Yurtin’ It on the Oregon Coast

February 21, 2008


By Linea Carlson

I’ve always loved camping, but cold temperatures and the task of setting up camp have made me a bit reticent to plan a trip. That is, until the sun poked through the Oregon clouds and my boyfriend and I scored a yurt reservation at Cape Lookout State Park on the Oregon Coast.

We started our adventure by gathering our minimal camping gear, including our much-needed sunglasses. We didn’t require a lot since the yurt we were staying in had heat and electricity; just some hiking boots, bedding, and gourmet accoutrements (of course we wanted to round out our glorious weekend the way so many campers in this state do—enjoying Oregon’s bountiful culinary delights under its star-encrusted canopy).

Continue reading "Yurtin’ It on the Oregon Coast"

There's Still Time to Go See Southern Oregon this February

February 20, 2008


If you're planning a trip to Oregon in the upcoming months, or you would simply like to learn more about the great things this state has to offer, be sure to check out GoSeeOregon.com. Each month we ask visitors and residents what sights, activities and places they recommend in Oregon. In February we are looking for recommendations for Bob and Kathy, a recently retired couple from San Francisco who are planning a trip to Southern Oregon. While you are visiting GoSeeOregon.com, write a tip or two about your favorite places in Oregon, and you may enter to win GoSeeOregon's Tips and Treasures contest.

Continue reading "There's Still Time to Go See Southern Oregon this February"

Coos Bay's Phantom Ship- an Update

Photo courtesy of Coos Bay-North Bend Visitor & Convention Bureau

We have just received some more great news- there is now more than one exciting way to visit Coos Bay's phantom shipwreck. Spinreel Dune Buggy & ATV Rentals is currently taking people directly to the shipwreck site.

Meeting place: staging area just past the boat ramp on Transpacific Lane
Cost: $25 per adult, $15 for kids 3-12 years old.
More Information: Call Spinreel at 541.759.3313

You may also get a bird's eye view of the shipwreck, by visiting Coos Aviation. The cost per trip is $120 per hour for up to 3 people, and $250 an hour for up to 5 people.
More Information: Call Coos Aviation at 541.756.6156.

If you're looking to plan a trip this weekend, be sure to travel to the coast. You won't want to miss this amazing site!

Travel Oregon Chosen as #1 State Tourism Site

February 19, 2008


If you're looking for yet another reason to visit Oregon, don't take it from us, take it from IgoUgo Travel. In a recent blog entry, IgoUgo Travel boasted about the country's top 10 tourism sites, with Travel Oregon listed as #1. This very blog was mentioned, as well as our 365 Extraordinary Days in Oregon campaign. Please click here to read the entire article.

We are very excited to be chosen as the most dynamic tourism website, and couldn't have achieved this without all the helpful comments and suggestions from our readers. Please keep sending feedback, and keep on traveling to Oregon! We're looking forward to your visit.

Happy 149th Birthday, Oregon!

February 14, 2008


"Happy Birthday dear Oregon..."

The staff at Travel Oregon gathered together today to celebrate our state's 149th birthday with a delicious cake, courtesy of our very own Jamie Porter.

We are thankful for everything this great state has to offer, including the beaches, mountains, city life and so much more.

It's hard to believe that Oregon will be 150 years old next year. In order to prepare for next year's celebration, be sure to check out Oregon 150's "Oregon Stories". Tell your very own story by visiting www.oregon150.org. Share your favorite part of Oregon, the story of how you came to know Oregon, or anything else that inspires you. Oregon 150 is accepting all types of creativity, including written stories, audio, video, art and more. Have a blast telling your story!

For more information on Oregon's next birthday celebration, please visit www.Oregon150.org.

10 Best Bets for Cross Country Skiing in Oregon

February 13, 2008


Wonderous views, crisp cool snow, and an excellent workout- what more could you ask for? Cross country skiing is a great activity for children and adults, and a fun way for friends and families to bond.

Oregon has a variety of cross country routes to offer, including Crater Lake, Dutchman Flat, Trillium Lake, Paulina Lake, the Eastside of Mount Hood, Anthony Lakes, Diamond Lake, Spout Springs, Hoodoo/Santiam Pass and McCully Basin.

Check out what Terry Richard (of the Oregonian) has to say about visiting each of these areas. And check out more of his travel blogs by visiting Oregonlive.com.

February is an excellent time to hit the slopes. So get out there and enjoy the beautiful Oregon scenery!

For more information on skiing in Oregon, please visit our Ski Oregon page.

Albany's Ambassadors of Salsa

February 12, 2008

It's always wonderful to hear about the great things Oregonians are doing to make the world a better place. Low and behold, we have our very own good samaritans living in Albany, Oregon. They are Robin Stover and Martha Mendez, the owners of Heaven's Garden. These two ladies have created salsas- ranging from Peach Jalapeno Salsa to Cherry Pinot Noir Salsa- in the hopes of raising money for charity. They hope to receive donations to build a cottage in a Uganda orphanage, and provide help to Sierra Leone's war survivors. Click here to read OPB's entire article.

Heaven's Garden began in an Albany Farmer's Market, then spread to Salem, Corvallis and beyond. They are true Oregon dreamers at work. What's your Oregon dream?

You may order some of Heaven's Garden's delicious salsa at www.heavensgardenoforegon.com

Phantom Ship Emerges From its Sandy Grave

February 8, 2008


Photo courtesy of Far West ATV Rentals

This week, we received some very exciting news from the Oregon Coast. A mysteriously large wooden ship was found near Coos Bay, which is thought to be from the late 19th or early 20th century. Click here to read The World's full article (Coos Bay's local newspaper).

If you are interested in history, shipwrecks or buried treasure, be sure to visit Coos Bay to witness this fascinating sight. Coos Historical and Maritime Museum will be placing historic ship photos on display, as well as various maps. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm. Please call 541.756.6320 for more information.

Spinreel Dunebuggy Rentals, Inc. is also creating a waiting list for possible tours to the shipwreck site, as well as the site of the New Carissa. If you're looking for something to do this weekend, get out there and view some living history!

Editor's Note: Please be extremely cautious and respectful if you're planning on visiting the wreck; the seas are high, and approaching the ship is extremely dangerous. Be sure to read up on beach safety before heading out.

The Opportunity of Dreams

February 7, 2008

Photos and blog by Stephen Landau of Substance


Oregon is a strange, wonderful place. One minute, you're sitting and enjoying coffee in one of the greatest cities on earth, Portland, Oregon. Less than 90 minutes later, you're sitting and enjoying the view while riding up Cascade Express at Mt. Hood Meadows. This story is about those minutes. And like all stories, it started once upon a time.

Once upon a time, I looked east and saw the snowy peak of Mt. Hood. And I realized I wasn't spending enough time there. What a shame, living in the shadow of the mountain, that we could never find the time to make the trip. So I decided to become the co-founder of a company which allowed me to say, "Let's take the day off and go snowboarding." Like I said, Oregon is a strange and wonderful place, the kind of place that enables dreamers to start a company based around the culture that sometimes it's better to be on the slopes than in the office.

Continue reading "The Opportunity of Dreams"

The Perfect Valentine's Day Date...in Oregon!

February 5, 2008


If you were to concoct the perfect Oregon date, what would it consist of? Building sandcastles at the beach? A romantic dinner for two? Or maybe even mountain biking or camping? Our staff has compiled a list of their favorite Oregon locations, to inspire couples everywhere this Valentine's Day.

"My perfect date would include dinner at the Portland City Grill and an Oregon Ballet Theater show at the Keller Auditorium."
~Submitted by Amy N.

"I would start with a fondue dinner (cheese to start and chocolate to end) with my husband at the Melting Pot before walking over to see a great live performance by the Portland Opera at the Ira Keller Auditorium. Then of course, our date would finish with coffee and a fabulous dessert at Papa Haydn’s (open late!) on Portland’s trendy NW 23rd Avenue! Since it would be late at this point and we would probably be too tired to drive the hour back home, we’d have to spend the night at Portland’s hip hotel, Ace Hotel. After sleeping in, we’d head to the Cadillac Café on NE Broadway for a breakfast of the custard French toast. Now that’s a date!"
~Submitted by Carole A.

Continue reading "The Perfect Valentine's Day Date...in Oregon!"

What's Going On In Oregon This February?

This month, call us your secret travel planner. We’ve got some great ways to impress that someone special on February 14th – and you can take all the credit.

Also, we’re full of spring break ideas for you and the kids, from arcades at the beach to spring skiing at Mt. Bachelor.

Check out our savory recipe of the month starring the Oregon pear as well as our list of outstandingly quirky things to do and places to see all over the state. Ever seen a ball roll uphill?

See you in Oregon, where we’re walking through a dinosaur park.

~The Editors

P.S. Tell Us How We're Doing!

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