Taking in Life Around Me....#sundaystills.....Theme: In My Town..Small town life



This #sundaystills challenge is hosted by Terri from Second Wind LeisureIt's a great themed photography challenge that you'll enjoy. I love seeing the other participants interpretation of the theme each week...it causes me to think outside the box. I joined in hopes of it pushing me to get out and take more photos...I have to some degree, but I also like that Terri is okay with us finding photos in our archives, which is also a lot of fun. So check out my photos and then head over to Terri's page to participate or visit other's posts. There are some awesome contributors who always inspire me. 

This weeks challenge is all about where we live. Aside from when I was very small, I have always lived in a small town. We moved to Washington State from northern Ohio (Lorain, which sits on Lake Erie) where both my parents were born and raised. We moved to the small town of North Bend, Washington which is about a 30 minute drive from Snoqualmie Pass and about a 30-40 minute drive to Seattle. I loved living surrounded by mountains and the famous Snoqualmie Falls. When I got married, after a short stint in Portland, Oregon to attend Bible College (where I met my hubby...no I didn't go to Bridal college, or as the joke went, to get my MRS. degree)...we settled in my hubby's home town of Woodland, Washington, which is conveniently located 30minutes north of Portland and about 35-40 minutes from Mt. St. Helens, 45-60 minutes to the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood. Another ideal location. Woodland sits on both the Columbia river and the Lewis River. 

To say I'm "just a small town girl" would be correct. Though as the song goes, I'm not "living in a lonely world". I am close enough to some major cities, mountains, oh, and just about 45+ minutes to the ocean. It really makes contemplating moving a bit hard. 

Welcome to my town. Like most towns, there's the grocery stores, coffee shops, churches, restaurants...sit down and fast food, and a number of other businesses. I didn't photograph those. The town was incorporated in 1906. My mother in law also grew up here. Here is an interesting article about the town. 

I wanted to take some time to find pictures I had taken in North Bend, but just didn't have extra time because they are prints and I'd have to search for them. Oh well. 

On the West side of town sits Horseshoe Lake, which is, in fact, in the shape of a horseshoe. It used to be part of the Lewis River before the freeway was built. Here's an article on it.



The train bridge over the Lewis River...sadly many people have died on this bridge by not heeding the fact that it is a working railroad track and they attempt to go on or cross the bridge.

Much of what is called the Woodland bottoms, which is land closer to the Columbia river has always been farmland. There aren't as many farms anymore, sadly. 

Gotta love a small town parade. One of our favorites..Planters Day Celebration. 

Pre-Covid when we had a carnival in park along the lake


This was always one of my girls favorite events. I know I have a picture of them riding in a fire truck one time. Not sure where it is.





Wheat fields almost at sunset.

The other day I took a drive through town and snapped a few pics. This is the West side of town (west side of I-5 freeway), also known as Woodland proper, where the town originated. The East side of the freeway was established later but I'm not sure exactly when. The building I work in has been in that location (though different businesses) since I think 1968,


I missed the tree lighting Friday night. That would've been fun to go to.

I love the old buildings but sadly several are vacant.


I've always thought it would be fun to have a business in one of the empty buildings and live above.


The building on the right is so pretty. How fun would it be to have a business there and then live above it. Well, maybe it would be fun. It would be a lot of work, but could be cool. 

My son in laws family owned a dairy farm for many generations. Sadly though, the years haven't been kind to small dairies and they've essentially been forced out of business. Now they run a very popular and successful pumpkin patch. 

For fun: My mother in laws dad was a dairy farmer and this was a picture of their family. She is standing in front of the wheel of the tractor. 

One of the barns on the "bottoms" with Mt. Hood in the background.


On a hike you can view the Lewis River valley. It's so pretty.

This Oak Tree is said to be I believe, 130+ years old. It recently went through some nurturing and revitalizing. The building in the back is The Oak Tree Restaurant, which has been popular for years. Sadly about 10+ years ago it went through some hard times, closed, reopened, became a casino, that closed, and now it's reopened again as the Oak Tree. This picture was taken from the parking lot of my work. 


Our town is also popular for the Hulda Kliger Lilac Gardens and the Holland America bulb farm. I know I have pictures of them, but just couldn't find them. 

Well, I wish I could've given you more of a tour, and pics of North Bend, but no time. Have a great week friends. 

With Joy Unquenchable,
Kirstin
Kirstin

Comments

  1. I didn't realize you live in Woodland, WA, which is coincidental since I lived in Woodland, CA (near Sacramento) for two years (where my ex-hub was from). I was just there for the funeral as you already read. When I was using google maps for that trip, I kept getting Woodland, WA, which also near Hwy 5--confused much? Too funny! Kirstin, your photos of your town are beautiful and really show the character of the town. I LOVE those parade shots. We don't really do parades well here since our main road is a highway. Love the tour and I can tell how much you love it there!

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  2. What lovely shots Kirstin, they show the character as Terri says and the parade looks like fun. We used to have regular parades but it all became too hard.

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