Finalizing Oregon Trip - Reality Check please

Hi all

I%26#39;m finalizing our trip to Oregon this summer. Dates aren%26#39;t set in stone but we%26#39;re thinking mid June or late July/early August. It%26#39;s just hubby and me, late 40%26#39;s. Coming from Colorado, we are BIG nature lovers, hikers. I want to see as much of Oregon as possible but I don%26#39;t want to kill myself doing it by driving :)

For lodging, we like cabins or small lodging choices verses high end hotels. We%26#39;ve rented on VRBO and gotten great places for the price so if you can recommend the areas to stay, I can research that website. For dinning, we love the food more than the place, local favorites as to what the book says!

Can you please review and offer suggestions? You%26#39;re the experts!

Day 1: Fly in. Explore Portland - explore on bike the Esplanade bike bath, waterfront, shop the Sat. Market, other ideas?

Day 2: Portland: Rose/Japanese Gardens in the morning, kayaking at Scappoose Bay in the afternoon.

Day 3: Drive to Newport/Yachats area, stopping often to hike and enjoy the scenary. Is the Lewis/Clark National park worth while? Stay 3 nights

Day 4: Three Capes Scenic Route/Cape Meares Lighthouse. Drive the coast. Newport to Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Newport Bayfront

Day 5: Drive to McMinnville, visit Evergreen Aviatin and Space Museum,(must for my honey) tour wineries, (must for myself!) What about Santiam Canyon to Silver Falls State Park?

Day 6: Newport to Roseburg. Scenic Byway I38 to Crater Lake, hike waterfalls along the way. Explore the Crater Lake area. Reality check needed on the fullness of the drive and exploring Crater Lake.

Lodging: Crater Lake Lodge or Prospect area.

Day 7: Hike Pearsonery Falls (outside of Prospect) or other hike. Drive to Bend. Stay two nights. Explore and hike Three Sisters Wildness area. Recommended day hikes with a great picnic stop would be great. We can do 3-6 miles comfortably each way.

Day 9-10: Drive to The Dulles, explore Columbia River area, Hike Multnomah Falls? Not sure where to stay for two nights. Again, day hike recommendations would be great.

Day 11 - Fly home. Sad already....

Thanks for all your input!

Shopgrl39

Finalizing Oregon Trip - Reality Check please

Might suggest Yachats instead of Newport. Much, much smaller, just about 30 minutes south on straight fast road. You might like this place:

http://www.waysidelodge.com/

Day 4 - I%26#39;m one of those who think that the Three Capes route is not that impressive. There are more areas to drive to see nice seascapes. However, you could drive it on your route from Portland. Just take Hwy 6 to the coast.

From Newport, it%26#39;s about 2 hours one way to Silver Falls SP. If you try to combine that with the Spruce Goose *and* wineries, you%26#39;ll have a very loooong day. Also keep in mind that it will be very warm over there in the summer, although it%26#39;s a lovely area.

Newport area to Crater Lake, my memory is about 4.5 hours. Interested in the boat tour?

p.s. It%26#39;s the ';Dalles'; not Dulles, LOL! Although it%26#39;s not the most exciting place in the world . . .

Finalizing Oregon Trip - Reality Check please

';p.s. It%26#39;s the ';Dalles'; not Dulles, LOL! Although it%26#39;s not the most exciting place in the world . ';

I agree, and neither was he. :)

I agree also about the 3 capes loop; if you hike the trails, nice, but similar can be found elsewhere and more easily.

I prefer Yachats and either Fireside or Overleaf, sister properties, former less expensive than the latter, ask for ocean front, not view, rooms.

Unsure of your route to the coast, but for variety, I like the road toward Cannon Beach, see that, then drive through interesting country to Yachats.

www.visittheoregoncoast.com

Newport, OR

http://discovernewport.com/

www.aquarium.org

Yachats/Cape Perpetua fs.fed.us/r6/鈥?/a>

Watch for Spouting Horns on beach drive just south of Yachats and just before the bridge at Cape Perpetua. Walk the latter%26#39;s trails to the lower bluffs.