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Top 10 reasons to drive south

Where to explore in southwest Washington and Portland

Explore the Ape Cave on the south side of Mt. St. Helens. Photo credit: Wikipedia

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It's easy to look north. Both Seattle and Canada are huge draws when living in this area. But, there are equally good reasons to turn your steering wheel south and to explore the areas around Vancouver, Washington, and Portland. Here are 10.

1. Ape Caves

By now you have already visited or have solid plans to visit Mt. St. Helens.  And for good reason - this is one of the only volcanoes in our lifetime close to home that has blown its top.  It's a NW icon, and well worth a visit to the observation center to see the mighty beast up close.  Once you have done that, consider sweeping around to the southern side of the mountain and explore Ape Cave - a lava tube.  Named after the adventure group a few teens in the olden days formed and later discovered, this ¾-mile trek through absolute darkness is mesmerizing.  Take the kids into the belly of the cave, turn off your flashlights, and truly understand what the absence of light looks like (blackness).  Go early before the crowds arrive so you don't have flashlights everywhere spoiling your opportunity to enjoy the solace of being underground.  Take back-up flashlights, dress warmly, follow the rules and have a good time.   

For more information, go to wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/ape-cave.

2.  Fort Vancouver

This is where it all began for the military in the Pacific Northwest, in what is now Vancouver, Washington.  After Lewis and Clark visited the West, the Hudson Bay Company moved in to establish a trading fort to collect furs that were made into fashionable hats. Today you can see a mock-up of the fort, including a few original structures.  In addition, you can tour the Vancouver Barracks; the outpost the U.S. built in the wake of the Brits moving to Canada, where both Ulysses S. Grant and George C. Marshall served.  For info on both forts, prices and directions, go to nps.gov/fova/index.htm.

3. The Columbia River

If you are going to know a few PNW locations to impress friends and family from out of state, you should know the importance of the Columbia River to history, economics and recreation.  Cutting through Washington state like a big L, this river is well worth a visit.  How to see it depends on what you like to do.  You can travel on a paddleboat cruise (usarivercruises.com), fish with a charter (columbiariverfishingguide.com), or enjoy a meal overlooking the water (redlion.com/Vancouver).

Voodoo Doughnuts put the fun back into the morning treat. Photo credit: Wikipedia

4. Voodoo Doughnuts

Likely someone has returned from Portland and told you about the long line outside Voodoo Doughnuts in the downtown area of the Rose City.  It has become one of those things you almost have to do so not to look stupid when you get back to the Puget Sound area.  Voodoo has made a name for itself by being, at least, one of the first to put full strips of bacon on top of a maple bar.  They also have other odd creations to include doughnuts with Capt. Crunch and Fruit Loops cereal, others filled or dusted with exotic ingredients like mango jelly and cayenne, doughnuts with candy toppings, and one porn-like shape I'll leave to your imaginations.  Like a visit to Pike Place Market in Seattle, you really do need to try a Voodoo at least once.  Go early to avoid the huge line.  Check them out atvoodoodoughnut.com.

An amazing Japanese garden is south in Portland. Photo credit: Wikipedia

5. Japanese Garden

If you adore Japanese gardens, than outside of Japan, this is the best one in the country - so they say, and I am sure they are right.  This place is serene, compact, lush, balanced, and everything else you'd appreciate in a place carved out of the city and waiting for you to walk in a sigh in complete pleasure.  Go when it is raining - the crowds are lower, the greens pop in the low lighting, and the sound of water makes the experience unforgettable.  This is the sort of place where you'll walk out feeling you just had a 60-minute massage.  For details, go to japanesegarden.com.

6. Rogue Brew Pub

The Rogue Brewery actually got its start much further south than Portland - Ashland, Oregon, at the most southern end of I-5 in the state.  From there it moved to Newport, roughly halfway up the Oregon Coast, and since then has expanded to a number of locations, including Portland (and Issaquah, Washington if you have an hour's drive in you to I-90 on the way to Snoqualmie Pass).  Regardless, Portland is a great way to delve into the brand, which also stands as one example of how involved and revolutionary Portland has been in the craft beer movement.  Let Rogue be your entryway, and or stand as your dip into the world of ales and IPAs, and beyond.  The Rogue Distillery and Public House in the downtown area serves many of the labels Rogue is famous for, including two that also connect the drinker with Oregon icons to include their hazelnut Brown Ale and their Marionberry Braggot.  Also ask if they have the Voodoo Doughnut brew on tap, too.  See them here at rogue.com.

7. The Zoo

There are many great zoos in the Northwest, and Portland's Oregon Zoo is certainly one of them.  Most of the regional centers specialize, and in Portland, what you can expect to see that is unique to the area include swamp monkeys, beavers, chimpanzees, black rhinos, sun bears, flying foxes, and white-cheeked gibbons, to name a few.  The structures are unique, especially the 100-foot suspension bridge over the black bears and cougars, and Eagle Canyon where bald eagles and coho salmon live together.  More info at oregonzoo.org.

8. Portland Aquarium

This is not your typical large-scale operation such as Seattle, Newport or Point Defiance.  The Portland Aquarium is a private organization and is small in comparison to others.  But what they may lack in big budget operations, they win when it comes to hands-on experience.  At this Portland gem, you can feed sting rays, lorikeets and fish; you can touch many of the sea stars and other animals, and in the end, you'll leave feeling like you came face to face with the creatures of the deep.  Most of the exhibits are in small tanks as if you are walking through an aquarium shop, and you have to pay extra for feedings, but if you purchase your tickets online you save $3 a person, and overall, its worth every penny you spend.  Visit portlandaquarium.net.

The nation’s first Original Spaghetti Factory was in Portland. Photo credit: Wikipedia

9. Original Spaghetti Factory

Sure, you've likely already eaten at one, but did you know the original OSF is in Portland?  If you are one of those travellers that loves to say you've been to the original, then include Portland's Spaghetti Factory in your travel plans.  Only, know this, their Portland location isn't the original building.  They've since moved.  Still, OSF is a Northwest original - it all began in the Rose City, and at least you are dining in the general vicinity of when it all started in 1969.  Visit their website at osf.com.

10. Cinnamon Bear

This last one is something you'll need to put on your calendar and then wait.  The 1937 classic holiday radio show, The Cinnamon Bear, heard for decades around the country, was and still is most popular in Portland.  The city fully embraced the story of Judy and Jimmy and their quest with Paddy O'Cinnamon to find the kids' silver star for the top of the tree before Christmas Day, meeting all sorts of sordid characters like the Crazy Quilt Dragon and the Inkaboos, during the adventure.

Available online to hear (radiolovers.com/pages/cinnamonbear.htm), you could bring your children up to speed on this quaint and goofy story, then cement the tradition with a boat cruise in Portland this holiday season (cinnamonbearcruise.com) to meet the characters.

For decades, children sat on Cinnamon Bear's lap at Lipman's Department Store in Portland, and now that tradition is back on the river running right through the city.  It's also a great time to pop down south to Oregon to holiday shop tax-free.

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