Blog Posts

Best Places To Look At Fall Leaves in Vancouver, WA

Autumn is inching closer which means a change of scenery from green trees to bright yellow and orange foliage is around the corner. One of the best things about living in the Pacific Northwest is experiencing all the different seasons. If you’re wondering where the best places to go take pictures without having to venture too far from home keep reading further! We’ll start with places closest to home at Acero Haagen Park. Fallen Leaf Lake Park Just a short 15 minute drive near Camas, Fallen Leaf Lake Park is a small yet beautiful place to check out autumn foliage. It features small trails going through forest trees, wetlands, and a lake. If you have some time left to explore we recommend hitting downtown Camas for some lunch! Salmon Creek Trail and Greenway Just a 19 minute drive north, Salmon Creek trail offers a 2.5 mile loop of tree-lined scenery. Here you’ll be able to hike along a small creek while taking in the colorful landscape. You’ll be happy to know that the park is dog friendly as long as your furry pal is on a leash. Vancouver Lake Regional Park At Vancouver Lake Regional Park not only will you experience the changing landscape but you’ll be able to take in against the backdrop of Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens. The park also features a paved road for you to explore beyond the shores of the lake. Additionally, It’s only a 30 minute drive west! Battle Ground Lake State Park Battle Ground State Park is a small park dense with trees surrounding the shores of a lake right in the middle. Here you can go fishing or simply boating while taking in the new season. You can also pack some lunch, a book , and spend half the day here, as days are getting a little shorter. Hoyt Arboretum Hoyt Arboretum is actually not in Washington but in Portland, Oregon. However, given that it is still within a 30 minute driving radius from Clark County, we thought it would be a great place to visit. Hoyt Arboretum hosts 2,300 species of trees and shrubs from 6 different continents. They are dispersed through 12 miles of hiking trails which meet with each other giving you the option to go look at other flora. In a way, it is similar to a zoo of trees and plants. You’ll want to take a bottle of water and snacks as the trails are long but not difficult. Make sure you don’t miss out on this time of the year since the colorful trees tend to move fast. Pack your water, a light jacket, and get ready to explore the Pacific Northwest. Send us any picture you take and we’ll try to feature them on our social pages!

Best Recipes to Celebrate the Return of Football

We have good news-- football season is back! Whether your fall plans include watching your kids play on their high school team, hanging out with your friends as you watch NFL (go Seahawks!) or college games on the biggest screen you can find, or just creating your fantasy football lineup with your buddies, one thing’s for sure: you’re going to need some snacks! We’ve rounded up some of our favorite game day recipes to help make your upcoming football season a winning one. Grilled Corn and Bean Salsa This super easy salsa recipe is a MUST for any game day get-together! With a prep-to-eat time of just over thirty minutes, this snack can be thrown together at a moment’s notice and ready to go for whatever fun you have ahead. If you’re wanting something extra, there’s also an addition to this recipe for making your own corn chips to go along with the salsa. Super Nachos What’s a good game day meal without nachos? Every football game needs a great nacho recipe to elevate the event, and we’ve got the perfect one for you right here. With pico de gallo salsa, beef, beans, cheese and a variety of topping options, these super nachos are the perfect companion for cheering on your favorite teams. Guacamole Every football fan also need a tasty guacamole in your game day line-up of snacks! With a quick 15 minute prep time, this dish can be ready in a snap and has all the right seasonings to be a hit at your upcoming get-together. Roasted Garlic Bean Dip With a bit longer of a prep time, this Roasted Garlic Bean Dip is well worth the wait. A perfect addition to your game day plate, this creamy dip combines all the best flavors for a touchdown-worthy celebration. Buffalo Turkey Wings Just like you can’t have a winning football game without the star quarterback, you can’t have a game day meal without the wings! With a buffalo twist, these wings will be a hit with all your friends at your next party. Buffalo Chicken Dip Another flavor-packed dip, this buffalo chicken dip recipe has been known to be addictive. Chances are, after tasting it just once, it’ll become a staple for all your future parties! Chocolate Cookie Cheesecake Dip And of course, you have to have a yummy dessert in the mix. This chocolate cookie cheesecake dip will be a great addition to your hearty game day foods and will end the night on a sweet note, no matter if your team wins or loses! If you make any of these recipes, be sure to send us a photo so we can cheer you (and your football teams) on! Come back next week for more fall fun ideas in Vancouver, WA.

Best End of Summer Events in Vancouver, WA

As sum mer begins to wind down, you may be looking for some events to help you soak up the last drops of your favorite season. Luckily, Vancouver is brimming with fun ways to wrap up the summer with movie nights, farmer’s markets, town events and more, all in great proximity to our Acero Haagen Park community. Friday Night Movies in the Park Every Friday until August 27th, you can visit a park in Vancouver to enjoy a fan-favorite movie on the big screen. At dusk each Friday night (the exact start time varies on the weather), bring a blanket or lawn chair and your favorite pre-prepared foods (vendors with snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are available on site) to the location of the week for this free, family-friendly night. On August 6th, Washington School Park is showing Wonder Woman 1984, August 13th has Frozen II at Hearthwood Park, August 20th will be Onward at Bagley Com munity Park and August 27th is Scoob! at Oakbrook Park. Family Fun Series From August 6th through the 15th, families can enjoy carnival fun at Clark County Fairgrounds thanks to Butler Amusements. As part of the Family Fun Series, around thirty fan-favorite rides make their way back to the Fairgrounds for ten days of carnival family fun. Tickets are $35 per wristband with a $6 parking fee. For more information on ticketing and hours of operation, visit the event’s website here . Vancouver Farmers Market Another favorite summer activity is the farmers market, and Vancouver is just the place for that. Every Saturday (9am-3pm) and Sunday (10am-3pm) through October 31st, you can visit downtown Vancouver on 8th & Ester Street to take part in Southwest Washington’s top visitor attraction. With over 10 0 vendors, the Vancouver Farmers Market features fresh local produce, an assortment of flowers and plants, various baked goods and food, alongside a selection of home and garden gifts. A pet-friendly activity, the Vancouver Farmers Market is a great place to spend your weekend and find some end-of-summer treasures. Farmer’s Market Additionally, La Uva Fortuna Farm hosts a weekly Farmers Market in Battle Ground, WA. Running through August 28th, each Saturday from 10am to 2pm you can visit for a walk-through of the market and stay for a delicious lunch. Farm Days August 7th and 8th are Farm Days at Pomero y Living History Farm in Yacolt. For a suggested donation of $5 per vehicle, visitors can see the historic Log House and blacksmith shop and explore the grounds. As a way of getting to share their farm with the community, Pomeroy invites you to take a break from the chaos of life and visit Farm Days for a trip back to the simplicity of the past. We hope you take advantage of these fun end-of-summer opportunities and have tons of fun with your family and friends! Join us next week for a new topic, and in the meantime, make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more Vancouver fun.

Best Neighborhood Coffee Shops - Part 2

The Pacific Northwest is known for its coffee fanatics and our area is no exception. You can hardly go a block without spotting one of the many shops around, large chains and locally-owned single locations alike. You may already be familiar with a few of our favorites if you read our first blog . Now it’s time to explore another set of coffee shops conveniently located near our community of Acero Haagen Park. Peet’s Coffee Though you can find Peet’s Coffee in the aisle of your local grocery store, you haven’t truly had their coffee until you’ve visited one of their brick and mortar stores for an expertly crafted drink from their trained baristas. In fact, the entire history of the chain and its founder revolves around a dedication to quality supply and roasting. Beyond their delicious coffee, they also offer multiple types of tea and can whip up a frappe to rival that of Starbucks. Brewed Awakenings High-quality beans from around the world are carefully hand-roasted in an artisan style for a full flavor that is sure to turn you into a regular of this family-owned business . Not to mention their daily fresh-baked pastries made with personal recipes! They have a variety of coffee from around the world, each with a unique flavor profile made to take your taste buds on an international expedition. Gold Cup Coffee House If laid-back ambiance is something you crave with your cup of coffee, Gold Cup Coffee House is the place for you! A quick scroll through their Instagram page shows off photo-worthy latte foam art and glimpses of their minimalist interior space featuring hardwood furniture and lots of plants. Try their rose latte when you get a chance! It’s delightfully floral and comes with dried petals crushed on top. That’s it for this time around! If you found this blog helpful, share it with your friends and family then come back next week to see what topic we’ll cover next. While you’re at it, join us on the internet by following us on Facebook and Instagram .

Back-to-School Tips and Tricks

You know what they say, all good things must come to an end and with summer flying by, back-to-school season will be here before we know it! To get ready for the new school year, we thought we would share with you our favorite tips and tricks to keep you organized during this busy season! Remember when we all bought a planner at the start of 2020 and then never used it? Now is a great time to get back into the routine of scheduling out your days! Whether you’re a student who needs to stay on top of your studying or a mom who needs to keep track of your carpool schedule, check out these planners from Target to keep you organized! There’s nothing more stressful than the early morning rush trying to get everyone out the door on time! One time-saving tip we have that may reduce the number of tardy slips your student receives is laying out your children’s outfits the night before. To be even more proactive, check the weather ahead of time so you plan accordingly! Having a dedicated workspace not only boosts productivity but also makes learning fun! It can be as simple as a designated desk or as elaborate as a dedicated home office as long as it has all the necessary supplies your student needs to succeed! Stop by our local Office Depot for this season’s coolest school supplies! Between carpool rounds, homework, and extracurricular activities, getting dinner on the table every night sounds nearly impossible. Luckily, these healthy and quick school night dinner recipes will keep you and your little ones fueled for whatever life throws your way! At Acero Haggen Park, we know what a hectic time of year this can be for our residents, but when you follow these tips and tricks, you’re sure to have the best first day of school ever!

A Weekend of Culmination: Sports Bars in Vancouver, WA to Watch the Finals

It’s a special weekend for sports enthusiasts around the world. Three very important tournaments are coming to a dramatic close. Let’s see what’s going on. NBA Finals Basketball fans are watching close to see who will take the NBA title home, the Milwaukee Bucks or the Phoenix Suns. Both teams have not been to the finals in over 28 years making this championship all the more exciting. As of today, the Suns are up by 2 games. The third game of a seven game series is set to be played at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. The Suns are in the lead but Milwaukee now has a home advantage. Who will take the title home, The Bucks or the Suns? Find out as we get closer to an answer this Sunday at 5pm pacific. Copa America It’s a very exciting time for soccer fans around the globe as not just one but two international tournament finals are taking place this weekend. To kick it off, we have a classic, international rivalry for the 2021 Copa America finals, two of the South America giants, Brazil against Argentina. This is a match up that never fails to stir up emotions on both sides, especially now with a title on the line. A good preview of what we can expect for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Tune in at 5pm pacific for a world class finale. You won’t want to miss this one. UEFA Euro 2020 Across the Atlantic there's another very important and exciting international tournament coming to an end, the Euros. On Sunday, England and Italy will come face to face to conclude what has been a very ruthless competition. Both teams have been performing extremely well and are sure to put on a show this weekend. Who will be the victor of the 60th European Football Championship. Find out Sunday at noon! Where to Watch Now that we’re all caught up with the recent events, you might be wondering where you can go and watch these games? There’s actually a few sports bars in Vancouver, WA where you can go grab a beer and root for your favorite teams. Just 13 minutes away in Downtown Vancouver, Penalties Sports Pub is scheduled to air the Bucks vs Suns game on Sunday. In case you’re trying to tune in for the soccer finals, make sure to check out Charlie’s Sports Bar and Grill and Hooligan’s Sports Bar as they have multiple TVs for just that, sports. Don’t forget to call in advance to see if they’ll be airing your favorite game! We hope you’re just as excited as we are about this weekend. Three very exciting tournament culminations as well as the Wimbledon finals for tennis fans out there. Plan your weekend as you won’t want to miss these games. Best of luck to your favorite team!