This route isn't about covering distance. You park once, walk the gardens, and drive the lake loop. That's it.

There are no overlooks and no vistas. What you get is light on water and a decent look at how Longview was laid out.

Columbia Valley Gardens

The gardens are mostly about texture: bark, stone, the pond in the Japanese Garden. Paths aren't well marked in places, so plan on wandering. The rose garden gets all the attention in spring but the fern beds hold up better on a gray day.

Walk out toward the lake when you're done. There are benches with views back across the whole garden. I shot slow motion here with the X5 and the light coming through the trees onto the water gave me the best footage of the morning.

From there take the lakefront path. Families picnicking, people walking, usually somebody fishing. Good for stills. The reflections are the shot.

The path loops back toward the gardens, but detour onto East Kessler Boulevard first. Mostly mid-century houses, tidy lawns, some interesting landscaping.

Getting There

From downtown Longview: south on Louisiana Street to Northeast Nichols Boulevard, continue onto Northwest Nichols, then left on 18th Avenue for Columbia Valley Gardens. Big parking lot at the entrance, no fee.