We have done the Canadian Rockies a few times as well. Sounds like that would be a hit with your family with the hiking! It was for us. The last time we did that trip was when we lived in the Seattle area, and we drove to the Rockies. Beautiful drive.

If you have time, then yes I would do both the jet boat as well as the rafting.

I think that's a great decision for this trip. And yes, I'd do both the jet boat and white water rafting--two different experieneces.

Thank you so much for all of the advice. I have made the plane reservations and we are flying in and out of Portland. The whole trip will be Oregon and we are going to do Washington when we go to the Canadian Rockies. Now I am going to finish up the hotel reservations and start reserving the boat trip and rafting. Thanks again.

Melanie

I think you'll be happy with your decision, ladynole.

Now for the food... remembering dh isn't a seafood fan...

In Cannon Beach, I'd suggest the Lumberyard, Bill's Tavern, and my favorite restaurant in town, Gower St. Bistro. Each of these should have things on the menu to make everyone happy, though Gower St. is a little fancier. Still casual though. Every place in Oregon is casual, and more so along the coast.

If you're driving Three Capes near lunch time, Roseanna's in Oceanside would be a good choice. Quintessential Oregon coast cafe/diner, uneven floor and all. And the view.... wow! As you head down the coast from there, stop at the Otis Cafe, about six miles north of Lincoln City, even if it's not at mealtime. Pick up a marionberry pie. Trust me on this one! ;-)

Except for the cafe/diner at the bottom of the hill going into the marina at Brookings (great breakfasts), nothing else specific comes to mind (unless you like seafood). But, in absence of recommendations, you should trust your instincts. My experience is that places are usually pretty much what they appear.

Where else do you need restaurant recs? A friend of my claims the steak he had at this place - http://www.prospecthotel.com/ - was one of the best he's ever had.

BB since we're talking food here, :)any recommendations for lunch and dinner in the following:

Tillamook or that general area (lunch). On drive from Portland.

Newport (lunch).

Yachats (TWO dinners).

Brookings through Port Orford area (dinner).

Bandon (one lunch, TWO dinners).

Eugene area (lunch).

Columbia River gorge area (lunch).

East Portland area (dinner).

Doesn't have to be exactly in those towns, but close by at least, since many of these are being done as part of a longer drive.

Nothing too extravagant as the budget is already growing (yikes) :). Maybe 15 bucks average, somewhere around there. Thanks again for all the help!!! :D

In the gorge area, but the very west side, which is just east of Portland, is the Edgefield in Troutdale. It is a McMenamin property and so very unique. This is the old poor farm that the McMenamin brothers turned into a hotel, restaurant, pub, etc. Very unique to Oregon. There are a couple restaurants on site, and they are not expensive.

You know, my husband just asked me today if I had the food figured out. *grin* I think I am coming down with the flu, so not feeling to spiffy. (he had it last week) I did mention seafood to him and he said that he could eat any fish but he doesn't like anything else. I told him that it was the coast afterall and we have to eat it some. I do want to try Ken's in Portland for the pizza and of course any bakery that I come across. The problem that we had when we went to Ca. was our tummies were on east coast time and not west coast time and that was a problem. I will say that we are staying in Portland, somewhere over near the Gorge, Cannon Beach, Yachats, Gold Beach, maybe Crescent City, and I don't know yet where for Crater Lake.
BB, we did get reservations at Overleaf and I looked at the website for Tu Tu Tun and it looks wonderful. Don't know the cost of the rooms. Anyway, we like casual food, nothing fancy and appreciate any advice. You guys are great!

We drove the entire coast from Port Townsend down Washington's coast through Astoria, Cannon Beach, Tillamook to Florence. Our highlight was The Coast House, 10 miles north of Florence and near the Seal Cave's. It's a private cabin that can be rented by the day. May be okay for one teenager but not little kides.

Stop at the King Estate Winery for lunch in Eugene, fantastic food and excellent wine! ***kim*** ((f))

No one has mentioned the Bandon Bakery!! Driving south on 101, just go under the arch at the entrance to Old Bandon and go straight ahead....the bakery is on your left about a block down (across from the Radio Shack). We ALWAYS stop at the bakery when driving south to the Bay area...except in January, when they take a well-deserved month off.

Bandon Bakery?! Just added it out OUR Bandon information! (I won't hijack this thread, promise!)

Sharie