Southern Oregon - The Columbia River Gorge - The Oregon Coast

We will then travel north through the Monterey Bay Peninsula and Cannery Row, onward through the Northern California mountain passes framing snow covered Mount Shasta and across Oregon's Siskiyou pass into the lush Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon. It is here that we mine deep into the History of the West from the Gold Rush era to the roaring 20's.

Union Creek

In Ashland, Oregon the roaring 20's come to life in the image of a grand great hotel and the history of Lithia Springs, where bathers once came from miles around to bask in the healing waters rich with Lithium. Here rejuvenation still comes to the traveler who visits the Ashland Springs Hotel and the Blue Giraffe Spa. This grand hotel has been restored to it's previous grandeur and houses rare collections of botanicals, etchings and artifacts that complement the theme that has drawn people to Ashland for several centuries to experience the healing properties of nature and the natural balance of life. Ashland Springs Hotel is walking distance to the world famous Oregon Shakespearean Festival where we celebrate the timeless enchantment of moonlit evenings of Shakespeare under the stars. Just minutes from downtown Ashland is the Mount Ashland Ski Resort and a short drive up Dead Indian Memorial Hwy is Howard Prairie Lake with it's Pine covered Islands in the forefront of snow covered Mount Mackenzie.

While in nearby Jacksonville, the Gold Rush Era is relived at Jacksonville Inn where the Honeymoon Cottages are indescribable "suites extraordinaire", and Gold Dust can still be seen in the walls of the Historic Inn. The Jacksonville Inn is #9 on the National Historic register and is also a five star restaurant. The Britt Festival is located in this landmark town, where all summer long world-class performances are held in Britt gardens, an outdoor theatre overlooking the Rogue Valley. Just a short drive away you can take in the beauty and wildlife seen on a backcountry jet boat excursion down the Rogue River, or gaze into the deep waters of Crater Lake, the deepest Lake in the United States of America.

Traveling through the mountains and fertile valleys of Western Oregon toward Portland one could hardly imagine there could be even more splendor waiting at our next destination but as we approach the Columbia River Gorge we are greeted by the Majesty that awaited Lewis and Clark. It is here that the weary pioneers realized their reward after crossing the Country and forging the Oregon Trail and the awards for today's travelers are many. Along this great river, a national treasure we discover the old scenic highway lacing through groves of maple, birth trees and pine along the cliff then rising high above the gorge offering breathtaking views of the river and Washington State. Majestic waterfalls plunge off the cliffs along this quaint historic road and visitors can stop to view them along the way, including the famous Multnomah Falls.

Traveling on an excursion train aboard Mount Hood Railroad, the spectacular countryside is viewed from inside a 1920's Pullman

coach while enjoying delicious four-course meals and sipping Northwest wine.

Perched high above the Columbia River Gorge is the grand and elegant Columbia Gorge Hotel, built in 1904 by pioneer Bobby Rand and was named "Waw Gwin Gwin" the Native American name for rushing waters for the hotel's 208 foot waterfall.

This grand hotel has been lovingly restored to perfection. The hotel features an award-winning restaurant and your stay includes the World Famous Farm Breakfast, which leave guests whether or not they are dreaming and "No it is not a choice, you get it all".

The trip down from Portland to Albany and traveling West toward the coast through the lush green and fertile Willamette Valley will take you through more of Oregon's wine country. The Wineries of the Willamette Valley pour award winning Oregon wines and provide scenic and memorable stops along your journey to the coast.

Once on the Coast of Oregon you will find rugged pine covered cliffs, huge offshore boulders, coastal villages, port towns and miles of sand dunes, hiking trails and river outlets teaming with salmon and steel head.

Newport is the home of the Oregon Coast Aquarium and two of Oregon's most enchanting lighthouses, Yaquina Head Lighthouse and Yaquina Bay Lighthouse.

Just north of Newport is Depoe Bay, known as "The Whale Capital of the West" for it's spectacular viewing bay where the gray whales showoff on their migration down the coast to California.

We recommend you stay in the romantic village of Yachats, at Overleaf Lodge, a luxurious spa resort overlooking the Pacific. Yachats attractions include Yachats Heceta Lighthouse, the covered bridge, and Little Log Church Museum. One of Yachats most popular events is the annual Wedding Vow Renewal Ceremony that takes place in February.

As you travel down the coast after enjoying Yachats, you will arrive in Florence, the northern gateway to the Oregon Sand Dunes where there are Dune Buggy Tours and the nearby Sea Lion Caves. Just South in Reedsport, you will drive through the "heart of the Oregon Dunes recreational area" and also find Dean Creek Elk Preserve where there is a viewing area to spot these beautiful animals. Driving South in Coos Bay, an International Port is the Coos Bay Historical Museum as well as the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology. Coos Bay also has the largest indoor mall on the Oregon Coast.

Leaving Coos Bay and traveling toward the Southern coast of Oregon, you will encounter the culinary delights of Bandon where cranberries are grown in cranberry bogs and many yummy cranberry treats can be tasted and taken home.

In Gold Beach, south of Bandon, the Rogue River flows into the pacific and jet boats provide exciting and scenic tours up the Rogue, a salmon and steelhead fisherman's paradise. A favorite spot for hiking is the Schrader Old Growth Trail. Oregon's most Southern coastal city, Brookings boasts a Performing Arts Center, a thriving commercial flower industry with tours open to the public and the nearby Redwood Forest.