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zaksgrandma Nov 10th, 2003 10:32 AM

trips from portland
 
we will be in Portland during Christmas vacation-- arriving on Dec. 25. We thought we would like to see some other part of Oregon for one or two nights. Any suggestions considering the time of year?

beachbum Nov 10th, 2003 12:51 PM

grandma,
The two ideas that come quickly to mind are Mt. Hood and the coast. Mt. Hood will have lots of snow and skiers, so lodging may be difficult. If you choose Mt. Hood, take the scenic route out the gorge.

In my opinion, the coastal scenery is more spectacular during winter; storm watching is a favored activity. And it's certainly not tourist season at the coast, so I think lodging shouldn't be a problem.

kimamom Nov 10th, 2003 01:43 PM

A day trip over to Astoria would be interesting. The Maritime Museum would be a nice way to spend the afternoon.

If you decide to spend a night here, The Hotel Elliott would be my recommendation for lodging. You can read more about it at www.hotelelliott.com Oregon Coast magazine is also very informative. You can read my review on the Silver Salmon Grille in Astoria on page 7.

Cannon Beach is beautiful. There are many shops, galleries, etc. to keep you busy. The Stephanie Inn comes highly recommended on tnis board. Have a great trip! Any specific questions, just ask!! ***kim***

jimshep Nov 10th, 2003 05:05 PM

I agree--put Cannon Beach at the top of your possibilities. It is the perfect place for long walks on the beach and it is only two or three miles from spectacular Ecola State Park. Also, about 10 miles south of Cannon Beach, Oswald West State Park is definitely worth a visit. Park at the lot with a path that leads under the highway to the beach. If the rates at Stephanie Inn are more than you want to pay, check out Hallmark Resort which has pleasant rooms at very reasonable winter rates. JP's is supposed to be the best restaurant, but it's closed on Sundays. We had a good and very reasonably priced meal at the Wayfarer (a family-type place operated by Stephanie Inn).


chrisp Nov 12th, 2003 05:39 AM

If you're into air museums try the Spruce Goose at McMinville or the air museum in Tillamook. Astoria is nice also,As is a drive along the coast>

kimamom Nov 12th, 2003 08:24 AM

If you do go to Tillamook, don't overlook the Cheese Factory. It produces some of the best cheese in the world. The brown cow ice cream is to die for! If the weather is rainy, this would be a fun way to spend a few hours in the afternoon. Have breakfast at the Fireside Cafe in Manzanita, their marionberry stuffed french toast is very good. Have fun! ***kim***

SaraLM Nov 17th, 2003 03:14 PM

I had a nice message all typed and lost it. So here I go again.

I second those that say the coast is a nice day trip. I recommend a place with a fireplace to enjoy the champagne or hot chocolate and watch the storms. Lots of people recommend Cannon Beach, I haven't been for ages (hoping for this spring). Bundle up in your rain gear and go for a walk on the beach. The weather can be sporadic, sunny and bright or stomring all in a day.

The Gorge is also great but can have snow and ice. If it is clear then take the old highway out of Troutdale. It is curvy but beautiful with some very nice vistas and lots of waterfalls. Of course you could overnight at Mt. Hood or Hood River with a trip up to Mt. Hood.

For indoors, there are many wineries with B&Bs nearby if that is your thing. Hwy 99 has lots of the wineries and it would make a pleasant day or two to visit some of them.

Portland itself also offers some great things to see so do spend some time there too.

Enjoy!

traveler24 Nov 17th, 2003 04:21 PM

Do a search on this site..
Just type "Portland Oregon" and you will get lots of info On Portland and the surrounding area
If anyone inyour group likes books--Powell's bookstore in Portland is awesome..for a long time it was the largest bookstore in US.
Also downtown area has free bus transportation.with in specified area.
As other posters I LOVE Oregon Coast. If you think you might try the Cannon Beach area, You might check ahead for lodging. Quite popular with Portland people during holidays....Astoria (closer to Portland than Cannon Beach) is quiet but very historic..Curently refurbishing the old theater downtown-Art Deco.If it is finished it will beautiful.;;)

kimamom Nov 19th, 2003 11:45 AM

Does anyone know if the theatre is finished? I was there in August but didn't check to see if it was finished. Around ten years ago a famous celebrity in our area moved to Astoria and became the head of the Chamber of Commerce there. He and his wife were previously very involved in running two theatre playhouses here where I live.

We enjoy the Shanghied in Astoria play in the summer. It's great fun and I would recommend it anyone who is in the area when it is playing. ***kim***

BTilke Nov 21st, 2003 06:14 AM

At that time of year, it's a good idea to keep an eye on the forecast to make sure you won't run into some seriously inclement weather (like the early snowstorm that just swung through the Portland area).
I found the information below helpful as it gives the elevation for various points around the state (highways passes, bridges, etc.) and for the Portland area. So if the weatherman says "snow above 500 feet", you'll know exactly what that means!
Go to:
http://www.koin.com/weather/facts_snow.shtml

Andrew Nov 21st, 2003 08:14 AM

Keep in mind that in Portland a "snowtorm" is the same as a "dusting" in the mid-west. This week's storm didn't produce any accumulation that lasted long than a few hours and didn't affect the roads much more than a heavy rainstorm, except at higher elevations.

Andrew

BTilke Nov 21st, 2003 09:59 AM

Nonetheless, in many outlying areas, problems can result because communities don't have resources to deal with snow, even light snow. And drivers aren't used to dealing with it, so fender benders abound. And ice can be a problem. There was an ice storm in early 1998--we drove back from Seattle--the snow started at Kelso, became heavy snow by the time we reached outer Vancouver, and about 30 seconds after we got home, it turned to ice that locked everyone home (or wherever they were stranded) for a couple of days and caused a lot of power outages. Fortunately, we'd made a major grocery run in Seattle and were well stocked with food and pinot noir for the duration.

winerycat Nov 21st, 2003 10:19 AM

BTilke: OMG, how I remember that ice storm and many others like it down in Lake Oswego -- we seemed to have some particularly nasty ones during that time. It is something to consider when traveling there in December.

Andrew Nov 21st, 2003 12:47 PM

Ice storms are rare in Portland (snow storms even more rare) - we get them maybe once a year in Portland. I don't think we've had one for the last two years. Freak weather events happen, just like the fires and the floods that happened in LA in the last few months. I wouldn't bother trying to plan around an ice or snow storm in Portland that's not likely to happen - unlike, say, Minnesota, where you probably should consider snow storms in your plans. If some freak weather event happens while you're here, just deal with it.

Now, if you will be traveling around Oregon and go up to higher elevations - different story from the Portland metro area. If you do plan to travel away from Portland, watch out for snow in the passes.

Andrew

kimamom Nov 21st, 2003 02:15 PM

I'll never forget the time it snowed in Astoria about ten years ago when we were there in December. There also was one Christmas when we were roller-blading on the prom in beautiful sunny weather!!

Talk about inconsistency!! LOL ***kim***

BTilke Dec 29th, 2003 12:33 PM

Hmmm...looks like parts of the metro Portland area DID get some snow after all!! Hopefully, zaksgrandma didn't have any problems getting around the outlying, higher elevation areas.
Despite the condescending comments about the unlikely possibility of snow in the Portland area around the Christmas/NY holidays, it never hurts to be prudent...

winerycat Dec 29th, 2003 01:55 PM

Amen, BTilke. People can choose to listen or disregard our warnings, but I feel I have a responsibility to at least make them aware of the potential risks of driving the area in winter, having had the experience myself.

kimamom Dec 30th, 2003 03:58 PM

Hi Winerycat!! I saw on the news last night while up at our condo that there was a traffic jam right outside of Medford that left a lot of people stranded and had to go to the Red Cross shelter for the night.

We had just come back from that route and drove through high winds and rain. Was anyone traveling out there that was caught in that mess? ***kim***

BTilke Jan 8th, 2004 10:12 AM

How are all you Oregonians doing with the ice storm? Staying home by the fireplace with a glass of pinot noir?

beachbum Jan 8th, 2004 10:41 AM

Decent Oregon pinot is way too expensive to drink casually, BTilke, so last night it was medoc. That after an afternoon of sledding and shoveling ice and snow from my walks and driveway; a wonderful day altogether.

Of course, the area schools close with the falling of the first flake, but yesterday, the whole city of Portland pretty much shut down. Pity those at PDX who were told this morning that, for the third straight day, there will be no incoming or outbound flights.

But the thaw has begun. And with rain in the forecast, we're now being told to prepare for flooding.


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