St. John's Bridge

St. John's Bridge
Originally uploaded by nanwinn45.

Taken from Cathedral Park, under the St. Johns Bridge, looking across the Willamette River.

Originally uploaded by nanwinn45.

Looking up from the Willamette River to Highway 30 crossing the St. Johns Bridge.

Big Barn

Big Barn
Originally uploaded by nanwinn45.

One of the farms on Sauvie Island.

THE CANDLE

THE CANDLE
Originally uploaded by nanwinn45.

At night time this 'candle' is lit. When you see it you know you are coming in Scapoose, OR.

Boat Dock

Boat Dock
Originally uploaded by nanwinn45.

The boat dock in St. Helens.

Day Trip to St. Helens

When you really need to get out of the house and do not know where to "take a drive" I would recommend the short drive to St. Helens. From NE Portland can head west on Lombard St. (business 30). This way you can drive over the recently upgraded and painted St. Johns Bridge. St. Johns Bridge is beautiful whether you drive over it or visit Cathederal Park under it. It reminds me of the OZ books. Of course you will also be able to see some of the Willamette waterfront docks - not so beautiful, but that is just the way it is.

Once over the bridge you enter the small community of Linnton. Lewis and Clark made their way through this area the great 1805 expidition. Linnton/Lewis & Clark Linnton has many old houses high up on a cliff above the Willamette River.

Highway 30 follows the Willamette River to where the Willamette flows into the Columbia River. At the mouth of the Willamette is Sauvie Island, the biggest inland island in the United States and maybe the biggest inland island in the world. Sauvie Island is very fertile and today it has many beautiful farms. The west end of the island is a bird sanctuary and a great place to bird watch. Before Lewis and Clark, Native Americans used this island for hunting and fishing.

There are several little areas along Highway 30 that I would like to know more about. For instance there is Burlington. The main things that you see in Burlington are 1. a tavern 2. another building that for years had mannequins inside and outside 3. a house that has been "in remodel mode" since at least 1987. Another place I would like to know more about is the area where there are about 4 or 5 small houses (cabins) that all look the same. What were they used for when they were fist built? Someday I will find out.

The next town along Highway 30 is Scapoose. You will know when you get close to Scapoose because you will see the Giant Flaming Candle. Or maybe it is a giant stick of dynamite! One time while "checking out" Scapoose we discovered that there are miles and miles and miles of tree farms along the Columbia River. The trees that were growing, I am sure, were to be used in the paper mill that is located in St. Helens.

Along Highway 30 you will pass at least two Pioneer Cemeteries. One is well hidden. See if you can find them.

Next town is St. Helens. This day trip destination. Enjoy the old town houses, the old town square, the new boat dock and watching the tanker ships in the Columbia River traveling up river to Portland and back down river to the Pacific.

Yes, you too can enjoy a few hours out of the house on this little day trip.

Columbia View Park

Columbia View Park
Originally uploaded by nanwinn45.

Looking toward the Columbia River, the Court House is to the left. The tip of Sauvie Island can be seen to the right.

The day that this picture was taken is known as a 5 mountain day. Although you cannot see all 5 mountains in this picture all five could be seen. Starting from the north - Mt Rainier, Mt St Helens, Mt Adams, Mt Hood and just the very tip of Mt Jefferson.

Old House

Old House
Originally uploaded by nanwinn45.

Old Town St. Helens is built down by the Columbia River waterfront. Many of the Old Town houses are built up on a cliff. When you look at the house from the street the house will look like they are one or two stories high but, as you can see they have several more stories that go down the cliff. I will try, as time goes on, to get more pictures of these great old houses.

Columbia County Court House

Columbia County Court House
Originally uploaded by nanwinn45.

The Columbia County Court House is built along the Columbia River. The view here is what you see from the river. The Court House was built in 1906 and is still impressive today.

Court House Square

Court House Square
Originally uploaded by nanwinn45.

The small town of St. Helens is on the Oregon side of the Columbia River. St. Helens is about 35 miles a little north and west of Portland. The old town was built around this square that features the Columbia County Court House.