Oregon Coast and Portland:  Leaving Crater Lake NP, we followed the North Umpqua River along the state scenic waterway through the heavily forested Cascade Range and then crossed the Coast Range into Coos Bay for our start up the Oregon coastline.  The drive proved as beautiful as claimed with Highway 101 hugging the rugged cliffs, capes and scenic bays of the Pacific with state parks every few miles!  The first day we discovered the Oregon Dunes National Recreation area which stretches from Coos Bay to the historic town of Florence where we stopped for the night.

Three Capes scenic drive

The next day we continued north along 101 up to Three Capes Scenic Loop where we detoured to follow the old Oregon Coast Trail up to Tillamook Bay.  There, we backtracked to hike to Munson Creek Falls amidst a quiet fairyland of moss covered trees and giant ferns.  The waterfall at 319 feet is the highest in the coast range.  

Pasture land near Tillamook OR

At Tillamook, we visited the Tillamook Cheese factory where we toured and tasted the famous cheese and ice cream known the world over!  We returned to 101 and ended the second day’s drive at Astoria close to the Lewis & Clark National Historic Park on the Columbia River.  Astoria is a charming Victorian river town with streets terraced up the steep hills overlooking the mighty Columbia.  We stopped to enjoy the colorful painted houses and incredible rhododendrons in full bloom everywhere! 

Munson Falls

To Portland, we chose to travel inland along small, winding timber roads where huge tracts of land had been clear cut and replanted.  In Portland, we checked into the waterfront Marriott and John hurried off to the scheduled car maintenance, our second of this trip!  I set out on foot to downtown Portland then caught a train up to The International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park where thousands of roses represent over 550 varieties!  What had begun as an overcast day cleared allowing us to see Mt. Hood from the garden overlook.  We must return to Portland, the city of bridges and roses, to visit this natural gem of a state, but next time let’s fly in!

Seasonal floral display in Portland
for 100th Anniversary of Festival of Roses

Odometer: 8,426 miles.