Hi Fodorites -

I think I've done the best I can with VERY limited time in Oregon in May. Any input would be welcome: Depending on the weather we will drive the coast on Wednesday or Friday.

Land Portland Tues 8:30PM - drive south to Woodburn

Wednesday - Get up early and go to Silver Falls SP. At minimum do the Trail of 10 Falls. Drive to Bandon, stay for 2 nights. DH golfs, I sightsee the area. Let me know if there's anything that I can't miss nearby.

Friday - drive back to Portland after early round of golf, stay in BW Mt Hood in Troutdale 2 nts

Saturday - Check out the Columbia River Gorge for the day

Sunday - Fly out of Portland really early

I know - too short. But it was just to golf.

Eagle Creek trail is a great trail not far from Multnomah Falls.

Sounds like a good plan considering your time restraint. Not sure if you know or not, but there isn't much in Woodburn. I am guessing you are just wanting a place to stay for the night. If so, that works. Any specific reason for staying in Troutdale? It isn't bad, but if you are wanting to see Portland I would stay in town instead. The gorge is a very easy drive from Portland. If you want Troutdale, but want a more fun/interesting place to stay look at the Edgefield. Anyway, lots to do and see in the gorge. The big 3 draws are the Portland Woman's Forum, Vista House and Multnomah Falls. Lots of other beautiful falls and great hiking all in there though.

I second McMenamin's Edgefield. Great beer and lovely gardens.

Thank you - I will look into Edgefield. We don't have time for the gorge and Portland on this trip - the gorge won this time.

We will be in Woodburn for shower, sleep and breakfast. It just looks like a good location for Silver Falls and closer to the airport than Salem.

Anything I shouldn't miss near Bandon?

Woodburn will be fine for that

How far are you willing to drive? You'd be a hour and a bit from the Redwoods at the Cal/Ore border.
Closer still is the jet boat ride from the mouth of the Rogue at Gold Beach.

bbq - I bookmarked an old thread you had and the boat is on my list. I can't give Redwoods the time it deserves this trip. Next time - we'll combine it with Crater Lake. Thx.

Are you going to zoom down to Bandon from Portland?

'cause the Oregon coast is just gorgeous and it'd be a pity to just zoom past it.

A great area to explore is Cape Perpetua and the nearby Devil's Churn:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw/recr...ts/index.shtml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devils_Churn

Inland there's also the winetasting region around McMinnville.

Bandon's great. We bought some dungeness crabs, some beer and a nutcracker and took these out on the beach and had a great time!