Oregon, fun and friendly!
Sep 2nd, 2012, 03:16 PM
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Oregon, fun and friendly!
We planned a last minute trip to Portland to escape the August heat of Atlanta. I received some good tips from friendly Fodorites and our trip was perfect, as was the weather.
Portland: We stayed three nights at the Hotel 50, well located with a view of the river and park. We liked this little city very much and loved the downtown trolley and the MAX. We did a lot of walking and if we pulled out a map someone would stop and ask if we needed help.
We took the MAX red line to the airport where we picked up our rental car, then off we went west on Hwy 26 to Cannon Beach. It wasn't too crowded on a Thursday and the passing lanes were appreciated.
Cannon Beach: We stayed two nights at the Inn at Cannon Beach, which I think was my favorite hotel of the trip. They had a nice free breakfast and warm cookies in the office. We walked the beach, went to Ecola State Park, had dinner at the Stephanie Inn. We didn't spend any time in the town as it seemed crowded.
Florence: We stayed two nights at the River House Inn. We had a river view room and it had the feel of a fish camp but was very comfortable. We liked Florence, a throwback to the seventies. I had made reservations for 9PM at the Waterfront Depot before leaving home but it was so busy that we didn't get seated until after 9:30. We had the special, crab encrusted halibut which was good but not terrific and probably not worth the wait. The following night we ate at the Resto Bar across the street and liked it better. We enjoyed live music at Traveler's Cove both evenings. The dance floor stayed full.
Crater Lake: I wasn't able to get into the Lodge at short notice but was able to book the Cabins at Mazama with hopes for a cancellation at the Lodge. We called several times and were finally told to wait until the day before we were to arrive or the day of arrival. We were able to get accommodations at the Lodge the day before but were told we would not be able to get out of our Mazama booking , which meant a $400 room at Crater Lake Lodge so we passed on it. After a long, arduous drive with a lot of road construction, by the time we reached the Lodge we decided we would pay whatever. We asked if there was availability...no. We had a glass of wine, asked again...no. About fifteen minutes later we asked again...no. I have skipped through life with things always going my way so I couldn't believe we couldn't get a room in the lodge. As we were going out the door we were called back....availability! Besides, she said we would get a refund on our Mazama booking. As we had dinner reservations at the Lodge dining room that evening we were happy to not have to drive anywhere. (Dinner and breakfast the next morning were good, BTW)
We had a loft room overlooking the lake. It was very basic and the least favorite-and most expensive- hotel of our trip. We stayed just one night. The following morning we took the trolley trip around the lake then took off for our next adventure.
Portland: We stayed three nights at the Hotel 50, well located with a view of the river and park. We liked this little city very much and loved the downtown trolley and the MAX. We did a lot of walking and if we pulled out a map someone would stop and ask if we needed help.
We took the MAX red line to the airport where we picked up our rental car, then off we went west on Hwy 26 to Cannon Beach. It wasn't too crowded on a Thursday and the passing lanes were appreciated.
Cannon Beach: We stayed two nights at the Inn at Cannon Beach, which I think was my favorite hotel of the trip. They had a nice free breakfast and warm cookies in the office. We walked the beach, went to Ecola State Park, had dinner at the Stephanie Inn. We didn't spend any time in the town as it seemed crowded.
Florence: We stayed two nights at the River House Inn. We had a river view room and it had the feel of a fish camp but was very comfortable. We liked Florence, a throwback to the seventies. I had made reservations for 9PM at the Waterfront Depot before leaving home but it was so busy that we didn't get seated until after 9:30. We had the special, crab encrusted halibut which was good but not terrific and probably not worth the wait. The following night we ate at the Resto Bar across the street and liked it better. We enjoyed live music at Traveler's Cove both evenings. The dance floor stayed full.
Crater Lake: I wasn't able to get into the Lodge at short notice but was able to book the Cabins at Mazama with hopes for a cancellation at the Lodge. We called several times and were finally told to wait until the day before we were to arrive or the day of arrival. We were able to get accommodations at the Lodge the day before but were told we would not be able to get out of our Mazama booking , which meant a $400 room at Crater Lake Lodge so we passed on it. After a long, arduous drive with a lot of road construction, by the time we reached the Lodge we decided we would pay whatever. We asked if there was availability...no. We had a glass of wine, asked again...no. About fifteen minutes later we asked again...no. I have skipped through life with things always going my way so I couldn't believe we couldn't get a room in the lodge. As we were going out the door we were called back....availability! Besides, she said we would get a refund on our Mazama booking. As we had dinner reservations at the Lodge dining room that evening we were happy to not have to drive anywhere. (Dinner and breakfast the next morning were good, BTW)
We had a loft room overlooking the lake. It was very basic and the least favorite-and most expensive- hotel of our trip. We stayed just one night. The following morning we took the trolley trip around the lake then took off for our next adventure.
Sep 3rd, 2012, 07:38 AM
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Thanks! And now the rest of the story...
Bend: This was about half way between Crater Lake and Timberline so we overnighted there. We stayed in the fun and funky Old St. Francis School. We arrived late afternoon, had a drink at the bar behind the garage then later had dinner (and breakfast the next morning) at the pub/restaurant in the front. We never left the campus! Thanks to the ones who recommended this place; we loved it!
Timberline: It was an easy, pretty drive from Bend to Timberline through the high desert. We had reservations for two nights at Timberline Lodge. It is very pretty and we liked it better than Crater Lake Lodge; our room was much prettier and more comfortable.
Even though it is off season there is enough snow on Mt. Hood for a lot of snowboarders and a few skiers. There were several hikers in the Lodge who had taken a break from the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. The sign outside the Lodge said Canada 550 Mexico 2108. That's a lot of walking!
We ate dinner in the dining room the first night with no reservations. The second night we did have reservations but canceled them as there was not a lot on the menu that we would want. We ate at the Ramshead Bar. It has soups, salads, sandwiches, etc. We did have the buffet breakfast both mornings.
Troutdale: We took Hwy 35 around Mt. Hood (beautiful scenery!) to I-84 and then west along the Columbia River Gorge, another pretty drive. We stopped at Multnomah Falls but it was packed and hubby wasn't willing to wait for a parking spot so we went on.
We didn't want to stay at the airport our last night but wanted to be near so we stayed in Troudale. My first idea was to stay at Edgefield but there were only rooms with bathrooms down the hall. We stayed at the Comfort Inn which was fine. We did go to Edgefield to look around. We stopped in at the Black Rabbit bar.
Troutdale is such a sweet little town. We had dinner at Ristorante di Pompello, which was one of our best and cheapest meals of our trip. We went back to Edgefield in the evening but evidently there was a free concert as all the parking lots were full.
Other stuff: It took about fifteen minutes to get from the Comfort Inn to the Enterprise drop-off, easy peasy. PDX is a pretty little airport.
We loved our trip and were happy with all of our lodgings. Driving was easy although at times we found the signage to be lacking.
The people we met, those in the service industry and others that we met were very friendly and helpful.
What we saw of the state was beautiful...the coastline, Crater Lake, high desert, Mt. Hood, Columbia River Gorge and the drives in-between.
Thanks, Oregonians. You have a right to be proud of your state.
Bend: This was about half way between Crater Lake and Timberline so we overnighted there. We stayed in the fun and funky Old St. Francis School. We arrived late afternoon, had a drink at the bar behind the garage then later had dinner (and breakfast the next morning) at the pub/restaurant in the front. We never left the campus! Thanks to the ones who recommended this place; we loved it!
Timberline: It was an easy, pretty drive from Bend to Timberline through the high desert. We had reservations for two nights at Timberline Lodge. It is very pretty and we liked it better than Crater Lake Lodge; our room was much prettier and more comfortable.
Even though it is off season there is enough snow on Mt. Hood for a lot of snowboarders and a few skiers. There were several hikers in the Lodge who had taken a break from the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. The sign outside the Lodge said Canada 550 Mexico 2108. That's a lot of walking!
We ate dinner in the dining room the first night with no reservations. The second night we did have reservations but canceled them as there was not a lot on the menu that we would want. We ate at the Ramshead Bar. It has soups, salads, sandwiches, etc. We did have the buffet breakfast both mornings.
Troutdale: We took Hwy 35 around Mt. Hood (beautiful scenery!) to I-84 and then west along the Columbia River Gorge, another pretty drive. We stopped at Multnomah Falls but it was packed and hubby wasn't willing to wait for a parking spot so we went on.
We didn't want to stay at the airport our last night but wanted to be near so we stayed in Troudale. My first idea was to stay at Edgefield but there were only rooms with bathrooms down the hall. We stayed at the Comfort Inn which was fine. We did go to Edgefield to look around. We stopped in at the Black Rabbit bar.
Troutdale is such a sweet little town. We had dinner at Ristorante di Pompello, which was one of our best and cheapest meals of our trip. We went back to Edgefield in the evening but evidently there was a free concert as all the parking lots were full.
Other stuff: It took about fifteen minutes to get from the Comfort Inn to the Enterprise drop-off, easy peasy. PDX is a pretty little airport.
We loved our trip and were happy with all of our lodgings. Driving was easy although at times we found the signage to be lacking.
The people we met, those in the service industry and others that we met were very friendly and helpful.
What we saw of the state was beautiful...the coastline, Crater Lake, high desert, Mt. Hood, Columbia River Gorge and the drives in-between.
Thanks, Oregonians. You have a right to be proud of your state.
Sep 3rd, 2012, 07:52 AM
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Glad you enjoyed our state- I am a transplant and after 20 years I am still impressed by the beauty of Oregon. Every weekend can be a new adventure if you choose it to be.
When and if you come back you should check out the area around Joseph and the John Day Fossil beds- more like cowboy country but very beautiful too
When and if you come back you should check out the area around Joseph and the John Day Fossil beds- more like cowboy country but very beautiful too
Sep 3rd, 2012, 10:35 AM
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Sounds like a wonderful trip. I am a huge fan of the McMenamin properties and we have stayed at most of them. In the future, don't let the shared baths deter you. We have never had to wait for one, and they have always been sparkling clean. It is a joke in our house that they must keep an eye on the doors and have a cleaning person at the ready for when someone leaves
Timberline is great all year long. There is a trail that goes all the way around the mountain, and this is a great time of year to do it, so yes, lots of hikers right now
Like Sunbum, we are constantly amazed at the beauty we have all around us, and I was born and raised here.
Timberline is great all year long. There is a trail that goes all the way around the mountain, and this is a great time of year to do it, so yes, lots of hikers right now
Like Sunbum, we are constantly amazed at the beauty we have all around us, and I was born and raised here.
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Judi
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Aug 7th, 2012 01:54 PM
