The City of Airplanes

Running around in Vancouver, and subsequently taking the bus many places, leads me to always notice the impact of Portland International Airport. I have come to the conclusion that these planes are not really an annoyance, but rather a very nice background noise to the area. It symbolizes the coming and going the area has had for many a year now. Everything from the early fur traders, the Columbia River barge and trading network, to the modern day interstates and airports. It seems like it is a highly mobile city.

I find it funny how Portland formed south of the Columbia, on the Willamette River. You would think the port town would form closer to the Columbia, where there was a larger river for barges. But now it serves as the cosmopolitan urban center in Northwestern Oregon. It is amazing that every day I take the bus and see planes taking off from Portland International Airport. I've gotten use to the noise, and I kind of realized this must have been the fate of Vancouver ever since Portland began to excel the small fort/port town in growth.

But that is okay. I am proud to be in an offshoot suburb of Portland. I was never one for being directly in the middle of the action and the dense urban culture. I have always had a fascination on how the core affects the periphery, and Vancouver & Portland are no exception. This side of the river is a little less weird. A little more unique. And will have the legal marijuana shops. Ha! Take that Portland.

-Nick

Plus. Our river is so much cooler than yours. Just sayin.