Across the Bridge and Back to Vancouver

Vancouver, looking north across the Columbia River.

Vancouver, Washington, that is.  Many people confuse our city with its more famous neighbor to the north, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  If you were to read the Wikipedia article about Vancouver, WA, this is what you would learn:

Vancouver is a city on the north bank of the Columbia River in the U.S. state of Washington. Incorporated in 1857, it is the fourth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 163,186 as of July 2008. Vancouver is the county seat of Clark County and forms part of the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area, the 23rd-largest metropolitan area in the United States.

Vancouver shares its name with the larger city of Vancouver located 305 miles north in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Both cities were named in honor of sea captain George Vancouver, although the Canadian city was incorporated 29 years after the incorporation of Vancouver, Washington, and more than 60 years after the name Vancouver was first used in reference to the historic Fort Vancouver trading post on the Columbia River.

City officials have periodically suggested changing the US city's name to Fort Vancouver, Vancouver USA, or even Old Vancouver to reduce confusion with its northern neighbor. Many Pacific Northwest residents distinguish between the two cities by referring to the Canadian city as "Vancouver, B.C." and the United States one as "Vancouver, Washington".

When you visit Vancouver, Washington USA, one of the sites to see is Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.  Fort Vancouver was a 19th century fur trading outpost along the Columbia River that served as the headquarters of the Hudson's Bay Company in the company's Columbia District (which covered the northern half of the region known to Americans as the Oregon Country). Named for Captain George Vancouver, the fort was located on the northern bank of the Columbia River in present-day Vancouver, Washington, near Portland, Oregon. Today, a full-scale replica of the fort, with internal buildings, has been constructed and is open to the public as Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.

Okay, enough of the history and geography lessons.  On our way from Astoria, Oregon, back home to Vancouver, Washington, USA, we crossed over the Astoria-Megler bridge.  Many of the bridges in our area are being worked on.  It's summertime, you know, even though we've been wearing jackets and running our heater every day.  The bridge we crossed to get to Astoria was the Lewis and Clark Bridge in Longview, WA.  The roadwork on that bridge made the lanes VERY narrow.  The Astoria bridge is being painted, but it has one lane of traffic open instead of narrow lanes.  Which to choose??  Dave chose to cross the Astoria bridge.  Both bridges cross the mighty Columbia River which divides the states of Oregon and Washington.  (That's Washington state, not Washington D.C., another common mistake!)

Before we cross the Astoria bridge in the background, we have to cross Young's Bay Bridge.  We're traveling north on Highway 101.

That's the Astoria Bridge.  From the left lane, we'll head up to the bridge.

We made it up to the bridge. 

The highest part of the bridge.  This is not a drawbridge, so it has to be high enough to let ships pass underneath.

Starting to descend to the lower part of the bridge.

Continuing to cross the bridge.  It's low tide.

We've reached the area being painted.  This part was covered in plastic.

Finally, it's our turn to go.  Actually, we waited less than five minutes.

Notice this newly painted part of the bridge.  Snazzy!

Safely back in Washington state, USA.