Oregon

Oregon

Oregon is one of the well-kept secrets of geographical diversity in the United States.

The Coast

The Oregon Coast is one of the most beautiful and stunning coastlines in the world. The State of Oregon planned well when they created many State Parks, waysides, and protected areas up and down the entire coast. This is my most favorite area of Oregon.

There are no major ports on the Oregon coast, as would be found in San Francisco and Seattle. Portland is on the Columbia River and is an inland port. As a result, the Oregon coast has only a few cities of any size, such as Lincoln, Newport, and Coos Bay. Many other small towns have their own charm and distinction.

The coast spans 363 miles and has a diverse geography of forests, coves, sand dunes, 

The Columbia Gorge and Mt Hood

The Columbia Gorge is a scenic wonder, with tall cliffs on each side of the Columbia River, waterfalls, and acres of forest, emanating a sense of Native American history. Nearby is Mt. Hood, a dormant volcano, majestically rising over 11,000 feet. It can be seen from Portland, as well as from miles away both North and South. Most flights in and out of Portland allow for viewing Mt Hood from far above. Make sure to get a window seat!

Crater Lake

Crater Lake is a National Park and one of the "seven wonders" of Oregon's diverse geography. It is one of the clearest lakes in the world, is spring fed, and is located within the crater of a dormant volcano. There are no recreational boats allowed on this pristine lake, although the Park service provides a tour on their own boats during the day. Most of the lake is surrounded by cliffs and forest, so what's left are spectacular views from all sides. View photos on Google >  

To be continued ....

The Willamette Valley

Portland

Eastern Oregon

Southern Oregon and Ashland