Vacation itinerary suggestions
 

Hi,

I know this is a well worn topic, so please bear with me. I have studied hundreds of messages here to come up with what I think is pretty good, but I still would like your opinions on what might be cut/added. I am particulary in the dark as to where to stay in the Sisters/Bend area.

I don't like a lot of driving so I've tried to divide it up into moderate drives every couple of days. We are in our mid-50s and like to do day hikes of 5-10 miles with an elevation gain of ~1500' or so as well as the usual sightseeing.

Here's the tentative itinerary:

Day 1
Arrive PDX early afternoon, drive to Yachats (~3 hours). Overnight at Overleaf Lodge.

Day 2
Hike Cape Perpetua/shoreline, maybe go up to Aquarium at Newport. Overnight at Overleaf Lodge.

Day 3
Drive to Crater Lake (~5-5.5 hours) stopping somewhere in Eugene for lunch. Overnight at Crater Lake Lodge.

Day 4
Hike around Crater Lake, do the boat trip. Overnight at Crater Lake Lodge.

Day 5
Drive to Bend-Sisters area (~3 hours). Not sure where to stay. Someone suggested Black Butte but it seems to be more longer term rentals.

Day 6
Have read there is good hiking in the Sisters area but unsure where. Overnight same place as above.

Day 7
Drive to Mount Hood (~3 hours). Overnight at Timberline Lodge.

Day 8
Dayhike part of theTimberline Trail. Overnight at Timberline Lodge.

Day 9
Drive to Hood River then on to Portland via Columbia Gorge (hike, sightsee most of the day). Overnight 5th Ave. Suites Hotel.

Day 10
Hang out in Portland—Chinese& Japanese Gardens, wander Pearl, Powell's, etc. (still researching). Overnight 5th Ave. Suites Hotel.

Day 11
PDX and Home

This is all dependent, of course, on getting reservations for late July. Am I too late for any of these places?

TIA for any suggestions.

I live in the middle of this area. (Roseburg). The itinerary looks doable. You might get more responses if you had put "Oregon" in the title of your post. A popular place in Bend is the Riverhouse. (I think that's what it's called.) We still have younger kids so stayed at the Phoenix Inn last time. Don't know where you live, but IKEA is set to open near PDX by this summer.

Thanks. I thought I was posting in an Oregon-specific forum. I'll repost.

You did post in the Oregon section, but it also shows up under all of the US, so is always helpful to list your location in the title.

Many places at Black Butte Ranch are longer term, depending on what time of year you go, i.e. the summer many of the homes require a minimum of a week. However, there are also smaller condos and some nice hotel type rooms that are available for shorter rental times. We own a vacation home at Black Butte and absolutely love it!!(www.Blackbutteranch.com)

In Camp Sherman on the Metolius River near Sisters there is the Metolius River Lodges (www.metoliusriverlodges.com/) and Lake Creek Lodge (www.lakecreeklodge.com). This is one of the most beautiful spots in Oregon.

That sounds like a very good trip!

We live in Portland and I have stayed at the Phoenix Inn Suites a couple of times. It is very centrally located in the heart of Bend. Bend is such a great town to wander around in with some incredible restaurants as well!

The Timberline Trail is a great hike but you don't really get to the most beautiful part until you are about 6 miles in, at Paradise Park.

I highly recommend the Newport Aquarium. I have been several times and I will go again, I am sure.

I don't think you will have any problem finding places for Late July.

Enjoy your planning!