Thanks beachbum. I'd assume the route 101 down coast from CB to 22 to 18 to McMinnville would be prettier (but longer). I think we'll go ahead and stay the night in the wine country area. So, assuming we now have the day, which route is would you choose? (btw, this is looking to be Saturday, Sept 9) The inland route from CB would take me through some wine areas on the way to McMinnville - yes?

And friends, I've got to get a better map. This free AAA job doesn't have any of your great little back roads delineated on it. Get what you pay for, I guess. (Wait....I pay for that membership!)

I have a ocean view - 3rd floor reservation at the SurfSand now! Wowsa. Gotta save up my milk money between now and then...

Oh, and Edgefield booked on that first night - (I'm now looking at arriving Sept 5. Some no-name singer "Bonnie Raitt" playing that night... ; )

Great! SurfSand is very nice! you can sort of fall out of the room onto the beach ( but don't do it from the 3rd floor ) lol...
We had lunch at the Oregon Hotel and looked around, it is very old fashioned, some people were leaving, a big family, old and young and they were all very happy, complimenting someone from the hotel :)
Lucky you! Bonnie Rait!

You are going to love both the Surfsand and Edgefield! Beachbums directions are the fastest, but yes, if you head towards Salem and then up it is pretty. One winery to stop at if you take the 22 route is Amity, just north of Salem.

Oh, I think I wrote that wrong. The Edgefield is "booked-up" so we don't have a reservation. I'm okay with this, overall. Not a big BR fan, and I can get farther down the road on the first night.

Now I'm thinking one night at a Gorge property and 1 night at a lodge near Mt. Hood.

If you've got the day, you'd enjoy the route down the coast to hwys 22 and 18 best (even though there are wineries towards the end of the inland route ;-)). On the trip down 101, maybe stop at Oswald West State Park and take the short hike into Short Sands Beach. It's pretty cool.

Many also recommend a stop at Tillamook Cheese Factory, but I say only if you like cheese or ice cream. Blue Heron, almost next door, would be better. They've got wine there too!

And Three Capes Loop starts just outside of Tillamook. Some great scenery along this route, and since you've got the time..... It dumps you back into 101 about where you'd get onto 22, I think.

One other thought; if your husband is into aviation, there an old blimp hangar or two in Tillmook he might get a kick out of touring.

You've all been so giving with your time and advice. Thanks.

Who doesn't like cheese and ice cream? Milkfat rules! ; ) But seriously, I had read in a guidebook that the Blue Heron is maybe more adult-friendly.

Quick OR wine country questions....do most smaller places seem to expect you to buy a bottle after tasting? I felt kinda "nicely pressured" at the smaller Cascade WA wineries to purchase after a free tasting was poured. After a few bottles, I had to call it quits, because I didn't want to ship home. Do most OR places charge a nominal fee to taste?

Many of the wineries do remove the guilt of not buying by charging a tasting fee, usually $5, sometimes $10. Then they credit that back if you do buy. But there are those that still allow you to taste for "free". But as you say, those are sorta like sitting through a time-share pitch in exchange for a reduced rate vacation package. No pressure... right!!

Sformby- Most of the small OR/WA wineries let you taste for free. Of course they "expect" you to buy- that's how they make a profit! The trick is (from observation of my mother) either refuse to feel guilty, or buy the cheapest bottle offered and drink it w/ whoever you're travelling with. It's like the time share thing- or trying on a bunch of clothes or makeup, especially at a small boutique. Guilt works, and they know it! Best choice- don't feel pressured, DO be considerate and cut off after your first few tastes, ESPECIALLY if you KNOW you won't be buying anything.

Enjoy!

Okay, things are coming together for the trip. I'm still stumped on where to stay for two nights near the Gorge - could be WA side or OR side. Or one night at the Gorge and one night near Mt. Hood. Any suggestions really appreciated.

How about the Best Western?
http://bestwestern.worldexecutive.co...els/38130.html

I 'had' to stay at the Columbia Gorge Hotel, but frankly we thought it was over-priced for what it was. Glad to hear you're not missing the Evergreen Aviation Museum. Also, there is an outlet mall in Troutdale that I enjoyed.

Havent stayed here but looks great
check it out

http://www.innofthewhitesalmon.com/

Here is another place in the Gorge I have not stayed but have heard great reports about-
http://www.bonnevilleresort.com/lodging.htm

Thanks for the suggestions. Was the train noise a problem at the Best Western Cascade Locks. Several people on tripadvisor complained that the train runs right under the rooms.

If you're going through Tillamook, I would recommend stopping at the cheese factory. Especially if it's around lunch time. They have great food and it's fun to see how the cheese is made. The ice cream is also very very good. I loved seeing the Spruce Goose. I have been there 2 times already. It is very interesting. Good choices for sights.

I don't know about the train noise at the Best Western since we didn't stay there... and actually, train noise would be a positive for me.

Staying in the gorge, I'd pick the Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, WA.

By the way, Washington Hwy 14 along the Columbia River is much more scenic than I-84 in OR (although both are quite scenic). I'd opt to take Wash. 14 eastbound, and I-84 on the way back for the most scenic drive.

Thanks to everyone who has weighed with great advice! I'm back to planning this trip after a short break. The problem is, the more trip reports I read, the more places I want to see! I'm now pushing it to the end of September, rather than the day after labor day. I'm really wanting to see mountain scenery. I was wondering if it is desirable to work in some time in central Oregon, and if so, should my coast stay be further south (rather than Cannon Beach)

Old idea:
Night 1 - Gorge - Edgefield or Cascade Locks
Night 2 - near Mt. Hood
Night 3, 4 - Cannon Beach
Night 5 - McMinnville
Night 6,7,8 - Portland with day trip to Mt. St. Helens

My new idea:
Night 1 - Gorge - Hood River
Night 2 - Bend or Sisters?
Nights 3,4 - Newport or Yachats or Florence (need route to coast from Bend)
Night 5 - McMinnville
Night 6,7,8 - Portland with day trip to Mt. St. Helens

Opinions?

Hm....I'd say "no" on Central OR, but I live so close by that it's not really a "destination" to me. Portland and the coast (esp. the coast) are the real draws of OR.

Newport/yachats/florence are all great, I love Haystack Rock (CB) though and when I was growing up I spent summers at CB, so I'm nostalgic about the area. So, I can't give unbiased advice, really.

First plan is prettier with less driving time, I think...but if you have an urge to see central OR, go for it! (And you'll be able to see more rather than drive through more with the first plan, but if you'd rather drive through than the second is better)

Have a great time!

Hmm. Throw in an extra night and you could see Crater Lake, which is certainly one of the scenic highlights of the Pacific Northwest! :-)

I would probably take an extra night on the coast instead of spending a night in McMinnville, which I like but probably isn't the elegant small town experience tourists would love. McMinnville is only 90 minutes from Newport, an easy stop on the way back to Portland, so if you spent your 2nd coast night in Newport, it's easy to spend much of your day in wine country near McMinnville before finally hitting Portland (unless you are planning to drink a loooooot of wine!).

Just one final note: September is usually one of Oregon's best weather months, but by coming at the end of the month you are flirting with the beginning of the rainy season. It could rain pretty much whenever you are here (who can really predict the weather???), but I think your chances of rain increase the later in the month you go.

Andrew

Sisters, OR is indeed very beautiful, but sadly they are surrounded by severe forest fires at this moment in time! Several subdivisions have been evacuated. Progress is being made towards getting under control, but
renewl from these events is years.
cannon beach is worth 2 nights. B-4
you rule out Stephanie inn inquire about their "Get acquainted special"
which used to be a nice discount. With the nightly complementary wine & cheese
time, exceptional wines not the cheap stuff and an incredible brunch, atmosphere and location, location location they are worth the splurge in my book. Would respectfully disagree with I-14 in Wash vs old Scenic hwy
in Oregon which is simply incredible.
Old hiway in oregon wins hands down. leave I-84 at Bridel Veil, for a magical journey beside numerous Falls
and view points. Stop at Multnomah Falls (old hiway goes right beside lodge vs a hike from I-84 parking lot)for appropriate meal in The Falls room, or even just an Iced tea
or other refreshment on the patio looking up st falls!
I've stayed at both Skamania & Timberline, both are great, but would give edge to Timberline along with doing the full Old hiway and Mt Hood loop! Sept fabulous in Oregon, have a lovely time! Regards, L.O.
Edgefield looks great and hear nothing but good things so you are on right trail!