Southwest Washington - Washington State - page 266

burst into color and the fragrance of lilacs hangs in the air. The gardens are open
daily from dawn to dusk. Admission is $2.
Ten miles east of Woodland off NE Cedar Creek Road, you'll find the Cedar
Creek Grist Mill, Grist Mill Road ( & 360/225-5832; www.cedarcreekgrist
mill.com), the only remaining 19th-century grist mill in Washington. Built in
1876, the mill was restored over a 10-year period, and in 1989, once again
became functional. When the mill is open, volunteers demonstrate how wheat
is ground into flour. Hours of operation are Saturday from 1 to 4pm and Sun-
day from 2 to 4pm. Admission is by donation. Adjacent to the mill is one of
Washington's only two historic covered bridges.
WHERE TO STAY
The Heathman Lodge Mountain lodge meets urban chic at this
suburban Vancouver hotel adjacent to the Vancouver Mall. Located 20 minutes
by car from downtown Portland, the hotel is well placed for exploring both the
Columbia Gorge and Mount St. Helens. With its log, stone, and cedar-shingle
construction, this hotel conjures up the Northwest's historic mountain lodges.
As at Timberline Lodge on Oregon's Mount Hood, this hotel is filled with art-
work and embellished with rugged Northwest-inspired craftwork, including
totem poles, Eskimo kayak frames, and Pendleton blankets. Guest rooms feature
a mix of rustic pine and peeled-hickory furniture as well as rawhide lampshades
and Pendleton-inspired bedspreads.
7801 NE Greenwood Dr., Vancouver, WA 98662. & 888/475-3100 or 360/254-3100. Fax [phone].
www.heathmanlodge.com. 143 units. $89-$139 double; from $159 suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Free parking.
Amenities: Restaurant (Northwest); lounge; indoor pool; exercise room; Jacuzzi; sauna; concierge; business
center; limited room service; guest laundry; laundry service; dry cleaning. In room:A/C, TV, dataport, fridge,
microwave, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
WHERE TO DINE
Hudson's, the dining room at The Heathman Lodge (see above for details), is
one of the city's best restaurants and is open for three meals a day. When it's
time for a pint of craft ale, the place to head in Vancouver is McMenamins
on the Columbia, 1801 SE Columbia River Dr. ( &

Value

360/699-1521; www.

mcmenamins.com), a brewpub with a view.
Beaches Restaurant & Bar INTERNATIONAL Sure it's a long way
to the beach, but why let that stop you from having a good time? That seems to
be the attitude of this waterfront restaurant. The gardens are full of sand and a
party atmosphere prevails most of the time (there are early and late happy
hours). The menu is long and includes everything from burgers to barbecue
chicken pizza to a catfish burrito. With big walls of glass overlooking the Colum-
bia, sunset dinners are very popular. Despite the large size, service is usually
good. To reach the restaurant from I-5, take Wash. 14 east and then take exit 1.
1919 SE Columbia River Dr. & 360/699-1592. Reservations recommended. Main courses $5-$23. AE, DISC,
MC, V. Mon 11am-9pm; Tues-Fri 11am-10pm; Sat noon-10pm; Sun noon-9pm.

Kids