lisaprimm

Husband and I will fly into Seattle on Saturday, October 18. We will need to be back at a hotel in Seattle at least by Sunday, October 26 as I have a Seattle conference on 10/27 and 10/28 and will fly home on 10/29. We thought about returning to Seattle / couple of days sooner to explore Seattle? We are open to all suggestions, but here are our general ideas:

Maybe head straight to Portland and stay for 2-3 nights doing day trips to Mt. Hood, the Columbia River Gorge, and Cannon Beach?
Mt. Rainer?
Mt. St. Helens?
Olympic National Park?
Ferry ride?
Whale watching trip?
San Juan islands?

Our favorite activities include hiking, eating, drinking (beer and/or wine), kayaking, farmers markets, people watching, etc. We aren't really museum people--more into experiencing nature and local culture.

Not sure what the weather will be and how much we can fit in and still feel like we have some freedom to stop and enjoy the beauty. In addition to structuring the trip I would love recommendations of places to stay and eat, etc.

Thank you in advance!

sparkchaser

If you like beer, you are in the right place. Lots of great microbreweries there. If you have not yet booked your accomodations, I would look into staying at a McMenamins property: http://www.mcmenamins.com/ McMenamins Edgefield is a personal favorite of mine adn their beer is most excellent.

Also, Fodorite yodababe has some excellent suggestions regarding hikes and beaches and such that you should read about:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...t-503059-2.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...orge-ideas.cfm

Gardyloo

In terms of weather, it can be changeable - clear and crisp autumn days, followed by rain, so some degree of flexibility would be in order. Days will also be getting shorter of course.

Personally, I'd fly into Seattle, get a car, and drive over the Cascades - I-90 to Yakima, then south on US 97 through great "old west" country to the Columbia River at Maryhill. Then turn west and follow the Columbia (use the north shore) to Hood River or to McMenamin's Edgefield. (Both Hood River and the McMenamin's properties are ground zero for craft beer lovers.)

Spend two days (or more) around the Gorge and up the beautiful Hood River Valley to Mount Hood. All the orchards in the valley will have autumn color if not still fruit being harvested, and while there may be early snow on the ground at Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood, it's still a terrific destination as a day trip from the Gorge. Spend another day looking at the many waterfalls along the south walls of the Gorge (if there's been some rain the water flows might be impressive.)

Visit Portland for a day/night, then head out to the coast to Cape Disappointment at the mouth of the Columbia for lighthouses, waves on rocks, Lewis and Clark history - a great place. Stay in Ilwaco, Astoria, or even Cannon Beach (a bit farther) for the night.

Then head back to Seattle. If the weather's cooperative, detour to Mt. St. Helens on the way. (If it's cloudy/rainy at sea level, skip it - the mountain will be socked in and pretty invisible.)

This would give you a nice loop with exposure to various landscapes - alpine, high desert, sagebrush, vineyards and orchards, cliffs and waterfalls, rugged coastline, active volcanoes... Not bad for a week.

lisaprimm

Thank you so much! Great threads sparkchaser--I had not found all the valuable info from yodababe previously. And thanks gardyloo, this is so helpful! I will be pouring over these suggestions and will report back with my draft itinerary. Planning a trip is half the fun!

voyager61

For a quick ferry ride, you can go to Winslow on Bainbridge Island and back from Seattle. You can walk on to the ferry and then walk off into the town of Winslow and have a nice lunch.

Mid-October is probably too late for whale watching season, and you are well into our transitional time between the dry and rainy seasons, so rain jackets will be wise. The San Juan Islands are beautiful, but I think the time of year that you are visiting, the suggested Columbia River/Portland/Oregon Coast/Seattle itinerary might be best.

Near Seattle, you can go to Snoqualmie Falls, do the Bainbridge ferry, Woodinville wine country, or the Whidbey Island loop, which involves driving in or out on one end, and taking the Mukilteo ferry in or out on the other with stops in cute towns Langley and/or Coupeville and Deception Pass or other state parks. The Whidbey loop is a long day, or you can stay a night or two in Langley or Coupeville, which are both charming.

Have a good trip.

lisaprimm

I have been looking at maps and reading everything I can in regards to all your suggestions--thanks again so much. I have a couple of questions. I really hate to miss out on Olympic National Park. If I add a day or two to my trip--giving me maybe 9 days, do you think we could still do the loop you suggested AND see the park too? And what do you think about a day trip via ferry from Seattle to Vancouver before we leave? I want to see it all!

happytrailstoyou

It turns out that today's Seattle Times features the Olympic Peninsula in today's paper: http://seattletimes.com/html/travel/...alparkxml.html

Staying one night you can easily visit Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, Marymere Falls, Rialto Beach, and La Push. The Hoh Rain Forest may be one thing too many for a one-night stay. (If the articles don't mention Marymere Falls, it is a favorite short and pleasant hike from the Storm King Ranger Station on Lake Cresent.)

We prefer to stay in a room with water view at the Red Lion Inn, Port Angeles. Good food is served at Sabai Thai and next door at Wildfire Grill.

HTtY

lisaprimm

Thanks HTtY!

So, this is my tentative itinerary after much reading and digesting. Please let me know if this progression make sense to you or if you would add or delete some things. We aren't staying at McMenamin's Edgefield because they don't have private bathrooms (okay, I know that's lame but that's hubby's decision). We also probably won't be able to see Mount St. Helen's with this route unless you see somewhere we can slide it in. There are a couple of days with 4 hours driving but mostly only 2 hours a day with exploring in between. Does this seem about right? I am also open to any feedback about specific restaurants (or beer/wine) or if you think I have made any poor lodging choices. Thank you so much!

Saturday: Arrive in Seattle and drive around the loop through Yakima ending at the Best Western Hood River and stay there Saturday night.
Sunday: Go to Mount Hood for the day (and hike) then stay again at the Best Western Hood River Sunday night.
Monday: Spend the day hiking to various waterfalls, then drive to Portland and stay in a downtown hotel Monday night.
Tuesday: spend the day exploring Portland then drive to Cannon Beach and stay Tuesday night at Webb's Surf Motel.
Wednesday: Drive to Cape Disappointment and surrounding area and then spend the night at the Kalaloch Lodge Wednesday night in ONP.
Thursday: Spend a little time hiking in the area then drive to Port Angeles and stay at the Red Lion Thursday night.
Friday: Spend more time exploring ONP and stay at the Red Lion again on Friday night.
Saturday: Drive to Bainbridge and take ferry (with car) to Seattle and check in to our hotel (Crowne Plaza, as this where my conference will be on Monday.)
Sunday: Do a day trip to Mt. Ranier? Drop car back at rental place.
Mon: Conference by day and explore Seattle at night
Tues: Conference by day and explore Seattle at night
Wed: Fly home

Please give me your thoughts!
Best,
Lisa

Images2

We are doing a simular trip the same week, but in the opposite direction. Consider staying at Manatou Lodge in La Push in OLNP. I stayed there last year and highly recommend the lodge. We'll spend 2 nights at cresent Lodge, 2 at Manatou and 1 at Kalaoch. It's more time than needed but we want to go slow. From Kalaoch we'll go to astoria, Portland/ Troutville, then return to Seattle.

Your trip sounds wonderful.

lisaprimm

Thanks Images2--I will look into this! Still hoping that some of the other Pacific NW gurus who posted above will give me their assessment of this plan. Thanks!

Fodorite018

I think it looks good FWIW, McMenamins does have some rooms with private baths. Not sure if you checked availability on that or not. We have stayed at most of the McMenamins and the shared baths have never been an issue with us. Always available, very clean, and plenty of them so you are not traipsing far. We joke that they have someone looking and whenever someone comes out, someone goes in a cleans Anyway, just wanted to share our experiences. That said, your choice in Hood River is a popular one as well.

In Port Angeles, try to hit the Next Door Gastro Pub. It is near the ferry, and very good

Gardyloo

I think your agenda is terrific. My only (strong) recommendation would be to visit the Hoh rain forest on your way to PA from Kalaloch. Mind blowing.

Also if it's open, a visit to Maryhill Museum (overlooking the Columbia River near the US 97 bridge) is well worth your time. www.maryhillmuseum.org

tomfuller

On your starting Saturday instead of going through Yakima go southeast from Enumclaw on 410 and go through Mt. Rainier NP.
Come out the south entrance onto US 12. Go west on 12 through Packwood to Randle. Turn south on the Forest Service road (paved) on the east side of Mt. St. Helens. Drive out to see Windy Point. Go back to the main road and go south to Carson on Rt. 14. Go east on 14 to Bingen for the toll bridge ($1) to Hood River.
US 97 south through the Yakima Indian Reservation is very barren.

Gardyloo

I would be concerned with both weather and daylight doing the above route in late October.

happytrailstoyou

Hi Lisa,

I just saw your “thanks,” and I have some notes.

Saturday: If you drive down I-5 and then on WA-14, you will have spectacular views of the Columbia and Mt. Hood (if it’s clear) that you won’t see on the Oregon side of the river. That is our favorite route. At the Best Western we book a room with river view—those in the east wing are newer. We like the food, atmosphere, and service at Nora’s Table. Celilo is good too, but sometimes the experience comes with a little attitude.

After you settle into your hotel, drive east on I-84 to Biggs Junction, cross the river, and drive south on WA-14 for more fabulous views. There is an intriguing Museum and a winery in Maryhill.

Tuesday: We’ve never stayed in or heard of Webb’s Surf Motel. Let me know if you enjoyed your stay there.

Wednesday: We prefer Lake Quinault Lodge to Kalaloch. The fireplace rooms there are worth the going rate.

Thursday: The rooms with water view at the Red Lion Inn are very much worth whatever more they cost. Notice the 15% off deal at the web site. It works. In Port Angeles we like the food and service at Woodfire Grill and Sabai Thai.

Saturday: We prefer to return to Seattle on the Kingston-Edmonds ferry. The drive takes us through a historic Port Gable, which is as adorable as Washington State towns get. There are cute shops and a restaurant there.

Sunday: There is a lot to do in Seattle, and there is no point going to Mt. Rainier if it is shrouded in clouds.

Have a wonderful trip.

HTtY

happytrailstoyou

PS We prefer the Kingston-Edmonds ferry for the reason I stated and because we don't like the drive necessary to get to the Bainbridge ferry. On the other hand, the Bainbridge ferry affords great views of the Seattle skyline and (on a clear day) Mt. Rainier and other mountains.

If you return as I suggested, the round trip to Bainbridge in one of the many things you could do on a Sunday in Seattle. There is a little town near the ferry terminal on Bainbridge that has several restaurants.

HTtY

lisaprimm

Thank you so much everyone! I am overwhelmed by all the help you have provided. I will call McMenamins and see if they have a bathroom room for one night--husband says if you drink a lot of beer you need a bathroom close by. Will also try Next Door Gastro Pub in Port Angeles. I am going to change my plan and not stay at Webb’s Surf Motel--it was one I had found on Expedia, but instead stay at Tolovana Inn in Cannon Beach, and instead of Kaloloch we will switch to Quinault. Will do waterfront rooms at both Hood River and Red Lion. Will try the routes suggested, food suggested, ferry suggested, etc. I am going to create an itemized itinerary with possible weather related alternates. We are almost ready! I will report back after. Thanks again so much.

lisaprimm

Thank you so much everyone! I am overwhelmed by all the help you have provided. I will call McMenamins and see if they have a bathroom room for one night--husband says if you drink a lot of beer you need a bathroom close by. Will also try Next Door Gastro Pub in Port Angeles. I am going to change my plan and not stay at Webb’s Surf Motel--it was one I had found on Expedia, but instead stay at Tolovana Inn in Cannon Beach, and instead of Kaloloch we will switch to Quinault. Will do waterfront rooms at both Hood River and Red Lion. Will try the routes suggested, food suggested, ferry suggested, etc. I am going to create an itemized itinerary with possible weather related alternates. We are almost ready! I will report back after. Thanks again so much.

Fodorite018

Before you change your hotel in CB, be aware the Webb's has a MUCH better location than Tolovana. From Webb's, you can walk all over town.

happytrailstoyou

Thanks for the follow-up. Enjoy your trip.

We're leaving for Victoria today from Port Angeles because our ferry from Anacortes was cancelled due to two big ferries being out of service.

HTtY