Oregon Visit 2013

After Bend I visited the following:

7/15/13 & 7/16/13 - Yachats (Oregon Coast) - Left Bend early for my full day to the coast.  On the way I visited the High Desert Museum which is wonderful. Tried to only spend 1 hour there but after 2 hours finally broke away.  Made big mistake and didn't charge my extra battery so ran out.  Was lucky to be able to do a quick charge which barely lasted the rest of the day.  While at the museum went to the sawmill exhibit & talked with the spokesperson there. He was a great guy & gave me some super recommendations for rest of the day. Did a brief stop at Lava Lands National Park which was similar to my visit at the lava fields on way into Bend.  There is a huge caldera in this area but didn't have time to see it due to time constraints.

My next stop was Crater Lake which is amazing! Stopped at several lookouts before heading to the lodge. Weather was good but somewhat cloudy.   Still got some great pictures.  Afterwards headed to Becky's Cafe (recommendation from guy at sawmill) outside south exit of Crater Lake that is suppose to have the "best pie in Oregon".  I had peach pie which was very good.  Continued on my long days drive through farmland, mountains & rolling countryside to the coast where I was staying next two nights.  This was a 12 hour day but well worth it.  Had dinner on the water in Florence before arriving at my motel at 10:30pm.

Next day I went back to Florence and walked around this charming town.   Afterward I visited the Sea Lion Caves which is located along the coast & is considered America's largest sea cave with over 200 Steller and California Sea Lions in residence.  You take an elevator 200 feet down to the cave but they also have viewing areas overlooking the rocks.  Left there & visited the Cape Perpetua Vistor's Center.  Wanted to go to top of mountain for view but it was foggy & drizzling so decided to head to Newport & look around.  Had dinner at the Chowder Bowl, a favorite place for locals located in Nye Beach area of Newport.  This was my second chance to try famous Oregon clam chowder & it was very good.  Walked around area a bit before heading back to motel.

7/17/13 - Seaside - Another busy day along the coast.  Weather wasn't very good today or yesterday.  Overcast, foggy with some rain but still beautiful.  Made brief stop at Seal Rock where I met a couple that told me about a whale watching trip out of Depoe Bay.  Called them & made reservation for 1 hour trip at noon.  Visited the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport which is operated by Oregon State University.  Really great exhibits.  Only had an hour there so that I could make it to cruise on time. 

Was able to take in the Yaquina Head Lighthouse area before heading to the zodiac boats for my whale watching.  Was out for about an hour & a half.  We did see a whale but not very close & not very dramatic.  Afterwards went up to the small town & had clam chowder at Gracie's Sea Hag Restaurant.  Ummm good!!  There was also a viewing area of the whales across from the restaurant that was pretty good although much farther away then when on the boats but a good view.

Next stop was the famous Tillamook Cheese Factory which is well know for their cheddar cheeses.  It was started just over 100 years ago as a cooperative of local farmers & has been very successful.  Tour was short but showed the modern processing facility.  Had samples & also had lots of areas for sales of cheese & ice cream.  It was pretty late by time I left the cheese factory so didn't take time to visit Cannon Beach which is an upscale area on way to Seaside.  Checked into hotel & went to Norma's Cafe for dinner.  Had a very tood seafood dinner & of course clam chowder.  Town is very touristy compared to others along the coast.  The waterfront is nice & saw a good sunset before heading back to my home for the night.

7/18/13 - Seaside/Astoria/Portland - Headed north to Astoria which is a lovely town at the mouth of the Columbia River.  Visited the Captain George Flavel House which is a Victorian home that was owned by one of the successful river pilot/merchants from the 1800's.  It was a great place to visit with many interesting items of view.  Afterwards went to the Columbia River Maritime Museum which was a very modern structure housing displays about life on the river including rescue boats, visit on the Lightship Columbia which plied the sand bar for many years saving many a ship in its day.  The final stop in this town was the Astoria Column.  I climbed the 164 steps to the top of this 125 foot structure which was built in 1925 to commemorate the westward sweep of discovery and migration.  The outside is decorated with 14 murals made in Italian sgaffito technique (etched concrete).  The mural were very well done and told a story.  I spent over 3 hours in this town before heading on Route 30 into Portland. 

Arrived in Portland around 5 pm & went to my hotel which was located in Southwestern prtion edge of the city.  It was about 20 minute walk to very center of town but was good location.  Went to dinner at a steakhouse downtown.  Food was good but not memorable and was expensive.  Afterwards I took my rental car back to airport.  Dropped off the car & took the TriMet rail back into Portland.  Senior rate is $1.  While heading back got a call from rental car company asking where the keys were.  Of course they were in bottom of my backpack to had to go back & drop them off.  This was a long but great day.

7/19/13 Portland - Breakfast was included in rate for hotel & it was full buffet with eggs, meats, cereal breads, yoghurt & coffee.  Was very busy & they ran out of things but still pretty good.  After breakfast walked int town & visited the Pioneer Courthouse located in front of Pioneer Square which is the center of the city.  This is a very impressive Italianate  structure build in the late 1800's, added to in 1905-12 & renovated in the 70's.  Interior is very elegant & historical.  Went up into cupola for great view of city & Pioneer Square.  After visit went to Museum of Contemporary Craft which was interesting but small & limited.  They were also offering objects for sale. 

Afterwards walked to Lan Su Chinese Garden which is a Ming Dynasty style garden depicting the classical elements from their sister city in Suzhou.  It was a very well designed place reminiscent of the gardens I visited in China.  They have a tea house (Tao of Tea) in the garden which is excellent & I stopped for some tea & red bean cakes.

Left the tea house & walked to the river for some great views.  It was getting close to dinner time & I found a great restaurant in the area.  I had been eating seafood for past several days since I was on the coast so I decided to have Roast Chicken at Mother's Bistro.  What a great place!  Usually very busy for brunch but dinner was superb.  Met the owner who was great lady.  Wandered around & went back to hotel.  Another great day!!