We are planning to see the Oregon coast & then stay 2 nights in the Col. Riv. Gorge area in July. We are looking for a home base for 2 nights there. We don't need anything fancy ( hoping for $125 or less) We plan to take some scenic drives & short hikes to take in the sights & falls. I would like to stay in a scenic area with some casual restaurants. We will be coming from the Portland side of the gorge & after our 2 nights head north twd. Randle/Mt. St. Helens/Rainier from either White Salmon or Carson(which ever makes more sense, just in case anyone has any suggestions on that too). Thanks for any suggestions on a place to stay!!!

Have a look at McMenamin's Edgefield in Troutdale (at the western entrance to the Gorge proper.) It's a remarkable place, full of restaurants, pubs, a distillery, brewery, winery, a little golf course, movie theater, and fabulous funky decor, and quite affordable too. http://www.mcmenamins.com/54-edgefield-home

Otherwise Hood River is probably the best located area, with a decent range of accommodations.

Just a suggestion - but we love Timberline Lodge up on Mt. Hood - a classic resort built by craftsmen during the Depression. They have a gret pool from where you can look up at the glacier and see the Junior ski teams training in the summer.

It's about 45? minutes from the Gorge, and a beautiful drive both ways. http://timberlinelodge8-px.trvlclick.com/visit/

Our daughter & son-in-law were married at McMenamin's Edgefield and it is a very nice place. However, at the time (it may have changed) they did not have air-conditioning and in July it can (and did) get very hot in Portland and surrounding areas. Our stay in the evening was very uncomfortable. I would discuss it with them first.

Thanks, will check these places out.

If you are a Twilight fan you might want to stay at the View Point Inn. http://www.theviewpointinn.com/lodging/rooms.html
Corbett is on the old US Rt. 30. Following the old Rt. 30 will take you past a lot more waterfalls besides Multnomah Falls.
There is a good paved Forest Service road all the way from Carson to Randle Washington. This road has Windy Ridge Viewpoint road to go see the eastern side of Mt. St. Helens. Go east on US 12 from Randle to Packwood. There are several choices for lodging in Packwood.

The Forest Service road (FR 25) from Carson to Randle will be closed by a bridge project until at least July 2, 2012.
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mounts...TELPRDB5350906
The best way to Packwood is probably North on US 97 and then West on US 12.

THANKS for the heads up on the bridge project, will check before we travel

The View Point Inn was destroyed by a fire last year. The owners did not have insurance, so are trying other ways to raise money to rebuilt. So it looks like it will be a while til that is an option again.

If you like gardens, stop by to stroll the beautiful gardens of the Columbia Gorge Hotel. The hotel itself is expensive but its free to come see the flowers.

The Best Western in Hood River is the only hotel with rooms that have balconies right on the river, and that's where we like to stay.

HTTY