We're both having kid-free weekends, MMS! Enjoy your mountain climbing! Grandparents are staying with two of our youngest while my oldest son and his fiance are off to Pismo beach for a couple of nights, one is off to Tahoe and the other two are out of town!

Will we know what to do with ourselves? LOL Have a great time! ***kim***

I would add a specific reccommendation to Gardyloo's itinerary - spend the night at Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood, just east of Portland. It's something you will never forget. Classic WPA lodge, on a par with, and better than some of the famous National Park Lodges. Soaring atrium (what is it, 3-4 stories tall?), with a central fireplace, balconies around it, all hand-made wood furniture. Excellent dining room - again, Excellent food. It'll be the highlight of your trip.

If you want a couple of offbeat places, try the Vancouver Farmers Market on Saturdays (the largest number of vendors) at Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver which is the second exit accross the I-5 bridge in Vancouver, follow the signs. The park always has events and the market has produce, flowers, arts and crafts and hot food.
Second, if you are here during the "season" go to the Lelooska living history show in Ariel (east of Woodland, WA 21 miles north of Vancouver on I-5). The family carves wonderful masks to tell NW native american stories. Bring a coat and a blanket, even in the spring or early fall as the only heat and light is a fire in the middle of the longhouse. Not a fancy place, but memorable.

And if you visit Esther Short Park in Vancouver, be sure to check out Officer's Row in Fort Vancouver nearby (a fairly easy walk from downtown). It's a nice walk among all the old officer's houses, etc.

Andrew