Oregon, Best and Worst List

This is my last post on Oregon.  So if you go to Oregon, what should you do?

Best Garden: Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.  Close Runners up: Lan Su Chinese Garden, Portland Japanese Garden and Portland’s International Rose Test Garden.

Best Views: The Columbia River Gorge, Crater Lake,  Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park,

The ENTIRE Oregon Coast (especially Harris Beach, Seven Devils, Three Capes, Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint and Tolovana Park) , Panorama Point in Hood River.

Best Museum: Washington’s Maryhill Museum of Art (Sorry Oregon!) Close Runners Up: Portland Museum of Art and Columbia River Maritime Museum.

Best Waterfall: White River Falls. Close Runner up: Multnomah Falls (But everybody goes there)

Best Surprise: The Grand Floral Parade. Close Runners Up: Starvation Creek, The filming of Leverage at Director Park

Best Deli:  Flying Elephant in Portland

Best Restaurant: Andina (Peruvian) in Portland’s Pearl District.

Best Breakfast: McMenamis Edgefield.

Best Accommodations: Shearwater Inn in Lincoln City,Portland Paramount Hotel, Portland Airport Radisson, Crater Lake Resort

Honorable Mentions:  Pittock Mansion, Bonneville Lock and Dam, Azalea Park

What planning mistakes did I make?

Over-planning!!  Trying to squeeze too much into twelve days.

Missing the opportunity to stay at Crater Lake Lodge.

Missing an overnight stay in Cannon Beach.

Missing Tillamook with it’s cheese factory and aeronautical museum

Missing North Bend’s Gallery Night in Coos Bay

Missing Hospitality Hour at the Shearwater Inn in Lincoln City

What was the worst moment?

Realizing a storm had stolen our first day of traveling, causing us to miss First Thursday in Portland

And what do I recommend staying away from?

Accommodations: Timberline Lodge, Restful Nest on the Rouge, Edgewater Inn in Coos Bay

Cities You Can Miss: Grant’s Pass and Astoria

Restaurants: Windjammer in The Dalles and just drink on the patio of the Taprock Grill, don’t bother with a meal.