Pacific Northwwest road trip itinerary

Old Dec 30th, 2011, 08:58 AM
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Pacific Northwwest road trip itinerary

Hi there!
We are planning to take a 7-8 day road trip in a motorhome with our three kids through the pacific northwest (focusing on Oregon) starting in san Francisco. We don't want to overdo it so a simple itinerary is great with us. we are interested in kid-friendly, nature based stops with maybe a stop or two in a city.... We know we want to stay in bend for a day or two. Any ideas or help you could offer would be fabulous. We're just looking for a fun itinerary that keeps the kids happy.
Thanks!
Annika
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Old Dec 30th, 2011, 09:12 AM
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What Month?

I would start out with a drive thru the Redwoods. We really enjoyed Lassen Volcano, but you could easily spend 4 or 5 days there. It is sortof a mini Yellowstone.

Oregon Caves is a good stop. Oregon Coast is really nice. Might consider renting a dune buggy or doing a tour at the Oregon Sand Dunes. Crater Lake is a "must see", ride the boat out to Wizard Island. Let you kids jump in the icy water. They won't last more than 30 seconds, but where else can you swim in water that blue and that clean. Columbia River Gorge has some great hikes and great waterfalls. See, Mt. Hood, Mt St. Helens. In Portland, don't miss The Rose Garden, Powells Bookstore, and Stumptown Roastser coffee.
There are a couple of spots in Oregon that do Jet boat tours that is pretty cool.

With that short of amount of time, I don't think you will even make it to Washington and you won't have time to do everything in Oregon. We spent 2 weeks last summer in Oregon. Probably the best trip we have ever done.

If your kids are adventurous try
http://www.cascade-canyoning.com/ fantasic! We have been with them twice.

Lassen and Crater lake should be done later in the summer. Early on, there is very good chance things will still be snowed in and closed.
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Old Dec 30th, 2011, 09:13 AM
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If you have never been to Sequoia National Park and Yosemite. Just spend the entire time there.
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Old Dec 30th, 2011, 09:28 AM
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Is this your motorhome - or are you renting? A week in a motorhome from SF to Washington state (presumably ending in Seattle??) Is awfully rushed. If you are going up Hwy 1 and then 101 and over to Bend - those are slow roads in a big vehicle.

If you are renting -- it will be very expensive because of the drop off fees. If it is your own vehicle -then you have to makey our way back to SF and you REALLY don't have time for that.

Give us more details like time of year, your motorhome or a rental, etc.
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Old Dec 30th, 2011, 10:52 AM
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Skip Washington. Drive up and go to the Oregon Cave National Monument (stay the night) and Crater Lake, then head to Bend. The Oregon Caves are great. The lava tube near Bend is fun - Lava River Cave. Bring your warm cloths and a lamp (stronger than a flashlight). Also, Lava Butte is great: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lava_Butte
The High Desert Museum is great with kids -they will learn about the landscape.
You can go bicycling at Sunriver. Also, you can go rafting on the DesChutes River for an adventure with the kids. Then go across to the coast for a couple of days, then down through the Redwood forests and you've had a great and full vacation.
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Old Dec 30th, 2011, 02:46 PM
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Yay! Fabulous information! Thank you!
We aren't tied down to any date yet - Thinking either Spring or Summer. We are renting a motorhome and are fine with cutting out Washington (were thinking we might not have time for that anyway!) We're from California and have seen everything here for the most part but have never really done anything in the upper states - so from your advice it seems it will be best to focus on all the fun things to do in Oregon! What fun! We're getting really excited thanks to you guys! I really really appreciate your help!
Thank you again!
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Old Dec 30th, 2011, 03:05 PM
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I think I would wait until late July, if you are even considering Lassen or Crater Lake. You should reserve your camping spots as soon as they come available(usually 6 months out). Renting the rv will likely be more expensive, but is something that we have flirted with doing a couple of times as well. At least have a meal in the lodges at Oregon Cave, Timberline Lodge @ Mt. Hood, and Crater Lake.

If you change your mind about the RV, there is a cool looking place not far from Oregon Caves that might interest your kids- http://www.treehouses.com/treehouse/treesort/home.html
I haven't been there.
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Old Dec 31st, 2011, 05:08 AM
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Weather in the Pacific NW is cool and rainy in spring and early summer. Wait until June at the earliest.
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Old Dec 31st, 2011, 07:43 AM
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Plan to travel in Pacific NW from mid-June through July. If lucky, you will have the best weather during those days, otherwise many areas have constant drizzle or some places may even have flurries.
Should be a fun trip for the kids.
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Old Dec 31st, 2011, 08:19 AM
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How old are your kids?

Many that live here joke that summer in western Oregon doesn't begin until July 5; as with most jokes, there's some truth to it.

If Bend is a must, you'll have little if any time for the coast, which is easily Oregon's biggest tourism draw. I'd think it would also appeal more to your kids, depending on their interests. That said, there is a lot of fun, outdoorsy stuff around Bend.

Think twice about Crater Lake if you're not comfortable driving a motorhome. The rim road is nerve-racking enough for some in a car.
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Old Dec 31st, 2011, 06:43 PM
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I didn't find the rim road nerve-racking at all.
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Old Jan 1st, 2012, 08:20 AM
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You may be steel-nerved, spiro, but many of us don't handle narrow, winding roads with long steep drop-offs well. Especially in an over-sized vehicle.

Besides that, I'm curious; what about a visit to Crater Lake do you think fits into "a fun itinerary that keeps the kids happy?"
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Old Jan 1st, 2012, 08:52 AM
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Frommers(sorry fodors) has a Top 100 things to do with your kids book. Going around Crater Lake Rim is included on that list.

We spent two days there with my then 14 year old.
Upon arrival we drove the entire Rim Drive. Had desert/hot chocolate on the deck of the lodge. Later that afternoon we hiked to up a steep slope(awesome views-I don't remember the name of the trail). We also hiked a short wildflower trail. Finished up with dinner at the lodge. 2nd day hiked Cleetwood trail and took the boat over to Wizard Island. We hiked to the top of Wizard and then down into the cone which had a lot of snow still in it. Had a picnic there. Took a swim in the lake itself(ice cold- I lasted maybe 20 seconds in it-awesome). Spent about 4 hours on WI. The boat ride offers great views of "the old man", Phantom Ship, and a couple of waterfalls. The next morning we visited the Mazama area of the park and then headed on to the coast. I think we did a short hike there too.

Crater Lake ranks right up there with The Grand Canyon for wow factor or shock and awe upon your first view of it.

My wife even drove part of the way around the rim drive, so I could fully appreciate it. She would have never done that if she felt worried much.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-or-august.cfm
Here is a previous thread where other posters said the drive wasn't that scary as well. The speed limit is 45 mph, so it can't be that bad.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...0IatW7FqybsWNu
A link to our photos from Oregon-Crater Lake starts on photo #97.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...0IatW7FqybsWN_
This is nerves of steel in Oregon. rappelling off a 175 ft. waterfalls and several 50 footers.

The only negative thing I remember about CL was the mosquitos
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Old Jan 1st, 2012, 09:05 AM
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Having grown up in Southern Oregon (one hour from Crater Lake) and lived in SF - suggest the following: Drive from SF to say the Redding area - and stay at Lake Shasta and maybe even rent a houseboat for a night.

From there - you can go several ways to get to the Coast - but if you drive over from Redding and on up - you could stay at Gold Beach and take the jet boat rides up the Rogue River. From there - drive up the Oregon Coast - and either take the scenic Umpqua river road over to Crater Lake - or continue up the Coast see the Oregon San Dunes and head into Florence. You could stay there the night or even - spend a night in the University town of Eugene.

If you went via Florence - when you get to Bend - you can do a day trip to Crater lake from there. Also there are two cute lakes just to the west of Bend by Newberry Crater/Caldera, which the kids might like. They have cabins right on the lakes. http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/...framework.html
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Old Jan 1st, 2012, 09:14 AM
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BTW - Crater Lake is one of the 7 great natural wonders of the world. However, if the kids aren't that thrilled - nearby Diamond Lake has campgrounds and water sports - or where we went to summer camp as boy scouts -Crescent Lake - also has fun things to do - such as canoeing, etc. see: http://www.crescentlakeresort.com/
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Old Jan 1st, 2012, 09:30 AM
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Crater Lake is absolutely visually stunning -- but not really a place that would 'wow' kids for more than an afternoon IMO. Sort of "ooh, that's pretty. Where to next?"
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Old Jan 1st, 2012, 09:37 AM
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Definitely keep it just to Oregon. Be sure to include some time on the coast.
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Old Jan 1st, 2012, 10:44 AM
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Well, If I were in Oregon and within an hour or two of it, I certainly wouldn't miss it-Whether you stay 2 days or 2 hours. What wows and oohs one person may or may not the next.
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Old Jan 1st, 2012, 01:11 PM
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What wows and oohs one person may or may not the next.

Exactly the point, both about Crater Lake, and driving the Rim Road. What didn't bother you may scare the bejeezus out of someone else. Even as the passenger, there were parts of it where my wife had to keep her eyes closed.
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Old Jan 1st, 2012, 01:19 PM
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I think there would be very few people that would scare. Of course, some people scare easily. You said MANY OF US. I think it would be far more acurate to say VERY FEW would be frightened on the rim road. IT ISN'T THAT SCARY. Of course, my opinion. However, several other peoples same opinion. as based on the link above to past questions.

I would be far more worried coming around a corner meeting a car or someone looking off at the lake and veering over in to my lane than the dropoffs. That can be said at most national parks with spectacular views. People don't pay attention. There are far far far worse drive than the Rim Drive, IMOP.
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