The Day in Between
Sep 7th, 2006, 06:23 AM
#1
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The Day in Between
This will be our first (and relatively short) trip to Oregon.
We're flying in to PDX and heading out to Cannon Beach (Stephanie Inn) for 2 nights. Then there's a blank day/night. Then we've got 2 nights in Bend (Mt Bachelor Village) for 2 more nights. Then the last night in Portland.
Question is about the middle day/night. Any suggestions? Candidates right now include a night in Yachats or a night in Sisters.
We more the type to take a hike than to go shopping, if that helps. And we're not adverse to driving several hundred miles if there's something really great to see. We considering going to Crater Lake, but figured that would be pushing the envelope a bit too much.
Thanks again for all the helpful advice!
We're flying in to PDX and heading out to Cannon Beach (Stephanie Inn) for 2 nights. Then there's a blank day/night. Then we've got 2 nights in Bend (Mt Bachelor Village) for 2 more nights. Then the last night in Portland.
Question is about the middle day/night. Any suggestions? Candidates right now include a night in Yachats or a night in Sisters.
We more the type to take a hike than to go shopping, if that helps. And we're not adverse to driving several hundred miles if there's something really great to see. We considering going to Crater Lake, but figured that would be pushing the envelope a bit too much.
Thanks again for all the helpful advice!
Sep 7th, 2006, 06:37 AM
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You can easily do Crater Lake from Bend. It is only a 90 minute drive, and very much worth it!
Sisters is a nice enough little town, but you can see it on your way to/from Bend depending on your route.
What about using that extra night over in the gorge? There is a ton of hiking there and the area is beautiful.
Sisters is a nice enough little town, but you can see it on your way to/from Bend depending on your route.
What about using that extra night over in the gorge? There is a ton of hiking there and the area is beautiful.
Sep 7th, 2006, 06:48 AM
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mms...
Well, we'll be leaving that morning from Cannon Beach and wanted at least *some* driving down the coast... so, we'd have to get to the Gorge from the Florence area. We were planning to catch the Gorge and Mount Hood on the way back to Portland from Bend.
We *are* now re-evaluating the Crater Lake thing. That might be possible after all.
Thanks for the reply!
Well, we'll be leaving that morning from Cannon Beach and wanted at least *some* driving down the coast... so, we'd have to get to the Gorge from the Florence area. We were planning to catch the Gorge and Mount Hood on the way back to Portland from Bend.
We *are* now re-evaluating the Crater Lake thing. That might be possible after all.
Thanks for the reply!
Sep 7th, 2006, 07:19 AM
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Considering your taste, I suggest the Columbia Gorge Hotel in Hood River.
If you select this option, you will see some of the most spectacular scenery is Oregon without running yourself ragged--as you would if you choose to go to Crater Lake.
If you select this option, you will see some of the most spectacular scenery is Oregon without running yourself ragged--as you would if you choose to go to Crater Lake.
Sep 7th, 2006, 07:36 AM
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Sorry, I wrote my response without reading that you will visit the gorge after Bend.
Thus, I now suggest a leisurely drive down the coast, spending the night at Overleaf Lodge in Yachats.
On the way to Yachats you might do the Three Capes Loop south of Tillamook, have a delicious Thai lunch in Lincoln City, and visit the world-class acquarium in Newport.
When you drive to Bend via Florence you will pass through one of the most scenic parts of the coast--Cape Perpetua--and you will have an opportunity to visit the Sea Lion Caves.
Thus, I now suggest a leisurely drive down the coast, spending the night at Overleaf Lodge in Yachats.
On the way to Yachats you might do the Three Capes Loop south of Tillamook, have a delicious Thai lunch in Lincoln City, and visit the world-class acquarium in Newport.
When you drive to Bend via Florence you will pass through one of the most scenic parts of the coast--Cape Perpetua--and you will have an opportunity to visit the Sea Lion Caves.
Sep 7th, 2006, 07:49 AM
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Moonstone--When are you arriving? The reason I ask is because Crater Lake has a great boat tour, but it ends sometime in mid September. Visiting DL would still very much be worth it if your trip is later, IMO. BTW, we did this from Bend about a month ago and it is an easy day trip
Sep 7th, 2006, 07:53 AM
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Before booking a room in Portland, it is worthwhile to check hotel offers at www.travelportland.com
They often have good deals which include parking and continental breakfast.
We like to stay at 5th Avenue Suites or The Executive Tower at the downtown Hilton Hotel.
They often have good deals which include parking and continental breakfast.
We like to stay at 5th Avenue Suites or The Executive Tower at the downtown Hilton Hotel.
Sep 7th, 2006, 08:16 AM
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If you leave Cannon Beach early, you can drive south on 101 to Florence, then head inland on 126 to Eugene and I-5. Head South to either 138 or 227 and head SE.
You could stay here
http://www.prospecthotel.com/
then get up and head to Crater Lake,
or you could just head south on I 5 to Ashland for a night, the get up and do Crater Lake, then on to Bend.
You could stay here
http://www.prospecthotel.com/
then get up and head to Crater Lake,
or you could just head south on I 5 to Ashland for a night, the get up and do Crater Lake, then on to Bend.
Sep 7th, 2006, 08:46 AM
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Once again, thanks for all the replies! You folks are great!
We called Crater Lake and found that they actually had 2 rooms available for our night (they had none before) so we grabbed one.
happytrails - Noted your recommendations for the coast. Thanks. The trip will now be not quite as leisurely that day, but we'll still have enough time to check some of those out. We checked w/ 5th Avenue Suites too for our last day, but they're booked. Still have to work on that one.
mms - the day in question (to Crater Lake now) is the 22nd. Hope the weather is halfway decent!
bbqboy - Thanks for the recs but we were lucky to find a room at the lodge. We've been lucky like this in the past (GC's El Tovar & Sequoia NP, for example). We've really loved staying in the park lodges!
We called Crater Lake and found that they actually had 2 rooms available for our night (they had none before) so we grabbed one.
happytrails - Noted your recommendations for the coast. Thanks. The trip will now be not quite as leisurely that day, but we'll still have enough time to check some of those out. We checked w/ 5th Avenue Suites too for our last day, but they're booked. Still have to work on that one.
mms - the day in question (to Crater Lake now) is the 22nd. Hope the weather is halfway decent!
bbqboy - Thanks for the recs but we were lucky to find a room at the lodge. We've been lucky like this in the past (GC's El Tovar & Sequoia NP, for example). We've really loved staying in the park lodges!
Sep 7th, 2006, 09:04 AM
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Once you get of I-5, it is slow going on those two-lane roads to Crater Lake.
From Cannon Beach the fastest way it is 320 miles (7 hours of driving), and most of the drive isn't very scenic.
To Crater Lake via Florence it is 365 miles--9 1/2 hours of driving.
I think you'd have a better time hugging the beautiful Oregon coast and going with your original thought of staying in Yachats. (I tried to resist saying, a MUCH better time....)
From Cannon Beach the fastest way it is 320 miles (7 hours of driving), and most of the drive isn't very scenic.
To Crater Lake via Florence it is 365 miles--9 1/2 hours of driving.
I think you'd have a better time hugging the beautiful Oregon coast and going with your original thought of staying in Yachats. (I tried to resist saying, a MUCH better time....)
Sep 7th, 2006, 09:15 AM
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Hi Moonstone, just to help you with future posts. When you post on the US Board your post will show up on the US Board. But if you indicate Oregon in the title of a thread you start anyone (including you) will be able to pull it up by clicking on Oregon and doing a search. The title of this thread does not indicate Oregon so that is why you couldn't find it by clicking on Oregon etc.
Also, just in case you do not know, if you click on your name which is next to the "Welcome" (top of the screen on the left) you will pull up all threads you have started or posted on.
I was so confused when I first came on to Fodor's about all of this.
Have a wonderful time in beautiful Oregon. You will be visiting some very wonderful areas.
Also, just in case you do not know, if you click on your name which is next to the "Welcome" (top of the screen on the left) you will pull up all threads you have started or posted on.
I was so confused when I first came on to Fodor's about all of this.
Have a wonderful time in beautiful Oregon. You will be visiting some very wonderful areas.
Sep 7th, 2006, 11:04 AM
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www.pova.com is also a good way of getting information and finding hotels and deals.
Sep 7th, 2006, 02:47 PM
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Moonstone--I think the bout tours are finished by then, but I am not 100% sure. Call and ask, because if they are still going they are great. Even if they are finished, there is so much to do and see there! A new visitors center just opened a few weeks ago also.
