Consider stopping at Domaine Drouhin for wine tasting at Dayton near McMinnville- beautiful views and the best Pinot I have ever tasted .

Thanks for the tip on the wildfires. How tragic! Looks like I'm back to the first itinerary...

If you come in early enough, you can do Helen and get out to Timberline the first day. Otherwise stay near Helens and start the nect day.

Either way I see no need for but one overnight near the Gorge.

We've done Oregon Trail Exhibit and Helens 1st day. Drove the Gorge to the fish hatchery, brief look at locks, too long at falls, Hood loop (no fruit stops or tastings) and out to Tillamook the 2nd. We were moving along. Good traveling.

How long is it from PDX to Mount St. Helens? Where can you stay near Mount St. Helens? (not camping)

PDX to Mt. St. Helens is about 2 hours. You go north in I-5, take exit #49 and head east. There are visitors centers scattered along that road, and then about 45 miles or so up, the road dead ends at the Johnston Ridge Observatory. That one is a must see!

As far as places to stay, there are several motels at the exit area, but nothing further up toward the mountain. I can't remember the names of them, but there are 4 or so.

Mt. St. Helens is a full day trip. Trying to do that and Timberline Lodge in one day would be too much, IMO. The only way to really do that would be to do Mt. St. Helens, then drive back to Timberline to stay the night, exploring it the next day.

Somehow it looked like less than two hours on the map. Don't think I'll do this on the first day. I have a 7 am flight from Austin, and for me (not an early riser) I'll arrive feeling jet-lagged!

I finally booked my airfare today! So far I have the Edgefield booked for our first night. We'll see how the shared bath thing goes (remembrances of college dorms). The next two nights are Cannon Beach. I'm looking for opinions on Schooner's Cove vs. Inn at Cannon Beach. Inn at Cannon Beach is less $$ - so is Schooner's Cover worth the extra dinero? (Surf Sand only has non-view rooms and Ocean Beach and Stephanie Inn are booked).

Also, has anyone seen a play at the Coaster Theatre while in Cannon Beach? Looks like fun...

http://www.coastertheatre.com/