Portland,Or.

Our family, My husband and I and 5 teenagers (3 college, 2H.S.)

Are flying to portland for ten days! Never been to the Pacific Northwest! We would like to have a memorable vacation can you list the top things to do in the area. Perhaps somethings that are not too expensive since there are so many of us. Sightseeing ideas, places to stay, eat etc...

Appreciate any tips!

Portland,Or.

Hello and welcome to the travel forums! You may want to schedule some time on the Oregon Coast, it is about a 90 minute drive to Cannon Beach. A couple of nights in Cannon Beach or Seaside would be a lot of fun for the kids. www.seasideor.com is a nice website for this area.

Some time Washington Park would be fun, there is a great zoo in Portland you should plan to see. The Pittock Mansion, Chinese Classical Gardens, a ride on the aerial tram and some time around the waterfront area would be fun, also. Take the kids up to the Portland City Grill for a nice meal, you will have beautiful views of the city from here.

I would also take a drive out to the Columbia River Gorge where you can see the waterfalls, we love Mulnomah Falls. It would be an easy day trip from Portland. I hope you enjoy your travels! :)

Portland,Or.

In addition to the things mentioned by Syrahgirl, you can add Mt. St. Helens as a definite must see.

I am sure you won%26#39;t want to be in Portland the entire 10 days, so you might consider staying a few nights on the coast, maybe seeing Newport, Cape Perpetua, and the Sand Dunes in Florence. Depending on the time of your visit, you might also consider heading down to Crater Lake National Park and spending some time in Bend. Bend has the High Desert Museum, along with Newberry Crater. You might also enjoy incorporating Mt. Hood and the Timberline Lodge in a visit to the Columbia River Gorge. Finally, you could visit Silver Falls State Park outside Salem. There%26#39;s an 8 mile loop to hike where you can see some fantastic waterfalls. If you don%26#39;t feel like walking the 8 miles, you can cut it down.

You will have plenty to keep you busy for 10 days. Enjoy your visit!

just returned from 4 nights in Portland, agree with everything syrahgirl said. don%26#39;t miss city grill for the views--great happy hour prices on good food. canon beach was great, we did the wineries and the falls. portland has a hippy vibe, beware of all the homeless in the downtown area.

You%26#39;d best check the prices at Portland City Grill before you go - the other posters might have missed your statement about ';not too expensive';! Lunch will cost you $10-$18 each plus beverage; dinner is considerably more.

Happy hour prices are only available in the lounge, and your ';under 21%26#39;s'; cannot go in the lounge.

Once you settle on a rough itinerary, you can get lots of ideas for inexpensive meals.

When are you planning to visit? Just so you know, summer on the coast here is not hot and sunny and the water is cold. So tell the teens not to plan on laying out and getting a tan, LOL ;-)

Hi

What made you choose Portland?

Are you more interested in outdoor activities or mountains, beaches ?

Our first visit to Portland was for 10 days.

We stayed at the Monaco Hotel in downtown Portland .. this was good because it is right in the middle of town, easy access to the Streetcar which makes a big Loop through all of downtown and it is also a very easy city for walking everywhere..

We rented a car for a couple of days and spent one at the Coast .. Cannon Beach is about 90 minutes drive from downtown .. and one day we spent at the Gorge/Waterfalls.. which is about a 30-45 min drive from downtown.

We walked all over the city, seeing the Japanese Gardens, Classical Chinese Gardens, Pittock Mansion, seeing First Thursday in the Pearl District and eating in so many good restaurants.

There are a few nice museums and then there is the Eastside with charming neighborhoods full of old homes and funky boutiques.. and nice parks.

Then there is the shopping in the NW part of town, eating in the Pearl, going to galleries ...

There is Forest Park, a real forest right in the middle of the city where you can hike nice trails and see amazing views.. and Washington Park, the Zoo...

I have lists if you wish to browse websites of hotels, restaurants, the Streetcar, you can look at the map on their website and get an idea of where things are...

Have fun planning, we fell in love with Portland and moved there after our first visit :)

You can also go to Sauvie Island, 20-30 min from town ..

tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i4984-Sauvie_Is鈥?/a>

Streetcar

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Gardens

tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i966-Gardens_in鈥?/a>

Hotels

tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i892-Sleeping_i鈥?/a>

I do hope that you venture out of the Portland area. With 10 days, you can see some real variety of our state. Portland itself is worthy of a day or two, but then add in the gorge, the coast and Bend. That is just scratching the surface of what OR has to offer, but it does hit some of the highlights.

As for in Portland...the Portland City Grill does have good views, however the lounge area as half-brit mentioned will not be accessible for some of your kids...and nevermind it is a meat market atmosphere. As for the tram...it was built to transport doctors, patients, etc from the waterfront area up to OHSU. It went way over budget, so now the city is trying to find ways to pay for it, so it has become a source for debate about whether or not it is appropriate for a fun ride when it was not meant for that. Personally, I couldn%26#39;t do it.

For fun things in Portland, lots of things have been mentioned, but Forest Park, the zoo, Japanese Gardens, Rose Gardens, Chinese Gardens, OMSI, Saturday Market (on Sundays also), and the Saturday Farmers Market at PSU are the usual hits.

The gorge can easily be done as a day trip from Portland. Also Mt. Hood...definitely stop in at Timberline Lodge.

Mt. St. Helens is in WA, but is a good daytrip from here as well. Very interesting, and definitely something you don%26#39;t have in Indiana;)

Cannon Beach is my preference on the north coast. The Surfsand Resort is great for families, and I can say that since we have stayed there many times:) There are lots of great places further down the coast as well, it just depends on how far you want to go. Newport has a lot to offer for your ages of kids as well.

I would take all hotel suggestions with a grain of salt. Be sure that recommendations are either from actual stays vs visits to the lobby, unless actually stated. Sometimes people like to infer that a hotel is nice because they have driven past it, but they won%26#39;t admit to that, unfortunately.

Bend and Crater Lake areas are a must see, IMO. So much to do in this area. We head over there several times a year and cannot get enough of it. Hiking, white water rafting, bike riding, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, lava butte, lava tube, high desert museum, etc. Truly, a fantastic area. And Crater Lake is only 90 minutes from Bend. We always stay at Sunriver Resort, which has lodging in all price ranges.

That is a start, and hopefully I didn%26#39;t overwhelm you:)

I just saw your post on the WA forums. You mention you are flying into Seattle for 10 days and ask for the same sort of recommendations. Are you doing a PNW trip or trying to decide on which city to visit?

Syrah--So how soon til you are in Seattle? How many years has it been? I am sure you will love all the new places and restaurants.

10 days in Seattle or 10 days in Portland ?

or a 20 day PNW vacation?

It would definitely be ';memorable'; if you all are able to spend that much time in both cities..

Perhaps you would clarify ?

Thanks for all the ideas so far.

We are flying into Portland

on July 21 and fly out of Seattle on July 30.

Renting a van and now I am trying to figure out what to do.

maybe even go up to Vancouver, BC Not sure just starting to

research but I find the best ideas have come from people like you all and then some tourist books. We are athletic and outdoorsy. Always dreamed of visiting this area because the

pictures of the environment were so beautiful.So far we are going to waterfalls/Gorge area. Maybe, Staying at Embasy

suites in Portland 3nights and then going north to Seattle and maybe Vancouver if there is time.. . . not sure.

Hey, Amy- thanks for the clarification of your plans.

So, you really will have 3 solid days based in Portland...hmmm. Making memories for older kids who like the outdoors shouldn%26#39;t be too much trouble!

I%26#39;m these are the things that I think would fit your bill-

Definitely go to Mt. Hood and Timberline Lodge. Take the ski lift up the mountain to the glacier and then walk back down. The breeze on the lift is quite cool, so be sure to have a jacket of some type. There, you can take pictures of your family in the snow in July. That can easily be incorporated into a day trip that includes the Columbia River Gorge where you can take the scenic highway and see the beautiful waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls, an iconic Oregon location. You could also include the town of Hood River in this and watch the windsurfers if the conditions are right. Other possibilities would be the Bonneville Lock and Dam, the fish hatchery and a short sternwheeler cruise on the river if you%26#39;re willing to make it a LOONG day. :)

Definitely a day trip to the coast- you will be awe-struck at the coast here and there are parks with great hiking possibilities all over the place. I think that you would enjoy Yaquina Head lighthouse- you can climb into the lighthouse and see amazing views and there are accessible tidepools there as well. It is best to plan your coastal travels heading south so that you don%26#39;t have to cross traffic to get to the scenic turnouts- that can be dicey on the curvy road.

Mt. St. Helens was mentioned and that is a great idea- you could do that enroute to your Seattle destination

Take your family to Voo Doo donut for a really quirky experience. Its downtown.

Go for a day trip toward Bend and take advantage of one of the river rafting tours, also see the High Desert Museum. Its not your typical museum- and I think your age group would still like it. Also in that neck of the woods is Smith Rock state park which is a very famous rock-climbing area.Some of my family took a kayaking trip with Waunderlust tours out of Bend and was very happy with them.

I think that the Oregon tourism bureaus do a great job of providing information for travellers, so I ususally suggest that folks get on the web and check out some of the tourism websites. www.TravelOregon.com is the Oregon Tourism commission website and they offer a helpful trip planner that suggests trips for specific time frames and locations. Its organized by region so I find it helpful with getting oriented and determining reasonable time allotments for travel. The Mile by Mile Guide to Hwy 101 is also helpful for planning your coastal travels- you know exactly where to look for the things that interest you. Their site is www.VisitTheOregon coast.com.

Happy planning.

face blush

best way to solve

Lehman HotSprings Resort

Hi ALl-

I know most dont get out to Lehman HotSprings, but I just had to post this since it really gets stuck in my craw. As much as I appricate people working hard in remote areas to create business and economy for the area but, operating the restort%26#39;s wastewater lagoons

without a permit since 2002 and leaking 21,000 gallons a day is just not good business...

eastoregonian.com/main.asp鈥?/a>

Lehman HotSprings Resort

Chinookgrrl--Eeewwww!!!!!! Definitely bad business, to say the least. I just don%26#39;t get people sometimes. We are headed that direction later this summer for backpacking. Still nailing down the particulars, but will keep an eye on this if we are nearby.

Lehman HotSprings Resort

Lehman HS has been family visit place for many years. Have pictures there from 1920s of my dad and others. I went here as a kid in 50s, took our kids in %26#39;70s. It has gone from bad to good and back again over the years. I am sorry to hear it is on a bad cycle.

It is in a good location if run properly

Has anyone used Oceanside Vacation Rentals in Seaside OR?

Hi All,

Has anyone heard of or used Oceanside Vacation Rentals to rent a cabin in Seaside OR?

I want to be sure that they are a credible, honest company before I send them my $$ (Deposit)

Thanks for all your help!

http://www.oceanside1.com/

Has anyone used Oceanside Vacation Rentals in Seaside OR?

I would recommend Beach Realty or beachhouse properties. I have been to many of their properties.

Has anyone used Oceanside Vacation Rentals in Seaside OR?

You can enter your text under ';Hotels';, Reviews, on this TA site and add your ratings.

The list of damaged property within the unit seems to me that either the owner or the property manager did not live up to their own contracts. I hope you prevail.

This is what they claim on their website:

oregonbeachvacations.com/oregonbeachvacation鈥?/a>

What condo was it Sand %26amp; Sea?

We just used Oceanside Vacation Rentals over Easter weekend and did not have good luck with these folks. The unit we stayed in was Prom 304, which is right next to Sand %26amp; Sea. While the unit we stayed in was recently remodeled and it was beautiful, there were many problems that started right when we walked in the door.

When we first checked into Prom 304, the TV was not working and so we called and they came right up but could not fix the problem with the TV. (It was a brand new off-brand flat TV). On Saturday, they came up and switched TVs around and took the TV from the master and put it in the living room. However, when they made the change, neither the DVD nor the VCR would work and the TV that they placed in the master did not have a remote. In addition to the problems with the TVs, the bath tub was not clean (sand in it); we realized on the last night that one of the lights next to the bed was missing a light bulb so you could not read in bed; there was no remote for the bedroom TV; the bed in the second bedroom was missing a leg and was propped up with a paint can and ceramic tiles, and the biggest issue was that there was a major leak under the sink. I put our Wii under the bathroom sink (stupid idea....I now realize) and the water poured out of the sink drain right into our Wii. We realized these other problems Saturday night and Sunday morning and since it was Easter Sunday and we were checking out, I called and left a message on Oceanside Vacation Rentals phone so that they could enjoy their Easter holiday.

While I realize that it was stupid to stick the our Wii under the sink, it is no different than if I had put my expensive Chi flat iron or hair dryer under the sink and having those items destroyed. The owner of Prom 304 said that he didn%26#39;t feel that he was responsible for the water damage. Oceanside Vacation Rentals was going to give us a $100 coupon to use for a future stay but they rescinded their offer when I told them that I was going to post my experience online and that I was going to dispute their charges on my credit card. Oceanside Vacation Rentals informed me that I signed their contract that said they were not liable for any damages; she also said that I was threatening her by telling her I was posting my review online and hung up on me.

We do not like to stay at chain hotels -- we really prefer to stay in condos and have NEVER ran into anything like this. I wasn%26#39;t going to let the inconveniences we experienced ruin our stay; however, when we saw just how much water was coming out of the sink, it was the last straw. I am also a firm believer in doing the right thing, and neither Oceanside Vacation Rentals nor the owner of Prom 304 subscribes to this belief.

Tomorrow it will be two weeks since we have stayed at Prom 304, and I still have not received the credit for my damage deposit. I requested a copy of the rental agreement 7 days ago and to date, have not received this either.

Word to the wise . . . renter BEWARE!

NOTE: I originally posted the above review, but had it removed after I realized I had used the incorrect name of company we rented Prom 304 from. I fixed the error and this is the corrected version. Sorry for inconvenience.

Sorry to hear that you did not have a positive experience. I have never used their services, guess I won%26#39;t either. LOL!

One question, why did you put your Wii under the sink?

When we were putting our stuff away, I noticed there was nothing under either of the 2 sinks in the main bathroom. We put our toiletry bags and hair dryer, flat iron, etc. under one sink, leaving the space under the other sink open. When we were having trouble with the TVs and it appeared that we wouldn%26#39;t be able to use the Wii, I just wanted it out of the way and to hide it and I remembered that there was the space under the sink that was easy to get to. Oceanside Vacation Rentals said they had found someone to come over on Saturday morning while we were gone to see if they could fix the TV. Since we weren%26#39;t going to be there, and we weren%26#39;t using the Wii, I figured that would be the perfect place for it. I now know that it is a crazy place to put something like that, but the space was empty and easy to get to. Will I ever put electronics under a sink in some place that we don%26#39;t own? In a word -- NO. But.....I don%26#39;t think we have EVER stayed in a place where the sink leaked, or we had any issues. Oh well....live and learn....what is so disappointing is that Oceanside Vacation Rentals or the owner of Prom 304 aren%26#39;t taking any responsibility. I believe that we were the first people to stay in the unit after their remodel, and when the put the sinks back in after redoing the tile, I think they forgot to reconnect the one sink.

We used Oceanside Vacation Rentals over easter weekend (check in date was April 10/check out April 12) and we JUST had our damage deposit refunded to our credit card on May 22nd! They told us that the damage deposit would be credited back within 7-10 days, but was actually 40 days after we checked out. We had a lot of problems with these folks!

need information about the campground

At Fort Rock, what should I expect if we stay overnight? What is the campground like?

need information about the campground

I did not know there was a cg in Fort Rock. Is it private?

need information about the campground

If this is it, there is no camping.

http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_40.php

Or are you referring to another campground, lucydebois?

On the State Park website, they said there is a new campground that is now open. I%26#39;m not sure how long the posting has been there- and in a book I am reading from 2006 it states ';if you need to overnight, head for Fort Rock State Park%26#39;s new camping area or the RV park and motels in Christmas Valley.'; Does that mean I need to go to Xmas valley to camp? If yes, how far and what should I expect?

If I wanted to camp and spend two days at Fort Rock monument, is there a campground nearby anyone can recommend?

LaPine State Park, just north of the town of LaPine is a REALLY nice campground, with the Dechutes River running through it. From there, it would take 45 minutes to an hour to get to Fort Rock, which is about 35 miles +/- SE.

2nd Trip: Suggestions Please!

We%26#39;re an active retired couple who will be arriving in Portland Aug 15 and leaving on the 23rd. 2nd trip. We were there the same week in 2007. Drove to Mount Hood, spent one night and then headed back the scenic route to the coast. Stayed in B%26amp;Bs in Mendecino (our favorite coastal town), Lincoln City and Newport and then back to Portland. Stayed at the McMenamin%26#39;s Edgefield Hotel (loved that too) the first night and the Bluebird Inn the last night (that was fun too). On the way to the coast we stopped at some winery in a wonderful dairy sort of town (don%26#39;t remember the name of it) Visited the Japances Gardens and a couple breweries...loved the whole trip.

Not sure where we want to go this time. Any ideas? Would the California Redwood Forest be reasonable or should we go North up the coast. We%26#39;re renting a car. We like b%26amp;bs or small unpretentious funky or historic inns.

Thanks in advance for any and all responses!

2nd Trip: Suggestions Please!

I%26#39;m a little confused--how did you get to Mendecino, that%26#39;s in Northern CA without driving thru to Coast Redwoods?

It sounds like you have seen the Southern OR coast, but have you traveled the Northern OR coast from Astoria to Lincoln City (although your %26#39;dairy sort of town%26#39; sounds like Tillamook.)

Have you been to the Columbia River Gorge to Hood River/The Dalles on the Historic Hwy or is that your Mt. Hood Scenic route?

Have you been to Mt. St. Helens, Bend OR or Crater Lake?

Please give us a little clearer idea of the routes you traveled before, then we can make some better suggestions.

2nd Trip: Suggestions Please!

Like Kitters, I am a bit unsure of just where you have spent time. But also like Kitters, my first suggestion would be to hit the Bend/Crater Lake area. So much to do and see around there and a week is a nice amount of time for a first visit there.

So sorry for the confusion! I meant Manzanita---not Mendecino. Here%26#39;s the route we took on our last trip: We arrived in Portland. Stayed one night at the Edgefield Hotel and then drove the scenic hwy to Mt. Hood (Hood River?) and then next morning drove to Lincoln City seeing lots of gorgeous scenery, waterfalls etc on the way and South as far as Yachats over the next few days...just kind of meanadered along. Saw several lighthouses, the Devils Churn. Then we went North as far as Cannon Beach and then back to Portland through that %26#39;little dairy sort of town%26#39; that I can%26#39;t remember the name of.

We%26#39;re talking about driving from Portland to Astoria and then we%26#39;re stuck..do you think we should go north? Again...any suggestions are greatly appreciated. We%26#39;re going to spend one night and then all the next day in Portland before we leave at 9:30 on Sat, Aug 22. The last day in Portland, we want to go to the Chinese Gardens (went to the Japanese Garden last time) and considering doing the Brunch or Cocktail cruise ... it says %26#39;live entertainment';. Do you know what sort of music they play? We like jazz or blues particularly if you know of anywhere we might find some along the way.

O.K., Manzanita makes more sense. You%26#39;ve seen a good share of the Oregon Coast and the Columbia Gorge.

Astoria is interesting--you could cross the river, drive out to Ilwaco and Cape Disappointment and up to Long Beach. I would not drive any further north than Oysterville. The Washington coastline is just not as outstanding as the Oregon coast. (and I live in WA :-) You could do this in a day trip, or spend the night at a B%26amp;B in Astoria or Long Beach.

Portland Spirit Cruises have a jet boat %26#39;Outrageous%26#39; that makes a cruise to Astoria and back on Tues, Thurs, and Saturdays with a 4 hour stopover in Astoria. We%26#39;ve often seen them go by when we%26#39;re out fishing on the Columbia River. Looks like fun!

www.portlandspirit.com

If you have not been to Mt. St. Helens, it really is a must see. You could make a loop from Astoria to see it, or a day trip from Portland.

However, unless you really want to spend most of the week near the ocean, I would highly recommend a loop trip to Bend and Crater Lake. By mid-August, McKenzie Pass might even be open.

Hi there, %26#39;Georgia. Sounds like you had a great trip last time. I think that Kitters has a good idea in suggesting that you try seeing ';the other Oregon'; this trip by heading toward Bend and then down to Crater Lake. It could be snowy again by that time, I guess, but I don%26#39;t think its too likely- is it locals?

Anyway, there is a publication called The Oregon Trip Planner which is online at www.TravelOregon.com which might be helpful to you in your planning. Its oriented by region and offers some trip ideas for varying amounts of time in each area. It includes maps and dining/lodging information as well.

As for yur question regarding the music on the dinner cruise, the last advertisement that I heard said it was jazz, but I don%26#39;t know if it changes with each cruise or not. The folks at Portland Spirit are very nice and I%26#39;m sure they can answer your question best.

If you do choose to head back to the coast, there is a funky sounding place, a B%26amp;B that is a literary-themed hotel- I think in either Lincoln city or Newport. All the rooms are based on literary themes, or authors, et al. For the life of me, I can%26#39;t think of the name at this moment, but it has gotten lots of good reviews. However, they do not have phones or tv%26#39;s in the rooms, so its really a book-lover%26#39;s retreat. I will try to find my guidebook with the info and pm you later.

It%26#39;s called the Sylvia Beach Hotel, in Newport. We haven%26#39;t stayed there but I would love to sometime. When you are in Astoria, try to schedule some time for the Maritime Museum, a ride on the riverfront trolley is also lots of fun, there are some nice places to wine taste in Astoria, also. Shallon, Cellar on 10th, The Flying Dutchman and the Silver Salmon Grille are a few of our favorites. www.oldoregon.com is a nice website for this area.

If you do go over the bridge to the WA coast, stop in the quaint little town of Seaview, 42nd Street Cafe or The Depot are nice choices for meals in this area. I hope you enjoy your trip! :)

If you drove the coast only as far south as Yachats, you missed a few sights/activities that might be of interest: Oregon dunes, a jetboat ride up the Rogue from Gold Beach, breathtaking scenery between Port Orford and Brookings.... Not to mention the chance to dip down into northern CA to see the redwoods.

Put that together with Crater Lake... maybe a couple days in Bend (or Ashland).... could be a nice trip!

Crater Lake also fits well with Ashland and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which (surprisingly) is one of the largest theatrical organizations of its sort, anywhere. It%26#39;s a very nice town, but August will of course be high season.

Nice that you did the Japanese Garden (I%26#39;m a fan). This time, try the Chinese Garden and look for the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. Late Aug. is the very worst time for gardens in Portland due to the dry summers, but Crystal Springs is deservedly beloved.

The Sylvia Beach Hotel is in Nye Beach, which I think is a neighborhood in Newport but feels like a totally different town. It%26#39;s a great little beach spot! The hotel is fabulous but you should reserve soon if you want to stay there in August. Have fun!

Swimming near Fossil?

We%26#39;re planning a visit to Fossil in August. We%26#39;ll be staying two nights. Any recommendations for:

1) Swimming (preferably in the river or a lake, if there are any lakes around there)

2) Hunting and gathering fossils and thundereggs

3) Anything else that%26#39;s fun to do there

We%26#39;re two adults and an 9-year-old.

Thanks!

Swimming near Fossil?

the fossil hunting is easy- right behind the Fossil high school football field. I think there is a $3 charge, just to keep the place running. They supply the hammers, lessons, etc. Very low key. Its really fun and you can find a fossil in about 10minutes- I think they let you keep three.

As far as swimming- I know there is a nice river front park in Spray, but I think its mostly used as a launch point for rafts.

Youll want to visit the John Day Fossil Beds and visitor center, if you arent doing so already.. http://www.nps.gov/joda/

They also have guided hikes and star gazing activities during the summer months.

Swimming near Fossil?

Oh more about swimming- I dont know of any real swiming holes, more just kind of wading... you might want to check out the JDR in picture gorge-there arent alot of public areas on the river, but in picture gorge there are good accesses. This is quite a distance from Fossil, but if you are going to the JDFB visitors center its not too far.

From the John Day Fossil Beds NPS site:

3. Where can we dig for fossils?

Answer: Digging for fossils is not allowed within the monument, but fossil collecting is available to the public in the town of Fossil, behind the high School. For more information, check the Wheeler County web site.

www.wheelercounty-oregon.com/fossils.html

By the way, August in that part of Oregon can turn you into a fossil yourself if you%26#39;re not covered from sunblock. It can get HOT!!!

When I lived in John Day there was a plce in the John Day River near Service Creek that was pretty good. But suggest you ask one of the locals before you make the 20 miles to Service Creek.

I have made the trip from Fossil through Clarno to Antelope several times but can%26#39;t remember how the John Day is at that crossing for swimming. It is real close to the Clarno Unit of the Fossil Beds.

Plus you might want to check BLM they manage the John Day river recreation. Pretty sure their is a boat launch at that crossing, so may be some swimming

Picture Gorge not good swimming area much of year. water can get a bit swift there. There may be a hole as you come out of gorge. I can not remember.

I don%26#39;t believe there is a regular poster from that area on TA. So you may need to use other methods. wait til you get there can work well. People are real helpful there

get into duck hunting

Mt Hood or Mt Bachelor from Coos Bay at Christmas

Hi,

We will be visiting our son and daughter in law during Christmas and would like to combine it with some skiing. It looks like Mt Bachelor is closer, but which mountain typically has better snow in December?

Also, what resorts and hotels do you recommend?

Thanks in advance!

Mt Hood or Mt Bachelor from Coos Bay at Christmas

Mt. Bachelor tends to have more dependable snow - and is more apt to be powder instead of ';cascade concrete.'; Some years there is not much snow in December - you may want to wait until closer to your trip to see which area has more snow and more runs open.

Mt Hood or Mt Bachelor from Coos Bay at Christmas

I agree, Mt. Bachelor has some pretty good skiing. Sunriver Resort is where we always stay. We go over several times a year and enjoy it in every season. During Christmas they have a lot of festivities which might interest you. Anyway, it is not too bad of a drive to Bachelor.

Thank you both for such quick responses! Do the resorts fill up quickly for the Christmas week like they do here in New England? How long should I wait before booking since there will be six of us and I%26#39;m trying to keep costs down?

Also, how long a drive is it to Mt. Bachelor and Mt. Hood from Coos Bay? From Eugene and Portland? I have googled alot of this, but it%26#39;s great to get first hand information from people who can give true answers. I%26#39;m still trying to figure out which airport to fly in and out of also. Our son %26amp; DL just moved to Coos Bay and are newbies to the area.

Thanks again!

I would book now. Sunriver doesn%26#39;t typically fill up, but to get the best option with a group your size you would be best off booking as soon as you find a place that you want. We usually book through Sunray as I like their policies better than Sunrivers (there are several property management places for Sunriver). We have also used Craigslist with good results.

As for distance, I have not driven Bend to Coos Bay, but I do know it is a shorter distance than going up to Mt. Hood...probably by a good hour or so. I would estimate Coos Bay to Bend at around 4 1/2 hours and Coos Bay up to Meadows to be at around 5 1/2, but this is with clear roads and in Dec. I wouldn%26#39;t bet on that at all.

For airports, Portland will most likely get you the best fares, but take a look at Eugene too. That is closer to Coos Bay and there might find something that works for you there.

If you can get a flight into Eugene it will save you two hours on the freeway from Portland. Medford is also slightly closer than Portland. But the vast majority of flights go into Portland, so you%26#39;ll probably just have to rent a car and drive the 4+ hours.

Christmas week it probably is a good idea to make reservations. SunRiver is a large resort with homes, condominiums, and a hotel. It would be an excellent place to stay. Otherwise the town of Bend has a variety of places to stay.

Now to play devil%26#39;s advocate. If it is just the two of you and you have to return to Portland anyway for your flight home, then Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood would also be an excellent option. You would be staying right on the mountain, rather than a 20 mile drive as from SunRiver or Bend.

Thanks again for such great information! I%26#39;m going to do a little more research to help narrow our choices down. There will be six of us though, so I think a house or condo probably makes the most amount of sense.

:)

rosacea

best river rafting for first timers

For first timers, where would be the best river rafting in Oregon. I%26#39;ve been reading different reviews and it seems to be Rogue, Hood and Salmon River are the good spots?? Planning on staying for 2-3 days. Any suggestions? And any good recommendation where we could stay? PLanning on going this July

best river rafting for first timers

You have this tagged as Cannon Beach, but these areas are far from there. You would be best off making a new post tagged just Oregon to get the best replies:)

That said, we like the Deschutes down in Bend. Sunriver Resort is a great base for that.

best river rafting for first timers

First timers in Oregon or first timers river rafting?

If you%26#39;re looking for something comparatively tame, but fun, check out the McKenzie River east of Eugene/Springfield. If you%26#39;re a more experienced rafter, the Deschutes or Rogue might be more to your liking (others will offer other options).

If you pick the McKenzie, there are a number of lodges along the river or you could base yourself right in Eugene/Springfield (or even in Sisters or on the east side of the pass toward Bend).

If you%26#39;re looking for something near Cannon Beach/Portland, check out the Clackamas River. It would be a good first timer river...

thanks for all the info. I will check the websites and decide from there.

first timers

For first timers, where would be the best river rafting in Oregon. I%26#39;ve been reading different reviews and it seems to be Rogue, Hood and Salmon River are the good spots?? Planning on staying for 2-3 days. Any suggestions? And any good recommendation where we could stay? Planning on going this July

Reply to this post

first timers

I%26#39;ll ask again.

Do you mean first timers to Oregon

or first timers for river rafting?

It makes a big difference regarding the rivers to be recommended.

1 day - Columbia River Gorge?

I will be in Portland for business next week and am considering staying the Friday night, to spend Saturday as a tourist.

I was thinking about driving out to the Gorge and perhaps taking this route:

www.columbiariverhighway.com/Mt_Hood_Loop.pdf

How long would this take? Would you recommend it? As I%26#39;d be driving alone, I would need sufficient stops to take in the scenery. Is it a difficult (very windy) drive?

I believe I am staying downtown (haven%26#39;t booked travel arrangements yet).

I have never been to the Northwest before. Do you think my day would be better spent? If so, what would you recommend?

(I love food, culture, history, nature, shopping...)

1 day - Columbia River Gorge?

If you decide that the Loop will take too much time or the weather is not quite as good as it could be.. you can cut down the drive to just the Gorge.. going on the Old Historic Highway, which is just wonderful and scenic and stop at all the overlooks, driving through the deep green forests past one waterfall after another. You will most likely want to get out of the car at most of the falls, Bridal Veil Falls , you have to park and walk to see, so it can be a good day trip just doing that.

Coming home ( back to Portland) you get on 84 and zip right back into town ..

This way you get to see the beautiful of the Gorge/Falls and still have a little time to shop and enjoy being in Portland.

Downtown is good, you can get around easily and quickly and there are so many good places to eat, shop and browse.

Enjoy your trip :)

1 day - Columbia River Gorge?

If you haven%26#39;t yet booked accommodations, you might have a problem, as next Saturday (June 6) is the Rose Festival Parade. Big deal around here; lotsa people; parade route through downtown. It could make getting out to the Gorge a bit more difficult for you, so you might just hang around town and participate in the fun.

With all that is going on in Portland, you might consider spending your extra night outside the city core, if you aren%26#39;t able to manage to find something else.

On that note, right now is absolutely goregous in the gorge. I was out there last weekend, and the wildflowers are really blooming. Thought to myself, in another week or two they are really going to be at their peak.

The drive is super easy. The old highway does get a bit narrow and windy, but nothing horrible. Most people are going kind of slow and gawking anyway, LOL! Lots of places to stop, either for scenic views or checking out some waterfalls. Many very easy hikes along the way.

Depending on how many stops you want to make, it can take anywhere from a few hours to all day. But this is a very easy day trip from Portland, which I do quite often. As others have said, if you find you have spent too much time in the gorge, and aren%26#39;t feeling up to the loop, you can always hop right on the interstate and head back.

One word of caution, if you are going on Saturday, I would recommend getting an early start. Some of the parking areas can fill up fast along the old highway. However, I did go last Saturday, a holiday weekend, didn%26#39;t take my own advice, and got a late start. I still managed to find parking at Crown Point and the other waterfalls I like to stop at. The parking lot at Multnomah Falls was an absolute zoo, no place to park, traffic backed up, so we skipped it.

Wonderful! Your advice is all terrific, thank you.

My accommodation was booked a couple of hours ago, so I%26#39;m all set there. I am indeed staying downtown.

I am now thinking of heading out at around 8am on the Saturday and meandering along the highway to Hood River, and perhaps coming back along the interstate to the airport if I run short on time. I do want to allow for stopping at Bridal Veil Falls, walking out there, etc. What are the other highlights along the route that I simply MUST stop at?

My flight leaves around 10pm on the Saturday night.

How long would it take from downtown Portland to the start of the scenic highway?

Although I am now worried streets will be closed for the parade, which might make my exit from the city difficult (I will be relying on a GPS).

The scenic highway is not very long, I%26#39;m glad you are leaving Portland early, and the viewpoints are well marked. You can hit every one of them easily.

Columbia River Gorge

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

http://www.spectacularoregon.com/

GPS might not be of much help in getting you around the parade, kateoz. In what hotel are you staying? Maybe we can help you figure it out. Ordinarily it only takes a half hour from downtown to the start of the scenic highway. Take exit 22 and follow the signs. You%26#39;ll want to stop at Women%26#39;s Forum Overlook, probably Vista House, Multnomah Falls, and several others. My favorite is Wahkeena, because you can walk right up to the base of the falls.

columbiariverhighway.com/historic_columbia_r鈥?/a>

If you get an early start, there should be no problem in getting back to PDX in time for your flight.

I%26#39;ll be staying at the Marriott Waterfront. Would love any driving tips you could give for the Saturday.

(I also want to visit Mount St Helens - it is one of the few topics I clearly remember studying when I was a teenager - but won%26#39;t have time for both, obviously. Which of these trips is better this time of year?)

What time is your flight?

Really, Mt. St. Helen%26#39;s is a much longer trip. When we go, it seems like it is such a long day. Easy day trip, but not near as easy as Columbia River Gorge. Besides, if the weather is nice (thought I would cross my fingers since it is parade weekend and always seems to rain for that), you can still see it easily from the Oregon side of the river.

I think 8:00 is a good time to set out. I never stop at Bridal Veil. Not sure why. Now I think I am going to have to stop there next time I go that way, LOL!!

The must sees, IMHO, are Women%26#39;s Forum, Crown Point/Vista House, Latourell Falls, Wahkeena Falls (really nice place for a picnic, especially if you can nab a spot next to the creek), Multnomah Falls, and Horsetail Falls. If you still have time, hop on I-84 and go see Bonneville Dam. It is quite impressive for someone that has not seen it before. Stop and feed the fish and see the sturgeon at the fish hatchery as well.

Oh, and make sure to stop by the Corbett Country Store for something cool to drink if it%26#39;s a hot day. If we don%26#39;t take the cooler, that is usually our pit stop before hitting the really scenic part of the highway.

You should be fine at Waterfront Marriott. Get on 2nd Ave (one-way north) to Alder, then take a right onto the Morrison Bridge. Get into the left-hand lane over the bridge, taking the ramp to I-5 north and The Dalles. Stay right at the ';Y'; in the ramp, and you%26#39;ll end up on I-84 headed towards the Gorge. Easy!!

I agree with mahjerle about St. Helens. Great day trip, but it%26#39;s 5 hours +/- roundtrip just in drive time.

Need any restaurant recs? Most that I%26#39;d recommend are in/around the Pearl District (which you could access via public transit), but the Veritable Quandry is less than two blocks from the Marriott. You%26#39;ll want to walk through the Rose Festival%26#39;s ';Waterfront Village';, but resist the temptation to buy any food there. Well, unless you like corn dogs! ;-)

I guess I will just have to come back on my own dime. :)

Thanks all for the great tips. I am really looking forward to being a tourist for 10 hours! And seeing some of Portland at night (am so glad I%26#39;m not staying near the client, which is 10 miles out of the city).

I won%26#39;t want to drive to dinner from my hotel, but am very happy to walk up to 15 minutes to get somewhere.

lighthouse

Hello,

What%26#39;s the physical address for the Yaquina Head Lighthouse?

Thanks!

lighthouse

750 NW Lighthouse Drive

blm.gov/or/鈥ndex.php

If you%26#39;re looking for it, it is very easy. Just turn west at the signal north of town. It is well signposted :-)

pimp myspace

What to buy in Portland / Columbia River Gorge

We will be visiting for a few days from Europe in early July. Are there any crafts / gifts that are unique and/or special to Oregon (besides wine/foodstuffs/plants)? If anyone has suggestions, please include shop names and contact details. Thanks!

What to buy in Portland / Columbia River Gorge

Hi, we love the Nob Hill area of Portland for great shopping at the quaint boutiques. The Pearl District in Portland also has many nice unique shops. www.shopthepearl.com is a nice website for this.

Enjoy your time in Portland! :)

What to buy in Portland / Columbia River Gorge

Hello!

I%26#39;ll try to get this started for you, but I%26#39;m sure that others will have ideas as well.

You didn%26#39;t say exactly where you will be visiting when you arrive, so I hope that this reply will be relevant for you.

The first things that come to mind as ';Oregon products'; are the wines, but since that is not in your list, how about Pendleton Wool products? They make clothing and blankets. The town of Pendleton is in the Eastern part of the state and a very famous rodeo event is held there annually. Products they make are available all over the state in their own ';Pendleton Stores'; as well as major retailers.

Another thing that is ';unusual'; to Oregon is Myrtle wood products. You can find all types of items made from this unusual wood from bowls and cutlery to keychains. This also can be found in several places, but the ones I%26#39;m familiar with are along the southern coastal area.

The famed fishing floats are another possibility- way back when, the glass floats used on the Asian fishing nets would come across the ocean currents on occasion and end up on Oregon beaches. Not too many ';real'; ones any longer, but there are several glass studios along the coast that produce glass orbs they call floats...some places allow you to actually make your own. There are 2 that I can think of: the Sears studio and Pyromania. One is near Lincoln City and the other closer to Newport

but I always seem to flip-flop which is which.

Oregon Thundereggs would be another thing- these are geodes found in different areas which can be purchased at rock shops or, if you are the adventurous type, you can search for them yourself.Geodes are hollow rocks that, when broken open, reveal centers that are lined with crystalline structures. Some are really elaborate and valuable.

To make shopping easier, you could go to any branch of the ';Made In Oregon'; stores and see what strikes your fancy. They carry all sorts of Oregon-made products ( Hence the name :) )from foodstuffs to stationery to pottery and jewelry as well as books by Oregonians and about Oregon. I know there are 2 in the airport and there is a large venue downtown. There are probably others as well.

Back to the wine for a second- should you find a wine that strikes your fancy, you can have it shipped home ( if allowed by your state) or you could take it back as checked baggage by using specially designed boxes that contain a foam liner that protects the bottles inside. Oregon pinots are very good and many excellent ones are not generally available because the productions are small.

Ok- that is enough prattle for now. Hope this will get you thinking and spur other replies.

Footloose has great suggestions. Pendleton was the first thing that popped into my head. A couple years ago a friends teen went on exchange to Russia and she took several Pendleton blankets to her host family as gifts from Oregon.

Good post, footloose! Yep... Pendleton and myrtlewood are the first things that came to my mind, too. But, you missed marionberries. ;-)

If you%26#39;re here on a weekend, NHGirlinUK, I suggest you head to Saturday Market, and possibly Portland Farmers Market: http://www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com/ %26amp; http://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org/ . Besides Made in Oregon, The Real Mother Goose would be another place to look, though its products aren%26#39;t exclusive to Oregon.

Not sure why I%26#39;m throwing this out there, but it might be of interest that Oregon is home to Nike. And if you wear a size 8 (or 9), I could maybe hook you up with a pair of shoes that won%26#39;t be released to the market until summer 2010. :-)

Made in Oregon stores. There are several. One stop shopping for products that are, well, made in Oregon ;-)

Hazelnuts ... Marionberry jam ... Myrtlewood

All the products mentioned here and in above posts are legal to bring into the UK/Europe in your checked luggage. So is wine and microbrew beer.

http://www.madeinoregon.com/

Everyone here has some excellent ideas. I don%26#39;t have much to add other than if you are headed to the gorge, the gift shop at Bonneville Dam Fish Hatchery tries to stock only items from small, local companies whenever possible. (At least that is how the guy behind the counter reasoned no longer carrying ice cream treats) Seriously though, they do have some really nice stuff mixed in with the usual tourist garb, as compared to the gift shop at Multnomah Falls, for example.

Hello from a former Portland resident/shopper .. :O)

Made in Oregon stores, absolutely.

Powells Books in Portland on Couch .. it is called the City of Books, you have to see it and experience it and at least buy postcards or books or better, a book about Portland with lots of photos.

NW 21st street has lots of funky little boutiques.. but they also have the chain stores round all over the US ..

REI might have some clothing that would be more particular to the PNW...

If you are going to be there on the First Thursday in July- you would be in Luck ! the Pearl District has First Thursday when every gallery and shop is open late and there is music and people sell all sorts of things, streets are closed off and it is great fun... and you can buy all sorts of unique special things ..

If not, then just look in the shops in the Pearl ..

The Farmers Market on Saturday in the SouthPark Blocks is huge and has handmade baskets etc .. Wednesdays market in the Pearl is smaller but there are usually some small amount of handmade items..

Have fun.... shopping ...

The first thing that popped into my head was myrtle wood. Happy to see that I am not alone on that. Myrtle wood only grows in a few places in the world...Oregon being one of those.

Also, agreeing on those fantastic Pendleton Woolen Mill products. I still use a Pendleton blanket that my parents bought back in the late 1940%26#39;s. It has stood the test of time...and many a beach trip. Also just found a pristine Pendleton shirt with leather covered buttons, that belonged to my father (clearing out my mothers house as she downsizes). I am betting that he purchased it in the 50%26#39;s. He wore it as a jacket. It was dry cleaned a good 15 years ago and was still in the bag. You%26#39;d think it was new.

In other words, Pendleton products are fantastic!

The suggestion of the Made in Oregon stores is a good one.....remember that there is one at the airport and they charge the same prices there as they do at their other locations....so if you find that you need to pick up ';one more thing'; before heading home, you certainly can.

REI would certainly have clothing appropriate to the British Isles.

http://www.printartsnw.org/

Print Arts Northwest unfortunately quit their easily-accessible gallery site, but this organization does feature many excellent art prints.

www.museumofcontemporarycraft.org/index.php

The Museum of Contemporary Crafts has been building its collection for years, and has always sold wonderful stuff at reasonable prices. Even before their big move to the Pearl District. Portland is a big pottery town.

And here%26#39;s a unique not-for-sale crafts map: http://www.bullseyeglass.com/aboutus/map/

Y%26#39;all know what???We didn%26#39;t mention Saturday Market as a venue for buying Oregon crafts! NHGirl, if you are here over a weekend then the Saturday Market is a must do event. You will find all sorts of wonderful things there- some duds as well- and most are made by area crafters. I%26#39;m sure that you were referring to items that Oregon is ';known for'; in your original query, but there are many very creative folks that sell their wares at Saturday Market and you just might find the best souvenir ever down there.

How many days for Crater Lake?

Hello,

We%26#39;ll be in Oregon in late August. We have two weeks to play with - how many days should we devote to Crater Lake? We are outdoorsy and like hiking and scenery. Also, since we%26#39;ll be coming from the coast, is there a good midpoint worth stopping for a night? Any advice and recommendations will be most appreciated.

Thanks!

Chuck

How many days for Crater Lake?

Well for sure Crate Lake should not be focal point of your trip In two weeks, one day there is enough in my view. If you like hiking many better places. In Crater Lake you may be jus walking around lak and it is easy to drive.

Some nice hikes on Rogue River near Union Creek where roads does not go.

Crater Lake is our one National Park and truly a grand place, but we have many other places that are equal or better, oregon Coast, Columbia Gorge, Mt St Helens, Newberry Crater to name a few

How many days for Crater Lake?

What route are you coming from the Coast- North or South? That will help decide where to stop.

Agree with phril- one day is good enough for Crater Lake- the only trail I would recomend, if you like a workout, is Cleetwood Cove Trail- down to the bottom of Crater Lake and make sure to do the boat tour if you are in to that sort of thing. It is worth the admission price, in my opinion.

Thanks for the advice so far. I believe we%26#39;ll coming from the south, either from Coos Bay or the California border. We haven%26#39;t decided yet.

Thanks again,

Chuck

One full day is good, IMO. I would suggest either staying the night before or arriving early, so you can get tickets on the boat tour. Those sell out fairly early. The tour is very good, IMO. Then you can spend the afternoon driving the rim and having a drink or meal in the lodge.

rosacea

Please post winery experiences

For you lucky ducks ( or beavers, or vikings ,et al) who get to explore our wine region this weekend, please share your experiences with those of us who won%26#39;t be getting out there this time.

Please post winery experiences

I am looking forward to Mtngrls and mistletoes? stories about working at the wineries this weekend :)

I imagine 10 minutes of work and answering questions, 15 minutes of tasting and so on and so on ........ lol

Please post winery experiences

Me too, Scarlett.

%26lt;%26lt;I imagine 10 minutes of work and answering questions, 15 minutes of tasting and so on and so on ........ lol%26gt;%26gt;

LOL Well, if they are helping to pour wine, they will not be able to taste, nor drink (legally) until they have closed and all guests are out of the winery.

I worked for a local winery for 12 years...10 years as Autumn Wind Vineyards and two years as Patricia Green Cellars. Then another three for Dick Shea.

It is a fun weekend, for staff, yet tiring. By the third day, you are tired. I managed the tasting room on those weekends. It was grueling, yet energizing all at the same time.

It will be fun to hear from those who actually went out tasting. Would love to hear their input on their favorite wines. I do not head out on these weekends.....too many people, so I make appointments with my favorites on non-crazed weekends. ;-)

footloose, I heard from someone who worked at a winery today, it sounds like great fun with lots of nice perks :D

I am sure we will hear soon ... foot tapping.. waiting .. waiting :)

I hope that you are right Scarlett- C%26#39;mon folks! For those of us who were unable to get out for the tastings this weekend- and such a glorious one, to boot- PLEASE tell us all about it so we can live vicariously through your experience! Pretty Please??

--OK, the Pretty please may be a bit much....

Scarlett and Footloose, you two are funny:)

We had a ball yesterday:) We helped a friend out at his winery, and will definitely do it again. Beautiful day, nice outdoor space, fantastic wines and best of all really down to earth people there at the winery as well as his usual customers. DH and I both learned a lot!

DH and I were not pouring, so we could taste. DH was our driver, so did not taste anything except one sip of two different wines. I tasted them all, lol! I am such a lightweight though that literally one or two sips was all I could manage, and that was at the end of the day.

We did leave for about an hour or so to check out a couple new to us places that were nearby. At Red Ridge Farms is Durant Vineyards. Beautiful area! Then Stoller Vineyards, where we had been to a special event before, but went again since it was nearby. And then Seufert Winery in Dayton.

Seufert was by far the winner! Small place right in downtown,so not on the ';blue tourist sign path'; as I call it. Very good wines, great sense of humor on some of the bottles and really nice people. Those wines, if they were from a big name winery, would easily be at least $80/bottle. Seems to stick with our general pattern, that we love the small places the best and think their wines are better than the larger places.

So where did anyone else head off to?

Thanks, Mtngrl! HEY SCARLETT- WE GOT ONE!!! ;)

Just wondering, are any of the places you tried spots that have regular tasting hours, or are they by appt. only?

- And what were you drinking? -pinots, cabs, chards...?

Mtngrl,

Sounds like you had a fun time. Are you working all three days or just the one?

No matter which, it is always great to see the Memorial Day Weekend fun from both sides of the table. Truly, those who have been on both sides appreciate the work that goes into holiday weekends so much more.

In my past, we were not able to let our ';staff'; leave early, so you were lucky to be able to visit others. We were lucky in that we had eight volunteers who were at our Memorial Day and Thanksgiving weekend events as well as Spring Re-opening and the week before Thanksgiving mailing list only event. We staffed ourselves with nine ';employees'; on those weekends. It was crazy. And that was at Autumn Wind/Patricia Green Cellars.

Patty and Jim thought I was nuts the first pre-thanksgiving weekend, when I scheduled nine people each day. Jim told me that he would let me do that, but send most home half way through day one. Well, half way through day one he leaned over and said, ';Did you hire everyone for all five days?'; Answer ';Yes';. Reply, ';GREAT!';

I digress, Mtngrl, glad that you had a great time. Now tell us more about the new winery you found.

%26lt;%26lt;Seufert was by far the winner! Small place right in downtown,so not on the ';blue tourist sign path'; as I call it. Very good wines, great sense of humor on some of the bottles and really nice people.%26gt;%26gt;

Ah ha! That%26#39;s the winery.....would love to hear more about it.

%26lt;%26lt; Those wines, if they were from a big name winery, would easily be at least $80/bottle.%26gt;%26gt;

*sigh* anyone, in Oregon, charging $80 a bottle for anything is nuts. The market is not supporting that, at this point.

As you know, I am in the wine biz. My customers are telling me that their retail customers are stopping at $20 a bottle. Even those customers who used to spend $50 or more. This economy has changed everything. My personal curses to those who do not pay the credit card bill in full every month. *sigh*.

I remember one Memorial Day weekend when a regular customer came in and purchased wine. I took his card, swiped it, and it came up with a code I had never seen before. So I called the number. The lady asked if I had asked for the customers ID...I had not as I knew the man, so I knew it was the right guy, so I told her ';yes';. She asked to speak with him. I could only hear his side of the conversation, but he had spent $8,500 on Saturday, was spending $7,000 with us on Sunday and planned to spend another $8,000 or so on Monday. Holy schmolly! Bottom line, I knew the guy was good for it. I still see him (and his friends) frequently. I am sure they were out there spending dough this weekend at local wineries. Yea!

footloose--I mostly tasted pinots, but a couple syrahs and dessert wines. Durant I think is by appt only, but I could be wrong. It is part of a nursery area that is open a lot so I don%26#39;t know for sure. Stoller is open daily and Seufert is by appointment.

PDXWineauxs--Yes, there was lots of help so we were able to get out for a bit. We just helped the one day as we had plans the rest of the time, but we will be helping at other times. When we were at one winery, we saw a group that was really enamoured with a wine that cost $45/bottle and the guy bought 4 cases to ship home to another state. So yes, there are still people buying a lot, but not as many.

Vancouver, BC to San Francisco, CA

I am planning a road trip from Vancouver, BC to San Francisco, CA this summer. I would like to take the trip along the Coast for the more scenic route. From what i understand this will take longer but will be worth it (approx. 21 hours??).

I am just wondering if anyone has any suggestions for where to stay along the way- we were looking for B%26amp;B%26#39;s along the way.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Vancouver, BC to San Francisco, CA

we rv%26#39;d from seattle to waldport or last year. plenty of lodgings of all kinds along the coast hiway.

suggest you go to www.traveloregon.com for good info. good luck.

Vancouver, BC to San Francisco, CA

I gave you a list of possible B%26amp;B%26#39;s in your other thread. You can also do a Google search to find more:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g28958-i237-k27374鈥?/a>

I%26#39;m curious. Why are you posting now on the Welches Forum? We all saw your identical query previously on the overall Oregon Forum. Were you not satisfied with our information?

i have been told that 3 days isnt enough time to drive the coast from Vancouver, BC to San Francisco, CA... is this true? Has anyone done this trip or something similar before...?

Rough numbers:

Vancouver BC -%26gt; Astoria, OR via I-5 thru WA = 6 hours

Astoria, OR -%26gt; San Francisco via Hwy 101 = 15 hours

Total actual driving time about 21 hours.

Note: The above estimates do not include *any* stops.

i%26#39;m planning on Vancouver to Newport Orgeon day one, Newport to Eureka, CA day two and Eureka to San Francisco day 3...

Days two and three are fine.

Day one you would need to drive down I-5 as far as at least Salem, then cut over to the coast. I%26#39;ve driven that and it takes about 9 hours including short stops to go from Newport to Vancouver airport - that includes a quick border crossing of about 15 minutes. (Average freeway speed of about 65-68 MPH)

I did not see your other post and will not look for it. You ask for B%26amp;B on trip and give no idea of time you have. or where you might stay. then you say Vanc Newport Eureka, SF

That is not a fun trip. you will be driving most of time. Answer to your question that plan not worth the trip along coast.

It is not Phirl who is bitter. He is just confused by your difficult itinerary planning and lack of response to our legitimate questions. We all want to give you the best advice possible, but this is a two-way street; you have to be willing to help us help you.

For example, when I asked if you were not satisfied with our previous advice, you didn%26#39;t answer. Nor did you explain why you posted on the Welches forum.

Phirl told you fairly bluntly that he didn%26#39;t think your timetable allowed for sufficient time for the coast route. There was nothing nasty or unintelligent in that advice. Only in your response to it.

I hope you have a good trip. I%26#39;m sorry our advice has not been to your satisfaction.

river trips

Do you know of anyone who offers day boat trips from Portland to Astoria? We would love to get a chance to come back to your town, and would prefer the chance to stay overnight. Any suggestions?

Garth

river trips

go to www.portlandspirit.com for one possibility.

river trips

I took the outragous jet boat ride a few years ago and it was a blast! if you%26#39;re into boats and big water, you%26#39;ll love it. I recall it took about 2 hours -which is basically what it takes to drive there by car! It was pretty rough on the return trip for about 10 minutes in the between astoria and sand island (to be expected as afternoon winds pick up). But other than that a very enjoyable ride. And you get to see lots of wildlife and sections of the river that most don%26#39;t ever get to see.

Looks like they go everyother day, so you may want to consider that for your overnight stay.

sorry, I got all excited about astoria, and didn%26#39;t specifically say in my post that the trip i took was in fact from portland to astoria!

common boys names

Hotel by the Oregon Coast Near Florence

Can anyone recommend a good hotel near the Oregon coast close to Florence? I don%26#39;t need anything fancy, just clean and friendly.

Thanks!

Hotel by the Oregon Coast Near Florence

If you want to be on the beach, there is only one option, Driftwood Shores.

http://www.driftwoodshores.com/

There is a Holiday Inn Express on hwy 101 that is pretty nice, a Best Western just south of the bridge and old-town and also a new hotel at the Three Rivers Casino.

鈥ahoo.com/p-hotel-339855-holiday_inn_expres鈥?/a>

bestwesternoregon.com/hotels/鈥?/a>

http://threeriverscasino.com/pages/hotel.html

North Umpqua Resort

I found 3 positive reviews of this place on another travel site. Cant find a website for the resort. Does anyone know anything about the place?

North Umpqua Resort

Is the name ';North Umpqua Resort?'; It%26#39;s hard to tell from your post.

North Umpqua Resort

Best resort om N Umpqua is Steamboat inn

North Umpqua Resort in Idleyld Park run by Dave and Ellen Watkins. There is a phone number for the resort but I would prefer to see some of it before hand. Pictures cant always tell the story but it might not hurt.

Hopefully someone will have some first hand knowledge as there is no website, as you said.

We have reservations at the Steamboat Inn - decided to go first class for once.

Try calling the Roseburg Visitor%26#39;s Center: 1-800-444-9584 and see if they have any info. Whenever I drive thru Idleyld Park I only see trailer parks (but there could be something I%26#39;m missing). But Steamboat is best bet.

Depoe Bay Fleet of Flowers

We just spent Memorial Day week-end at Depoe Bay. First time i ever saw the Fleet of Flowers that i can remember and i grew up 20 miles from there. and they were doing when I was a kid. t

Fitting tribute on Memorial Day for our men and women who serve in the milirary. and also to those who have been lost at sea. They presented the flags and songs of each branch. then the dozen or so boats carrynig wreaths made locally went out of harbor under bridge and into bay to form a circle. They read the names of those lost at sea from the coastal communites. A Coast Guard helicopter came and dropped a big wreath in the middle of the circle. then those on the boats threw th wreaths in the bay.

Lot of ex-miltary guys there, Marine next to me, Navy next to him. I could tell by their hats, and fitting time for us to be there since our son just left for another tour in Iraq.

One minus, they need to get a more effective PA system. It wnet out early, though came back from time to time. someone told me that happened last year.

Depoe Bay update. I was glad to see they finally put in two more crosswalks. One of new ones has been there maybe a year and other downtown just a few months. All the stores on one side of 101 and the sea wall on the othere side. you took your life in your hands to cross, but we have many times. People seem to be doing well using them. I did not see one jaywalker.

Depoe Bay Fleet of Flowers

Phirl,

That sounds like a lovely and memorable tribute-I%26#39;m so glad you were able to experience it. How often do we spend years not going someplace important/special albeit close to home. Thank you for sharing your experience with us!

I will say a special prayer for your son.

rosacea

Your top waterfall choices for photography

Hello, I%26#39;ve been browsing all the forums and reading up on the advice given about trip itineraries and where to go and such. I haven%26#39;t come across one yet that lists which waterfalls are the ';most beautiful'; and would appreciate your opinions.

My wife and I will be flying into Portland on July 18th (a Saturday) and leaving a week later. I have not yet booked hotels as I%26#39;m still not sure exactly what I want to do but I was thinking that we probably wouldn%26#39;t be staying in the same place for more than 2 nights at a time because there was a lot that I wanted to see.

There are two waterfalls that are on the top of my list to see. One is Abiqua Falls in Silver Falls SP and the other is Punch Bowl Falls. I%26#39;ve also listed Lancaster, Butte Creek, and Elowah Falls as well but I%26#39;ve just jotted them down quickly after seeing pictures of them.

I tend to like the destinations that are less populated so that I can ';be one with nature'; rather than bumping elbows with a bunch of other people.....so that kinda leaves Multnomah out although maybe if we go at the break of dawn it will be less crowded?

I%26#39;m still trying to decide if we should head over to the coast or not or if the gorge and mountain areas will keep us busy enough ....for this trip.

Thanks for your input!

Terry

Your top waterfall choices for photography

http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org

/wiki/Abiqua_Falls_Hike

You might have to cut and paste this web address. Abiqua Falls is NOT in Silver Falls State Park. However the 10 waterfall loop in Silver Falls SP should not be missed. You%26#39;ll have lots of company on the first leg to South Falls, but after that you%26#39;ll have more privacy as you encounter the other falls. Some will give you fits as far as photos are concerned however, since the trail will take you under some cascades and on others the best angles for shots will be inaccessible (like out in space).

There are hundreds of great waterfalls in Oregon (Sahalie Falls, Salt Creek Falls, Kentucky Falls, Proxy, etc. etc.). How far are you willing to travel? Some of the falls would require a good part of the day for hiking in and taking your photos. Others are by the roadside almost and can be shot in less time. I%26#39;m not familiar with the falls you listed, so I suppose they%26#39;re in Northern or Northeastern Oregon. The Cascades and Coast Range extend the entire north-south length of the state, so there%26#39;s no way you could do justice to their many, many waterfalls in a single week.

Your top waterfall choices for photography

When we lived in Portland, we went to the Falls during the week, around noon and there were not that many people, but we also went at various times of the year... maybe less touristy . But if you go on a day that is not as good, maybe a bit rainy, that might chase away tourist crowds some.

Except for Multnomah, I found most of the falls easy to enjoy with very few people around.. Bridal Veil you have to walk to, the parking lot is not so big .. and they built a platform out over the water so you can really feel more up-close ..

I enjoyed all the falls so much, and the drive ..

Have fun and try to post your photos here when / if you can .. I know I would enjoy them !

Thanks for the link and the info, poppa. The falls I listed are right around the gorge area with the exception of Abiqua and Butte Creek falls which are around (thank you) the Silver Falls SP area. How far am I willing to travel? I%26#39;d probably like to go no further south than Bend for this trip. I%26#39;m sure we%26#39;ll find plenty to do as it is.

I%26#39;m not against hiking to get to the more remote falls as I find it makes the destination that much more exciting.

Thanks, Scarlett! I am definitely not afraid of the rain. Nothing like a good shower to bring out all the colors of the forest.

The Gorge is beautiful, I think all of the waterfalls are pretty in this area. If you have the time, I would try to head over to the coast, the Cannon Beach and Seaside areas are very pretty. The weather is beautiful in Seattle today! :)

Well, doesn%26#39;t sound as though you%26#39;ll be getting down to my neck of the woods. The closest would be Silver Falls State Park...and, if you%26#39;re looking for waterfalls, I%26#39;d pick that, the Gorge and the Cascades over spending a day getting a quick look at the coast. And, if you%26#39;re looking for places ';less populated,'; you certainly won%26#39;t like Seaside and Cannon Beach in mid-July!

On your next trip to Oregon, consider the central zone from Bend to Florence and I can give you waterfalls galore and the most spectacular coastal area.

Listen to oregonpoppa...if you want waterfalls and solitude, do not head to Seaside or Cannon Beach. Especially in July!

Syrah--Maybe you can visit some of these places mentioned.

Syrah--I meant to ask you, since it is such a nice day and you are on vacation, what the heck are you doing inside posting? Get out and enjoy it!!!

syrahgirl, how is Seattle today ? will you be getting out and doing any sightseeing? Do post a trip report !

I got this great book on French design and a few of the houses that they used were in Seattle and Bainbridge Island... now I want to live there lol

%26gt;%26gt;...the Cannon Beach and Seaside areas are very pretty. The weather is beautiful in Seattle today! :)%26lt;%26lt;

A) The Cannon Beach and Seaside areas have no waterfalls.

B) The OP was not enquiring about today%26#39;s weather, but for the record it has been outstanding in most of Oregon for the past week.

Here is some info about Silver Falls SP:

http://www.oregon.com/hiking/silver_falls.cfm

planetware.com/pictures-/coos-bay-golden-and鈥?/a>

I particularly like ';Golden and Silver'; Falls SP, which is *not* Silver Falls. It is located on the coast inland from Coos Bay, and is easy to get to, but rather isolated and not busy.

http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_96.php

waymarking.com/waymarks/WM5WE3_Golden_Silver鈥?/a>

Well, the weather here (BA) is cold and rainy... if we are all going to discuss the weather where we are :D

I happen to be one of those people who almost prefer Portland and the Gorge on a gloomy/overcast/cloudy day .. it adds to the atmosphere ..

Itinerary advice

I%26#39;m planning a trip with my husband (no kids) for late September. We%26#39;ve never been to Oregon before, we%26#39;re in our early 50s, prefer nature more than cities, prefer casual lodge atmosphere, enjoy photography and moderate hiking.

Here%26#39;s my tentative itinerary so far. I%26#39;d appreciate any advice you have to offer on the itinerary itself (whether the drive times make sense for each day) and recs on where to stay. Also please see questions on #1 and #8 below.

Thank you!

1) drive from Portland through CR Gorge, stay at Timberline Lodge (is this an easy driving day?)

2) Bend

3) Crater Lake Lodge (already booked)

4) Crater Lake Lodge

5) Brookings

6) at Gold Beach, take jet boat up to Paradise Lodge for the night

7) back to Gold River, up to Bandon

8) Yachats (thinking of the Overleaf Lodge) (could possibly do 2 nights in Yachats-would it be worth it?

9) Cannon Beach

10) back to Portland to fly home

Itinerary advice

Or, here%26#39;s an itinerary:

1) from Portland to Mt. St Helens and back

2) from Portland to CR Gorge, night at Timberline

3) Bend

4) Crater Lake

5) Grants Pass

6) Crescent City

7) Gold Beach

8) river trip to Paradise Lodge

9) back to Gold Beach, then up to Bandon

10) Yachats or Newport

11) Portland

Thanks for you help!

Joanne

Itinerary advice

I really like Yachats, but to me I think Newport better for first timer to Oreg, more to do there. It has a nice strollable bayfront, plus Nye Beach very visitor friendly Aquarium there is quite good. we were recently in Monterey and went to their aquarium. though it is a bit better than Newport not as much better as I had thought. Two lighthouses in Newport

I assume you plan some Redwoods on your day from Crater Lake to Brookings. get a bit south of Crescent City.

You say two nights at Crater Lake. Bend in my view has more things to see. so suggest you spend much of your day to Crater Lake seeing stuff around Bend. Newberry Crater for one, our other Crater Lake. and McKenzie Pass with the great lava beds.

You posted 2nd agenda while I was posting. Mt St Helens good add.

Not so sure you need that much time from night in Crater Lake then nights in GPass, Crescent City, then Gold Beach. I think you could do that in one day less.

Crater Lake to Crescent City seeing some redwoods.

From CC suth to Redwoods maybe as far as Klamath, then to Gold Beach

I do agree with Gold beach before boat ride, because coast from Brookings to Gold beach deserves some time, and not a quick trip to catch the boat, but book Gold beach early. We were just on that section of coast again and realized from past trips that BR to GB requires more stops to enjoy, cause many best sites are not in view from highway. GB to Bandon is more viewable from Hwy.

Thanks, phirl, you addressed the big question I had with my second itinerary--because I had cut CL down to 1 night, it seemed like too much driving to do CL to CC in one day, but you say it%26#39;s doable? Given the new plan (see below), I assume we%26#39;d see the lake (and maybe take the lake boat ride) the day after leaving Bend? Yachats appealed to me because I was thinking it was more wild, less touristy. Newport sounds good though, so will research. From there heading north, what would you suggest awe-inspiring beauty?

1) from Portland to Mt. St Helens and back

2) from Portland to CR Gorge, night at Timberline

3) night at Bend

4) night at Crater Lake

5) night at Crescent City

6) night at Gold Beach

7) river trip to Paradise Lodge (stay night)

8) back to Gold Beach, then up to Bandon (stay night)

9) night at Yachats or Newport

10) ?

11) Portland

Any particular reason you would like to stay a night in Bandon? It is only one hour from Gold Beach.

Neport is far larger than Yachats: about 10,000 people v. 600 people! They are about 30-35 minutes apart on a good straight road.

Cannon Beach is congested but has a nice beach, and Astoria is worth seeing. I would not take the Three Capes drive because there are not that many ocean views from it. Tillamook Bay is large and scenic; Depoe Bay is different; the stretch of road from about Wheeler to Cannon Beach is pretty.

I would definitely add another night to Bend.

See, this is what I need you all for:-) I was thinking a night in Bandon because it would take at least a half day to get back down the river to Gold Beach (I%26#39;m guessing here, I need to call the jet boat people), then start driving north again. I didn%26#39;t realize it was only an hour away--so you%26#39;re right, we should go further north that day. So Newport be doable, if we didn%26#39;t get started from GB until mid-day?

As for another day in Bend, I%26#39;m willing to be convinced:-) I%26#39;ve been focusing on the CR Gorge, CLNP, and the coast, and thinking of Bend only as a stopover.

Bend!!! Truly, so much of interest in that region.

It%26#39;s only 90 miles from Crater Lake, offers circle drives into the Cascades and the lakes, volcanic activity areas are fascinating, short trails to lovely waterfalls, High Desert Museum, et al.

http://www.visitbend.com/

I%26#39;d like to add, you can drive, and see, Crater Lake highlights in half a day. Striking views. But Bend highlights will fill a day or more.

I assumed you would not be back to GB till midday or later so Bandom seemed ok, it is a nice beach town, and do not hurry to Newport, too much to see North bend to newport.

You could move on to N bend but Bandon much nicer stop

hair straightener

rv holiday

we are planning a 6 week tour of usa in an rv. due to time constraints we have to be careful with our time. we are thinking of driving the rv from l.a. (where we fly in and pick up the rv after some time visiting disneyland) up to vancouver. we have been told there are extreme taxes and insurances involved in taking a rv from usa to canada. any advice?

we are happy to pay up to $1000 extra for the convenience of a rv as opposed hiring a car and staying at hotels. but above that we need to consider it.

thanks all

rv holiday

Hello! The best place to enquire about the insurance questions would be to ask your RV rental company.

I do know that most car rental companies will allow the car to taken into Canada from the US. There are RV rental companies in the state of Washington which allow their rigs to be driven to Alaska (through Canada), so some are okay with it.

Have you checked with any RV rental companies yet? Two large ones are - www.elmonterv.com , and www.cruiseamerica.com

There are other companies, but that will give you an idea of the costs involved.

When are you planning on visiting? RV rentals are often more expensive than staying in hotels/motels, especially in our summertime. Are you planning a round trip RV journey?

rv holiday

Have driven an RV into Vancouver, BC twice, but we owned the RV. I would post on the Vancouver,BC forum and find out what people think of driving their RV in the city. We hated it!! Lots of traffic and some crazy drivers (sorry Canucks). It is a great city to visit though and lots to see. Our dollar is worth approximately $1.24 now, which makes visiting Canada nice. NOTE: Check what you will need to get back into the States as far as ID is concerned. We use our passports.

You%26#39;ll be going through my home town of Olympia, Washington. It is the State capitol, beautiful, right on the water, lots to see, very friendly. Stop by and visit us. Our down town is great and we have the second largest farmers%26#39; market in the State.

Family Trip

We are planning a visit in early June. We are travelling with grandparent and our 5 yr. old boy and 8 yr. old girl. The grandparents are from Ontario, Canada and don%26#39;t see this type of scenery much.

We have stayed in Arch Cape at a lovely home and had originally thought to stay there for 4 nights. We have not ventured past Arch Cape for years (can%26#39;t remember much of anything).

I am a little concerned my kids, husband might get bored staying put.

My questions: Is there anything we MUST see and do further down the coast? If so, any awesome suggestions of where to stay? Budget $250-300 per night?

Also, thinking about renting ATV or buggy one day as a Father%26#39;s day gift? Anywhere close to Arch Cape or within a shortish drive?

Thanks tons for any input.

Family Trip

Why don%26#39;t you go south to Newport and spend a couple of days. Your kids would love the fantastic acquarium and so will you. You could visit the two lighthouses also. Newport has nice beaches. Nye Beach has some wonderful shops and places to eat.

Drive one day from Newport to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Park for that dune buggy ride.

Joan from www.great-oregon-vacations.com/newport.html

Family Trip

Have you been to Seaside, there is so much for kids to do there. You could find nice lodging with that budget in Cannon Beach also which is about 10 minutes from Seaside. You could visit Fort Stevens State Park, go to Fort Clatsop in Astoria and ride the trolley there. The scenery is gorgeous in this area, you could also cross the bridge and go over and explore the WA coast a bit. Long Beach is fun for kids, bring your kites! www.seasideor.com

I hope you have a great time with your family on your travels. :)

So many choices! Are the four days the total time you have? If, so, you may need to make a decision about the dune buggy ride.

The dune buggy rentals and touring rides (I%26#39;d suggest the latter) on the big dunes are in Florence and points farther south. It would be too long a day to drive down to Florence from Arch Cape. If you are interested in Newport, it is about 1.25 hours from Newport to the dunes and it%26#39;s a nice scenic drive.

There are some smaller dunes by Sandlake near Pacific City, which would be about 1-1.5 hours from Arch Cape.

Newport has a lot of attractions for visitors. Cannon Beach has upscale shopping but not that much to see and do, other than the beach and a state park.

Regardless of where you choose, book your lodging ASAP.

Given the ages of the kids, Seaside might be a bit much after a while - and, perhaps, way too much for the parents!

I vote, too, for Newport.

Newport, OR

http://discovernewport.com/

www.aquarium.org

Yachats/Cape Perpetua fs.fed.us/r6/…

Any accommodation suggestions for Newport? We will have stayed in a house for 4 days near the beach. Maybe a pool for the kids for a change of pace?

What is your lodging budget?

Let%26#39;s say max. $250 per night per room but we don%26#39;t need luxury.

In Newport, the Elizabeth Street Inn is nice. It is oceanfront, within your budget, and has a pool. The pool is indoor and sits overlooking the ocean. We stayed there last summer with our teens and enjoyed it. The room was pretty spacious and has a sitting area with a couch. All rooms are oceanfront and have microwaves and small refrigerators. Newport is a great place to stay with kids, IMO.

Go with Mtngrl%26#39;s suggestion :-)

The Hallmark Resort in Newport is a nice place to stay with a family, you may want to check them out. Don%26#39;t miss the Oregon Coast Aquarium while in this area. Have fun! :)