Blerf Blog: 2025

Here's an option for a get together. Oregon. We've been enough times to know our way around well enough to play tour guide. Here's an adventurous 5 day itinerary. Each of these would be pretty long days. But, it would be a pretty simple task to cut down to fewer days and and fewer items. We could even do mix and match if some people want to go one direction and others want more of something else, or a down day, or only come for a couple days.

Although this would be a good bit of car touring, it is also possible to adjust the amount of physical activity to suit, as well. Lots of these places are accessible by car but can be extended with some short hikes.

It would be best to stay around Portland and do hub and spoke trips from there. There are four major areas that can be covered.

One is the Columbia River Gorge east from Portland. I'd throw Mt Hood in with that since it's not far from the River. This would take two days. One day would be a loop out to Hood River, up to Mt Hood and back through Oregon City. The other would be out past The Dalles, across the river to Washington and back on the north side of the River.

Another is Portland proper. This would involve walking and light rail, most likely.

Another is northern part of the coast and the Willamette Valley. Another two day deal. On day out along the river to Astoria and back through Tillamook. The other, out to Lincoln City and down to Newport (and perhaps a bit beyond)

The fourth would be Washington volcanoes (Rainier and St Helens). This would be a "pick one" thing. You really can't do Rainier justice in a day, but a day trip is doable. St. Helens is closer.

The first and last days would be arrive and depart days. I'd suggest we stay in suburban Portland, close to light rail if possible. I looked briefly at AirBnB. Seems doable.

Here's a quick catalog of things to do and see:

Portland itself

-walking tour (good free one....)