Oregon Travel Advice
 

My boyfriend and I are planning a short trip to Southern Oregon. We're camping for two nights in late May at Sunset Bay State Park by Coos Bay and then driving to Crater Lake and staying in the Lodge there for a night.

Has anyone ever been there? Any suggestions would be appreciated since we're only going for four days and need to cram everything in.

Thanks! :)

uhm, can't relaly make any suggestions..but make sure you call it "or-e-gen' not 'or-a-gone'

Crater Lake is beautiful. If you like to hike, you're in for a good time. You'll want to go around rim drive. Last time I went, we took bikes, it was great. You may run into snow, even in May. As far as the Oregon Coast goes, I have only driven through Coos Bay. I like it a little farther North... I'd vote for Newport or Florence. If I only had 4 days, I think I'd stay on the coast. I hope you have a wonderful trip.

Thanks for the suggestions bethany! I called the Lodge today to confirm my reservation and the agent said there was 100 inches of snow on the ground! I can't wait!

Thanks for the tip! ;)

Um, don't go there at all? :p I went to high school in Medford, so maybe I just know the area a little too well!

Crater Lake is totally beautiful and worth seeing. I don't know how outdoorsy you are, but there are a couple of things worth doing - taking the boat to Wizard Island or hiking around the rim. And of course you have to picnic somewhere where you have a pretty view!

If you have time at all, stop by Ashland and take in a play at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, particularly one in the outdoor traditional theater. You can order tix in advance or get up way early and sit in line for them. While you're there, wander around Lithia Park and all the hippie shops.

Thought I'd bump this up...
 

I'm the Jon R. Tuttle Minority Intern for Oregon Public Broadcasting this summer in Portland, Oregon. I'm leaving on monday the 23rd and If anyone on GC is from around the area, I'd appreciate any tips you can give me. Tentatively, I will be staying at the Student Intern Housing in Goose Hollow Park(Portland State) in a furnished apartment. I contacted my sorority's Graduate ang Undergraduate chapter in the area and they have offered so much assistance. But, I would like any other information about cool places to eat, shop, etc. Can you tell i'm excited!:D

Watch out for the river!

http://www.classicgaming.com/rotw/ot5.gif

Re: Thought I'd bump this up...
 

I'm not sure about your age, but even if you aren't 21 yet the wineries in the Willamette Valley are beautiful (about 45 minutes from Portland). The wine is wonderful but the locations are great to even just visit.

I'd utilize all the help your alumnae/collegiate chapters can give. They sound like a great resource.

thanks to both of you for your advice- the winery seem like a great place even if I only have 3 more months before 21!

If you love to read then you have to check out Powell's Bookstore in Portland. It is literally a block long new and used books store. I can get lost in there for hours.

If you can, take a drive out to the coast. It's absolutely gorgeous. If you go to the southern coast try to take the Rogue River jet boats up the Rogue - a lot of fun.

Up near Coos Bay and Bandon is the West Coast Walk-thru Game Park and Safari. It's kind of a fun mini zoo. But they usually have some time of cub out for people to pet. In past years when I've gone there I've been able to pet a lion cub, tiger cubs, and bear cubs - even got to bottle feed a couple of them. They also have another area where they bring out other animals. I've held an apricot skunk (descented), fox, raccons, black-footed ferrets etc.

Last year had to be the best though. They had a full grown snow leopard there that there were getting ready to put on display. It wasn't a really crowded day and they were moving it from the back into a display area. They let me pet it for a few seconds. It was the most beautiful animal and so soft. There are so few of the snow leopards left in the world so very few people ever get to see them let alone touch one (not even zoo keepers). For me that is probably my most memorable moment ever with wild animals.

Carolyn

I miss elementary school! Does anyone still play Oregon Trail?

I seriously thought this thread was called "Oregon Trail Advice." I was gonna be like, "I don't know, I always got killed off by halfway through if I chose to be anything other than the banker."