By Shannon Dooley, July 1, 2020
Portland is great, I think we can all agree on that. But have you been to Vancouver lately? With summer here it’s the perfect time to explore this little gem hovering over Portland – there are tons of parks and recreation trails.
Here’s my sunny day recommendation:
Don’t forget your mask and sanitizer!
Start in downtown Vancouver at Kafiex Roasters and get your favorite coffee to go. Check out Esther Shore Park (the oldest public square in the state!). Jump on the Columbia River Renaissance Trail and enjoy some or all of the five mile trail that will take you along the river toward Wintler Park. The trail is good for walking, biking, skating or however it is you like to get around. On a clear day there are great views of the bridges and Mt. Hood. You can find lots of shops and restaurants along the trail if that’s your thing, but for the time being I’d plan to be flexible or consider take-out and a bench.
While you’re cruising the trail check out some of the many neat-o things that you’ll come across like Old Apple Tree Park. Ok, I know it doesn’t sound super interesting, but that old apple tree was planted in 1826, is the matriarch of the WA apple industry, and may damn well be the oldest apple tree in the NW. There’s a festival for it every year where, if you’re lucky, you can even get a cutting from the tree. If old trees aren’t your thing there are lots of little loops and other parks that join the trail – go explore!!
Shannon Dooley
Principal Broker in OR | Broker in WA | Earth Advantage | ADU Specialist
She/Her
Long before I lived here I was enamored with the Pacific Northwest. Growing up in the high desert of Nevada I found the dichotomy of the moisture and associated life in the PNW incredibly appealing. As a teenager I was certain I wanted to live in Seattle, then one trip to Portland changed my mind. I was in love with this city instantly and knew this is where I wanted to grow and where I wanted to raise my daughter. That was 20 years ago and I’m still enamored. I have gotten to know this city inside and out and am continually grateful that my job is also my passion.
As a third generation REALTOR® I truly feel like real estate is in my DNA. Unlike many generational Realtors my business is built from the ground up. I started in 2016 and haven’t stopped yet. I believe in perpetual growth and am continually seeking knowledge and experience that will benefit my clients. I learned a lot about basic construction principles growing up with a father who could, and would, take on any home renovation project. More recently I took lessons from my former spouse who was a general contractor and home inspector. Those experiences provided a great base, but the most significant learning has happened since becoming a general contractor myself and starting a small construction company in 2019.
I love our communities, neighborhoods, and especially our houses. We are lucky to live in an architecturally diverse city where you can find almost any style of home and many vintage homes, some dating back to the 1800s. This can prove overwhelming for a lot of people, but I love these old houses and have an abundance of knowledge to help my clients navigate without fear.
I believe in real estate as the most important investment we can make for longitudinal wealth and want to help everyone realize that potential. For this reason first time homebuyers hold a special place in my heart, I love getting people started on that journey. The truth is I love it all. Seasoned investors who just want to talk numbers? Great. Coordinating with empathy and kindness to handle an estate? Yes please. Working with sellers to prepare their homes and finding the right way to say goodbye? Absolutely. I love it all.
When I’m not obsessing over houses or helping my clients prepare for their next move you can find me hiding out in the mountains or at the beach, traveling internationally, re-learning the piano, meeting new people, attempting to keep house plants alive, exploring Portland neighborhoods, and supporting local businesses. I bought my dream house in North Portland where I live with my dog Arnold and the worlds most talkative cat John Meowkovich. I’m always taking on some sort of life endeavor and have been part of starting a food truck, owning and developing a small farm property, and writing a children’s book. “Can’t Stop - Won’t Stop” should probably be my motto. My adult daughter is an amazing human that brings me great joy. I couldn’t be more proud.
Read More
- T: 503-201-2345
- shannondooley@livingroomre.com
