Oregon Archives - Wanderboomer

BY Nancy Mueller 4 Comments ON October 12, 2015

Roadtripping Down the Oregon Coast

Nothing quite beats the fun of roadtripping down the Oregon Coast to enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. While not quite as iconic as driving U.S. Route 66, the Oregon Coast offers plenty of spellbinding scenes, best beach towns and destination dining. Whether planning a family vacation, girlfriend getaway or romantic escape, why not take to the road to explore the region’s bounty?

Getaway Vehicle: Toyota 4Runner

For a family adventure at summer’s end, we hit the highway in style, taking a gleaming red Toyota 4Runner for a spin. Our drive was smooth, comfortable and easy-peasy to maneuver as we (okay, I) belted out favorite roadtripping tunes with visions of off-roading exploits dancing in our heads. Though used to packing light (think carry-on) for my flight travel, I had no problem filling the roomy back of the vehicle with you-never-know-when-you-might-need-it-but-probably-won’t items.

KOA Astoria/Warrenton/Seaside

For the ultimate family camping experience, KOA (Kampgrounds of America) provides RV, tent camping and cabin accommodations. On this trip, our plans included a new travel experience: a two-night stay in a deluxe cabin at the Astoria/Warrenton/Seaside KOA .

Amenities at this site include an outdoor and indoor pool with hot tub, a free pancake breakfast (with lunch and dinner available for purchase), bike rentals, and a new activities center that houses arts & crafts, arcade and board games, ping pong and pool tables and basketball. Outside, the giant Jumping Pillow and mini-golf were favorites among the campers on site.

Entering the KOA site, we’re welcomed by friendly ambassadors directing us to the registration office. The friendly atmosphere continues inside the convenience store and at the registration desk. For office manager, Rosanna, “Seeing people have fun” is the best part of her job at KOA. Doris, HR manager, agrees: “When your employees like being here, it’s a good place to be.” In fact, fellow employee Hillary likes working at KOA so much that she planned her wedding to take place on site.

Happy to recommend nearby sites for exploration, the staff directs us to historic Fort Stevens across the street, Seaside with its landmark oceanfront Promenade and beachfront turnaround, and Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia River. For this short getaway, we opt for Seaside and Astoria, saving Fort Stevens for a longer visit.

Seaside, Oregon

Amazingly, though I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest for many years, I discovered Seaside only recently while attending a Travel + Words Northwest Travel Writers Conference here. Northwest ocean breezes, a fun boardwalk that includes an oceanside aquarium, and plentiful outdoor recreational activities, have attracted families to this coastal town for generations.

Visitors can rent bikes, ride the carousel, stroll the Promenade or have a go at bumper cars. Be sure to stop in at Beach Books to browse the bestsellers, regional collection and everything in between, as well as other specialty gift shops and galleries. Or kick back on the beach and soak up the stunning ocean views.

Astoria

Once a thriving fishing, then timber town, Astoria showcases its heritage at the Columbia River Maritime Museum with interactive exhibits for visitors of all ages.

Visitors are also welcome to board the Lighthouse Columbia, a national historic landmark, just outside the museum. Throughout the town, a scattering of Victorian mansions dot the hillside, reminding visitors of its historical roots.

To learn more about Astoria’s colorful history, ride the Astoria Riverfront Trolley. Hop on and off at designated locations or stay on for the entire one-hour journey for only $1.00.

Bowpicker Fish & Chips, a dry-docked boat, (think food truck alternative), came highly recommended, but alas! The first day of our stay the eatery was closed and the second day we stopped by, the lengthy line of customers – while an obvious testament to Bowpicker’s popular following and reputation – kept us at bay. Instead, we discovered the Blue Scorcher Bakery & Cafe, a worker-owned cooperative located in the historic Fort George Building that features delicious artisan breads, pastries and seasonal foods. Also highly recommended.

By the end of our short getaway, plans to include off-roading adventures in our rugged Toyota 4xRunner took a backseat to running trails and beach town explorations. But with so much more to see and experience along Oregon’s northern coast, it’s only a matter of time before our travels bring us back.

For more information, visit:

Toyota 4Runner
KOA Astoria/Warrenton/Seaside
Travel and Words – Northwest Travel Writers Conference

Many thanks to Toyota and KOA for the chance to explore the Pacific Northwest in style for our end-of-summer family escape!

Wander on!

Nancy

When and where are you planning your next road trip, Wanderboomers?

BY Nancy Mueller 8 Comments ON January 2, 2014

Au Revoir, 2013!

Memories of 2013 may be fading fast, but before we leap too far into 2014, here are a few snapshots of the roads I’ve wandered over the past year . . .

Le Baluchon

In 2013 I re-discovered the beauty of the Pacific Northwest with trips to the San Juans, Whidbey Island, Idaho,
The Dalles and Seaside, Oregon, thanks to my sponsored travel hosts . . .

Port Townsend WA

I fell in love with Quebec . . .

Quebec

and flew high, sometimes outside my comfort zone . . .

IFly Seattle

Photo courtesy of iFly Seattle

I sampled a multitude of culinary delights along the way, which fortunately were sprinkled throughout the year . . .

2013 Meals Collage

I made new friends fast . . .

Quebec Group

probably because we spent most of our time lounging around in bathrobes when not in spas, saunas and hot tubs . . .

2013 Review Spas

Oh, and I learned how to take selfies . . .

Hindsight

My 2013 travels brought renewed perspective . . .

Perspective

reminding me to step back far enough . . .

Orcas Island View

and high enough . . .

View from the air

to see the bigger picture of our life stories and how we are all interconnected . . .

Rainbow Inn at Langley

and that even when skies seem the darkest, there’s always the promise of a new rainbow . . .

Life is Good

Here’s wishing you another year of Happy Travel Adventures both near and far, Wanderboomers!

Wander on!

Nancy

What were your 2013 travel highlights, Wanderboomers?

BY Nancy Mueller 2 Comments ON September 9, 2013

Follow the Wine Trail to Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs

Pinot Noir

One of my favorite reasons for planning an escape to Oregon’s Willamette Valley is to sample the region’s flavorful Pinot Noirs. Apart from their taste, these light to medium-bodied wines are popular with wine enthusiasts for their versatility in food pairings.

A latecomer to the Pinot Noir party, I was first smitten by the younger, fruity varieties with hints of cherries and strawberries. But my love affair with the earthy, layered tones of aged varieties soon followed. It’s easy to see how the range of flavors in the dry, red wines complement everything from shellfish to wild game, pork to poultry, and beef to lamb. Versatile indeed.

Traditional Pinot Noir hails from Burgundy in central France where the fragile dark purple-blue grapes grow well in the climate of warm days and cool nights. But wine connoisseurs also single out Oregon’s Willamette Valley between Oregon’s Cascade Mountains and the Coastal Range as their second home – a lucky break for those of us who live in the Pacific Northwest.

Left Coast Cellars

Thanks to a raffle win from Left Coast Cellars at the Travel & Words Spring ’13 Conference, I learned that Pinot Noir is not always red. Still made from the dark grapes, white Pinot Noir is produced when the skin is removed in the pressing process so that the pigment doesn’t affect the wine color. I found the white variety to be full-bodied but light enough to compare favorably to a chardonnay, my fallback white wine of choice.

Pinot Noirs of any variety are challenging to make well. The thin skin of the grapes and temperature fluctuations make the grapes susceptible to disease and rot. Because less is produced compared with other reds like Merlot and zinfandel, the demand is high. Consequently, so’s the price.

For those who don’t live in the Pacific Northwest, 66 of Oregon’s premier Willamette Valley winemakers are partnering with EMA (Environmental Media Association) to take their show on the road to LA on September 11th. Event-goers at “Pinot in the City” will have the opportunity to learn everything you wanted to know about Pinot Noirs from winemakers, hear stories of the region and, of course, sample selected wines.

Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

What about you, wanderboomers? Tried a good Pinot Noir lately? What’s your favorite?

BY Nancy Mueller 4 Comments ON June 12, 2013

The Dalles: Family-Friendly Vacation Destination

Here’s why The Dalles, a mere 84 miles east of Portland, Oregon, gets my vote for an ideal vacation destination:

1) Spectacular Scenery

ViewofTheDalles

Want to explore a visually stunning byway? Meander along the magnificent Columbia River as it winds its way from Portland to The Dalles, Oregon to see what I mean.

ViewfromMaryhillMuseum

Go on a cruise or drive along the Columbia River Gorge. Take several hours or several days to experience a variety of vistas and activities.

2) Recreational Activities

What kinds of activities? The Columbia River Gorge creates a natural wind tunnel favored by windsurfers, for starters. Also, outdoor enthusiasts love the easy access to camping grounds, hiking and biking trails in The Dalles.

HikinginTheDalles

On my late May visit I enjoyed a windy wildflower walk through the Tom McCall Preserve. A guided hike and tour of historic petroglyphs at Horse Thief Lake State Park came next. To view the petroglyphs which Native Americans consider sacred, visitors must be accompanied by a park ranger.

3) Historical Districts & Landmarks

Start at The Discovery Center and Museum for an overview of the area’s historical and cultural influences. The museum’s inspired award-winning design takes full advantage of its natural setting next to the Columbia River.

TheDallesDiscoveryCenter

Spend several hours wandering through the exhibits, like an early 19th century town and the cargo of Lewis & Clark. View a raptor presentation and take time to stroll the museum grounds. How many of the 40 identified native plant species can you find?

4) Art Murals & Museums

The Dalles’ downtown display of Murals combines art and history by illustrating stories of famous historical events. Purchase a key at The Dalles Chamber of Commerce to activate a talking box at most locations for a voice-recorded description of the events.

MaryhillMuseumofArt

Maryhill Museum of Art stands out on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River on the Washington State side of The Dalles. Originally, railroad executive Samuel Hill intended the building as his hilltop mansion. But its remote location and heavy construction costs derailed his ambitious plans.

Today the museum features works by Auguste Rodin and Orthodox icons contributed by the Queen of Romania. The collection also includes European and American paintings and artifacts of indigenous people of North America.

When you’re ready for a break from viewing the collection, head outside for lunch. Picnic under a canopy of trees on the grounds or on the café deck overlooking the Columbia River.

5) Downtown Shopping

Downtown The Dalles has a treasure in Klindt’s Bookseller’s, the oldest bookstore in Oregon.

PNWBookDisplayatKlindt'sBookstore

First opened in 1870, today the bookstore retains original floors, cabinets and bookshelves – and maybe even the ghost of Edna Weigelt who owned and operated the store from 1927 until her death in 2003. Pay a visit to find out for yourself . . .

I also love to discover unique shops that carry a little bit of everything because you never know what you might need until you see it. Am I right? Happily, you’ll find what you didn’t know you needed at Cowgirl Bloomers, right next door to Klindt’s Bookstore.

CowgirlBloomersinTheDalles

Still so much more to discover in The Dalles . . .

Summer’s just a hop, skip and jump away! Where will you go to play this summer, Wanderboomers?

BY Nancy Mueller 4 Comments ON May 24, 2013

Sun-Tripping in The Dalles, Oregon

DryHollowVineyards

View from Dry Hollow Vineyards

For Seattleites seeking a sunny getaway, The Dalles, Oregon offers a welcome solution. For starters, compare Seattle’s average yearly precipitation of 38 inches with The Dalles’ average of 14.6 inches. That’s about 150 days of rain in Seattle versus 93 or so in central Oregon each year, thanks to the Cascades Mountains, which in effect divides our wet coastal zones from the typically drier climate on the eastern side of the range.

ColumbiaGorge

Columbia Gorge

The Dalles derived its name from the French word dalles meaning “flagstones,” stones used to flag gutters. With basalt columns lining the narrow Columbia Gorge, French traders traveling the river rapids no doubt saw the resemblance.

TheDallesOregon

But you don’t have to run the rapids to soak up the sun and appreciate the natural beauty of the local landscape. Go for a hike, hop on a bike or stroll the riverfront. Just go – and don’t forget your sunscreen.

Wander on!

Nancy

Next up: Top 10 Reasons to Visit The Dalles

For more fun on Photo Friday, be sure and check out Delicious Baby.

Where do you go for sun, Wanderboomers?

Roadtripping Down the Oregon Coast

Au Revoir, 2013!

Follow the Wine Trail to Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs

The Dalles: Family-Friendly Vacation Destination

Sun-Tripping in The Dalles, Oregon

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