Roundtrip in Oregon for Dutch Family in Summer ! (Portland, Eugene: vacation, health)

[andresl]

hi
who can give some do and donts, of some cities,suggestions

we have the idea to travel with our family-2 adults and 3 children from Amsterdam-Portland(we have been there in 2002)-Salem? - Eugene? -Crater Lake (have been there in 2002)- Bend ? and back to....
in a 3 weeks summerholiday in a KOA or a lodge or B&B

many thanks from Holland

[tdekany]

we just did 11 days and flew to denver to spend 3 days in colorado springs. We had the best time of our lifes.

day 1&2 in Portland

Started driving down south. Stayed in Eugene.

Drove down to Roseburg

Went to crater lake.

Drove to Medford/Ashland (stayed in Ashland)

Drove to the coast (Brookings) and explored all the way to up to gold Beach.

Rained all the way up, but next day was nice and dry on the way down to the red woods California. A must see if you haven't.

Drove further south to Arcata and took Rt 299 to Reddings. It was mostly at night and rained heavy. The twisties 100 or so miles ever. My wife was dizzy for 2 days.

From Reddings we went up to Klamath Falls. Stayed 2 days.

After that straight to Bend for another 2 days

From Bend we couldn't wait to go back to Portland. Spent 2 more days there. (make sure to see the Gorge and it's falls. Also Mt hood and The Dalles, which we didn't get to)

Flew to Denver.

Spend more time in Portland. I've lived all over the world and for me nothing matches it beauty/coolness/people/food.

Eugene is great too but not much personality, like most other Oregon towns.

Ashland you will like but we didn't care for the snobby attitutes. There were nice people around however = it isn't that bad. We were looking for a place to move to and we couldn't deal with it on a daily bases.

The state is very very nice, lots of greens.

People in Portland and Eugene were the coolest. We are liberal and open minded.

Overall, (being from a police state: virginia) every moment that we spent in Oregon was a treat. Everyone was very calm (you will see this while driving) except in Bend, where it was more like back home but still nothing like here around Washington DC.

I couldn't imagine anyone not having a fantastic time while visiting Oregon.

I wish I was there right now.

PS: We stayed in Holiday Express. Not too expensive while very clean & comfortable.

I can't think of any DON'TS right now.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[andresl]

Originally Posted by tdekany

we just did 11 days and flew to denver to spend 3 days in colorado springs. We had the best time of our lifes.

day 1&2 in Portland

Started driving down south. Stayed in Eugene.

Drove down to Roseburg

Went to crater lake.

Drove to Medford/Ashland (stayed in Ashland)

Drove to the coast (Brookings) and explored all the way to up to gold Beach.

Rained all the way up, but next day was nice and dry on the way down to the red woods California. A must see if you haven't.

Drove further south to Arcata and took Rt 299 to Reddings. It was mostly at night and rained heavy. The twisties 100 or so miles ever. My wife was dizzy for 2 days.

From Reddings we went up to Klamath Falls. Stayed 2 days.

After that straight to Bend for another 2 days

From Bend we couldn't wait to go back to Portland. Spent 2 more days there. (make sure to see the Gorge and it's falls. Also Mt hood and The Dalles, which we didn't get to)

Flew to Denver.

Spend more time in Portland. I've lived all over the world and for me nothing matches it beauty/coolness/people/food.

Eugene is great too but not much personality, like most other Oregon towns.

Ashland you will like but we didn't care for the snobby attitutes. There were nice people around however = it isn't that bad. We were looking for a place to move to and we couldn't deal with it on a daily bases.

The state is very very nice, lots of greens.

People in Portland and Eugene were the coolest. We are liberal and open minded.

Overall, (being from a police state: virginia) every moment that we spent in Oregon was a treat. Everyone was very calm (you will see this while driving) except in Bend, where it was more like back home but still nothing like here around Washington DC.

I couldn't imagine anyone not having a fantastic time while visiting Oregon.

I wish I was there right now.

PS: We stayed in Holiday Express. Not too expensive while very clean & comfortable.

I can't think of any DON'TS right now.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for the quick and nice reaction,are you willing to mail my at

aslooten@kpnplanet.nl

my wife and kuds haveb beeb to your country in summer 2002 and made a one way trip from Seattle till San Diego in 4 weeks.
please mail.

[janb]

I suggest

check Portland schedule for events before coming to determine how much time you want to spend in city and at which end of trip. You can see a lot in one day, especially if you want a private tour guide ! (I'm unemployed / retired and very cheap (free)) Basically for summertime, a couple parks / gardens, Oregon Historical society Museum (this would be a good start to your trip to learn more about the state) + Powell Books for evening or rainy day. Then out to Cannon Beach, and points to south, before heading back inland to get to Eugene. (If you want to go there...) The far southern Oregon coast is nice too, and as previous poster mentioned 'Redwoods" and the "Samoa Cookhouse" near Eureka, California (old style lumber camp meal Very good and Hearty (I like Breakfasts) You are served 'Family Style' on large tables with bench seats.

in Northern California, I really like Lassen Nat'l Park. It is quite like my home state of Colorado (Alpine) also there is Lava Caves Park on to the North and east of Lassen (on your way back to Crater Lake) Then a few days in OR mountians, and then to Hood River or The Dalles for Gorge hiking and kite boarding / wind surfing. Try to get to Timberline lodge for a view and snack by the fireplace. (on the way to Hood River)

I suggest you search for some 'Guest home directories'. They are like bed and breakfast, but private homes, not commercial business. (there are several groups who publish directories) They have really made our vacations special as we have met and enjoyed locals. The one we host is suggested donation of $20/night, and it is with a church group (whom we are not affiliated, nor is it necessary) The hosts usually use the $$ as a contribution to a special need in their community. For many years we used a 'Homeschool' Guest home directory, and it was really fun! especially the commune we ended up staying in Boston (45 people in one house !! our kids were very impressed). I can hardly wait to come to Holland, as my heritage is nearby (Denmark). There are many guest homes in NW europe from our book. We have really enjoyed being in guesthomes while on foreign assignments and travel. We have been as close as Zeeland to catch the ferrie, but it was a late and very cold winter night!

Check out my post in WA forum (traveling to PNW) for some other suggestions. (like traveling on coast in south bound direction for better and safer viewing). and renting cars for very cheap. + some 'Must see' places in Oregon.

Best wishes and PM me if you want some specifics.
We live in the West Columbia Gorge, Washington side ~ 30 miles east of Airport. EZ place to stage your arrival or departure. With advance notice we can have Fresh Salmon Grilled on a cedar plank and fresh berrie dessert (seasonal dependent) with homemade Ice Cream. (tho Ice cream not as good as yours, 'healthy? American milk.). Our visitors during last August enjoyed picking the berries for their desserts, tho children tire quickly...and get very messy! Everyone had a good time, and we have hot water for showers

[andresl]

Hi Jan, many thanks for the answers/suggestions and proposal for arrival and departure (jetlag from Holland when we arrive!)alway nice to email with americans.
i know we can see a lot in one day, we at Europe have LOL when an American will DO Europe. 3 days is enough...... hahah for example
see London- visit the Towerbridge and you have seen Gr Britian.......!, in the afternoon you fly to Paris to see Eiffeltower and you have seen FRance.... and the next day you walk through the Red light district and you have see Holland...
If, i would see something ,for example The Redwoods, we go out of the car make a walk, make pictures ,picnic and will enjoy the surrounding.I have seen usa citizens, ,who stayed in their car, stopped for 15, and told we have seen the Redwoods, thats typical USA.... Hurry Hurry ,always in a hurry

In 2002, we made a 4 weeks trip by car from Seatlle till San Diego! and still we have seen a smal part of it

We went for Portland, for 2.5 days , we saw Rose garden, Nike shop, walked through the city for hours, took a vitamin drink some where to the opposite of an big Library, went to Starbucks and stayed ther for hours!
This feels like Amsterdam, freedom, most Democrats, and liberal thoughts about gays-marriage-abortion etc etc so, open minded, not like the South and the present Neoconservs with their small point of view about life,religion and the rest of the world.Portland looks like Holland ! and San Francisco. I hope you are not angry about my opinion and remarks. If so, sorry for that

So 2 days to visit a city is the minimum for us.

For you info ,i already email since 2002 with people from Scotts Mills(we met them at the Crater Lake lodge) and we had the same interest ,point of view about he world, the way USA gives Democracy to those ... you know. he is rather very Negative about his country, the Bush administation and his Nazi friends - ashamed to be an American- i allways say : Do not forget you have a beautiful country, for us the ultimate after Italy and the Netherlands ofcourse hahaha and we all know how the rest of the world thinks about the US, but as you see there are also lot of nice people. So let stopp talking politics, i could do it for hours with you,but maybe you are happy with the present situation. Lets talk about Oregon!


greetings from Holland

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by andresl

hi
who can give some do and donts, of some cities,suggestions

we have the idea to travel with our family-2 adults and 3 children from Amsterdam-Portland(we have been there in 2002)-Salem? - Eugene? -Crater Lake (have been there in 2002)- Bend ? and back to....
in a 3 weeks summerholiday in a KOA or a lodge or B&B

many thanks from Holland

First a note of caution. The Oregon Coast is rugged, the cliffs are unstable, and the water is cold. If there is a storm, stay away from the ocean. Be very careful not to be caught by the tide. Observe all caution signs. People die at the coast every year. Stay safe.

Reservations are required during tourist season, particularly for the more desirable B&B and camping spots. If you are tent camping there is almost always space available, but if you are travelling by caravan, reservations can be arranged at

http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PARKS/reserve.shtml

Now, on to the fun stuff.

From Portland, take the Columbia River Highway (30) all the way to the Pacific, then drive down the Oregon coast. If you like to hike, Oswald West State Park between Cannon Beach and Nehalem is a must-see. Hike Cape Falcon and then hike to the top of Neahkahnie Mountain. Don't be fooled. The only thing you see from the highway is a parking lot. You have to hike in to visit the park. There are hiking trails from Oswald West through the Clatsop and Tillamook State Forests.

The drive west from Tillamook over Cape Lookout is pretty spectacular. Netarts Bay is a national estuary, and you don't need a fishing license to fish there. There's plenty of clamming on the mudflats too. Check local regs for limits and such. I don't know what the razor clam status is nowdays. For that matter, a charter fishing tour is an excellent idea, and a good way to get nice and close to nature. ;>

The rest of the coast is waiting, so don't dawdle. There is about 350 miles of public highway and public beach, with a couple hundred viewpoints, and state or county parks every five miles. Drive fast until you get south of Newport. That will put you past the worst of the Portland strip city development.

Don't get mesmerized by the ocean. The Lower Siletz River Loop is a beautiful drive, and only about 20 miles. If the weather is hot, there is a fabulous swimming hole just a few miles up the Smith River (just north of Reedsport). It's popular with the locals, but not much visited by tourists. Bring your own food and drinks, there are no tourist facilities.

Sea Lion Caves are interesting. Be sure to stop at Cape Perpetua, and plan to spend some time if it is low tide.

At Gold Beach, a mail boat ride is great fun.

http://www.mailboat.com/

The Southern Oregon Coast is fairly undeveloped, mostly owned by the government and large timber companies. You may have to drive a ways between accommodations,
A trip into California to the mouth of the Klamath River to see the Redwoods is worth the trip.

On your way back north take the Redwood Highway (199) toward Cave Junction. Not only do you get to see some redwoods, that is the road to The Oregon Caves. The Oregon Caves are not all that big, but unlike the big limestone caves, The Oregon Caves were eroded out of marble. They are miniature gems. Wear a coat.

At this point you are in the middle of the North Klamath Formation, otherwise known as the Siskiyou Mountains. The geology is highly varied. A visit to local rock shops is often worth it. Remember, gems are just rocks. If you are not careful, you will exceed your luggage weight limit with precious and semi-precious stones. There's a nice little rock shop in Cave Junction, and Fire Mountain Gems is in Grants Pass.

You say you have seen Crater Lake before, but there are several nice day drives across the Cascade Mountains. I'm very fond of highway 138 from Roseburg to Crater Lake (stop at all the waterfalls) and the McKenzie highway (242) from Springfield to Sisters. Both roads are best approached from the West, so head east on 138, take the Willamette Pass (58) back to I-5, go north to Springfield and drive up 242. You gain a mile in altitude in a very short time, so pack sunglasses and sun lotion. The McKenzie pass usually doesn't open until July 1 because of snow, so you may have to skip it if you are too early.

Go on through Sisters to Redmond and take Hwy 26 across the Ochocos. The drive across the Ochoco Mountains is worth it all for itself, but on the other side of the Ochoco National Forest is the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. It is sort of spread out, about 60 miles from side to side. The visitor center is at the Sheep Rock Unit. http://www.nps.gov/joda/

From the fossil beds, continue on 26 to Mount Vernon, head north on hwy 395 and hang a right at Ukiah toward LaGrande. Continue north out of LaGrande to Minam, then angle SE to Joseph, just because it is an interesting spot. If you have $50,000 to spend, you can pick up some really nice tourist trinkets in Joseph. It's an artist's colony. There are three bronze foundries in a tiny little mountain village.

Take the back road south out of Joseph to the Hells Canyon Overlook for a look at the deepest canyon on the North American continent. Then head on south to Hwy 86 and hang a left to the river. It's a good idea to check your brakes before making this drive. Take a jet boat ride on the Snake River.

Take 86 back to Baker City. Did I mention that you need to stock up on Dramamine if you get motion sick?

I'm sorry, but the last leg of the trip is on a freeway. I-84 is the only way to get to Multnomah Falls. Hey, you get to see the Columbia Gorge. You can hop into Washington at Biggs and see Stonehenge and Maryhill too.

That just leaves out two spots on my Top 10 list, Silver Creek Falls and the Valley of the Giants. To get to Silver Creek Falls, head south out of Oregon City on 213 to Silverton. Hang a left on 214 to the park.

The Valley of the Giants is harder to get to. The jump off point is Falls City, west of Monmouth. The BLM has printed directions for you so you can find the place.

http://www.or.blm.gov/salem/html/rec/vog/giants.htm

for more information.

Also recommended:
- Driving down the Nestucca River from Carlton to Beaver
- The Siuslaw River road from Lorane to 126
- Hwy 34 from Alsea to Tidewater
- The Coos Bay Wagon Road from Lookingglass to Coos Bay.

If you are diligent, you could make this entire trip in 3 weeks, and it would be filled with "look at THAT!" moments. However, feel free to settle in one spot and just relax. It takes a lifetime to see it all, and sometimes multiple visits. I have been to the top of Neahkahnie Mountain a dozen times, and it has been different every time. There are even museums that would interest someone from Europe, though you have cornered the market on museums. The Evergreen Air-Space Museum at McMinnville is great if you are interested in airplanes and rockets.

Have fun.