spirobulldog

Seafood place was really good. www.southbeachfishmarket right on the hwy.

The waterfall was Eagle Creek Trail in the Colombia River Gorge a mile or two from Multnomah Falls. This is a 12 mile roundrip hike, but it is flat and easy. Goes past 6 or 7 nice falls. Punchbowl and Tunnel Falls are the two best known.

The name of dunes rides was www.ridetheoregondunes.com

Sealion Cave is where the seals are. You pay to ride down an elevator. This is the largest seacave in the world(or something like that).

Crater Lake offers two boat tours. One is just around the crater on the water. The other tour takes you to various sights around the crater, but you stop for 3-4 hours at Wizard Island. If you hike to the top of the Island, it is somewhat strenuous, plus you still have to go back up on Cleetwood trail when you get back to the main dock and hike back to the rim. So to do get to the top of Wizard Island you really hike up and down twice. Once at the Island and once at the Main Dock. Not that bad, but probably not for everyone. I think the hike to the top of the island and back probably took 1.5 hours. We then ate lunch we brought with us and took a quick dip. The boat doesn't stay there, so you have to wait on it.

I think your trip can be done as you plan, but I am not sure you are allowing enough time for staying at each place(when you include drive time). Just make sure you allow for FULL days. 1/2 day at Crater Lake or Mount Hood want do it justice. and really a couple of days might be better.

Toro Bravo was our favorite restaurant in Portland. It features tapas. And of course, Stumptown Roasters. Voodoo Doughnuts is worth a stop.

happytrailstoyou

Maria, I’m sorry I can’t advise you with confidence about where to stay in Bandon.

When we go to the ocean we try to book a room with a great ocean view. Some years ago we stayed at the Best Western Inn at Face Rock in a not very appealing “ocean view” room from which we could barely see the ocean way off in the distance.

Last November, relying on Tripadvisor, we booked a room at Bandon Beach Motel. We had a room with a great view, but that was all it had to recommend it. I don’t know how anybody can give this place a thumbs-up except for the location. My review of the place is titled: “Down at the Heels, but on the Water”: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...on_Oregon.html

We really like Bandon, so while we were in town, we snooped around and decided that on our next visit we will book a room at Sunset Motel in the Vern Brown Addition where all rooms have great ocean views. http://www.sunsetmotel.com/new/rooms/rates.html

Oceanfront lodging options are limited in Bandon, but it is a beautiful place with an appealing laid-back atmosphere.

HTTY

Fodorite018

From Mac to South Beach, plan around 1 hr 45 minutes, maybe more depending on traffic. It is a nice drive though, so enjoy it

Fodorite018

BTW, you can easily skip Sea Lion Caves and see lots of sea lions for free right in Newport. Plus you don't have to deal with the smell

happytrailstoyou

After posting the above, I noticed that you had considered booking a room at Elizabeth Street Inn in Newport.

In Newport (but not Ocean Shores) we like the Hallmark--near the Elizabeth Street Inn where we have also stayed a few times.

At the Hallmark, we book what they call a "deluxe" room--it is large with a fireplace, kitchen area, sitting area, and large deck with a great ocean view.

spirobulldog

Since you mentioned specifically the waterfall pictures. Check these out. Absolutely the most amazing thing I have ever done. This was in Oregon, not far from Detroit Lake(middle of nowhere). I met my guide in Utah a few years ago. He does this for only a couple of weeks each year in Oregon.

http://www.photoworks.com/slideshow/...F?source=pw980

Fodorite018

spiro--Detroit is party central! Where the cave is though is not the middle of nowhere actually.

spirobulldog

mms,

????
I didn't mention the cave in that last post. The waterfall pictures were not far from Detroit Lake in the central part of Oregon. Actually turnoff was Marion Forks. Only place there was a closed restaurant, maybe a little state park. And I don't remember seeing gasoline for miles. I just thought I would include the pics, since Maria showed interest.

Fodorite018

spiro--Yes, but you have mentioned it before I know where the turnoff is, and yes the restaurant is closed, but it is a very busy area for people enjoying the outdoors. I just wanted to clarify that in case anyone else was interested and thought this was the middle of nowhere.

spirobulldog

I might also add this was behind a two locked gates. My guide had permits from Forest Service and key. The road after Marion Forks was a dirt road probably 9 or 10 miles. Even saw bear scat. There was no trail, this was bushwhacking. Falls are unnamed and creek is unnamed and guide said wasn't on any maps. My guide stumbled on to this about 5 years ago, and has taken just a few people to them. He thinks he was probably the first one to ever see them. It might be possible to see them from the air. Only way to get to them is to rappel in.

spirobulldog

mms,

I guess I considered Marion Forks the middle of nowwhere. Maybe I am wrong. It seemed the middle of nowhere to me. I would guess we saw only a handful of cars on the road between Detroit Lake and Marion Forks.

spirobulldog

I guess I don't see the relation between Sealion Cave and Marion Forks. I didn't say sealion cave was in the middle of nowhwere. Perhaps Detroit Lake is "party central". I don't know.

Fodorite018

spiro--This will be my last comment because I do not want to hijack marias thread. However, many people get back there and yes there are lots of dirt roads. We have been on them. We have backpacked in there, along with many other people. This is not a middle of nowhere area for us locals.

enzian

We love Aguaverde for kayaking. . . and the food afterward. You can go through the Montlake Cut (can be a bit bouncy if there are big boats around) to the arboretum, and float among the water lilies an dwaterfowl. Or you can kayak on Lake Union (NW Outdoor Center, Gardylooo gave you the link) and see all the houseboats.

For hikes at Rainier, if you are staying at Paradise (good choice!) there is no better hike than the one right out the door, up into the Paradise flower fields and beyond. I like to do the "Skyline Loop" counterclockwise, starting at the lodge and heading right, toward Edith Creek and the waterfall, then continuing up to the junction with the Lakes Trail, turning toward Golden Gate. there is a detour to Paradise Glacier, but the ice caves are long gone, and the glacier has retreated so far I don't think this is worthwhile. On a clear day you can see Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens, and maybe even Mt. Hood way in the distance---a 4 volcano day (counting the one you are standing on).

At this point, you can choose to head back down at Golden Gate if you've had enough, or can continue on the high trail and end up at Panorama Point, the highest point on the trail. Then you drop down and follow any of several trails, all clearly marked, back to the lodge. I like the one called "Nisqually View" or something like that, and then Alta Vista after that.

I think it's only around 6 miles and 2400 feet of gain and loss if you do the whole thing, and it's one of the most spectacular hikes I know. It starts out crowded, but you'll quickly leave most of the other people behind.

At that time in August there should still be lots of flowers to see.

Orcas

You've already gotten lots of good ideas. Here are a few more. When in Seattle, you can take the water taxi from the piers in Seattle to Alki and rent a bike, then ride towards Lincoln Park. There is an Olympic size salt water pool in Lincoln Park you can swim in, if you are a swimmer. This would be more fun to do with someone. Alki is fantastic. In the evening there will be beach volleyball and bonfires. The sun sets late. There are good restaurants at Alki, as well.

On the drove down the coast, before you get to the Sea Lion Caves, there is a scenic turnout called Strawberry Hill, I believe. If you find this, pull off and walk. There were resident sea lions on the rocks that you can see for free instead of going to Sea Lion Caves.

When in southern Oregon, the Oregon Caves National Monument is worth a visit. It is the largest marble cave in the world and full of stalactites and stalagmites. We stayed overnight at the National Park Lodge there, and went on the tour of the cave first thing in the morning. It's unique and really interesting.

I assume you will be driving east of the Cascades between Crater Lake and Hood River. This is the dry side, with lots of volcanic features. You may enjoy visiting lava butte, a cinder cone between Sunriver and Bend. It has shiny black lava like in Hawaii.

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/...framework.html

Also there are lava caves that are fascinating. It is always cool in the caves and dark - you need strong flashlights and warm clothes.

You might consider staying in Bend and shaving a day off of the Hood River visit. There is a lot to see in central Oregon. Little River Inn is a nice place to stay in Bend.

You'll love Mt. Rainier!!! I'm excited for you. There is plenty of information in the park on trails and on ranger led walks, so you can decide when you are there. There is a great rainforest called Ohanapakosh, in the park. You won't have enough time to do it all. It is truly awesome.

maria_so

these are all fantastic suggestions! Now I wish we had more time for oregon!

Saw that there were caves in southern oregon but we had a bit too much caves last year with mammoth, jewel, wind, etc that we thought we'd skip the caves this time around.

We decided to go ahead and book Elizabeth Street at Newport and not make it down further than Florence because of the time constraints. Bandon does look lovely though but we just don't have enough days! Should I take off a day in My Ranier for an additonal day in the coast? In Newport, what restaurant do you recommend to go to?

HTTY, I like the pics of Elizabeth Street better than the Hallmark. You've stayed at both, you like the Hallmark better? It's just that the beddings look more lush at ESI. Your insight is greatly appreciated.

spirobulldog, THAT LOOKS LIKE BRILLIANT FUN!!!!! Where is this? How do I contact the guide? DH and I LOVE this sort of stuff. There's a similar rapell from Desert Highlights in Utah (Is that where you met your guide? He looks familiar - Matt?) called Pleiades Canyon. Can you tell me more about this rappel? How long did it take you, etc. Was the climb hard to get to where you start rappelling? Do you think he'll be doing this in August while we're there?

Thanks everyone! If you think of anything else, please let me know!

maria_so

Oh, and we want to do both kayaking sites! We're big avid kayakers and try to do so every chance we get! I like the description of kayaking through lily pods. Where the houseboats are, is that the one with the seattle skyline too?

beachbum

Late to the party here, but I've been away for a while... And I don't know how/if your itinerary has changed, so just a few comments at this point.

I don't see Mt St Helens anywhere in this thread. It would be a worthwhile detour on the drive between Seattle and Portland, especially if skies are clear.

Restaurants in Portland... Sadly, Olea closed a while back, as have a couple others in the Pearl. But, I think you'd also love Sel Gris and/or Le Pigeon. Toro Bravo is good too, but doesn't take reservations. If you're more up for a wine bar, Noble Rot or Bar Due are my faves.

Restaurants in McMinnville... As if you needed another suggestion, Thistle. Just a half block from Hotel Oregon. Another lodging consideration there would be Youngberg Hill. My wife and I spent last weekend there; great place. But maybe too far out of the action? Post back if you need winery recs; I got a million of 'em! (should I admit to that?)

Dune buggy rides... Don't rent your own. Too dangerous, and you're likely to get lost. Hire a 3-passenger "rail" with driver at Sand Dunes Frontier, just south of Florence. Better than any amusement park ride. And I agree with mms (as usual); don't waste the $10 on Sea Lion Caves.

Re the discussion about Marion Forks.... Any place that's only a half hour from one of my favorite places on the planet, can't be too far out in the boonies! ;-)

maria_so

thanks beachbum! so sad to hear about Olea but will definitely look at your suggestions.

I ordered the willamette valley wine guide but YES PLEASE! Your winery recs will be greatly appreciated! Which is the most beautiful of the wineries? How does tasting fees work in Oregeon (I forget from the few we visited last time). I absolutely love the pinots frm this region so looking forward to tasting a few of those while we're there!

I did see that Mt St Helens was on the way (kind of) to Mt Ranier but was concerned of the drive time that day. Was thinking would a stop to the viewpoint be worth the extra hour or 2 to go see it?

Thanks!

Orcas

Look at the Sylvia Beach Hotel in Newport. It's funky with lots of character. All rooms have author themes and the dinner is fantastic. You eat family style and, when we were there once, played "two truths and a lie" with tablemates. You meet interesting people that way. You can eat there without staying there. It has a nice library, too, of course. Elizabeth Street Inn is just down the street.