Help me spend my time!

Sandwichman · Post by **Sandwichman** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 1:04 pm

I am going to be required to take of the last week of March and want to do something fun and interesting. I have low funds and live in Portland OR. Help point me to some cool places nearby or even short trips. I have seen very little of the Northwest and want to be occupied with something during my week off.

Also if you have general vacation reccommendations post them here. I would love to be able to hear some experiences and which diners to avoid at 3 in the morning.

Sorry if there is a thread already about this. I am sick and searching is against my moral ethics today.

regynalonglank · Post by **regynalonglank** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 1:11 pm

well, i am going to brazil, maybe i could fold you up really small and put you in my suitcase :)

Sandwichman · Post by **Sandwichman** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 1:14 pm

regynalonglank wrote:well, i am going to brazil, maybe i could fold you up really small and put you in my suitcase

I think I would fit but my daddy belly I think would disagree.

Jason

Sandwichman · Post by **Sandwichman** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 11:41 am

So anyone else? I so far am thinking of hitting up the Washington remake of stonehenge and taking my son but I do not have much else.

Jason

Rob the Wop · Post by **Rob the Wop** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 11:48 am

Hiking at Cape Lookout. The hike is a couple hours, but the view is nothing short of God-like.

Go hit up the Newport Aquarium. They have a huge jellyfish exhibit.

Sandwichman · Post by **Sandwichman** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 12:02 pm

Rob the Wop wrote:Hiking at Cape Lookout. The hike is a couple hours, but the view is nothing short of God-like.

Go hit up the Newport Aquarium. They have a huge jellyfish exhibit.

Cool those sound like some good things. If this weather keeps up I will love heading out to the coast.

Jason

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 1:24 pm

Portland has two glass factories and at least one (bullseye) has some sort of musuem.

That's why I wanna go to portland.

http://www.bullseyeconnectiongallery.com/

http://www.uroboros.com/index2.php

RingO'Fire · Post by **RingO'Fire** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 1:49 pm

Hey Sand-man J,

As I'm sure you are no doubt aware, there are about a gazillion hot springs in your general area, since the Cascades are a volcanic mountain range, after all. I personally don't know of any specific ones off hand, but I met this guy named Skip a few years ago at a Verde Valley Hot Springs in Arizona that publishes a quarterly subscription newletter, The Hot Springs Gazette. He was a really cool guy that goes around to various hot springs all over the world, takes a picture, writes a description, measures the water temp, drinks a beer, and then publishes his evaluations in the gazette. Here's the link to his web site.

http://www.hotspringsgazette.com/

Follow the "Hot Springs Links" on his home page, you may find some near you. Otherwise, I know for a fact that there are several good guide books, the names of which (of course) I don't have a clue about.

IMHO, there's not much better than soaking in a hot spring in the mountains. Have fun!

Sandwichman · Post by **Sandwichman** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 1:54 pm

You all rock these are great suggestions.

Jason

Cabanasprings · Post by **Cabanasprings** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 5:05 pm

RingO'Fire wrote:Hey Sand-man J,

As I'm sure you are no doubt aware, there are about a gazillion hot springs in your general area, since the Cascades are a volcanic mountain range, after all. I personally don't know of any specific ones off hand, but I met this guy named Skip a few years ago at a Verde Valley Hot Springs in Arizona that publishes a quarterly subscription newletter, The Hot Springs Gazette. He was a really cool guy that goes around to various hot springs all over the world, takes a picture, writes a description, measures the water temp, drinks a beer, and then publishes his evaluations in the gazette. Here's the link to his web site.

http://www.hotspringsgazette.com/

Follow the "Hot Springs Links" on his home page, you may find some near you. Otherwise, I know for a fact that there are several good guide books, the names of which (of course) I don't have a clue about.

IMHO, there's not much better than soaking in a hot spring in the mountains. Have fun!

Bagby Hotsprings on Mt. Hood past Estacada - saw my first bare boob there 35 or years ago - great place - not really for kids.

Silver Falls near Salem is great easy hiking.

Dots - Bar on 20th / Clinton - best food in town.

Bonneville Damn - in March the Spring Chinook are running through the locks - great fun for all - very interesting too.

Mt St Helens is awesome in march with all the flowers - check out the lava tube -

Just dont forget your rain slicker

Sandwichman · Post by **Sandwichman** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 9:59 am

Cabanasprings wrote:
RingO'Fire wrote:Hey Sand-man J,

As I'm sure you are no doubt aware, there are about a gazillion hot springs in your general area, since the Cascades are a volcanic mountain range, after all. I personally don't know of any specific ones off hand, but I met this guy named Skip a few years ago at a Verde Valley Hot Springs in Arizona that publishes a quarterly subscription newletter, The Hot Springs Gazette. He was a really cool guy that goes around to various hot springs all over the world, takes a picture, writes a description, measures the water temp, drinks a beer, and then publishes his evaluations in the gazette. Here's the link to his web site.

http://www.hotspringsgazette.com/

Follow the "Hot Springs Links" on his home page, you may find some near you. Otherwise, I know for a fact that there are several good guide books, the names of which (of course) I don't have a clue about.

IMHO, there's not much better than soaking in a hot spring in the mountains. Have fun!
Bagby Hotsprings on Mt. Hood past Estacada - saw my first bare boob there 35 or years ago - great place - not really for kids.

Silver Falls near Salem is great easy hiking.

Dots - Bar on 20th / Clinton - best food in town.

Bonneville Damn - in March the Spring Chinook are running through the locks - great fun for all - very interesting too.

Mt St Helens is awesome in march with all the flowers - check out the lava tube -

Just dont forget your rain slicker

Definitely not looking for bars. I live in Portland and see enough of them during my regular time. The Bonneville dam would be nice to take my son too. I have driven by it several times but I get bored easy with the typical salmon sightseeing tours. I used to live near the Dvorshak dam in Idaho and spent plenty of time out there. St. Helens would be fun and I have wanted to make it for a while. How is the hiking out there? Is it something a small child could handle or will I be carrying him? Silver Falls is beautiful but I think my son would tire to quickly. The last time I was there he was much younger and was easier to carry.

Thanks for the suggestions. As for the rain slicker we have sent away all of our rain this year. We decided CA needed it.

Jason

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 10:09 am

I don't know about salmon tours, but I do find salmon runs amazing. The size of the fish and how beat up some of them are (i've seen the scales peeling off and the flesh beneath) and the thing that happens with the jaws. It's humbling in a way, especially (I imagine) if you catch during the heavy part of a big run.

(I only ever saw Feather River Fish Hatchery in Oroville--but it thrilled me both times.)

Rob the Wop · Post by **Rob the Wop** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 10:10 am

Oops. Almost forgot.

There's the Ape Caves in Washington, just a bit over the border. It's an easy walk/hike around a huge cave complex. Just bring a heavy coat and a couple flashlights.

Sandwichman · Post by **Sandwichman** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 10:17 am

Rob the Wop wrote:Oops. Almost forgot.

There's the Ape Caves in Washington, just a bit over the border. It's an easy walk/hike around a huge cave complex. Just bring a heavy coat and a couple flashlights.

Cool I like caves. My son would love it too I am sure.

Jason

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri Mar 25, 2005 1:03 pm

When the board was down I found out that you can DUMPSTER DIVE at the glass works. I may have to plan a trip to portland soon.

How was your trip, btw.

JonoVision · Post by **JonoVision** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 8:23 pm

If you go to Ape Cave, I'd recommend a good lantern instead of a flashlight. We laughed at the lantern rentals on the way in, but after a half mile when the flashlights weren't doing any good anymore, we swallowed pride and headed back to rent one.

Will · Post by **Will** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 10:05 am

theCryptofishist wrote:When the board was down I found out that you can DUMPSTER DIVE at the glass works. I may have to plan a trip to portland soon.

How was your trip, btw.

Just be sure to have an EMT on standby to stich up all the happy lacerations. Did you know that glass is crunchy and tastes like blood?

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 10:08 am

Will wrote:
theCryptofishist wrote:When the board was down I found out that you can DUMPSTER DIVE at the glass works. I may have to plan a trip to portland soon.

How was your trip, btw.
Just be sure to have an EMT on standby to stich up all the happy lacerations. Did you know that glass is crunchy and tastes like blood?

A--I work with glass. I know its properties.
B--I married the EMT.

Sandwichman · Post by **Sandwichman** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 10:24 am

Damn I missed my own thread there for a while. The trip did not happen for me. After being out sick for near a full week I was able to work and did not need to take mandatory time off. I am still looking at the suggestions and will probably make it to the ape caves this summer.

Jason