Growing up in Camas/Vancouver Washington State when I was a child (20 years ago) was great! We had all of the benefits of living in a smaller town that was close to the mountains and yet a 20 minute drive to Portland, the big city. I remember when many of the now major roads and intersections were farms, fields, forests and there seemed to be a distinct seperation between "us" and the "city folk".
No more. Now I am grown up, dependednt on a strong, growing economy and, more specifically, on the sale of homes. The more homes, the more inspections, right?
But I have to admit that I am conflicted at times. I miss the farm land, I miss feeling "rural" and yet having immediate access to a major city. I miss driving up the two lane country road (164th) and seeing those "wide open spaces" and old shakes.
Now, it appears that I am going to be missing more. Along the closest State Route (HWY 14) is one of the original forts from the pioneer days - Fort Vancouver. I remember going on feild trips there when I was a child and have always been able to see it from the highway. It was nice. I just heard that they are going to take the 300 acers in front of it and turn it into the "1-2-3 Houses". That phrase is my way of saying "where every third house is the same". At an inspection I always smile and I don't disrespect people's choice in housing, but to be quite honest, sometimes it get a little tired of these cheap, uncharacteristic "shells" that are put up to take in the swarms of people (mostly Californians and Oregonians) that are "seeking Gold in these here hills".
While I am happy to have the opportunity to provide a strong income for my family, I feel sorry that my children won't know what I am talking about when I tell them that Wal-Mart, Starbucks, Home Depot and Best Buy are siting on feilds that I used to hike and how you could see Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens from "this spot".
All they will see are flashy signs, congestion, and the... 1-2-3 house.
Justin Nickelsen, Vancouver Washington
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