Wonderful trip............

I have posted some individual reviews of accomodations and restaurants but wanted to share our experiences on our first trip to Oregon. First of all - we loved Oregon.

After a bad start with Avis (more on that later) our first night (5/26) was spent at the Clarion at PDX. We arrived at 10:30 PM and appreciated the welcome provided by the staff. We had a great rate and thought this was a good property and had no complaints.

5/27 - We stopped at the Rose Gardens in Washington Park and were disappointed that we were a week or so too early for the roses. A tour bus driver told us he thought the Japanese Gardens would be a little too much walking for an asthmatic and we heeded his advice. We did love Washington Park as we drove around. We then drove to Astoria where we enjoyed some chowder and then continued down the coast, stopping at the Oregon Coast Aquarium and the Tillamook Cheese factory (great ice cream). We spent the night at Rivertide Suites - quality accomodation at good price. Dinner at McKeown%26#39;s was a disappointment.

5/28, 29 and 30 - drove down the coast staying in Yachats, first at Overleaf Lodge for two nights and then at Ocean Cove Inn (budget consideration). We were blessed with sunny weather and enjoyed stays at both accomodations. This Floridian got a sun burned face in Yachats (go figure). We had our meals at the Drift Inn and Luna Sea. Most enjoyable. We did a side trip to Florence where we did a dune buggy ride on the dunes (what a hoot) and had lunch at a little diner type place featuring cars from the 50%26#39;s (the name escapes me).

5/31 - headed down to Florence and then over to Vida, Oregon. Loved the scenery along the way and weather was really great. Stay at the Eagle Rock Lodge was mixed - great views, gardens and breakfast - accomodation could have been better.

6/1 and 6/2 - we headed over to Bend and enjoyed a visit to the High Desert Museum. We stayed for two nights at the Cricketwood B%26amp;B and are still raving about the wonderful accomodations, refreshments and breakfasts at the B%26amp;B. We would highly recommend staying here. We enjoyed our dinners at Anthony%26#39;s and the Phoenix Cafe (wonderful meal) in the Old Mill District. We stayed at the B%26amp;B one whole day just to rest and relax - venturing only out to have dinner. Its was a great B%26amp;B for R%26amp;R.

6/3 - we headed north to Hood River enjoying the scenery. We overnighted at the Best Western Hood River where we enjoyed a very nice room with a great view. Dinner in the hotel restaurant was surprisingly good as were the choices for the complimentary breakfast. Nice little town.

6/4 - we toured along the Columbia Gorge enjoying both the drive and our stops along the way for waterfalls and viewpoints. Lovely. We then continued down to Silverton where we had accomodation at the Oregon Garden Resort. Included dinner and breakfast were ok. The room however was outstanding both in quality and comfort.

6/5 - intending to enjoy the Oregon Gardens we awoke to a very rainy day (the first on our whole trip). We waited a while but it was clear weather was not going to improve very much so we headed north to Portland and spent an enjoyable few hours at the Grotto. Well worth a visit. Our overnight stay was at the Oxford Suites which we highly recommend.

6/6 - we were scheduled for an 11:30 PM flight and staff at Oxford Suites extended our check out to 2 PM. We very much appreciated that and found the staff at this hotel exception. We spent the day by driving up the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge and crossed over at Hood River stopping to watch the wind surfers and then enjoying a nice meal at Nora%26#39;s. We then headed to the airport and an end to our vacation.

Overall impressions - we loved the coast, we loved our trip along the Mc Kenzie and enjoyed the high desert area around Bend. Hood River and the Columbia Gorge were very enjoyable and so very scenic.

We found the Oregonians very friendly and willing to assist travelers in enjoying their State. Thank you all for a great vacation. We felt we made good choices in both accomodations and restaurants - mainly due to recommendations on Trip Advisor.

Wonderful trip............

It sounds like a Fantastic trip! You saw and did so much !

Thank you for posting, I enjoyed reading about how much you got around .. good for you!

I agree with you about Oregonians.. we were always treated well and enjoyed their friendliness and helpfulness when we lived in Portland ... sigh, you make me homesick :)

Wonderful trip............

Sounds like a great trip, and thank you for letting us know how it went. When people ask questions, we always wonder how it turned out:) The storm that rolled through on 6/4 was pretty interesting. From the news, it looked the area you were at that evening was in the thick of it. At least it moved fast!

Sounds like a nice trip!!!

BTW, the restaurant in Florence is Bliss%26#39; Hotrod Grill.

Great trip report!!

The storm you encountered was unusual for here. We get our fair share of rain, but that was a little much. Usually the thunderstorms and tornado warnings are minimal around here, LOL!

So glad to hear that you enjoyed your trip to Oregon. I also enjoy the Drift Inn... our family has had fun and tasty meals there. I always forget about the Phoenix Cafe (less than a mile from my office) and really need to make an effort to get there. Also thanks for posting about Cricketwood, as I%26#39;ve wondered about that place too.

Hope you will come back to visit again soon!

Thanks for the report, it was enjoyable to read, today is beautiful in Seaside, on the northern coast. Your trip sounds really fun! :)

Thanks for the nice trip report and glad that you had a lovely time here :-)

We have often stayed at the Oxford Suites and I%26#39;m not surprised at their accommodating you with a more convenient late checkout.

Did you sit in one of the cars at Bliss%26#39; diner?

Thanks for great report always enjoy hearing from those who got TA help, keeps us going.

Unfortunately the cars were already taken but we sure did enjoy looking at all the old Chevy%26#39;s on the roof. I neat place for sure!