Frequently Travel Oregon receives comments through its website from those visiting the state. Take a peek at the description below of a visitor's journey across most of the state with a little help from the Scenic Byways Driving Guide.
We hope a return trip is in store...
"I just wanted to tell you what a WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL 12 days we had in your state from May 9 through the 21st, 2008. We flew in to Portland, rented a minivan, and headed east. We used the Scenic Byways and Tour Route book as our guide. We traveled almost 3,000 miles. We went on the following routes in your booklet: 1,2,3,4,8, parts of 9, 10, parts of 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, and 23. In addition we took the mail route jet boat on the 1/2 day cruise and saw bald eagles, otter, and beautiful nature on that side trip. We also spent 1.5 days in Portland.
At the end of our journey we were trying to pick out our favorite part. We couldn't! The scenery was what we talked about the most. The "we" are my sister, my girlfriend, and I... two from Ohio and one from California. For the last 9 years we have selected a state based on National Parks and spend the year planning what we'll see in the state we select. Our "job" since retirement is to see all of the national parks... and to stay off the interstates doing it!
As we toured your state, we were amazed that more of your beautiful places have not been designated as National Parks. We did encounter too much snow to see Hells Canyon, but the ride up as far as we could go was worth the trip. We never realized that Oregon had such diverse regions. You truly have a "best kept secret" in terms of a memorable travel experiences for tourists. We did not have one bad night's lodging nor one bad meal. The most memorable lunch was in a tiny town with a population of ...maybe 20... (the name escapes me) that boasts the world's most famous hamburger and world's most famous milk shake. It was worth every calorie!!!! ... "