9 days in Oregon (in Aug.) with 2 Young Kids - Itinerary Help Please!
Jun 27th, 2011, 08:08 AM
#61
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Thanks - the itinerary was a lot of hard work (on all of our parts 
), but it's looking so good! I always find that trip itineraries are like university essays used to be... The first draft looks so horrible you wonder if it's even worth it and then, with some hard work, it all comes together beautifully
), but it's looking so good! I always find that trip itineraries are like university essays used to be... The first draft looks so horrible you wonder if it's even worth it and then, with some hard work, it all comes together beautifully
Jun 27th, 2011, 01:11 PM
#62
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Okay, so I just phoned the Embassy Suites (Downtown Portland) and as it turns out, there are no in/out privileges if you self-park for $18/day, but if you get the valet parking for $30/day, there are. So that solves that mystery As per most things, it just costs more money
Also, I just got a response from a "rental by owner" for a lovely 1BR riverside cottage in Stevenson, Washington. But of course there is a 2-night minimum (as I'm now finding is the case almost all over Oregon!). So now we're wondering - do we continue with our plan to stay in the Dalles on Friday night and at the Portland Airport hotel on Saturday... or should we jump on this cottage for Friday and Saturday night? Is it worth the extra $200 and driving over to Washington etc.?
Thanks!
Jenn
As per most things, it just costs more money Also, I just got a response from a "rental by owner" for a lovely 1BR riverside cottage in Stevenson, Washington. But of course there is a 2-night minimum (as I'm now finding is the case almost all over Oregon!). So now we're wondering - do we continue with our plan to stay in the Dalles on Friday night and at the Portland Airport hotel on Saturday... or should we jump on this cottage for Friday and Saturday night? Is it worth the extra $200 and driving over to Washington etc.?
Thanks!
Jenn
Jun 27th, 2011, 02:13 PM
#64
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Yes, we're leaning that way already The lodging that we've got on most of our itinerary includes some unique properties and I was certainly disappointed over the weekend when I couldn't find anything like that for our time in the Gorge (which is the part that I think my husband is most excited about).
We had just sort of "convinced ourselves" that it was good to spend the 2nd night in Portland, since we'll have finished our tour of the Gorge at that point and it would make sense to end up in Portland (ready for the next morning in Portland). But with the gorgeous Gorge views and only a 45 minute ride back to Portland in the morning, we could definitely make it work
The lodging that we've got on most of our itinerary includes some unique properties and I was certainly disappointed over the weekend when I couldn't find anything like that for our time in the Gorge (which is the part that I think my husband is most excited about). We had just sort of "convinced ourselves" that it was good to spend the 2nd night in Portland, since we'll have finished our tour of the Gorge at that point and it would make sense to end up in Portland (ready for the next morning in Portland). But with the gorgeous Gorge views and only a 45 minute ride back to Portland in the morning, we could definitely make it work
Jun 27th, 2011, 05:03 PM
#65
Check for a Yurt at an Oregon State Park. You have to bring your own bedding. http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_134.php
I have stayed in Honeyman. They are very popular with the locals
I have stayed in Honeyman. They are very popular with the locals
Jun 27th, 2011, 08:10 PM
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Yurts always sound so wonderful - but I just know that our first time traveling with the kids, we'll have so much luggage (stroller, playpen, carseats, etc.!), there's no way that we'll have room for bedding too 
. Someday for sure though...
We've actually booked that riverside cottage in Stevenson. We're very excited! It's right on the river - the water is literally 10' from our front door! Should be amazing!
I'm excited to now have the lodging taken care of... now we can start planning the actual sights and hikes (I will definitely check out that westerntrips blog - thank you!). We started taking a look at some hikes tonight and there are some absolutely stunning hikes (I'm sure I'll be asking out further as we do more research ).
Jenn
. Someday for sure though...We've actually booked that riverside cottage in Stevenson. We're very excited! It's right on the river - the water is literally 10' from our front door! Should be amazing!
I'm excited to now have the lodging taken care of... now we can start planning the actual sights and hikes (I will definitely check out that westerntrips blog - thank you!). We started taking a look at some hikes tonight and there are some absolutely stunning hikes (I'm sure I'll be asking out further as we do more research
). Jenn
Jun 27th, 2011, 08:28 PM
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Cottage sounds great- think it will be more of a memory maker than a hotel in The Dalles or Portland airport -
I dont know about that Western blogs thing- sounds to me like its advertising which is not allowed here -
Hope all the places you chose work out well for you and it will be a memorable vacation
I dont know about that Western blogs thing- sounds to me like its advertising which is not allowed here -
Hope all the places you chose work out well for you and it will be a memorable vacation
Jun 28th, 2011, 12:21 PM
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Gia, that's too bad that we're not overlapping more in time! I'm sure it would be even harder for you to be available on the FIRST day of your trip! But if it seems do-able for you, just let me know (as I say, we're likely going to be in the area of the Children's Museum)!
Jun 29th, 2011, 05:54 AM
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Jenn - email me at [email protected].
Jun 29th, 2011, 05:55 AM
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sorry - got a little happy with the zero key. 
It's [email protected]
It's [email protected]
Jun 29th, 2011, 05:25 PM
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OK, admittedly I skimmed some of this.
FWIW, I have lived in the Gorge. Not sure you really need 2 nights there--unless you are planning to do a LOT of hiking.
Yes, Best Western in Hood River is a nice place to stay. When I got east/west (now that I don't live in OR) I always have a meal on their deck overhanging the river.
I saw Oceanside flash by. Yes, scenic.
If Bend Riverhouse is too full or too expensive, I stay at the Marriott just across the street. It's fine.
As far as I'm concerned, nothing scenic between Bend and the Columbia if you're going through Madras and Maupin.
However Hwy 26 toward Mt. Hood is very pretty. You could take the Hwy 35 (I think it is) cutoff to Hood River. Go up on Panorama Point above Hood River and look back at the mountain.
FWIW, I have lived in the Gorge. Not sure you really need 2 nights there--unless you are planning to do a LOT of hiking.
Yes, Best Western in Hood River is a nice place to stay. When I got east/west (now that I don't live in OR) I always have a meal on their deck overhanging the river.
I saw Oceanside flash by. Yes, scenic.
If Bend Riverhouse is too full or too expensive, I stay at the Marriott just across the street. It's fine.
As far as I'm concerned, nothing scenic between Bend and the Columbia if you're going through Madras and Maupin.
However Hwy 26 toward Mt. Hood is very pretty. You could take the Hwy 35 (I think it is) cutoff to Hood River. Go up on Panorama Point above Hood River and look back at the mountain.
Jun 30th, 2011, 04:16 AM
#74
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Thanks!
I like your suggestions about the hwy 35 drive. Although we have two nights in the gorge, it really is less than 1.5 days there. We'll be getting up on Friday morning in Bend and driving to the gorge. It's a long drive (over 3 hours) and with the kids, we definitely need to be making quite a few stops. Panoroma Point sounds great. We're planning to stop in Hood River for a likely early dinner before heading to our lodging. Then we'll have all day Saturday to sightsee and hike and we'll overnight at the cottage. Sunday morning, we already head back to Portland.
You wouldn't have believed how full the hotels in the gorge were! Basically completely full for anything with a suite! We were very lucky to find a cottage...
Thanks again!
Jenn
I like your suggestions about the hwy 35 drive. Although we have two nights in the gorge, it really is less than 1.5 days there. We'll be getting up on Friday morning in Bend and driving to the gorge. It's a long drive (over 3 hours) and with the kids, we definitely need to be making quite a few stops. Panoroma Point sounds great. We're planning to stop in Hood River for a likely early dinner before heading to our lodging. Then we'll have all day Saturday to sightsee and hike and we'll overnight at the cottage. Sunday morning, we already head back to Portland.
You wouldn't have believed how full the hotels in the gorge were! Basically completely full for anything with a suite! We were very lucky to find a cottage...
Thanks again!
Jenn
Jun 30th, 2011, 05:47 AM
#75
Timberline Lodge is open for summer skiing at least this weekend. Check to see what lodging is available. http://www.timberlinelodge.com/summersnow/
I love the drive down Rt. 35 from Government Camp to Hood River.
I love the drive down Rt. 35 from Government Camp to Hood River.
Jul 4th, 2011, 10:54 PM
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Hi Jenn,
I just found your post and all these wonderful suggestions tonight. I'm a single mom with a 3yr old son, visiting Oregon July 28th through Aug 10th. I was supposed to be taking a biking course for most of this, but that fell through. So now I'm scrambling to figure out an itinerary for us. Your posts and all the replies look incredibly helpful!
I have a yurt booked in Newport for near the end of our stay as that was after the class ended. I've been trying to figure out how to plan a trip around that. I figure it's so close to our trip that I may bring a tent as I'm already bringing the bedding.
Question I haven't been able to find an answer to: is it reasonable to tent camp along the coast or will I be dealing with continual rain? I don't mind camping in the rain, but I abhor decamping a wet tent and then putting that same wet tent back up the next night.
Although I wouldn't be staying in the places you have booked, I am considering using the route you have to plan an itinerary backward of what you have so I end up in Newport at the end for our yurt stay. Since it's nearly 3am, I have to stop tonight, but look forward to getting to this tomorrow night.
Thank you and everyone so much! What a great find this was!
- Kathy
P.S. Hope you don't mind my poking my question into your trail.
I just found your post and all these wonderful suggestions tonight. I'm a single mom with a 3yr old son, visiting Oregon July 28th through Aug 10th. I was supposed to be taking a biking course for most of this, but that fell through. So now I'm scrambling to figure out an itinerary for us. Your posts and all the replies look incredibly helpful!
I have a yurt booked in Newport for near the end of our stay as that was after the class ended. I've been trying to figure out how to plan a trip around that. I figure it's so close to our trip that I may bring a tent as I'm already bringing the bedding.
Question I haven't been able to find an answer to: is it reasonable to tent camp along the coast or will I be dealing with continual rain? I don't mind camping in the rain, but I abhor decamping a wet tent and then putting that same wet tent back up the next night.
Although I wouldn't be staying in the places you have booked, I am considering using the route you have to plan an itinerary backward of what you have so I end up in Newport at the end for our yurt stay. Since it's nearly 3am, I have to stop tonight, but look forward to getting to this tomorrow night.
Thank you and everyone so much! What a great find this was!
- Kathy
P.S. Hope you don't mind my poking my question into your trail.
Jul 5th, 2011, 03:45 AM
#78
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Hi Kathy!
Of course not! Wow - a full camping trip with your 3-year-old son! I am in awe. It's funny - my husband and I used to be avid campers until our little ones arrived and we really haven't done it since. I'd love to return to it one day, but I just can't see it being any time soon (hence the itinerary filled with suites ). Good for you!
I of course don't mind you jumping into the trail! The only thing I recommend is that you also post your own topic. Given that this posting already has 76 replies (amazing!), I'm guessing that there are a lot of people who might avoid it and/or miss your question in the shuffle. Why don't you post a topic with your coast/camping question (and also mentioning the basic itinerary that we're doing) and see what you get back (you may also get responses here, but the more help the better, right!?).
Have a fantastic trip!
Jenn
Of course not! Wow - a full camping trip with your 3-year-old son! I am in awe. It's funny - my husband and I used to be avid campers until our little ones arrived and we really haven't done it since. I'd love to return to it one day, but I just can't see it being any time soon
(hence the itinerary filled with suites ). Good for you!I of course don't mind you jumping into the trail! The only thing I recommend is that you also post your own topic. Given that this posting already has 76 replies (amazing!), I'm guessing that there are a lot of people who might avoid it and/or miss your question in the shuffle. Why don't you post a topic with your coast/camping question (and also mentioning the basic itinerary that we're doing) and see what you get back (you may also get responses here, but the more help the better, right!?).
Have a fantastic trip!
Jenn
Jul 25th, 2011, 05:50 PM
#79
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Hi guys!
Well, we're busy getting packed up and we leave in just a couple of days! We are all very excited around here Thanks again for all of the wonderful advice and I'll be sure to post that trip report when we get back!
Jenn
Well, we're busy getting packed up and we leave in just a couple of days! We are all very excited around here
Thanks again for all of the wonderful advice and I'll be sure to post that trip report when we get back!Jenn
