sludick

<this thread really kicked off some debate!>

All friendly discussion, of course! Obvously we are enthusiasts of the area you will be visiting. Tomsd, Gardyloo, and happytrailstoyou, and tomfuller have given me SO much advice on my assorted ventures; it is thanks to their expertise and experience that I can even debate the topic - thanks, all.

You will have such a fantastic trip whichever itinerary you choose. And, I am confident that you will leave already plotting your next excursion to the area. So go knowing that you cannot do it all, and enjoy what you are able to do.

The suggestion of staying at McMenamins Edgefield is one I'd give serious consideration. We got the same recommendation but stayed at some Portland airport place that ended up being a little disappointing. The distance to the airport is really not far, and you can end on a fun note this way. Go for it!

tomfuller

I like the Oregon itinerary better. The Olympic Peninsula includes the rainiest area in the lower 48.
There is also a McMenamins hotel in downtown Bend.
The Diamond Lake Resort is closer to Reedsport/Winchester Bay.
It is not as nice as Crater Lake Lodge but choices are limited.
Make a short stop at the Dean Creek Elk viewing area(s) about 5 miles before you get to Reedsport.
Use Rt. 138 from Sutherlin to Elkton if you had a different route in mind.
Don't miss Multnomah Falls on your way to Timberline Lodge.
The parking area is in the median of I-84 (left exit).

Tomsd

BTW - I love the UK - but as far as dramatic scenery - regarding the mountains anyway - I took the train by the tallest mountain (Scotland's - Ben Nevis right? ) - and pardon my Northwest pride - it looked like a hill to moi.

Ergo - the difference in exploring the Oregon Coast v. along the scenic shoreline in the UK is that in Oregon - from the Coast - in about an hour - you can head inland and be within visual range of a magnificent 10,000 foot high snow capped cinder coned peak - in the Cascade range. http://tinyurl.com/7s5qknp

You can also do that from the Olympic Peninsula - but it's a little longer and you have to work a bit harder.

I guess the trade-off is that you can also head inland in the UK and be within fairly easy reach of a right proper beautiful castle - yes?

Tomsd

And hardly anyone outside of Oregon (and even some in Oregon don't know it) has heard of Mt. Jefferson - of which you get a splendid view when driving south from Mt. Hood to Bend - via hiway 97 - and it's about half way in between. http://tinyurl.com/6mfmg8d

Tomsd

And just to make you feel at home along the Oregon Coast - he are the fabled Bandon Dunes - link - golf courses. St. Andrews West - Righto?

http://www.bandondunesgolf.com/

ggreen

Well, I'm just going to chime in here with my experience from a few years ago. We spent 10 days in the Pacific Northwest, with a wedding at the Maryhill Museum as the impetus. Even though our route was different (r/t Seattle), I thought I'd add my impressions since there are definite overlaps - and I, too, went as a tourist not a local. Being from the Northeast, that part of the country was as unknown to me as to you!

Our trip was 3 nights in Seattle - to the Olympic Peninsula via ferry to Bremerton, night in Port Angeles - drive to Neah Bay on the tip of the peninsula (night there) and down the other side - briefly in Portland to visit my cousin at university - drive through the Columbia Gorge to stay in Hood River (including wedding) - returning west along the Columbia and up to/through Mt. St. Helens - last night in Kent before flying out the next day.

It was a *lot* of driving, and as much as we love day hikes on our travels, we never really had enough time out of the car. That said, the highlights of our trip were:
- The time spent on the western side of the Olympic Peninsula, the beaches and the temperate rain forest;
- Driving the historic scenic motorway along the Oregon side of the Columbia River (thankfully free of major traffic which travels the parallel interstate highway), and watching the world-class windsurfers when we returned west along the Washington side;
- Driving up towards the cone of Mt. St. Helens, through the barren lands where lava had flowed and peering into still-steaming areas on the mountain (from a distance, where the park allows you to go);
- We also really enjoyed the Museum of Flight, one of those serendipitous let's-stop-since-we're-here moments, but being just outside Seattle it's not going to end up on your route.

Hood River was a cute town, full of outdoorsy types accessing the mountain and the river, and shops and eateries to accommodate them. Maryhill Museum was a lovely place for a wedding. Having just driven the Columbia scenic highway, I was fascinated by the building and its original owner, who helped create the motorway in the golden age of automobile touring.