Thinking about flying into Portland this summer...doing a few waterfall loops, Tillamook, etc...mostly staying on western side of state... Pendleton is quite a ways--but thinking about touring the wool factory..and seconds store....I see the drive is along the river, but will just be touring for 4-5 days...is it worth it?

Am also wondering if underground town tour in Pendleton is interesting or a ripoff.....?

You don't need to go all the way to Pendleton to see them make the blankets. In (Sorry if I mis-spell here) Washoogal Washington, just across the river from Oregon, they manufacture blankets, have a really good factory tour, and have a large shop as well. There's also a Pendleton shirt factory with tours south of Portland. Once you get to Oregon I'm sure you can find specific information as to the locations of these factories. The blanket tour was really good if this is your interest.

Thank you, Ann. I am always interested in touring factories and plants, but I was really not interested in driving all the way to Pendleton as most of my other activities will be in western and central Oregon. I will look up the place in Washington.

Close with the spelling...it's Washougal (we lived there for a year). The easiest way to get there from Portland is take I-205 north, then get off at Highway 14 eastbound. It's about 15 minutes from the exit. The Pendleton store will be on the left hand side. Be sure to hold your nose when you go through Camas--the mill there really stinks!!
I had heard that the Pendleton store in Washougal was closing--ask your hotel to check for you.
While you're on that side of the Columbia, take a swing through Officer's Row in Vancouver. Very pretty park and an interesting (and important) part of NW history.
P.S. the portion of I-84 that goes from downtown Portland up to where it meets with I-205 is called the Banfield. Very confusing for visitors when listening to traffic reports on the radio--you keep wondering where the heck that Banfield is and why don't they give the traffic report on I-84!!??!!
Have a great time in Portland. Even though we live in Europe (Brussels) now, we still miss Portland in the summer...
BTilke

Thank you, B. I hope it doesn't close before I get to 'browse'. And thanks for 'The Banfield' info....I get lost enough as it is....