Oregon trip report
May 7th, 2011, 05:45 PM
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Oregon trip report
Hi all, just wanted to post a quick report. I got all my information from the forums for the trip.
My husband and I had decided to run the Eugene marathon for the second time. Last time we went to the coast after the race, this time we decided to drive to Bend and then up to Hood River. This was not trip I planned in any detail since I didn't know how trashed our legs would be post race.
We flew into Portland on Friday (April 29th), love that flight in with the view of Mt. Hood and the in the evening light the city looks just really beautiful. I love this area and it was our third trip to Oregon. Its always been in the context of a race, which seems to be fitting.
Stayed at the Courtyard near the airport. The hotel is convenient for a late flight in. The next morning we did a quick run on a trail that was less than 1/2 a mile from the hotel which was really nice. Breakfast options at the hotel looked good, but we needed just oatmeal and bagels.
Drove down to Eugene along 1-5, very pretty drive and it was quick drive. We stayed at the Residence Inn, we prefer that for races since it has a little kitchen with toaster etc. Lunch at Lucky Noodle, had eaten there the last time and the food is good, nice ambiance, really good bread. Its very close to the race expo.
We both had a good race, weather was perfect and the organizers do a really nice job, and the city seems to get behind it, good spectator support. For any runners reading this, the finish is on Hayward field, hallowed ground. Doesn't get any better than that. Post race lunch was McMenamins, good beer great location by the river. Later for dinner we went to the Steelhead Brewing company. Food was okay, good beer.
Monday after the race we grabbed an early lunch at Cafe Yumm, I've always wanted to try it. Then we drove towards Bend. We were both pretty sore and had no plans for any hiking, but we stopped at a couple of the lakes(Waldo) we saw along the way. The drive was beautiful. Stayed at the SunRIver resort recommended by several on here, we got one of the River Lodge rooms. Really nice view. We drove into downtown Bend, walked around a bit, it was pretty quiet. Dinner was at the Deschutes Brewing company, hubby had to go to the home of Mirror Pond.Ale. I had their Jubel Ale which was excellent (but I'm no beer connoisseur)
The next day we'd planned to go to Benham lakes fall area, but the exit was closed as was the Lava Butte park. We drove upto Mt Bachelor and part of the Cascade Lakes highway. Just really beautiful. Later in the afternoon we drove down to Sisters, had lunch at Cafe Angeline(think that was the name) Then we drove to Camp Sherman, hiked along the Metollius River. Also went to the hatchery, learnt some interesting stuff. Definitely recommend checking it out. For dinner we got a bottle of wine and some food in our room and enjoyed the view.
Next morning we had breakfast at the Alpenglow cafe, we both went for the smoked salmon eggs Benedict. Good stuff, loved their homemade English muffin. Then commenced the drive to Hood River. We weren't sure of driving conditions to go over 26 and decided to go on 97 and 197. I'd read on here about how ugly a drive it is, it probably is for anyone from Oregon, but for us coming from Dallas it was really pretty.
Some turns on roads without guard rails were hair raising for this flat-lander, but interesting drive. Stopped for some Umpqua ice cream outside of The Dalles.
We stayed at the Sakura Ridge near Hood River. They have a spectacular view of Mt. Hood. Jaw-dropping eally. Comfortable rooms. Breakfasts were also very good. Really loved this place, perfect for a quiet getaway, feels like a little piece of paradise. The owners are really nice, helpful if needed but not obtrusive. Its a working farm, and having a dog and a barn cat or two and some hens around made it feel really homey. Dinner at Celilo's that night which was excellent. Then a short drive around to gawp. This area is just spectacularly beautiful. The first two days we had some sun, the day we left it was cloudy which seemed to add to the beauty of the place.
Next morning we headed up to Mt. Hood. Years ago I'd run the first leg of the Hood to Coast relay which goes from the Timberline Lodge to the base of the mountain, 5.4 miles of screaming downhill. Brought back some great memories. Visibility was not great. We were both wishing our legs weren't so tired, because the lines to the ski lifts were just empty! Back down and then we drove to the Takanawas (sp) Fall area. The trail was snow covered n the later part, so we decided to turn back, besides I saw some kind of animal foot print on the snow, could have been someone's giant dog.
We also drove down to Lake Laurance along the way, its down the road from Parkdale. More snow on the roads here.
On the way back we stopped at a winery (Wy east). We wanted to go to Marchesi but they were closed. Dinner that night was at Norah's Table which we really liked. They have small plate options which I love, allows you to taste multiple things. We walked around for a bit enjoying the cool weather. Next day we had a flight at 4pm, we were off to a later start than we wanted. We stopped at Multnomah Falls, hiked part way up. Also wanted to go to the Women's Forum but just ran out of time.
It was a different trip from the last time, less planned and fewer hikes, but it was right for the condition our legs were in.
A lot of places were still snow covered which we knew going in, but still worth the visit. It was great to see another part of this beautiful state.
I didn't need to post any questions but many of the places we ate at or stayed were all gleaned from the forum, so thanks much to everyone.
My husband and I had decided to run the Eugene marathon for the second time. Last time we went to the coast after the race, this time we decided to drive to Bend and then up to Hood River. This was not trip I planned in any detail since I didn't know how trashed our legs would be post race.
We flew into Portland on Friday (April 29th), love that flight in with the view of Mt. Hood and the in the evening light the city looks just really beautiful. I love this area and it was our third trip to Oregon. Its always been in the context of a race, which seems to be fitting.
Stayed at the Courtyard near the airport. The hotel is convenient for a late flight in. The next morning we did a quick run on a trail that was less than 1/2 a mile from the hotel which was really nice. Breakfast options at the hotel looked good, but we needed just oatmeal and bagels.
Drove down to Eugene along 1-5, very pretty drive and it was quick drive. We stayed at the Residence Inn, we prefer that for races since it has a little kitchen with toaster etc. Lunch at Lucky Noodle, had eaten there the last time and the food is good, nice ambiance, really good bread. Its very close to the race expo.
We both had a good race, weather was perfect and the organizers do a really nice job, and the city seems to get behind it, good spectator support. For any runners reading this, the finish is on Hayward field, hallowed ground. Doesn't get any better than that. Post race lunch was McMenamins, good beer great location by the river. Later for dinner we went to the Steelhead Brewing company. Food was okay, good beer.
Monday after the race we grabbed an early lunch at Cafe Yumm, I've always wanted to try it. Then we drove towards Bend. We were both pretty sore and had no plans for any hiking, but we stopped at a couple of the lakes(Waldo) we saw along the way. The drive was beautiful. Stayed at the SunRIver resort recommended by several on here, we got one of the River Lodge rooms. Really nice view. We drove into downtown Bend, walked around a bit, it was pretty quiet. Dinner was at the Deschutes Brewing company, hubby had to go to the home of Mirror Pond.Ale. I had their Jubel Ale which was excellent (but I'm no beer connoisseur)
The next day we'd planned to go to Benham lakes fall area, but the exit was closed as was the Lava Butte park. We drove upto Mt Bachelor and part of the Cascade Lakes highway. Just really beautiful. Later in the afternoon we drove down to Sisters, had lunch at Cafe Angeline(think that was the name) Then we drove to Camp Sherman, hiked along the Metollius River. Also went to the hatchery, learnt some interesting stuff. Definitely recommend checking it out. For dinner we got a bottle of wine and some food in our room and enjoyed the view.
Next morning we had breakfast at the Alpenglow cafe, we both went for the smoked salmon eggs Benedict. Good stuff, loved their homemade English muffin. Then commenced the drive to Hood River. We weren't sure of driving conditions to go over 26 and decided to go on 97 and 197. I'd read on here about how ugly a drive it is, it probably is for anyone from Oregon, but for us coming from Dallas it was really pretty.
Some turns on roads without guard rails were hair raising for this flat-lander, but interesting drive. Stopped for some Umpqua ice cream outside of The Dalles. We stayed at the Sakura Ridge near Hood River. They have a spectacular view of Mt. Hood. Jaw-dropping eally. Comfortable rooms. Breakfasts were also very good. Really loved this place, perfect for a quiet getaway, feels like a little piece of paradise. The owners are really nice, helpful if needed but not obtrusive. Its a working farm, and having a dog and a barn cat or two and some hens around made it feel really homey. Dinner at Celilo's that night which was excellent. Then a short drive around to gawp. This area is just spectacularly beautiful. The first two days we had some sun, the day we left it was cloudy which seemed to add to the beauty of the place.
Next morning we headed up to Mt. Hood. Years ago I'd run the first leg of the Hood to Coast relay which goes from the Timberline Lodge to the base of the mountain, 5.4 miles of screaming downhill. Brought back some great memories. Visibility was not great. We were both wishing our legs weren't so tired, because the lines to the ski lifts were just empty! Back down and then we drove to the Takanawas (sp) Fall area. The trail was snow covered n the later part, so we decided to turn back, besides I saw some kind of animal foot print on the snow, could have been someone's giant dog.
We also drove down to Lake Laurance along the way, its down the road from Parkdale. More snow on the roads here. On the way back we stopped at a winery (Wy east). We wanted to go to Marchesi but they were closed. Dinner that night was at Norah's Table which we really liked. They have small plate options which I love, allows you to taste multiple things. We walked around for a bit enjoying the cool weather. Next day we had a flight at 4pm, we were off to a later start than we wanted. We stopped at Multnomah Falls, hiked part way up. Also wanted to go to the Women's Forum but just ran out of time.
It was a different trip from the last time, less planned and fewer hikes, but it was right for the condition our legs were in.
A lot of places were still snow covered which we knew going in, but still worth the visit. It was great to see another part of this beautiful state. I didn't need to post any questions but many of the places we ate at or stayed were all gleaned from the forum, so thanks much to everyone.
May 7th, 2011, 06:49 PM
#2
There has been a cougar sighted and photographed in the south end of Bend within the last 2 weeks. Coyotes are commonly sighted around Bend.
How much snow did you see near Waldo lake? I was thinking the road to Waldo was still closed from Highway 58 north.
Glad you enjoyed Bend and Mt. Bachelor.
Next time make the stop at the High Desert Museum south of Bend. The Lavalands Visitor Center and the road down to Benham Falls should be open within the next month. They were putting down new asphalt yesterday.
How much snow did you see near Waldo lake? I was thinking the road to Waldo was still closed from Highway 58 north.
Glad you enjoyed Bend and Mt. Bachelor.
Next time make the stop at the High Desert Museum south of Bend. The Lavalands Visitor Center and the road down to Benham Falls should be open within the next month. They were putting down new asphalt yesterday.
May 8th, 2011, 08:09 AM
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@tomfuller: We did stop by the High Desert Museum, caught a Birds of Prey talk which was really cool.
Sorry that was meant to read not Waldo, we'd hoped to stop and do a short hike around there. As for conditions along 58, there was snow along the sides but the road itself was clear (May 2nd).
Interesting about the cougar sighting, the prints looked a little bigger than a coyote (I'm somewhat more familiar since we do see them sometimes here). It was a little unnerving, I must say because we weren't sure what to expect. I know some areas in California have mountain lions and we were trying to remember what animals we could expect in the wilderness here.
Sorry that was meant to read not Waldo, we'd hoped to stop and do a short hike around there. As for conditions along 58, there was snow along the sides but the road itself was clear (May 2nd).
Interesting about the cougar sighting, the prints looked a little bigger than a coyote (I'm somewhat more familiar since we do see them sometimes here). It was a little unnerving, I must say because we weren't sure what to expect. I know some areas in California have mountain lions and we were trying to remember what animals we could expect in the wilderness here.
May 8th, 2011, 11:51 AM
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Sounds like a wonderful trip! You hit a lot of my favorite places. Funny about Cafe Yumm...I just brought a few bottles of their sauce to a friend in Seattle yesterday, lol. Yes, it is too early for Lava Butte and Benham falls, but here is a tip if you come again around this time. You can access Benham Falls through the north end of Sunriver year round. We bike/hike it in the summer and cross country ski it in the winter. I am guessing that you are already planning a return trip
May 21st, 2011, 05:54 PM
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mms, I think it was your recommendation I'd read for Sunriver. Thanks for that, we both loved it. As for Lava Butte and Benham falls you are right we'll just have to come back Or maybe get jobs in Oregon.
Or maybe get jobs in Oregon.
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