We love Portland too. But around Thanksgiving it can be kind of...drippy. Grey, drizzly, and you won't be able to see Mount Hood. Which is not a problem for the locals, as any Oregonian worth his slugbait should be able to point out the location of several volcanoes on the cloudiest days.
However, if the possibility (or probability) of damp, cloudy weather doesn't bother you, then it's a great choice. And you may get lucky and have brilliant sunshine.
To get to Vancouver, if you can't fly to the city, then fly into Seattle. But as been discussed on another thread, you might prefer to Amtrak it instead, saves car rental hassles (you won't really need a car in Vancouver) and lines at border control.

Might skip Portland because we have family there! (i.e. skipping the family this year!)

We live in Missouri. We could fly to denver in about 2 hrs. (and then rent a car).

I know I've been saying "snow" but I saw some beautiful houses that are vacation rentals on the Outer banks in NC that have attractive rates for a week.

Thanks for that suggestion! I will look at all of the places listed....Taos and Santa Fe are great choices, but I've been to both...I would like to see a new place. Never been to Telluride!

Hi Beachk,
My DH and I spend every Thanksgiving at our cottage in Truro, Cape cod and love it. We tell our family who would rather us come them "that this is after all where the Pilgrims landed" so it's appropos that we not go elsewhere.

Things in Provincetown (very close by) are still open and many things go on sale before low season. prices for rentals are low for that weekend as well. If viable option for you, you could rent a house on the water at an off season rate - try cyberental.com

Last year we kayaked, hiked corn hill (first place the Pilgrims found food),walked the beach, took in a movie, climbed the Pilgrim Monument and ate turkey in peace.

Have you been to Lake Tahoe? Beautiful area, but probably not enough snow for for skiing that early. A great time to go though.

We did this very thing a few years back and spent 4 days between Phoenix, Sedona and Flagstaff. It was a perfect time of year to be in that part of the country. Took the wife and kids on a 5 hour hike on Thanksgiving morning through the Sedona rocks - it was beautiful and one of my best Thanksgiving memories!

Maybe we'll start a trend...skipping the big ordeal to relax!

Thanks for the Cape Cod nod, I was going to look at that.

All of the suggestions sound perfect!
Now...more research!

Yikes, I reveiwed our FF miles, we have enough in our "kitty" for a future Kauai trip, but not enough for Thanksgiving!

So, I am now looking at driving somewhere that will be "off season".

I know, I know, I'm just in the planning stages....

I have my eye on a condo on the beach in Destin, which would be about 14-15 hr. drive.

I guess I need to keep diggin!

Thanks everyone!

We will be skipping Thanksgiving at home and enjoying whatever is on the menu of the main dining room or our cruise ship as we ply the coast of Greece. Beats cooking and cleaning up that is for sure.

Hi, we will also be skipping Thanksgiving this yr and going to the BVI's and staying at Little Dix Bay.
Our First Thanksgiving away from the
family circus.

OMG, let's start a trend:

Why? Well, it's not Christmas,
hullo...but it is stressful!

AND, most of us get Thur and Fri
off from work, hence, less vacation
time needed.

AND, most people are at home suffering
over a 23 lb. turkey and the in-laws.

Finally- in the Caribbean, it's still Hurricane season, so rates are lower for another week. (tail end of the season).

AND, some Colorado resorts have lifts already open,

SO:

Caribbean: Not in season (cheaper)
Colorado: Just opening (cheaper)

Family circus: AVOID

I am so excited to do our "own" thing, and chill in Colorado.

Keep thinking ahead people! LOL