Last minute -vacation - planned itinerary June 2009

Last minute -vacation - planned itinerary June 2009

3 nights in Seattle (Crowne Plaza Hotel)

Pick up hire car - drive to Port Angeles- stay overnight (Red Lion)

Drive to Quinault - stay 2 nights (Quinault River Inn)

Drive to Astoria - stay overnight (Holiday Inn Express)

Drive to Newport - stay 2 nights(The Whaler)

Drive to Hood River - stay 2 nights (Villa Columbia B %26amp; B)

Drive to Ashford = stay 2 nights (Stormking Spa)

Drive back to Seasttle for final night. (Radisson Tacoma Airport)

Any suggestions for ';must sees'; would be welcome. We love mountains / rivers / waterfalls / coast / wine / real ales / nice food / short hikes.

Thanks

(Also posted in Washington forum)

Last minute -vacation - planned itinerary June 2009

Looks like a wonderful plan, the Holiday Inn Express in very nice Astoria, we were just there today. I would not miss spending some time at the Maritime Museum in Astoria, there is also a nice riverfront trolley that is fun to ride. The Bridgewater Bistro is a great place for a meal, we enjoyed their Clam %26amp; Nussell Chowder and Prawns on the outside deck today. The Flave House and Fort Clatsop are also interesint things to see in Astoria. www.oldoregon.com is a nice website for Astoria.

I hope you enjoy your travels and let me know if you have any further questions on the Astoria area. :)

Last minute -vacation - planned itinerary June 2009

If you have time between Hood River and Ashford, driving into see the Mt. St. Helens crater is amazing.

Lots of great beer in Hood River.

On your drive between Newport and Hood River there will be lots of waterfall opportunities.

The easiest and prettiest would be to take the Old Columbia River Highway off Interstate 84 and drive that, stopping at a few of the many waterfalls. Watch the signs, there is more than one exit - Exit 22 is one of them.

woo, you don%26#39;t give us much time here to respond. Overnight places seem secondary.

Do you know what you want to see? Guess we can assume from route that you plan. Only thing in question may be Mt ST Helens, sort of off your planned trip. though not clear how you plan Hood River to Ashford

My questions are:

Why stay in Astoria? It is interesting, but you could go further to more interesting overnights, e.g., Cannon Beach (you might have to shop for lodging for the one night, usually two nights required during summer).

Newport area has much to offer, two nights, good. However, for a very scenic lodging location, either Fireside or Overleaf lodges, just north of Yachats, ask for ocean FRONTage rooms. Nice historic trail in front.

Why two nights Hood River?

Ditto, Ashford, unless you%26#39;ll be hiking at Mt. Rainier.

I, too, suggest that you see Mt. St. Helens, on your way northbound to Mt. RNP.

Some websites and Inside Pages, both OR and WA.

Oregon Coast

http://www.oregoncoasttravel.net/

Newport, OR

http://discovernewport.com/

www.aquarium.org

Yachats, OR (La Di Da)

http://www.yachats.org/events.html

Yachats/Cape Perpetua fs.fed.us/r6/鈥?/a>

http://www.el.com/to/yachats/

Columbia River Gorge - take the scenic highway as shown, eastbound, much easier to see and to park.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/columbia/

http://www.spectacularoregon.com/

WA State

Options for self drive itineraries in the Seattle Region, with websites.

tripadvisor.com/Travel-g60878-c112037/Seattl鈥?/a>

WA State Highway Map

www.wsdot.wa.gov/publications/highwaymap/

Whidbey Island (Great day or more getaway that is iconic of the Pacific NW, with key websites.)

tripadvisor.com/Travel-g58824-s2/Whidbey-Isl鈥?/a>

Olympic Peninsula and Olympic National Park

http://www.olympicpeninsula.org/

http://www.nps.gov/olym/

You will need the following, and can pick one up at any ferry terminal - or, print it out.

Ferry Routes and Schedules, WA State Ferries

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/mshnvm/

Mount Rainier National Park http://www.nps.gov/mora/

Washington State has some truly beautiful and interesting State Parks.

www.parks.wa.gov/parks/region/鈥?/a>

Specifically, Lewis %26amp; Clark State Park; nice trail to lighthouse, excellent interpretive center.

Ooops, last line, Lewis %26amp; Clark Interpretive Center.

Wow! Thanks everyone for the prompt suggestions / advice. I will check it all out and amend plans as necessary. Sorry for the short notice - my other half doesn%26#39;t like to plan ahead so its like this every year. We just love the USA and my lifetime ambition is to set foot in every state. (I%26#39;ve managed 20 so far - so this trip will make 22). I must admit that in some states I%26#39;ve literally set foot in the airport whilst waiting for connecting flights but until I can do them all in detail - it will count for now!

Thanks again!