Spend a day exploring Camas and Washougal

For area residents and visitors alike, there are plenty of interesting and satisfying ways to spend a day in Camas and Washougal.

Diners at Natalia’s Cafe, in downtown Camas, can choose to sit in a booth, chair or at the counter overlooking the food preparation next to a flat screen TV. There are also tables outside, so there are opportunities to people watch near the sidewalk.

Customers includes co-workers, friends and multiple generations of family members.

Breakfast options include pancakes with chocolate chips, blueberries or strawberries, crepes and cinnamon roll french toast. There are also omelets, corned beef hash, biscuits and hot chocolate with whipped cream.

During George Butler’s third visit to Natalia’s, he enjoyed sausage patties, hash browns, wheat toast and coffee.

“It has a great atmosphere, and the food is fantastic,” he said from a seat at the counter. “There is a lot of food, and the price is right.”

Butler, a retired construction worker, lives in Washougal.

Lunch options include spaghetti, soups, salads, goulash and reuben and bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches. Lemon cake, coconut cream pie and chocolate mousse cake were among the recent dessert selections.

There are bronze statues of dogs in downtown Camas and downtown Washougal.

“Millie,” created by Georgia Gerber, is located in front of the Liberty Theatre, at 315 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas.

The statue of a springer spaniel is named in honor of the paper mill located nearby.

“Seaman,” a replica of the Newfoundland that accompanied Lewis and Clark on their journey from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean and back, is located next to Reflection Plaza, 1701 Main St., Washougal.

The 350 pound statue was created by Heather Greene.

The Pendleton Store, in downtown Washougal, sells men’s and women’s clothing, as well as beach towels, hats, scarves, wallets and purses.

Pendleton-inspired key chains, note cards, postcards, coffee mugs and sea salt bites are also available, along with bottles and cans of Rogue Pendleton Pilsner.

Karen Halvorsen, of Portland, recently revisited the approximately 5,000 square foot store with other members of the Portland Garden Club. She recalled purchasing a Pendleton reversible skirt at the store 60 years ago.

National Park Collection blankets honor the centennial of the National Park Service. Pendleton fabrics, in a variety of colors, can be purchased by the foot.

Customers from as far away as Australia and Denmark have shopped at the mills store.

Customers age 55 and older receive 15 percent off of the price of their transactions on Tuesdays.

Just past the green doors, there is a seconds room with discounted clothing samples and blankets with flaws.

The mill, located next to the store, manufactures wool textiles, for use in blankets, men’s and women’s clothing and upholstery.

A local recreation site that combines sand, water and history lessons is located in Washougal.

Capt. William Clark Park, 3400 S. Index St., is where Lewis and Clark and their fellow explorers camped from March 31 to April 6, 1806.

The 80-acre park includes Cottonwood Beach, restrooms, group picnic shelters, water access, interpretive signage, the Columbia River Dike Trail and off-street parking.

Lewis and Clark are among the names engraved on bricks in Parker’s Landing Historical Park.

The Van Vleet Historical Plaza contains close to 1,000 bricks with the names of individual Chinook Indians, explorers and fur traders, as well as donation land claims holders, homesteaders, pioneer farmers, entrepreneurs and civic leaders, current citizens, churches, clubs and organizations.

Parker’s Landing Park, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has picnic tables, a rose arbor and interpretive panels with information about early settlers.

A Chinook plaza, located in Parker’s Landing Historical Park, includes a basalt column carved by Greg Robinson — an artist and tribal council member of the Chinook Indian Nation. The site also includes a column engraved by Bruce Fuerstenberg, featuring names of some of the chiefs who have lived along the Columbia River.

Interpretive panels, with information about area plant use, Chinook Indian artifacts and the local Chinookan royal family, were coordinated by members of the Parkersville National Historic Site Advisory Committee.

The Puffin Cafe is located on the Columbia River, near Parker’s Landing and Marina parks.

The cafe features views of the river and the Port of Camas-Washougal marina and boat launch ramp.

Seating is available inside and outside on the patio.

Lunch and dinner options include halibut fish and chips, fish tacos, salads, soups and burgers. There is also shrimp, jerk chicken and coconut rice. Gluten-free buns and tortillas are available.

There are pirate-themed cocktails, and desserts include Key lime pie and “Chocolate Overload Torte.”

There are several breweries in Washougal and Camas.

Mill City Brew Werks, in downtown Camas, includes a small craft brewery and restaurant.

Beer options, brewed in the basement, are Alpha Ale IPA, Citra Pale Ale, Red Beard IRA, Fromudder Milk Stout, Log Splitter Imperial IPA and Zech Bavarian Hefe-Weizen.

Menu items include fried green tomatoes, salmon chowder, wedge salads, lamb burgers, pasta and fish. Seating is available inside and outside.

In 2014, Mill City Brew Werks received an Excellence on Main award from the Washington State Main Street Program.

339 N.E. Cedar St., Camas

Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Contact: 210-4761

www.mcbwbeer.com

437 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas

Hours: Monday, 6 a.m. to noon, Tuesday through Sunday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Contact: 844-5968

www.facebook.com/Natalias-Cafe-957353104372443

Two Pendleton Way, Washougal

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Complimentary tours of the mill begin and end at the store Monday through Friday, at 9, 10 and 11 a.m., and 1:30 p.m.

Contact: 835-1118

www.pendletonmillstore.com

14 S. “A” St., Washougal

Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Contact: 335-1522

www.puffincafe.com