Hanford Site Worries and More?!

[Taiwanhellokitty]

@silibran: Thanks for those tips! We plan on driving along the Columbia Gorge. Next time when I'm in the area (I've only been to Portland once) I need to check out Powell's!

I could handle the sound of a plane if it was once or twice a day, but this is our usual schedule by NAS Oceana/Virginia Beach in recent years:

8am-8:30am... rumbling... entire condo is shaking, sounds like a plane is just sitting on a runway making noise... every minute to 2-3 minutes this goes on. You don't even need an alarm clock anymore!

Afternoons... flyovers either screeching or rumbling... off and on... sometimes minutes of each other, plus 2 or 3 jets are flying together, so when you think the noise is over with another one comes over head (summer is worst season for this so far).

Then in the evenings and even midnight or 1am you might get a loud jet going over... some days no noise at all, but most days there is something... can't really even enjoy doing outside activities anymore in most of the city since 2010 (and even the tourist oceanfront gets noisy, which really sucks)! I got really bummed out when we had a friend visit from out of town in springtime 2010 and we were out riding bikes around the neighborhood. I had never seen a Navy jet fly that low over our area (and incidentally I now worry about crashes since that one last spring), so even plugging your ears was impossible to drown the noise out. Our friend's ears rang for days. I still wonder to this day if I have slight hearing damage, no kidding! Rain or shine, they are out there (they know right when I'm outside, seriously! Or, I can be inside all day and the moment I got out... NOISE!)...

That's okay if Vancouver isn't that exciting or that remarkable architecturally... Virginia Beach isn't either (although it is a much newer city). ;-)

[silibran]

Taiwanhellokitty As others have posted, it must depend on what part of Vancouver you live in whether the airplane noise will be bad. When you talk to a realtor about buying you need to make your desire known, I think.

The Gorge is always beautiful, even on cloudy and overcast days. We have driven it many times for over a decade and we always remark on its beauty. Every time we drive it looks different.

You might enjoy walking around Hood River. There are places to have a lunch. I believe we have eaten at the old hotel there a couple of times.

There is a Pendleton Outlet in Washougal, WA which is a short drive from Van. I haven't ever visited, so I can't tell you anything about it.

[akck]

Originally Posted by Taiwanhellokitty

@silibran: Thanks for those tips! We plan on driving along the Columbia Gorge. Next time when I'm in the area (I've only been to Portland once) I need to check out Powell's!

I've only been there once and found it to be overwhelming with the selection of books. I'm guessing if you go there regularly and become familiar with the sections, it won't be as daunting. Oh, I did eventually find the section I wanted.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Taiwanhellokitty

...So, what can I expect from end of April-beginning of May weather?
...Thank you!

If you come in Late April early May, you have about a 20% chance of a really nice warm spell (60+...) Occasional clear days, probable drizzle or rain. DON't Miss this

Portland Parks & Recreation :: Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

also visit here during the week and at correct time for a factory tour.
Pendleton Woolen Mills: Washougal Mill
Public tours for individuals and small groups (under 10 persons) are held Monday through Friday, at 9 am, 10, am 11am, and 1:30 pm. I go to Portland on Weds for LOTS of free stuff including Farmers Market in Park Blocks, and I use the library of Art Museum to enjoy afternoon AC in hot summer. Powell books is a good 'night' / rainy day venue, Happy Hr at nearby Jakes is GREAT, as are the free concerts on First Thursday evenings at Moe's Piano (1 blk NW of Powell's), REI has a nice store nearby for your Co-op Shopping Pleasure..

[Taiwanhellokitty]

Thanks, for those tips! ;-) I will definitely be prepared with all the advice!

Happily adding to my list of "things to see and do!"