3 week holiday in NW US - advice please..

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On 20 Feb, 09:32, "Graham Harrison"
wrote:
"Graham Harrison" wrote
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m...





"Graham Harrison"
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On 19 Feb, 19:10, "Graham Harrison"
wrote:
wrote in message

...
hi

I am thinking of going to NW for 3 weeks this summer. Will probably
stay beginning & end period with relative (WA, nr Portland OR).

So I'm thinking of flying direct to Seattle & taking short flight to
Portland (and visa versa on return). This is the shortest, most direct
route I can find (don't really want to mess about changing).

I have only done one long(ish) haul flight as adult - budget Barbados,
7-8 hrs grim, cramped flight (I'm 6"1.5").

Firstly, how much different would economy be on a BA/Virgin 747 flight
(compared to cramped, non-747 flight to Barbados) ? Similar or
better ?

A return economy (Seattle) would be around £600, but almost double for
premium-eco. Would it be worth paying the difference ?

Secondly, what could realistically do in 10 days or so, on West
coast ? Could I take in most of the important stuff (I'm more into
natural world than cities etc.) in this time frame ? Probably a mix of
flying & driving (or possibly coach/rail ?) ...

I was vaguely planning on a kind of loop which would somehow get me
back to my uncle's a few days before flying home ...

Maybe an alternative would be outward to NW, and back from further
south e.g. LA ? Would this be more expensive / more hassle ?

thanks

swayzak

You can fly to one city and return from another for half one fare and
half
the other - no penalties. Therefore, flying to Seattle and back from
San
Francisco, for instance is perfectly feasible. Not only that, but you
can
combine premium economy one way with ordinary the other (I'd use PE
for
the
flight from the US back to London). I've given up on regular economy.
I
save my pennies up and go premium economy every time. I'm about the
same
height as you. I might manage London/Boston in economy but that's it.

Some years ago, my wife had an aunt who lived on the San Francisco
peninsular. We flew into Seattle and went via Mt Rainier, Mt St
Helens,
Portland, out to the coast at Tilamook, down through Newport (good
aquarium
and nice restruarant down by the old fish dock) and Coos Bay, Crater
Lake,
Klamath Falls (day trip to Lava Beds and the Nature Reserve), Redding,
Lassen, Chico, Santa Rosa (Snoopy!) and across the Golden Gate. Had
the
same car for all three weeks. The one way fee (from memory) was
USD250.
The trip took 10 days and we spent 10 more with the aunt. Absolutely
great
holiday. The hard part was deciding where not to go. I was tempted by
the area round Bend, I still regret not going to Olympic NP and the
Northern
California Coast also beckons for a trip one day.

If you do end in San Francisco you don't need the car in the city (we
were
staying down the peninsular). San Francisco has good public transport
(google for Muni and BART) although the locals complain about it quite
as
much as we do about our public transport! Don't miss Alcatraz - book
before you leave the UK.

Great info again (everyone).

So many options - bit difficult to decide tbh !

Am quite tempted by the bmi/UA flights - 49" seat pitch is pretty
awesome for that price (even if it is only for 1/2 to 2/3 of the
journey). However, I'm not sure whether the UA Chicago-Seattle link is
also prem-eco ... have emailed to clarify.

Also this will take a bit longer than direct BA Seattle flight (and if
I go 30th June rather than 1st July, I can get this for £972 rather
than £1150). But this is only 38" pitch ...

So maybe I should rent car for 3 weeks from Seattle (although flights
don't get in until at least 17.00) and return to base.

But my uncle's got a car so this would be a bit of a waste of money -
maybe rent one-way for drive to Portland. Then when I want to go off
exploring, rent from Portland ... hmm but would they let me return car
to Seattle ?

My uncle knows the local stuff so I may do that early in the trip

There are plenty of hotels in the immediate area of Seattle Airport.
If
you've never driven in the US before then don't even think of hiring
the
car immediately. Get into one of those hotels - they all run shuttle
buses. Sleep off the jet lag then pick up the car next day. I have a
friend who went to Orlando on his first long haul; got off the plane,
picked up the car and spent 2 hours doing a 15 minute drive. I'm used
to it now but I always limit my driving to no more than about 10/15
miles
when straight off the plane.

One way hire is an accepted methodology in the US. That's not to
say
all the companies do it but most of the well known ones do. Yes, rent
a
car at Seattle and drop it in Portland, use your uncle and then rent
another for touring to wherever. In fact, you may be able to turn
this
to your advantage. Hiring a car at an airport can get quite expensive
because they add various fees related to the airport. So, hire at
Seattle but only for a day or two to drive to Portland and you'll limit
those fees. I also suspect you'll find the one way fee will be small
or
even zero between Seattle and Portland. Pick the 2nd car up at a
depot
away from the airport in Portland and you should find that (compared
with
Portland Airport) it's slightly cheaper. But I have no idea whether
it's going to be cheaper over all you need to do some research. There
are a number of variables - I was amazed the difference in cost between
hiring at JFK and Newark airports in the New York area, partly to do
with
local taxes in different states (and even different counties of states)
and partly to do with insurance requirements at the time in New York
state.

And, you might want to read this
http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/driverguide.pdf Each state has its'
own.

"Mimi"s idea of Canada is good. I'd rather got caught up with everyone
else in the US. The year after our Seattle/San Francisco trip we flew
back
to Seattle and went over the border to Vancouver then Jasper, Banff,
Revelstoke, Kaslo, into the US at Bonners Ferry and then to Spokane before
hopping a plane to San Francisco (again). I seem to remember that the
one
way fee that time was USD50.

In your case, if your relative agrees, you could fly to Seattle, hire a
car
for a couple of days to drive to Portland. Now borrow the local car and
go
north doing a loop into Canada and bcak to Portland then hire a car again
for a quick trip back to Seattle.

It's 10 years since we did this trip and one thing that has changed is the
border crossing. The impression I get is that the major crossings north
of
Seattle can get VERY congested. But starting from Portland you could cut
North East. The crossing we used coming back into Northern Idaho was
very
quiet - we hit it in the late afternoon and cruised through. I suspect
it
won't have changed much.

Back on the subject of the flights I'd caution against changing planes at
a
US point. Leaving aside the time you need to allow for immigration,
customs, rechecking baggage, going through security and finding your way
around a big US airport (you think Heathrow is big?) the flight
Manchester/Chicago is about 8 hours and the flight on to Seattle another
3.
Add a minimum of 90 minutes for the change (and I think that's not enough,
I
would allow at least 2 hours and probably even more) and your journey time
is 12/13 hours against 9 hours non stop from London. Not only that but
the
Chicago/Seattle flight will be on a US domestic cattle truck -if your
flight
to Barbados was bad you ain't seen nothing yet.

Go non-stop!

OK - you talked me into it !

What about the weather - would I really see a big difference going
30th June as opposed to 28th July ?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes. July is spring in the mountains. There's still enough snow around in
early July to impede sightseeing. Late July is when the mountain wildflowers
bloom. August is summer in the mountains and it can start to snow again in
September.

Marianne

"Josh S" wrote in message
...
In article
,
wrote:

hi

I am thinking of going to NW for 3 weeks this summer. Will probably
stay beginning & end period with relative (WA, nr Portland OR).

So I'm thinking of flying direct to Seattle & taking short flight to
Portland (and visa versa on return). This is the shortest, most direct
route I can find (don't really want to mess about changing).
As others have suggested I'd drive Seattle to Portland, taking in Mount
St. Helens on the way. If you arrive in Seattle late in the day, best to
overnight in the Seattle area and start out early.
The drive from Seattle to Portland is DULL, but Mount St. Helens is a
great escape from the drive.

I'd skip Mount Rainier and the CA redwoods on this trip.
The Oregon coast is a must.
Crater Lake is really something.


Skip Mt. Rainier, no! Well, only if you're doing the Canadian Rockies. Or
maybe Olympic National Park in northwest Washington state. I agree the
Oregon coast is nice, and Crater Lake is one of the wonders of the world.

Marianne

I'm really looking forward to it now - although had to take 17 days A/
L !!

I am thinking of going to NW for 3 weeks this summer. Will probably
stay beginning & end period with relative (WA, nr Portland OR).

So I'm thinking of flying direct to Seattle & taking short flight to
Portland (and visa versa on return). This is the shortest, most direct
route I can find (don't really want to mess about changing).

plane info snipped
Secondly, what could realistically do in 10 days or so, on West
coast ? Could I take in most of the important stuff (I'm more into
natural world than cities etc.) in this time frame ? Probably a mix of
flying & driving (or possibly coach/rail ?) ...

I was vaguely planning on a kind of loop which would somehow get me
back to my uncle's a few days before flying home ...

Maybe an alternative would be outward to NW, and back from further
south e.g. LA ? Would this be more expensive / more hassle ?

thanks
swayzak

You'd probably need to rent a car and drive around. Driving between
Seattle and Portland is about 3 hours. You can do a loop between the
two cities and see plenty of great outdoors scenic views. Olympia
Nationa Park is a must. Mt. St Helens certainly warrants a day. The
coast line is spectacular. Columbia River Gorge is very scenic.
snipped

I have a trip report around here somewhere...
I did a loop there in Sept 2007 ( mainly for scenic sites not to see the
big cities), and from a few emails I have on this PC, I have this info:

( Google shows 1757 miles ... I drove 2500+ and don't remember getting
THAT lost ! )

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...04785&z=7&om=1

(Obviously I won't attach the files/video but here's some comments from
another email I sent: )


Subject: trip update / photos

Great drive today !
From Brookings,OR to Yachats,OR
The first part had great scenery /beaches. I didn't think I was ever going
to make any time if stopping to enjoy the view every 5 miles, but
eventually I got to the Oregon Dunes Nat'l park. No need for me to stop
there, and while driving by it ( for miles) I had no ocean views but
GREAT winding roads - fun driving. Hardly anyone on the roads ( midweek)
so driving is a lot of fun ... miss something? - do a U-turn in middle of
highway and go back.... no slow-pokes. And they have a passing lane every
5 miles or so, so if we did catch up to someone, could pass them shortly.
I took about 100 pictures /videos. No, I won't be sending them all , but I
just took these from the beach behind my hotel:
http://www.adoberesort.com

Tomorrow will be in Northern Oregon then WA.
The northern coast of OR is supposed to be even more scenic then the
southern half so I'm looking forward to it.
================================================== =====
Summary so far:
1. Columbia Gorge, ( Hotel was very nice, but surprised it was on the list
of " 1,000 places to visit before you die" . It wasn't THAT nice. From the
hotel I crossed into Wash. state and drove over the mtns to get to Mt St
Helens rather than the highway and the scenery was spectacular. The smell
of the evergreen trees was awesome.

2. Mt St Helens - weather was Perfect! (then forecast was for bad weather,
so headed south again)

3. Mt Hood (Loved the Timberline hotel - it's the "hotel you see from
outside" in the film 'The Shining' !) was VERY foggy driving up/down ...
kinda like setting the mood for 'The Shining'. I was making small talk at
the front desk and she said that they have it on DVD and can play in the
theatre ! "Really ? - thanks ", so I got the others and we all watched.
Fortunately no one was staying in a room with the number used in the
movie.

4. Crater Lake ( hotel was full so stayed at B&B - it was great)

5. Oregon Caves . I loved the Chateau - vintage 1930. ( I was telling
Dad that the shower had 4 faucets - before they had diverter valve to
choose - a hot and cold for the tub, and a hot and cold for the shower. I
was surprised that he had never seen that setup.)

6. California Redwoods - I filled up in Oregon and just did a day trip
down there. Very impressive - worth the trip, but glad I filled up in
Oregon as it was about 75 cents more per gallon in Cal due to taxes.

I've loved the scenery and the mountain drives were great !

--

The WA coast route was foggy so I skipped that.

Before planning on visiting these places, check for hotels as the have had
a lot of snow in the mtns and even if the roads are passable, it might be
that ski season will probably still be ongoing in May and rooms may be
booked. ( Locals - is that right ?? )

When I find the rest I'll post it if you like.

Bobb

"Mimi" wrote in message
. ..
I agree the Oregon coast is nice, and Crater Lake is one of the wonders
of the world.

Marianne

One big thing I'd mention about Crater Lake ....
If you want to see the view "like in pictures you'll find on the web",
looking at it on a map, you want to be at the 8 o'clock position to get
that wide view of the crater/lake. I drove in from the north ( Rt #232 -
about 11:00 position) and drove clockwise - kept pulling over / checking
the view and ALMOST drove out of the park using the 6 o'clock road exit,
when I figured I've spent all this time - there's gotta be a spot to take
"pictures like I've seen" and another 10 minutes later - there it was.
Had I known I would driven COUNTER-clockwise when I entered and saved an
hour or two.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...,0.462799&z=11

For picture-taking, you want to be just about where the arrow is.

One other thing -
For my trip I too asked for info and got a lot.
SO, do a search in this newsgroup for
" Oregon / Wash Road trip " from Sept 2007
Lots of good info in there already.




wrote in message
...
hi

I am thinking of going to NW for 3 weeks this summer. Will probably
stay beginning & end period with relative (WA, nr Portland OR).

So I'm thinking of flying direct to Seattle & taking short flight to
Portland (and visa versa on return). This is the shortest, most direct
route I can find (don't really want to mess about changing).

I have only done one long(ish) haul flight as adult - budget Barbados,
7-8 hrs grim, cramped flight (I'm 6"1.5").

Firstly, how much different would economy be on a BA/Virgin 747 flight
(compared to cramped, non-747 flight to Barbados) ? Similar or
better ?

A return economy (Seattle) would be around £600, but almost double for
premium-eco. Would it be worth paying the difference ?

Secondly, what could realistically do in 10 days or so, on West
coast ? Could I take in most of the important stuff (I'm more into
natural world than cities etc.) in this time frame ? Probably a mix of
flying & driving (or possibly coach/rail ?) ...

I was vaguely planning on a kind of loop which would somehow get me
back to my uncle's a few days before flying home ...

Maybe an alternative would be outward to NW, and back from further
south e.g. LA ? Would this be more expensive / more hassle ?

thanks

swayzak

Sorry - previous posting had a typo ( Cougar WA not Cougar, OR) so here's
the good link to my trip
I spent 2 very casual weeks doing it.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...57&ie=UTF8&z=6



"- Bobb -" wrote in message
...

I am thinking of going to NW for 3 weeks this summer. Will probably
stay beginning & end period with relative (WA, nr Portland OR).

So I'm thinking of flying direct to Seattle & taking short flight to
Portland (and visa versa on return). This is the shortest, most
direct
route I can find (don't really want to mess about changing).

plane info snipped
Secondly, what could realistically do in 10 days or so, on West
coast ? Could I take in most of the important stuff (I'm more into
natural world than cities etc.) in this time frame ? Probably a mix
of
flying & driving (or possibly coach/rail ?) ...

I was vaguely planning on a kind of loop which would somehow get me
back to my uncle's a few days before flying home ...

Maybe an alternative would be outward to NW, and back from further
south e.g. LA ? Would this be more expensive / more hassle ?

thanks
swayzak

You'd probably need to rent a car and drive around. Driving between
Seattle and Portland is about 3 hours. You can do a loop between the
two cities and see plenty of great outdoors scenic views. Olympia
Nationa Park is a must. Mt. St Helens certainly warrants a day. The
coast line is spectacular. Columbia River Gorge is very scenic.
snipped

I have a trip report around here somewhere...
I did a loop there in Sept 2007 ( mainly for scenic sites not to see the
big cities), and from a few emails I have on this PC, I have this info:

( Google shows 1757 miles ... I drove 2500+ and don't remember getting
THAT lost ! )

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...0,-122.302830%

(Obviously I won't attach the files/video but here's some comments from
another email I sent: )


Subject: trip update / photos

Great drive today !
From Brookings,OR to Yachats,OR
The first part had great scenery /beaches. I didn't think I was ever
going to make any time if stopping to enjoy the view every 5 miles, but
eventually I got to the Oregon Dunes Nat'l park. No need for me to stop
there, and while driving by it ( for miles) I had no ocean views but
GREAT winding roads - fun driving. Hardly anyone on the roads ( midweek)
so driving is a lot of fun ... miss something? - do a U-turn in middle
of highway and go back.... no slow-pokes. And they have a passing lane
every 5 miles or so, so if we did catch up to someone, could pass them
shortly. I took about 100 pictures /videos. No, I won't be sending them
all , but I just took these from the beach behind my hotel:
http://www.adoberesort.com

Tomorrow will be in Northern Oregon then WA.
The northern coast of OR is supposed to be even more scenic then the
southern half so I'm looking forward to it.
================================================== =====
Summary so far:
1. Columbia Gorge, ( Hotel was very nice, but surprised it was on the
list of " 1,000 places to visit before you die" . It wasn't THAT nice.
From the hotel I crossed into Wash. state and drove over the mtns to get
to Mt St Helens rather than the highway and the scenery was spectacular.
The smell of the evergreen trees was awesome.

2. Mt St Helens - weather was Perfect! (then forecast was for bad
weather, so headed south again)

3. Mt Hood (Loved the Timberline hotel - it's the "hotel you see from
outside" in the film 'The Shining' !) was VERY foggy driving up/down ...
kinda like setting the mood for 'The Shining'. I was making small talk
at the front desk and she said that they have it on DVD and can play in
the theatre ! "Really ? - thanks ", so I got the others and we all
watched. Fortunately no one was staying in a room with the number used
in the movie.

4. Crater Lake ( hotel was full so stayed at B&B - it was great)

5. Oregon Caves . I loved the Chateau - vintage 1930. ( I was telling
Dad that the shower had 4 faucets - before they had diverter valve to
choose - a hot and cold for the tub, and a hot and cold for the shower.
I was surprised that he had never seen that setup.)

6. California Redwoods - I filled up in Oregon and just did a day trip
down there. Very impressive - worth the trip, but glad I filled up in
Oregon as it was about 75 cents more per gallon in Cal due to taxes.

I've loved the scenery and the mountain drives were great !

--

The WA coast route was foggy so I skipped that.

Before planning on visiting these places, check for hotels as the have
had a lot of snow in the mtns and even if the roads are passable, it
might be that ski season will probably still be ongoing in May and rooms
may be booked. ( Locals - is that right ?? )

When I find the rest I'll post it if you like.

Bobb