Just wondering if anyone could offer or share some information to me. I would like to take an adventure to oregon or washington. I will be traveling as a single woman with a mentally challenged 15 year old boy, one 17 year old daughter and two 10 year old boys. 4 of these guys are foster children but have permission to travel. So I thought that I would take them to see the mountains and the pacific ocean. Most of these kids have never been out of Wisconsin. It would be nice to do a train ride but don't know where to look for ideas on this. Once I got to oregon or washington I would like to rent a car and cabin for a month or so. I'm not sure a camper would keep out the bears. Our black bears in wisconsin are nothing compared to the bears in that region.
These guys that I have would be happy doing pretty much anything and would probably appreciate it more than most. I would appreciate your ideas Thank you

Look at Amtrak's website for train info. This is a link to the page for the Chicago to Seattle (or Portland) route: http://tinyurl.com/5w5xv

Fares can be as high or higher than flying.

I think the only place in Washington State that grizzly bears are a concern is north of Seattle in North Cascades National Park, so I wouldn't be real concerned about the black bears, just take reasonable precautions. Renting an RV or camper of some sort (assuming you're comfortable driving one) would allow you to visit a number of areas instead of restricting yourself to daytrips from a cabin.

You may want to repost with a more descriptive title, such as "Looking for cabins in Pacific Northwest" or "Ideas for train trip WI to Pacific Northwest" or "Cross-country adventure with kids". "New to adventures" is just so vague that alot of people will skip over without looking at it.

For the past 30 or so years, my nylon tent has managed to keep out the bears and I've camped in some pretty remote areas. I wouldn't worry about a camper.

I would compare the costs in time and dollars for flying, train, and driving. I suspect that if you time is valuable, flying might be the cheapest option. The ride from Wisconsin to western Montana isn't very awe inspiring after you've seen the 10th wheat field.

Everyone always disses the train. But I love to ride it. Ad the ride from Wisconsin to Portland is gorgeous. It'll be a matter of two nights on the train, leaving Wisconsin in the evening, and arriving in Portland the morning of the second day. Personally, I loved even the wide open parts of the country. I had several books with me to occupy my time, and didn't open one, because I couldn't get my eyes off of what was outside my window. The last part of the ride, from Glacier NP to Portland is particularly fabulous. I'd do the train -- particularly as you're talking about a month's stay. You can afford the time. You can get family rooms, if you want everyone enclosed, but the "community" of the train is part of what's fun. The club car is great for hanging out, and after dark they show movies.

Also, train fares shouldn't be full-fare for everyone. I think kids are quarter-fare with an adult (maybe it takes two adults).

As for Oregon - there're some agencies that handle rentals in the Mt. Hood area:

http://www.mthoodrentals.com/

http://www.anoregonexperience.com

http://www.mthood.info/lodging/mt-ho...ng-cabins.html

This one's for all over:
http://www.oregon.com/lodging/vacation_rentals.cfm

The second, in particular, mentions long-term rentals.

If you're looking at the beach - with the kids you've listed, I think the Seaside area would be great. It's more touristy, carnival style. But that gives the kids lots more to do than simply walking the beach.

This page:

http://www.vacationrentals.com/vacat...de-Oregon.html

has some rentals in Seaside. But be warned - most appear to be more in "town" than out in the woods type of cabins.

I want to thank you weasel, rm_mm and Enricol v your information will be very useful. I appreciate it and will look into your information.

I would not rent a cabin for a month rather I would rent an RV hard body vehical. The options it would open is tremendous. And it would give a home away from home group anchor point.

I would drive quickly to the Rocky mountains then take it slow in/around Glacier NP, then wander to Grand Tetons, head south then northish again catching the world class Naaional Parks. PBS had a show this week in Milwaukee "Travel America Heart of the Rockies"

Then I would head west to the coast. I would travel south to SanFranciso and west of there about 3 hours to the trees you can drive cars through. But you may want to only do half of the Rockies sights leaving half for the way home.

I think an RV with your group would be the ticket.

ps some or all could still tent it or stay at a motel if desired along the way