COOS BAY

Day 1

PORTLAND

Arrive in Portland and take some time to explore the "City of Roses." Despite its humble beginnings as a lumbering center in 1845, the city has developed into a sophisticated metropolis. Visit the International Test Rose Gardens with its 400 varieties of roses on 4 acres of land and great views of the city. Sample haute couture and hot cuisine in Portland’s Pearl District. Walk around town and take in the atmosphere.

Day 2	PORTLAND
Today, take time to continue discovering more of this “Green” City or venture east to the Columbia River Gorge and Hood River before heading west tomorrow.

Day 3	PORTLAND – NEWPORT (113 mi / 181 km)
Departing for the Pacific Coast, cross the Coast Range and discover the Pacific Ocean with its coastline of immaculate beaches and quaint fishing villages. Stop in Lincoln City, located on seven miles of sandy beaches nestled between Devils Lake and the Pacific. Arrive in Newport, situated on the Yaquina River and better known as home to Keiko from the film "Free Willy."

Day 4	NEWPORT – COOS BAY (98 mi / 157 km)
Highway US 101 follows the Pacific shoreline south through some of the most scenic areas on the West Coast of Oregon. Oregon Dunes and Florence are noteworthy for their massive sand dunes and unspoiled beaches. Be sure to visit the Sea Lion Caves for a first hand look at the boisterous Steller’s sea lions as you descend into a 208 foot deep cave.

Day 5

COOS BAY – KLAMATH FALLS (319 mi / 513 km)

Turn in from the coast and traverse the Coastal Mountains towards Grants Pass. Then head north to drive through Crater Lake National Park. Crater Lake is truly one of the world’s most striking geological features with its cobalt blue water surrounded by a ring of lush green spruce and fir. At 1,932 ft (589 m), it is the deepest lake in the United States. During the afternoon continue to Klamath Falls along the eastern shore of Upper Klamath Lake.

Day 6

KLAMATH FALLS – BURNS (288 mi / 463 km)

You will head north today along Klamath Upper Lake through Collier Memorial State Park which is home to an outdoor logging museum. Continue through Deschutes & Fremont National Forests along the shores of Silver, Summer and Albert lakes where you will come across an abundance of wildlife and migrating birds. Finally you will head along the Warner Valley to the east before arriving into Burns, a cowboy town in the heart of Oregon’s wide open lands.

Day 7

BURNS – BAKER CITY (204 mi / 328 km)

Start the day with an excursion to the Malheur Lake & National Wildlife Refuge before getting on the Central Oregon Hwy. Traveling through central Oregon, you will see that the spirit of the west is alive and well in Eastern Oregon. From Ontario, you will take I-84, which partially follows the famous Oregon Trail used by the old wagon trains. Once in Baker City, take the time to learn more about this trail at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.

Day 8	BAKER CITY – PENDLETON (246 mi / 395 km)
Most of your journey today will be on Hells Canyon Scenic Byway. This route takes you through many geological formations, historic sites, farm, agricultural and ranch land, mountainous vistas, deep canyons, small towns, as well as wild and scenic rivers. At the end of this scenic route you will drive through La Grande then head north along the Blue Mountains to Pendleton

Day 9

PENDLETON – BEND (309 mi / 497 km)

Heading west, you will join the Columbia River for several miles then head south into the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument area where today’s adventure begins. Take short hikes at the monument’s different sections. Check-out their museums, especially the one on paleontology. A must see is the yellows, golds, blacks and reds of the Painted Hills. The last trek of your journey will take you through the Ochoco National Forest before arriving into Bend.

Day 10

BEND – SALEM (144 mi / 231 km)

Start the day heading north to visit Smith Rock State Park, which provides a sanctuary of majestic rock spires overlooking the scenic Crooked River Canyon. Then drive through the beautiful scenery of the high desert and wilderness area. Look for the Three Sister mountains from the highway or drive into the Three Sister Wilderness area for a closer look. Continue to Salem, the capital of Oregon. Visit the historic district and stroll downtown.

Day 11

BEND – PORTLAND (46 mi / 74 km)

You can use the short interstate route and choose to concentrate on the cities of Salem and Portland or you can take the longer, more rural route through Silver Falls State Park. The park has ten waterfalls and a hiking path between them. The rural route will also take you into Oregon City, the end of the old Oregon Trail. Take time there to visit the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center or the Museum of the Oregon Territory before continuing to Portland.

Day 12	PORTLAND – DEPARTURE
Last chance to savor the serene tranquility of this unique Northwestern city before departure