But...today we had sunshine in Cannon Beach! Stayed tuned!

Some people - many people from sunny climes - can never adjust to the PNW.

I'm glad you had a bit of sunshine at Cannon Beach.

"How do you guys do this?"

Warning: living in the PNW may cause addiction to hot beverages, craft beer, the mountains, the trees and an (expensive) obsession with rain jackets.

I lived in northern Idaho for 10 years before moving back to WA. When I get too glum, I tell myself "it could be worse. I could be shoveling snow right now":) and then I sadistically drag the canine out for a walk- he finds rain much more offensive than I do! Misery loves company!

In all seriousness though- grew up in the PNW and you just learn dress for the weather and to go outside no matter what. Weather might be completely different in 30 minutes or 30 miles! I will say that I'll never move into a place with carpeting on the west side though- I spend too much of my time mopping my entry way lino as it is!

It sounds like you're having a great time regardless! Have made note of a few places to check out:) What was you favorite wine at ghost hill?

And very glad you had sun at CB! Looking forward to that section of your trip report, that is one of my favorite places. It's lucky to have sun there any time of the year- I feel like I encounter a lot of newer posters on this forum who are picturing the Oregon coast as a sunny hot paradise for swimming and sunbathing, which, hah, no.

Saw the title and laughed...what else that plus the homeless encampments. Hope you aren't also going to Seattle? It's worse there..one city I avoid at all costs.

The Coachella Valley winter economy is based on 'rainbirds' and 'snowbirds'.

SO far I'm thinking about gambling on short sleeves while outside all day in Seattle...

(there is some cloud cover now, so I may have to hedge my bets, but the forecast says: <I>"Mostly Sunny - 0% chance of rain"</i> )

Northwestmale- no clouds in the sky up here on the one day I cannot play outside before dark. Better take that rain jacket jic...I feel like the weather in this region has a sadistic sense of humor;)

Mlgb- I'm actually surprised you think Seattle is worse. I feel like the Portland homeless encampments are a lot more visible. Unless you mean the weather- and maybe it's just my bad luck, but I always seem to be in Portland during the torrential downpours lol. Seattle- it's just gray and misty for months, but I'll take that over drenched in 5 minutes.

No mud here in Seattle. It's a concrete jungle!

5Th4 homeless in Seattle are better at hiding in the jungle...what a horrible place to be homeless.

I've fallen seriously behind in writing, too busy eating, drinking and taking in the sights. Currently in Bend, which we are loving so far, but still working on day three of the report! Will try to catch up once I digest all this great food and scenery.

It seems like a good sign when you are too busy eating, drinking and taking in the sights to have time to write! Enjoy!

Is it dry in Bend? At least it's not raining there, right? ;-)

Well it was finally dry here in the Willamette Valley yesterday and today. Just waiting for the storm to roll in though.

It's sunny in Seattle. A beautiful day today.

suze--I drove back here yesterday, and yes, sure enjoyed the beautiful weather on Monday when I was with girlonthego at Pike Place etc. She sure got spoiled with the beautiful weather when she was there! We were even able to sit on the patio at Pink Door for dinner:)

Late to the conversation here as we've spent the last week enjoying sunny NM, but I can empathize with the experience of months of planning suddenly being interrupted and/or changed at the whim of the weather gods. That's the risk in Oregon, especially in the fall. We generally know what to expect in winter, and we know to plan for rain during spring through early summer.

I had a feeling Monks Gate and Ghost Hill might be more what you're looking for, which was partly the reason for mentioning them on your planning thread. Your comments on other wineries don't surprise me though, as they're generally consistent with my thinking about Willamette Valley wine country over the last two decades; it's become too californicated. As has Portland, and even Bend. A sign of "progress"? I guess so... I don't recall where Walla Walla is in your itinerary, but I hope it better meets your expectations. If nothing else, at least the weather should be more predictable.

Yes! A beautiful dry day in Bend. So far...

October 8 –

Our day began at Coffee Cottage in Newberg - good lattes, a nice marionberry scone for me, a breakfast panini for Bill, welcoming and friendly.

Too early for wineries, so despite the thick fog, we decided to check out Aurora, where I’d originally booked accommodation before being convinced otherwise by Fodorites. It was a nice little town with several antique shops, but probably not the best base for wine country, as had been pointed out.

We meandered, driving through countryside - Mt Angel stood out because of the Abbey on the hill - we drove to the top, just because it was there, and then wandered through various other small pretty towns.

We filled several hours just poking through hops fields, pumpkin and tulip farms and nurseries growing all manner of trees, many of which we’d never seen before. And then…sunshine…for about 10 minutes. Fields were plowed and ready for planting, of what, we’re not sure. Just about everywhere we looked things were growing - corn, huge sunflowers – you name it - and this in October. It’s mighty fertile around here. I'm sure all that rain doesn't hurt.

Back in the ‘burbs we popped into Argyle for their dry Riesling – not on the tasting menu, but we wandered over to a corner of the tasting room/shop and were given (sold) two Riesling samples upon request. Naturally, I liked the bone dry version with zero residual sugar (FINALLY!). More wine into the trunk.

Next up was Lange, lovely property, beautiful Pinot Noir. Then it was on to Winter Hills, where we discovered Freddy Guys zesty hazelnuts with jalapeno and then on to the Red Barn (Marisch?), one of the oldest wineries in the region - had a nice long chat with a family member.

Then back to Dundee for some food - at Red Hills Market, per mms’s recommendation. The place was absolutely heaving - 55 minute wait for sandwiches, but they were delicious and well worth the wait. It didn’t hurt that we were ravenous.

We next drove out to Brooks; we'd been told it was worth the drive and views alone, and indeed it was. The place was packed. We were looking forward to the Riesling, but neither of us cared for it. Lovely venue, friendly service, laid back atmosphere, $15 tasting. No wine into the trunk.

We returned to that fabulous Fred Meyer in Newberg for more dinner provisions – long day, tired, lots of traffic. We gassed up the Nissan, surprised that Fred Meyer had pump jockeys. We’ve since learned that self-serve gas isn’t legal in Oregon, but we’re curious as to why?

Final thoughts about the Willamette Valley…that’s Willamette, dammit.

Tastings run $10-20 (Ponzi), $15 seems to be the average - we shared and almost always bought several bottles, so the cost of the tasting was usually absorbed, but there are some restrictions…some wineries have minimum purchases of $100, others will require you buy a minimum number of bottles of Pinot Noir, etc.

Food stand outs: Horse Radish, Red Hills Market, Fred Meyer

Having lived in Australia for the past seven years and having visited many, many wineries there and in New Zealand, the cost of tastings seemed a bit ridiculous, especially as it’s a rare occasion that we don’t leave with several bottles.

But, being so close to a metro area, I suspect the wineries see more than their share of folks who are just out for a day of drinking, so I guess I get it. Sort of.

We were surprised that more wineries didn’t offer food. Some of our best winery experiences in Australia and New Zealand have been food AND wine centered. Our favorite local vineyard in the Swan Valley near Perth (Lamont’s) was all about fresh local produce, served on a patio under the shade of gum trees, accompanied by good wine. It was laid back and completely unpretentious.

I was hoping to find that here, but I guess I’ll have to settle for good wine.

May I suggest Dry Creek/ Sonoma for your next attempt to simulate the Kiwi experience. A visa signature card takes the edge off tasting fees there. There are quite a few of the homeier type wineries and more with picnic areas. Better weather in fall, too.

Noted, thanks for that mlgb.

Come visit us in the Rogue Valley next time. Lots of wine food theatre and sunshine.

Yes, Coffee Cottage is good:) Glad you enjoyed Red Hills. It is a favorite around here, obviously. Oh I wish I would have known you wanted a dry Reisling, as Seufert has exactly what you said you look for! . Oh well. Yes, many wineries who didn't have a tasting fee have had to in the last 5-10 years because of so many people drinking vs tasting. One winery told me it was because of bachelorette parties. Trust me, there are many homie/unpretentious places around here. We have over 400 wineries in this region alone, so most of them are pretty small and are very warm and friendly.