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Bicycling Frenchman’s Bar to Vancouver Lake (and back) Portland, Oregon’s northern border is the Columbia River, which divides Oregon and Washington. Therefore, any of us who live in Portland or the Portland metro area live pretty darn close to the state of Washington.   Today we drove from our home in Southwest Portland into Vancouver, Washington and headed west. We drove not quite 5 miles past marinas and through lush farm land and wildlife preserves to Frenchman’s Bar Park, which banks the Columbia River. We unpacked our bikes and followed a paved path to Vancouver Lake Park, and then back again. It was a super easy, short ride (only a little over 7 miles round-trip), but it was picturesque and quiet. We ate our picnic lunch back at Frenchman’s Bar, watching ships go by on the Columbia. It’s overcast today and cool, but it seemed crazy that so few people were out enjoying the parks! Vancouver Lake Park is a gorgeous park, with 235 acres, which include 35 acres of manicured lawns and gardens. There’s a long sandy beach, dozens of picnic tables (many of which are covered) and hundreds of huge shade trees. I don’t think we saw more than 15 people there. This picture was taken at Vancouver Lake Park. 

Bicycling Frenchman’s Bar to Vancouver Lake (and back)

Portland, Oregon’s northern border is the Columbia River, which divides Oregon and Washington. Therefore, any of us who live in Portland or the Portland metro area live pretty darn close to the state of Washington.  

Today we drove from our home in Southwest Portland into Vancouver, Washington and headed west. We drove not quite 5 miles past marinas and through lush farm land and wildlife preserves to Frenchman’s Bar Park, which banks the Columbia River. We unpacked our bikes and followed a paved path to Vancouver Lake Park, and then back again. It was a super easy, short ride (only a little over 7 miles round-trip), but it was picturesque and quiet. We ate our picnic lunch back at Frenchman’s Bar, watching ships go by on the Columbia.

It’s overcast today and cool, but it seemed crazy that so few people were out enjoying the parks! Vancouver Lake Park is a gorgeous park, with 235 acres, which include 35 acres of manicured lawns and gardens. There’s a long sandy beach, dozens of picnic tables (many of which are covered) and hundreds of huge shade trees. I don’t think we saw more than 15 people there.

This picture was taken at Vancouver Lake Park.