Seattle/Portland vacation

[Aggie93]

My family (wife, daughters - 11 & 13) are going to Seattle/Portland for vacation in mid-Aug. We only have six days and there is a lot to do up there and I've had to make some sacrifices to make a sensible itinerary. The biggest item getting nixed is Victoria/Vancouver Island. This was done because we really like whitewater activities and are going south instead to the Columbia River Gorge.

Right now my big brush plan is:

Day 1: Tour Seattle
Day 2: San Yuan Islands
Day 3: Mt. St. Helens (get from Seattle to Portland)
Day 4: Columbia River Gorge
Day 5: Float day - main item is to get from Portland back to Seattle (stay in Portland/Columbia River, Mt. Rainer, Seattle)
Day 6: Seattle area/day trip

Any thoughts?

[LakeCleElum]

We could talk for hours, but one suggestion:

Do both Rainier and St. Helens while heading the same direction. If you get off the interstate to do one, do both. I can suggest driving routes if you wish...Other than that, you have a lot packed into a week. You could spend the whole time getting to the San Juans, seeing and getting back to the city....(For the quick way to see the San Juans, google "Lake Union Air")

[mossguy]

What sort of "whitewater activities" were you looking for in the Columbia Gorge?

[Aggie93]

Just a half day rafting trip, maybe a full day, but I think we would rather take the time to hike around. We did our first whitewater rafting trip last year and my wife loved it. Since then we have started kayak lessons, only 2.

I know we are packing a lot in and could very well stay in one spot for the whole week. For better or worse, we will do these type of vacations every so often. Seems more so when its our first time visiting to get a feel for the area. This is our first time in the PNW. I'm already getting ideas for our next trip - Vancouver Island and/or Olympia NP.

Thanks for all the help guys. I plan on hitting San Juan via the ferry at Anacortes and stay in Everett to make the 6:30 departure a little easier.

[Paul K]

If you have time, go to Timberline Lodge.

Timberline Lodge

[herr_oberst]

The only white water on the Columbia is going to be found in Hood River where the locals board-surf the whitecaps.

I'm not a river rat, but you might check out the White Salmon river for rafting style adventure.

[Adam]

I'm going back there shortly, but maybe checkout the Le May Museum in Tacoma...

Or, put aside an hour or so on Day 4 to visit Multnomah Falls.







Just stunning and the view from the top, looking out across the Columbia River Gorge is extraordinary.

[Aggie93]

Salmon river is where the trip is. I thought that whole area was part of the "gorge." I guess thinking about it, that just means the gorge that was eroded away by the Columbia river.

Multnomah Falls is on the agenda and why only a half day.

Also looking at Snoqualmie Falls for Day 6.

Thanks guys.

[MarcoB]

Think about flying Kenmore Air from Seattle to the San Juans - Beautiful one hr seaplane flight,vs.a 3 -4 hr car/ferry trip. Fun to the ferry if you have the time, but recommend Friday Harbor / Roche Harbor on San Juan Island via floatplane!

[LWJ]

It really sounds like a LOT in a short amount of time. Consider that there is travel as well.

If white water is your big deal, I won't tell you about the best because it won't work for you. However, there is good / easy / fun white water on the Deschutes river out of Maupin - a two hour drive from Portland. You could come back via the Columbia Gorge and go over via Mt. Hood. Not a lot of time to stop with the rafting however.

I would definitely pick up St. Helens on the way down from Seattle. Very cool and easy to do. Can you travel "open jaws?" That is, fly to Seattle, fly out of Portland? It will save 3+ hours of backtrack car time.

Question? Are you city people or outdoors people or both?

You might consider flying to Victoria or Vancouver and taking a ferry through the San Juan's. You could pick up get off the ferry at Seattle or Anacortes and then drive down. If you made a North to South trip - or vice versa - this is possible.

I would ask how much Seattle / Portland exploration do you want to do? Seattle is a KILLER town, but I don't know that I would spend a day exploring it. Same with Portland.



Here is what I would do:

Fly to Victoria, explore and spend night. Victoria is a cool town. Very unique. Hop on Ferry through San Juans. Take the itinerary that is pedestrian friendly - I forget which islands are the best for foot exploration. Ferry to Anacortes. Rent car. Spend night in Seattle. Drive South to Mt. St. Helens and Portland. Night in Portland. Drive through the Gorge to Maupin to raft - better light than in the PM. Night in Portland. Drive to Oregon Coast. You will thank me. Try Cannon Beach. It is close and lovely. Night in Portland.

That is a five day itinerary. You might add a day in Seattle or the San Juans. Both are great.

Have fun. August is Seattle / Portland can be hot but is generally fantastic.

Larry

[Drisump]

I just want to affirm your choice of going to Mount St. Helens, I really think the facility and the setting are incredible (the road up there is also very nice in a car loving the twisties). I live in the "Canadian San Juans" (called the Gulf Islands) and for most people unaccustomed to the area ( the San Juans/Gulf Islands), it is a beautiful cruise on the ferry.....in any direction. Sounds like you'll have to choose what you want to do the most (with your limited time) because there are quite a few things to do and see in this "area". Whale watching hasn't been mentioned and many companies in Victoria offer this (mostly orca's but sometimes Grays and Humpbacks). I've seen Orcas many, many times and they are often quite extroverted in their behaviour. Have a good trip...you'll simply have to come back.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Paul K

If you have time, go to Timberline Lodge.

Timberline Lodge

I love that place... however "if you have time is important", a bit of a drive to get there and unless you want to ski not much to do once get there.

The lodge is beautiful though, they do serve food.

And +1 on white water rafting, don't think I have been beyond Hood river but haven't seen much white water on the Columbia.

I highly recommend the town of Hood River for food/beer/coffee/shopping.

Personally I would do a week at either Portland/Seattle but not both (you already said you have your mind made up so more power to you), but that is just me.

Have a great time whatever you do, it is gorgeous country up there (I'll be landing in Portland tonight at 9)

[herr_oberst]

(mini hijack)

(Scott are you in town for the Historics?)

[Aggie93]

Thanks for the comments.

I have found planning this vacation has been more about what to leave out than to include. I started planning for a 10 day vacation, but my wife said a week. I pushed for an extra day. Unfortunately, coming from Pittsburgh takes about a full day, so we have six days there.

I'm really second guessing on leaving out Victoria / Vancouver Island. I'll be rethinking it. My first plan was to spend two nights there and travel to Port Renfrew or someplace else further island, but then didn't want the hassle of taking a car on the ferry and thought that would eliminate the Columbia river area. Also the ferry schedule makes San Juan more accessible. The ferry allows us to be there from 7:30 AM to 10:00 PM. Victoria would only be from 10:30 AM to 6:45 PM. Perhaps the biggest reason for leaving the area out is it looked like there is enough to plan a full week's vacation just between Vancouver/Vancouver Inland. By missing it now, insures we come back and dedicate more time to the area.

While in San Juan, I plan on doing a kayak tour (likely sunset) and the zip lines( . And just explore on our own the four hours between the two.

I've also left off the Oregon coast. I was thinking we might pencil that in for our float day going back to Seattle. We did a beach vacation last year (outer banks), and while i know that area is very unique, I thought that could be saved for another trip along with crater lake.

I wanted to make sure we hit Mt St. Helens over Mt. Rainier just for the historical aspect, plus there is not many places to see a volcano. Thanks for the confirmation.

I'd love to do the private plane to San Juan/Victoria, but there is no way I can get my wife to sign off on that expense. She nixed it in Alaska when i wanted to take one up to a glacier.

Thanks again everyone. I almost posted on trip advisor, but knew you guys would be better.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

(mini hijack)

(Scott are you in town for the Historics?)

No, what and where is that?

Actually all heck is breaking loose with my wife and step daughter, probably will not be a plesant weekend.

[herr_oberst]

(HIstorics are one of the bigger events at the local racetrack (Portland International)

It's a chance to see a lot of vintage race cars of all stripes and shapes. Alfa! Porsche! Allard! Ferrari! Camaro! Triumph!

Plus, all the car clubs get to have an area for members to corral their cars.

It's a lot of fun, I guess that's why I figured....

Sorry you have to be here for bummer reasons....)

[LWJ]

Hey Aggie93,
Feel free to PM me if you want to talk. I have lived in Portland my entire life. Sounds like a cool trip.
Larry

H. Oberst. I sort of forgot about the Historics. Hmm. Schedule is a little open...

[LakeCleElum]

Coolest part of doing the San Juans on a ferry: You get close enough to peoples home to look in their window and watch them eating lunch...BC Ferries are far better than WA State...Much better meals and more islands on the way.....Of course they miss the San Juans as those islands are barely in the US...