bus information: Next step in our trip planning for the coast and inland June

I hope you guys out there can help me - I%26#39;m getting somewhat nervous that I still don%26#39;t have our 2 weeks RV trip panned out so please let me have your ideas and input. We%26#39;ll be leaving NC on June 19 and return on July 3.

So far we are considering:

Day 1 Arrive Portland in the evening

Day 2 Pick up 36%26#39; RV in Portland

Day 3 Stay in Newport??

Day 4 Stay somewhere in Southern OR at the coast

Day 5 Stay one more night at the same place

Day 6 Go down to CA to see the Redwoods

Day 7 Stay one more night at the same place

Day 8 Go inland towards the mountains

Day 9 Stay one more night at the same place

Day 10 Stay close to Crater Lake (Detroit Lake??)

Day 11 Stay one more night at the same place

Day 12 Go north towards Salem

Day 13 Stay one more night at the same place

Day 14 Portland

Day 15 Leave Portland in the evening

First of all I would love your feedback on the areas we are thinking about going - what to see and what not to miss. Is there anything we will miss that is on the not-to-be missed list for first timers in OR?

Secondly we are in a rental RV without a car so we%26#39;ll not be able to take all the small, challenging roads and we%26#39;ll not be able to drive fast either. Thus our itinerary is not too ambitious, I hope.

Once I have the areas more firm I%26#39;ll be able to reserve RV parks as it seems that we need to do that in advance.

To help you guys give advice a little about us: two adults, one 13 and one 9 year old, first time in RV, first time in OR, old timers within car vacation, into coastal towns, relaxation and family time (thus our intention to stay 2 nights in most RV parks), not into touristic places and museums.

THANKS for providing any and all advice!

Next step in our trip planning for the coast and inland June

A beautiful trip awaits you.

You%26#39;ll get a number of suggestions and questions, such as why two nights in Salem? Why Day 8 and 9, same place (what place, to be determined)?

It%26#39;s hard laying out a trip for a new area, especially one as geographically diverse as Oregon, but you%26#39;ll get good answers. And you have a good start.

I strongly suggest you visit, from Crater Lake, the Bend area, rather than Salem. Only 90 miles away. You and the kids will find it fascinating. Geologically, lava beds, Newberry Crater, High Desert Museum, and more.

And from Bend, returning to Portland, schedule a visit to see the Scenic Hwy., Columbia R. Gorge:

Columbia River Gorge

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

http://www.spectacularoregon.com/

Oregon, Central/Bend Area

http://www.visitbend.com/

Crater Lake National Park A strikingly beautiful half day experience.

http://www.nps.gov/crla/

Next step in our trip planning for the coast and inland June

As your revised schedule is developed, consider a visit to Mt. St. Helens, north of Portland. Fascinating, the drive up is easy, the visitor centers excellent, especially, at the top, Johnston Ridge Observatory.

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

I agree with voyaging. Definitely Bend over Salem, and do include Mt. St. Helens.

Detroit and Crater Lake are nowhere near each other. You might be thinking of Diamond Lake down by Crater Lake instead.

Thanks y%26#39;all!

My first post was my rough thinking and I%26#39;m glad that you guys provided your feedback - here is my new, revised version:

Day 2 From Portland to Tillamook Cheese and maybe Oregon Undersea Gardens

Day 3 Sea Lion Caves

Day 4 Relax in RV park

Day 5 Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

Day 6 The Prehistoric Gardens

Day 7 Relax in RV park

Day 8 Redwood National Park

Day 8 Oregon Vortex

Day 9 Relax in RV park

Day 10 Crater Lake National Park (Diamond Lake too??)

Day 11 Newberry National Volcanic Monument (other Bend sights??)

Day 12 Columbia River Gorge

Day 13 Maybe Mt. St. Helens or relaxing in RV park

Day 14 Portland

I think this looks better but you - the experts - please let me know, thanks.

I consider Mt. St. Helens an absolute %26#39;must see%26#39;, especially with kids 13 and 9. It is just over a 2 hour drive from Portland to Johnston Ridge Observatory. Be sure to see the theater presentation there and stop at the other Visitor Centers along the road too. An easy day-trip from Portland, or there is a nice state park, Seaquest, just across from the first Visitor Center. The park is about 5 miles from I-5 and has some beautiful campsites in the tall fir trees. If the weather is clear on your first day, think about going there first, then continuing on the rest of your trip. (weather cloudy or rainy--add it too the end of the trip.)

Day 3 - Sea Lion Caves - Skip it - It%26#39;s over-hyped IMO. You can most likely see more sea lions on the docks in Newport--up-closer, and for free!

Looks like you have a great trip planned --Enjoy!

Okay, with a 36 footer there are two small sections that I see as challenging.

One is the rim road around Crater Lake. It is doable, definitely, but allow enough time as you will want to travel slowly. The road is narrow and crumbling along part of the sides.

The second is the Undersea Gardens. That is located on the bayfront in Newport, and I would *not* recommend taking a motorhome of any size along there, especially when you are not accustomed to driving it! The street is narrow and congested. However, there is an alternative - if you really want to get to the bayfront.

I think you should spend both your initial two days in Newport. Other than the bayfront, you can take your MH to the lighthouse(s) and the aquarium if you want. Stay away from Nye Beach area, as it too is extremely tight.

To get to the bayfront without going on the narrow part, head east on Hwy 20. That%26#39;s the main busy intersection stop light. Go east about a mile to the next stop light, turn south on John Moore Rd. toward the bay and go down the hill. At the bottom, turn right. Just past Englunds Marine, you%26#39;ll see a large gravel parking lot on your left by the edge of the bay. This is free public parking with lots of room. You%26#39;ll need to walk less than half a mile to get to the sea lions at Port Dock 1, and/or the Undersea Gardens. (Over-rated IMO)

A nice RV park is just over the bridge at the South Beach Marina. You can walk to eat at the family-friendly Rogue if you like :-)

http://www.portofnewport.com/general_info.htm

Then head south. I%26#39;ll skip over the dunes right now.

You might like to stay a night at Winchester Bay. There are several campgrounds and an outstanding RV park, which is right on the bay! Winchester Bay RV Resort. You can drive the MH out to the end of the road and look back at the huge dunes. There are also ATV rentals nearby. There are several restaurants within walking distance - Unger%26#39;s Fish %26amp; Chips is great.

Brookings has an oceanfront RV park but it%26#39;s not a private one:

tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g51780-d7795鈥?/a>

(I need to post my photos of it!)

Bandon has a park which is within walking distance of old town, but is not near the water.

Crescent City, CA has Shoreline RV park which is on the beach and near the lighthouse and jetty. There is also a KOA back in the redwoods.

Diamond Lake has Diamond Lake RV Resort which has full hookups and a partial lake view. There is also a non-hookup campground on the lake.

Bend has one of the finest RV parks in the US, but it is pricey. It%26#39;s called Crown Villa RV Resort. Other than that, I%26#39;m not sure what is in Bend. All of the attractiosn you might see in Bend have ample parking for your MH. You would not drive it to the top of the cinder cone, however.

I would *not* suggest driving the historic Columbia River Highway. It wa built in the 1920%26#39;s and is extremely narrow! We are very cautious about driving it in our dually pickup.

You will need to take some care if you want to stay in State Parks. Most are large enough for your 36%26#39; MH, but some are not. They are designed for ';camping';, and not for today%26#39;s modern large RV%26#39;s. Forest Service campgrounds have no hookups and may be very small and too tight for you.

Do look out for overhead branches in any park!

Back to Day 2 - if you want to visit Tillamook Cheese, you%26#39;ll probably be taking Hwy 6. That is overall a good highway with some slow spots. You should have a full tank so no worries.

I this a gas rig or diesel? Prices are lowest along the coast in Florence, highest in Gold Beach. Crescent City, CA has *very* high fuel prices, but there is limited fuel along Hwy 199 until you get to Grants Pass. Cave Junction has a couple of stations. If it%26#39;s diesel, look for the green pumps.

I%26#39;ve been Rv%26#39;ing for many years so hope this has helped :-)

Thanks again for your great feedback. I have revised our schedule and tried to find RV parks (not booked any yet - thanks Half-Brit for your suggestions!!). I have incl. Mt. St. Helens too as this seems to be one of the not-to-be missed places, thanks Kitters for that suggestion.

I%26#39;m still debating where to go for the Redwood National Park. Half-Brit you suggest Crescent City but is that close to the park or do we need to go futher south??

As before - your comments and suggestions are very much appreciated, please.

June 20

Pick up RV in Portland and drive south to Newport

See the Sea Lions at the Port Dock 1, walk the bay front.

Stay either at Port of Newport RV park or Outdoor Resort Pacific Shores

June 21