The Oregon trail

[tracilicious]

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.

[cirquelover]

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

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.

[Alex]

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).

[sleepyjeff]

Originally Posted by cirquelover

We really enjoy Gustav's for German food.

Love Gustav's and its' sister Restaurant Der Rheinlander.....every time I eat there I always wish that Disneylands Village Haus Restuarant would convert to be something more like these full service, immersive eateries

The accordian player at the Der Rhienlander knows every single Sherman Brother Song

[sleepyjeff]

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 ..........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.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by sleepyjeff

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.

Only if you like hiking up a canyon on the shoulders of a million other people when the water is so low that it really isn't all that interesting to see.

April is about the best time to do it because the water is high making it both a challenge to stay dry and suffiiciently traumatic if you fail to do so. Plus there aren't many people there.

Of course, I once swam in the bowl below the waterfall in February, so my tolerance for that is high. Winter is the absolute best time for the gorge in my opinion and spring is a decent compromise. Summer or fall and you should just go somewhere else.

[sleepyjeff]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

Only if you like hiking up a canyon on the shoulders of a million other people when the water is so low that it really isn't all that interesting to see.

April is about the best time to do it because the water is high making it both a challenge to stay dry and suffiiciently traumatic if you fail to do so. Plus there aren't many people there.

Of course, I once swam in the bowl below the waterfall in February, so my tolerance for that is high. Winter is the absolute best time for the gorge in my opinion and spring is a decent compromise. Summer or fall and you should just go somewhere else.

Wow....I'd never dream of doing that hike any time before June...of course I am a fair weather hiker if you will.

You have my awe and admiration for not only hiking that in February; but swimming in the icy cold water beneath the falls.

[tracilicious]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

April is about the best time to do it because the water is high making it both a challenge to stay dry and suffiiciently traumatic if you fail to do so. Plus there aren't many people there.

Lol. All this hiking and stuff sounds fantastically adventurous. I, however, will be traveling with a just barely four year old and a one year old, so adventures in icy cold water will have to wait.

I think that we are now going to do Monday-Thursday in Portland (with one of those days on the coast), Friday through Monday with conference stuff, Tuesday flying home (or at the Kennedy School if our flight is late enough). I definitely want to do the Portland zoo. I want to try and find a good Indi band playing during the week that I can sneak off and see.

I'm a little intimidated by the weather. The high for when we're going is mid 60's. That's dead of winter here practically. I hope I can find warm clothes on sale then.

For a Portland hotel we might try our luck with Priceline for the downtown area. I want to make sure it's close to public transportation.

[Alex]

Well, you don't have to do the Onteonta Gorge hike but the drive up the Gorge with easy roadside stops at several impressive waterfalls is something the four year will likely enjoy (if he is good about sitting in the car to get places).

Persistent rain is likely in April so be prepared for that.

[sleepyjeff]

Originally Posted by tracilicious

For a Portland hotel we might try our luck with Priceline for the downtown area. I want to make sure it's close to public transportation.

Not to worry. If you are staying Anywhere in Downtown Portland you would be hard pressed to find a hotel that is not within 2 blocks of a bus/trolly/lightrail line.