My husband and I recently came back from our first trip without kids in 25 years and it was great! Thanks to everyone who helped with info/advice on Oregon.

We arrived in Portland on a Friday afternoon and checked into the Hotel Monaco. Headed out to the Japanese Gardens using public transportation, which is a little tough after labor day on a weekday, but we enjoyed the gardens. It was overcast so we were unable to see Mt Hood from there as we had hoped, but we figured we'd see it close up in a few days anyway.

That night we had trouble getting seats at the restaurants we wanted without reservations, so we ended up at Palomino in the Pearl. It was pretty good, I guess it's a chain although we don't have them in Chicago. We stopped at Rogue Ale for a beer before dinner and enjoyed the people watching (and the beer).

On Saturday, we checked out of the hotel and headed for the Gorge. Stopped at Multnomah Falls and it was so packed we left after a quick gander at the falls. Didn't even attempt to eat in the lodge or go in. Instead we took a hike to Wahclella Falls, which were unbelievably gorgeous. We had never seen such a nice waterfall before, and there were hardly any other people there. We also hiked a bit on another trail, but it was getting late so we headed to our car and drove to Hood River.

Stayed at the Best Western Hood River Inn which was fine and had nice views right on the river. Had dinner at Celilo, which was recommended by someone here, and it was one of the best meals we had all week. We liked the town of Hood River alot and walked around a bit on Sunday before heading to Mt. Hood.

Driving to Mt. Hood, we were excited to glimpse it from the road, but it proved to be our only view of the mountain the entire trip. It started raining and the mountain was enveloped in the clouds. We drove to Timberline Lodge and looked around there. It was an interesting old bldg with great woodwork, but much smaller than we had expected. I thought the lobby would be much grander like some other lodges I've seen at state parks. The dining room looked nice, but we weren't hungry so we went on a hike in the rain to mirror lake. It was a nice hike but of course you could not see more than about 5 feet from shore and the mountain was completely invisible. I've seen pictures where it is reflected in the lake and it must be breathtaking. We headed back to Portland that evening (Sunday) and checked back into the Monaco. Once again had problems finding a table at a restaurant (two hour wait at Andina and the Vietnamese place, Silk, was closed). We ended up at Southport Seafood Grill, which we didn't like much.

On Monday, we drove to the coast and stayed at the Stephanie Inn in Cannon Beach. We were there two nights and it was fantastic. Not sure I would have splurged on the room (we had a gift certificate from my husband's company), but we did really enjoy the deck right on the ocean and had great weather there. Meant to check out the place next door for future reference but never did (Cannon Beach Lodge). We ate our first night at Bistro which was excellent and the second night walked to the Wayfarer which was very good but with an old-school atmosphere. We enjoyed being able to walk back to the Inn on the dark beach with the stars and waves crashing. Being from Chicago, we don't get to see mountains, many waterfalls, the ocean, or even stars so we were really digging all of it.

After our two nights at the Stephanie, we drove to Yachats to the Overleaf Lodge. We loved this place!! We had a room so close to the pounding waves with a double whirlpool. We also liked Yachats better than Cannon Beach, which felt a little cookie cutter. Also like Manzanita just south of Cannon Beach but only stopped there long enough to pick up yummy sandwiches at Bread and Ocean.

The drive down the coast between Cannon and Yachats was much longer than we expected and only scenic at the beginning by the three capes. Unfortunately, it rained all day so we didn't really enjoy the scenic parts and I was wishing I had my down jacket it was so raw and windy (ate my sandwich in the car). Lincoln City was not pleasant to drive through so we went inland for our return to Portland. (Took a road called 34 which was really beautiful and we had it all to ourselves midday Friday.)

In Yachats, we ate at Drift Inn the first night which is sort of a tavern but the food was very good and they had a good band. The second night we ate at the River House which was excellent although more upscale and pricey. Both Stephanie Inn and Overleaf had breakfast included and the food was wonderful at both (Overleaf was every bit as nice as the Stephanie for half the price. Not as fancy, but very nice.)

Friday night was our last night and we drove back to Portland to --where else-- the Monaco. They had upgraded us to a suite which was nice. We liked the Monaco and thought it was a good location. For our last night, I did try to get reservations a day in advance for Higgins and Paley's but couldn't get into either so we ended up at Typhoon which was very tasty (crab Pad Thai). Before our flight home on Saturday afternoon, we spent a couple hours at the Saturday market and bought some nice souvenirs for our kids. The market was fun and also good people watching.

While in Cannon, we hiked in Ecola State Park--fantastic. While in Yachats, hiked a bit near Cape Perpetua and also went to Heceta Point Lighthouse, also fantastic.

Overall, we loved what we saw of Oregon and also thought the natives were really nice. We had good weather except the day we tried to see Mt. Hood. Those of you who live in the Pacific Northwest are really lucky!! We've never been out that way during the rainy season, but it sure is beautiful.

Want to clarify that we thought the beach itself at Cannon was lovely--it was just the town that didn't rock our boat.

Thanks for your trip report buckminster. We just got back from a weekend in Oregon at the Gorge and I couldn't agree more with you about Celilo in Hood River--what a wonderful restaurant--a gem that I too found thanks to Fodors!

buckminster- thanks for the trip report. I love Portland and that area of Oregon. It is so... fresh!

Thanks for posting your trip report--I enjoyed reading it.

Glad you enjoyed your time here. Yes, the weekends in the gorge are not ideal as there are so many people, but the beauty draws them in Timberline is representative of the PNW as a whole in that it is understated, yet grand at the same time.