the signed bicyle routes in Vancouver and parts of Clark County have improved greatly over the years.  When I lived in Everett many years ago while working for GTE, Everett and Snohomish County had been very progressive with Bicycle lane and separate path deployments, and was at that time many years ahead of Southwest Washington in this regard.  I think we've caught up quite a bit now.

The Destination this time was the Renaissance Trail on the Columbia River Waterfront.  Okay, so this trail is several miles long, and it takes me several miles just to get there -- this turned out to be a two hour ride!  Some of the sights included:

First Stop at the Western part of the Trail we find: The Angry I-5 Bridge over the Columbia River -- could it be upset that its days are numbered?

A couple of miles up the trail I stopped at the boat basin used by the Christensen Luxury Motor-Yacht  (they make these awsome yachts here in Vancouver WA) company.  Today the Aghassi ccan be seen, awaiting a new owner perhaps?

Another mile up the trail and the turning point for my ride is the tip of the break-water at Tidewater Cove.  This can be a great place to see Mt. Hood or watch the planes landing at PDX across the Columbia River.  Today, it was too blustery to linger...

Well, I had better pedal back home and get back to work.  Hope you enjoyed this winter ride! /p>