Today I’ll be highlighting something in the Ridgefield, WA area. Ridgefield is just north of Vancouver, WA and not a very far drive at all…

Day 39 of 365…

Who has heard of Lewis and Clark? Anyone know they spent a good amount of time here in our Clark County? Well, they did. :) Back in the very early 1800’s they spent quite a bit of time in the Ridgefield area. Tomorrow, March 28th, 2010 is the season opening of the Cathlapotle Plankhouse which is a replica of a Chinookan plankhouse like Lewis and Clark would have seen over 200 years ago.

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The plankhouse is open on weekends for tours between noon and 4PM all the way through November 5th. Tomorrow (March 28th, 2010) Lewis and Clark living history re-enactor Tom Wilson will be on-site during the season opening to answer questions and share some of the areas history. There is a $3 fee for parking and you not only get access to the Cathlapotle Plankhouse but to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. The vast amount of wildlife you can spot while in the refuge will blow your mind. The refuge is over 5,100 acres.

To get to the Carty Unit of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge head North on I-5. Take the Ridgefield exit and head West through downtown Ridgefield (Fun Fact: Ridgefield is the birthplace to U-Haul). Once you reach the far West side of downtown you’ll get to Main Street. Turn right (North) on Main and follow it up about 5+ minutes and you’ll see the Carty Unit sign on the left (West) side of the road. It is worth taking a drive out to experience this amazing land and interesting part of our local history.