chaltry13

We would like to take a road trip from May 10th through the 19th. for our 30th. anniversary. Some of the places I want to include are Portland, Crater Lake, Newport and was thinking Coeur d'lane but maybe that's too much. Like nature stuff, covered bridges, water falls, pretty scenery, lodgey type restaurants and bar/grills and decent hotels. Any suggestions on a nice route?

bbqboy

Idaho's too far.
How much ocean, redwoods, and big volcanoes do you want to split time between?
Wine,beer,and dining?
Where are you coming from?

tomfuller

Here's the way to do it! Fly to Spokane (earlier the better).
Rent a car for your trip to C d'l. Return the car late in the day and get to the Amtrak station in downtown Spokane.
The Amtrak Empire Builder leaves Spokane at about 2:30AM for Portland. You will arrive In downtown Portland about 10:10 AM.
Rent your car in downtown Portland after you have seen what you want to see there.
There is a series of waterfalls east of Portland just south of I-84. Multnomah is the highest with a good path to the top. After the waterfalls head up Rt. 35 on the east side of Mt. Hood.
Take US 26 west (south of Portland) all the way to US 101. Spend at least 1 night in either Cannon Beach or Seaside.
It will be a rush but I think you can manage to do a quick trip including Crater Lake before flying home from Portland.
There is a light rail line to take you from downtown Portland out to the PDX airport after turning in your rental car.

Tomsd

If you google - you can find some old/picturesque covered bridges in the Roseburg area - which is near the beautiful drive along the Umpqua river over to Crater Lake.

Personally - I would consider saving beautiful Coeur D'Alene (sp?) for another trip and maximize Oregon this time.

kristikayer

If you end up driving along the North Umpqua to Crater Lake (Hwy 138) there are some really pretty waterfalls. Some right off the road and some you'll need to hike to.

tomfuller

If you do go to Crater Lake in May you will have to enter and exit through the south exit (off Rt. 62). The north exit to Rt. 138 will not be open until about July 1.
Last Wednesday (4/18) I drove Rts. 138, 230 and 62 into Medford. About 5 miles before I passed the north entrance the rain turned to snow. By the time I got to Diamond Lake Junction (230), there was enough snow on the road that I couldn't see the center line. There are still places in CLNP that have several feet of snow. You will have to drive 230 to get to Diamond Lake Junction to drive 138 down the Umpqua toward Roseburg.
Flying to Spokane, renting a car and the overnight train is the only way you could get to see Cour d'Alene on this trip.