Trip to Oregon and Washington Itinerary...

[lokerd]

Hello. I am in the last minute planning stages of our summer vacation/photo exploration. I am looking for anybody who has made a similar trip who might have suggestions on how long to spend in each place...good stopping points...etc.

Here is a link to the Google Spread Sheet Planner:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?k...un8__8AP5FUcBg

Portland for the first two nights is set in stone (hotel is already paid for). My general thought is to head west to the coast...then to Olympic...then to Mt. Rainer. Then back to Portland via Multnomah Falls.

Anyway...let me know if you have any suggestions for feedback...or if you have a got a specific itinerary already done up from when you went. I know we need more time...but I was weekend locked in...with a wedding on the return weekend. Probably should have tried to fly out tomorrow. Oh well, 12 days is what we have...and there is always next time. :)

Thanks for your time!!

[venchka]

All summer wouldn't be long enough. A year might be nice.

Enjoy! share your photos when you get back.

[CaptainTom]

I just got back from a couple of days in Seattle. Wonderful city with lots to offer.

I strongly recommend going to Crater Lake National Park. You will never see anything like it anywhere else.

[SharkDudette]

Oregon is a beautiful place...head South from Portland down the coastline. I agree with the Crater Lake suggestion. Also, see Coos Bay and Bend. They are beautiful. There are so many photo opportunities. See the Ships, logging, cranberry bogs, seaside towns living a slower and more interesting pace, meet the clammers and the fishing boats at the docks with todays catch, go down on the rocky shores and see the sea life that comes in and out with the tides/waves. Check out the wildlife and the beautiful forests.

There is so much to see and do in Oregon. You can't go wrong heading down the coastline.

[CaptainTom]

Just don't try pumping gas into your own car. Against the law in Oregon.

[lokerd]

Thanks for all the feedback. I just about have my itinerary complete. I will have to see how to add the Crater Lake. Check out my schedule here:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?k...un8__8AP5FUcBg

Some things are set in stone with paid reservations, including Lake Quinault Lodge (Olympic) and Paradise Inn (Mt. Rainier).

A couple of specific questions I have.

Can I NOT get my rental car while in Portland...and just rely on the public trans system to like run around to Japanese and Rose Garden, etc? If I trim a day off my car rental, I save another $70...but also not have to deal with driving. But then the tickets cost also. I already delayed getting the car until Sunday since we are arriving so late at night...will just take a shuttle to the airport hotel.

When we leave Portland, we are going to head to Seaside. We will probably do something in Portland that morning...then make our way to Seaside. The question is where to stay along the coast there. The further we go NORTH...the better we will be for driving to Olympic the next day. Any suggestions?

Finally, on the last few days...I can't decide to stay three days in Mt. Rainier...or tow days...and then find somewhere else halfway between Mt. Rainier and the Multnomah Falls.

Thanks for the help!!!

[barP]

if you like planes, the spruce goose is in an outstanding museum in mcminnville.

wp.

[LadyShutterBug]

my husband is from mcminnville... beautiful places up there, and lots of winery visits you can do.

i enjoyed watching the windsailers in Hood River Falls (in the Columbia River Gorge). i also very much enjoyed just driving through the columbia gorge and looking at all the plants and mosses and lichens :) i'm a nature nut. we have been to a couple of different weddings for his high school friends at the historic Columbia Gorge Hotel-- the grounds are very rustic but just beautiful (it's tiny). there is a hotel next door that is cheaper, I think maybe called the Vagabond Inn? we stayed there for a christmas time wedding when the gorge hotel was full. we walked over, it's that close.

Here it is, Vagabond Lodge: http://www.vagabondlodge.com/


portland has "Saturday Market" under a bridge near the river on saturday mornings (we stayed downtown at the marriott, and it was not terribly far from us). the arts and crafts presented there are far different than what you see around texas, i would highly recommend finding out where/when it's taking place! (hotel concierge should be able to help you out).

wherever you go, you will have a great time :)

[lokerd]

Thanks for the tip. I went ahead and made a reservation there. Do you think it matters much on the view fromt eh room if we are going to be out taking pictures? Also, is this a good place to say if we need to stay near Portland (flying out at 1:00pm on Wed) but want to visit the Multnomah Falls on Tuesday?

I will be coming in from Mt. Rainier...on Wind River Rd...on Tuesday...so would involve some back tracking to get to Vagabond Lodge.

Are there other areas to stay other than camping...closer to the falls??

Also, do you have a recommendation of a place to stay in Seattle??? We only have one day there...will be coming in from Olympic...and driving to Mt. Rainier the next day.

Thanks!

[Pixgal]

hi