Now I really want to play Oregon Trail! I wonder if there's an online version...

Thanks so much for the tips! How far of a drive are these things from Corvallis? I'm thinking maybe we should do a few nights in Portland instead of driving those two days.

Except for Enchanted Forest and the Spruce Goose most of those I listed are going to be about an hour or more from Corvalis.

Stay in Portland if you can...I'd reccomend the Hotel Lucia in the spirit of swank;)

More economical Hotels can be found out near Troutdale(about 20 minutes East of Downtown) which is not a bad place to stay if you plan on seeing the Multnomah Falls or Mt. Hood....but it is less convenient to much of everything else.

Also wish to amend my list:

Mt St. Helens Drive north on I-5 to Woodland then follow the St. Helens National Monument signs. If you have a full day try to go up to the North side of the volcano to the Windy Ridge Lookout---it is quite eerie.

Beverely Cleary Sculpture Garden Portlands most famous childrens author is celebrated at this wonderful, whimsical little spot in Grant Park in NE Portland.

Can you see the New Carissa stern still in Coos Bay? It ran aground, they tried to burn the fuel off, it broke in half - they pulled the bow off the beach, it broke free, went further up the coast. They finally succeeded in scuttling the bow with a torpedo from a Navy Submarine (after the Navy surface ship failed to sink it).

I saw that for the first time this past Christmas (from I-5 - note no 'the' before that!) Very interesting design on the pod (or whatever they call it)


Slight technical correction here, the Blue Back is a diesel (last diesel built, I believe).


Sorry, that's not the Oregon State Song (don't the oddest things stick in your brain from grade school education?)

I FINALLY did that a couple of 4th of Julys ago - Totally cool - though I liked the Johnston Ridge visitor center best of the places we stopped - WATCH THE MOVIE, especially if it's a clear day! However, I'm not sure how soon Johnston Ridge in particular opens, that might be a problem with an April visit.

I agree with everything else sleepyjeff mentioned (though I haven't been to Enchanted Forest since I was in grade school) - but had to add
Winery touring.

I would NOT stay in Corvallis to do the Portland stuff. You'd be spending too much time on the boring Interstate. Besides, if you're flying in, you'll probably fly into/out of Portland, anyway.

No one has yet mentioned Crater Lake ... in my opinion Oregon's most beautiful and beguiling spot.

I think you guys are right. We're flying in on a Wednesday (preferrably really early), so I think we'll stay Wednesday and Thursday in Portland. Then conference stuff Friday, Saturday, Sunday, kids museum in Portland on Monday with conference people. Kennedy School on Tuesday, coast on Wednesday, fly back early Thursday.

Although now I'm thinking that if we return Tuesday instead of Thursday then we could leave much earlier in the week and do more Portland stuff. I can only miss two classes this semester, so I can only be gone one Tuesday and Thursday.

WOOHOO! I'm an image theif!

I live about 20 miles from Corvallis and I grew up there. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to help!

Off the top of my head for eating, we love Local Boyz on the OSU campus. It's a Hawaiin place and you get lots of filling chicken or beef and macaroni and rice. Also... Something in the back of my head says you're vegetarians though. If you are there is Nearly Normals, my friends rave about it and it always wins awards.
How about you tell me what you like and I'll make helpful suggestions:D

I know there are lots of clubs in Portland, where's Stinkerbell when you need her! We always do family friendly activities in Portland.

The Kennedy school is really a fun evening with dinner, beer and a movie if it's playing. We really enjoy Gustav's for German food. The Melting Pot for fondue fun. It depends what part of Portland you are in.

Ok, I think I'm rambling, I'll give it some thought and figure out what I'm missing.

Crater lake would be quite a trek for a day visit.

Is this your first time in the area?

What is your tolerance for tourist trap type towns? If low, I'd avoid Seaside/Cannon Beach. Particularly in April, though a pleasant day long drive could be Portland to Lincoln City then north to Astoria and back to Portland and just stop wheverever the mood and scenery strike.

If you like zoos, the Washington Park Zoo or Oregon Zoo (whatever it is called these days) is, in my opinion, one of the best zoos in the country. Powell's is one of the best bookstores in the country though I hardly ever stop by anymore (massive selection no longer has quite the appeal to me now that the internet provides infinitely more massive selection).

If you're into such things, a drive up the gorge to Vista House, Multnomah Falls, and if you're brave enough in April, Onteonta Gorge are all very pleasant days (though make sure you take the scenic road rather than just shooting straight out on I-84.

From this list you can see I'm not much of a "city tourist" and find Portland to be lacking in that regard anyway (but that could just be familiarity) and haven't much to recomment. The museums are mostly standard (including OMSI which is extensive but essentially identical to a dozen other MSIs around the country). However, if such are your thing, the core of Portland is actually very small so you can just stroll around and see most of it. But ultimately my recommendation would be to ignore Portland and go see things within a day's drive of it.

I've been to Corvallis many times (particularly when I was young since the JW district conference center is in Corvallis) but honestly can't remember a thing about the area (other than the district conference center).

Some thoughts....

First; Drince is right about all of the corrections. I've been on the Blueback several times and knew it was a diesel sub...but I guess that fact escaped me in my excitement:blush: ..........I had always thought that --Wild as the Wind in Oregon-- was the Official song; I guess I was wrong.



Second; Crater Lake is, without a doubt, the most beautiful spot in Oregon....pictures don't come close to doing it justice....but it is over 4 hours from Corvalis--each way--and that is in dry summer like conditions. In April you are just as likely to encounter snow or even icy roads which could easily double the trip time.

Finally; I must second Alex on the old hwy over the intersate for trips up the Gorge. Hiking up the Onteonta, however, is best done in July.

I've been to Crater Lake once. It was COMPLETELY fogged over and I saw nothing. :(