Ready for the state of Oregon...we only have a week...
***girl*** from Ore...wait a minute...
'LOU!!!!!!!
Pammer!! Not et tu!!!
Sep 1st, 2006, 04:28 PM
#47
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sumreknot, if I've got this right, you've got a week, you're flying into Portland, and you'd like to see some of Oregon's incredible natural beauty including Crater Lake, the coast, and the gorge. This trip is taking place at the end of September, correct? Just one word of warning: Crater Lake can get snow that early in the year. I remember being there in mid-September in the middle of a snowstorm.
OK, how's this:
Assuming that you're flying into Portland in the afternoon, drive south on I-5 and stop anywhere near Eugene. Spend the night there.
Day 2: Depending on where you stopped the night before, take either Hwy 20 or 58 (check on road conditions first - you'll be driving through the mountains) to Crater Lake. Stay the night at Crater Lake - reservations will be needed for this.
Day 3: Take I-5 north to Hwy 42 west. Head to Bandon and stay there. Don't miss the state parks (Shore Acres is my favorite) in this area.
Day 4: Drive up the coast to Florence. Explore the dunes. Heceta Head lighthouse is probably the most photographed lighthouse in Oregon. When you see it you'll know why - the setting is spectacular.
Day 5: Continue on up the coast to Newport, take Hwy 20 east to Hwy 99, go north on 99, stopping at any of the wineries that catch your eye. Continue on to Portland.
Day 6 and 7: Here's your Portland time. Scarlett can give you some great advice here.
Unfortunately you can't see everything Oregon has to offer, and it's a lot of driving. You could easily do other combinations using the north coast - Astoria to say Florence, then over to Crater Lake and back to Portland. Ah, such tough choices! But you'll have a great trip no matter what you decide.
OK, how's this:
Assuming that you're flying into Portland in the afternoon, drive south on I-5 and stop anywhere near Eugene. Spend the night there.
Day 2: Depending on where you stopped the night before, take either Hwy 20 or 58 (check on road conditions first - you'll be driving through the mountains) to Crater Lake. Stay the night at Crater Lake - reservations will be needed for this.
Day 3: Take I-5 north to Hwy 42 west. Head to Bandon and stay there. Don't miss the state parks (Shore Acres is my favorite) in this area.
Day 4: Drive up the coast to Florence. Explore the dunes. Heceta Head lighthouse is probably the most photographed lighthouse in Oregon. When you see it you'll know why - the setting is spectacular.
Day 5: Continue on up the coast to Newport, take Hwy 20 east to Hwy 99, go north on 99, stopping at any of the wineries that catch your eye. Continue on to Portland.
Day 6 and 7: Here's your Portland time. Scarlett can give you some great advice here.
Unfortunately you can't see everything Oregon has to offer, and it's a lot of driving. You could easily do other combinations using the north coast - Astoria to say Florence, then over to Crater Lake and back to Portland. Ah, such tough choices! But you'll have a great trip no matter what you decide.
Sep 1st, 2006, 04:33 PM
#48
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello sumreknot, while in Portland if you enjoy gardens I am sure you would love a visit to the Portland Rose Garden. Hundreds of beautiful rose bushes along with a fantastic view of Portland and the surronding area.
The Chinese Garden is lovely but there is also now the Japenese Garden which I have not been to but Scarlett sent me photos that she took there and it is gorgeous.
Oregon is a very beautiful state and the people in Oregon are wonderful so I am sure you will have a lovely time.
One other thought, you might enjoy visiting the Powell Book Store, it is the largest independant book store in the US I believe.
The Chinese Garden is lovely but there is also now the Japenese Garden which I have not been to but Scarlett sent me photos that she took there and it is gorgeous.
Oregon is a very beautiful state and the people in Oregon are wonderful so I am sure you will have a lovely time.
One other thought, you might enjoy visiting the Powell Book Store, it is the largest independant book store in the US I believe.
Sep 1st, 2006, 07:25 PM
#51
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh no..you have not scared me away...I think it's great to read all of the posts...and I guess you all have some "inside" jokes...so...back to the guide books..and thanks to all of the helpful people...Does it REALLY snow in mid-sept in Crater Lake???
Sep 1st, 2006, 07:58 PM
#52
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
sumreknot--Glad you didn't get scared off
The inside jokes are very well known around here, so stick around and it will become very apparent to you. Yes, the weather at Crater Lake is definitely not what one would expect. Still, if you can make it, go for it as it is so beautiful.
The inside jokes are very well known around here, so stick around and it will become very apparent to you. Yes, the weather at Crater Lake is definitely not what one would expect. Still, if you can make it, go for it as it is so beautiful.
Sep 1st, 2006, 09:06 PM
#53
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,810
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
sumreknot~if things don't pan out in Oregon, how about Alaska?
The peninsula is lovely with the color changes and all the roads are much more quiet.. best of all, lower lodging rates..
just a thought. good luck, J.
The peninsula is lovely with the color changes and all the roads are much more quiet.. best of all, lower lodging rates..
just a thought. good luck, J.
Sep 2nd, 2006, 04:38 AM
#54
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Does it REALLY snow in mid-sept in Crater Lake???"
Yes.
It may be sunny and clear when you're there, but it is also possible that there could be snow/cold weather. The rim of Crater Lake is about 8000 feet above sea level, so you're really up in the mountains. Just check on conditions there before you go.
From the National Park Service Crater Lake website:
"How much snow does the park get and does it ever go away?
The average snowfall at Crater Lake is 533 inches every year. .... Most of the snow usually melts by the beginning of August, although after particularly heavy seasons, there are drifts that fail to melt before the snows return again in the early Fall."
Yes.
It may be sunny and clear when you're there, but it is also possible that there could be snow/cold weather. The rim of Crater Lake is about 8000 feet above sea level, so you're really up in the mountains. Just check on conditions there before you go.
From the National Park Service Crater Lake website:
"How much snow does the park get and does it ever go away?
The average snowfall at Crater Lake is 533 inches every year. .... Most of the snow usually melts by the beginning of August, although after particularly heavy seasons, there are drifts that fail to melt before the snows return again in the early Fall."
Sep 2nd, 2006, 08:05 AM
#55
Yum... Novaks! I'll be there next week (my family is in the Corvallis area and we always try to fit in one meal there).
Cannon Beach, or any of many towns along the coast is/are a must do. Mary's Peak is pretty. There are some wineries along the old hwy 99.
Never made it yet to the Gorge or Crater Lake myself, but do know it gorgeous country.
Cannon Beach, or any of many towns along the coast is/are a must do. Mary's Peak is pretty. There are some wineries along the old hwy 99.
Never made it yet to the Gorge or Crater Lake myself, but do know it gorgeous country.
Sep 2nd, 2006, 08:59 AM
#56
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,484
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm wanting DH and me to take this trip and wondered if it makes a difference whether you take the coast part going north or going south. I know that sounds like something that should be posted under the thread "Questions that have never been asked," but I also know that there is a difference in seeing the CA coast driving north as opposed to driving south. Is there someone out there who will give me a SERIOUS answer?
Sep 2nd, 2006, 03:00 PM
#57
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you have an entire week, fine, then add Crater Lake. If you were limited to 3 or 4 days, I'd suggest to stick to the north half of the state.
To include Crater Lake, you may as well head west through Grants Pass area, and at Cave Junction, include the Oregon Caves.
That means that after the caves, you can get to the Redwood Forest in about 40 minutes, although that's the north tip of California.
Then, the coast up through Brookings is nice. That town is nice to stay in also.
Personally, I've not found as much in the Eugene area that was grand enough to pull me from from the edges of Oregon.
If you are at the north Oregon Coast, Hy. 30 along the Columbia River is a fairly mundane route. I'd suggest either Hy. 26 back from Seaside, or Hy. 6 back from Tillamook, where you might like to visit the cheese factory. The route back on 6, is scenic along the Wilson river.
I tossed together a page on the northern part of these suggestions at...
www.mdvaden.com/oregon_tour.shtml
Since you have the whole week, that's why I added the Crater Lake to Redwoods route. The Smith River route to the redwoods is a tremendous drive.
To include Crater Lake, you may as well head west through Grants Pass area, and at Cave Junction, include the Oregon Caves.
That means that after the caves, you can get to the Redwood Forest in about 40 minutes, although that's the north tip of California.
Then, the coast up through Brookings is nice. That town is nice to stay in also.
Personally, I've not found as much in the Eugene area that was grand enough to pull me from from the edges of Oregon.
If you are at the north Oregon Coast, Hy. 30 along the Columbia River is a fairly mundane route. I'd suggest either Hy. 26 back from Seaside, or Hy. 6 back from Tillamook, where you might like to visit the cheese factory. The route back on 6, is scenic along the Wilson river.
I tossed together a page on the northern part of these suggestions at...
www.mdvaden.com/oregon_tour.shtml
Since you have the whole week, that's why I added the Crater Lake to Redwoods route. The Smith River route to the redwoods is a tremendous drive.
Sep 3rd, 2006, 01:47 AM
#58
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you don't mind driving (this would be covering a lot of ground), I'd suggest going from Portland to the coast, and down as far as time permits, then jump over to I-5 (say about at Eugene) for the trip down to Ashland. From Ashland, go up to Crater Lake, and continue up Hwy 97 towards Bend. From there, either continue up Hwy 197 to The Dalles to the Columbia River, or take Hwy 26 back over Mt. Hood to Portland. Actually, you could cut off on Mt. Hood at Hwy 35 and go to Hood River, and back down the Gorge to Portland.
Heading up Hwy 97 and Hwy 197 is getting a taste of the arid section of Oregon, and past some pretty "natural" sites. Just not what one usually thinks of as being in Oregon.
If you decide to head back over Mt. Hood, I love to stay at Kah-Nee-Tah Lodge, on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. Be sure and stop at the museum at Warm Springs.
The Columbia River Gorge is 'gorgeous', but you could do that in a day trip out of Portland if you go back on 26.
I-5 is fast travel, and is nice farmland kind of area. But I don't find it all that 'scenic' -- I think I drive it too often. From Eugene to Ashland is much more scenic. Be sure to stop at Rice Hill for some Umpqua Ice Cream cones. I don't know what the name of the place is ... it's on the right off the highway. You'll see all the cars and the long line!
I'll put in a last pitch for trying to make a night's stay at a McMenamin's property (http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?type=hotel). There's the St. Francis School, in Bend, or the Edgefield (the former county poor farm) in Troutdale, on the east side of Portland, or the Kennedy School in Portland, all converted into hotels.
My favorite route over the Coast Range, between the coast and I-5 is Hwy 38. It's a beautiful ride.
I know that I've suggested a reverse direction from what you mentioned. But I think heading east of the Cascades would be more interesting after visitig the coast, rather than before. It's such a stark contrast.
Heading up Hwy 97 and Hwy 197 is getting a taste of the arid section of Oregon, and past some pretty "natural" sites. Just not what one usually thinks of as being in Oregon.
If you decide to head back over Mt. Hood, I love to stay at Kah-Nee-Tah Lodge, on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. Be sure and stop at the museum at Warm Springs.
The Columbia River Gorge is 'gorgeous', but you could do that in a day trip out of Portland if you go back on 26.
I-5 is fast travel, and is nice farmland kind of area. But I don't find it all that 'scenic' -- I think I drive it too often. From Eugene to Ashland is much more scenic. Be sure to stop at Rice Hill for some Umpqua Ice Cream cones. I don't know what the name of the place is ... it's on the right off the highway. You'll see all the cars and the long line!
I'll put in a last pitch for trying to make a night's stay at a McMenamin's property (http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?type=hotel). There's the St. Francis School, in Bend, or the Edgefield (the former county poor farm) in Troutdale, on the east side of Portland, or the Kennedy School in Portland, all converted into hotels.
My favorite route over the Coast Range, between the coast and I-5 is Hwy 38. It's a beautiful ride.
I know that I've suggested a reverse direction from what you mentioned. But I think heading east of the Cascades would be more interesting after visitig the coast, rather than before. It's such a stark contrast.
Sep 4th, 2006, 12:02 PM
#59
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,296
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sumreknot, here's a new thread about traveling to Oregon that might help:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...=sformby&fid=1
Hope your plans are coming along well!
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...=sformby&fid=1
Hope your plans are coming along well!
