By SIOBHAN LOUGHRAN, special to The

Oregonian

Who says you have to go far away from home to get

away from it all? To kick off Memorial Day weekend,

the traditional start of the summer vacation season,

we've put together a list of 50 great getaways within 50

miles (give or take a few) of downtown Portland. The

threat of $2-a-gallon gasoline prices (averted, for now)

inspired us to consider the close-to-home road trip.

But we don't need an excuse to wander the Northwest

- for a day or a week. So, grab your Oregon and

Washington maps, fill 'er up - once - and don't forget

to buckle up.

1. Nature lover's special

You can contract or expand this tour of Columbia

River Gorge wildflower fields to take just a half-day

or to include an overnight on the road.

Day 1: Pack a picnic lunch and head out of town on

I-84 toward the gorge. Take the old scenic highway

turnoff and head toward Multnomah Falls. Your

destination is the Oneonta Gorge Botanical Area.

It's got a great "Wow!" factor. There are more than

50 species of wildflowers, trees and shrubs in this

little canyon -- a half-dozen species grow only here.

And there are lots of good spots for a picnic.

Update: Access to the Oneonta Gorge Botanical

Area was recently closed by log debris. The U.S.

Forest Service, which manages the area, said access

around the debris will be available soon, but hazard

signs will be posted.

The scenic highway ends at Ainsworth State Park,

then you'll be back on I-84. About one mile east of

Bonneville Dam is Eagle Creek Trail. It's one of the

most gorge-ous (sorry, couldn't resist) hikes in this

scenic area. You'll hike along cliffs perched over

rumbling Eagle Creek. About two miles from the

trailhead, you'll come to Punchbowl Falls

cascading into a mossy pool. On a sunny day,

you'll see rainbows in the mist.

Back in the car, you can turn west for Portland or

go east a little farther to the historic Columbia

Gorge Hotel for a romantic overnight stay. Be sure

to experience the Farm Style Breakfast the next

morning; you'll be refueled for your trip home.

Day 2: Head back to Portland, or tag on just one

extra day and wander a bit outside our 50-mile

zone and into the town of Hood River. (See "Go the

Extra Mile" at the end of this list.)

2. Ride'em, cowboy

Day 1: Drive to the Flying M Ranch in Yamhill

County, where you've booked a cabin or a room in

the bunkhouse. Bring your mountain bike or plan to

do some horseback riding.

Day 2: Drive to Lafayette and take in the Yamhill

County Historical Society Museum. As you leave

Lafayette take Mineral Springs Road to Chateau

Benoit, a beautiful French-style chateau winery.

Have lunch in Dundee -- maybe at the Red Hills

Dining Room. Drive on through Newberg, stop to

visit Champoeg State Park, then head back to

Portland.

3. Go ape

Take I-5 north to Castle Rock and the Mount St.

Helens Visitors Center. Have a picnic lunch in

Lewis and Clark State Park, at Mary's Corner just

off U.S. 12. Head east on U.S. 12 to the Mossy

Rock Dam, then on to Morton and Bear Meadow,

famous photo site for the Mount St. Helens

eruption in 1980. You're on your way to side road

8303, where you'll find Ape Cave. You'll need

flashlights (and/or headlamps) and a jacket; it's

cool underground no matter how hot it is above.

Kids and grownups who aren't claustrophobic will

love the experience of crawling underground in the

12,800-foot long cave.

Then take Road 83 to Cougar. Spend the night at

the Lone Fir Resort. In the morning, be sure to stop

off at Jack's for a gigantic omelet.

4. Barnstorming

Day 1. From Portland, take U.S. 30 west toward

St. Helens. Bring your bikes for a spin around

Sauvie Island. Then it's on to Scappoose. Watch

the kids grab some air at the new skateboard

park, then check into the Barnstormer B&B, an old

restored farmhouse. Have dinner at the

Barnstormer restaurant, watching small and

vintage aircraft flying in and out of the airpark.

Day 2: Continue on U.S. 30 to St. Helens and

follow signs to Old Town for great antiquing and

river views. If you're hungry, grab a bite in the St.

Helens Cafe with local mill workers. Then continue

west on U.S. 30 past Rainier. At Westport, take the

car ferry across the Columbia River to Cathlamet,

Wash. Tour the town by foot, visit the marina and

watch the fishing boats or drive to the Columbian

White-tailed Deer Refuge. Take the long way

home along the Washington side of the Columbia

through Longview and back onto I-5 south.

5. Soul searching

Day 1: Oregon map in hand, drive to McMinnville.

Stop in Dundee, which has some great places for

lunch. A new addition is the Ponzi Wine Bar and

Restaurant. Next door, visit Your NorthWest for

some artisan handiwork and interesting food

products such as Columbia Empire Farms berry

preserves and Northwest Gourmet Smoked

Salmon. On to Lafayette for some serious

antiquing. Then back to McMinnville for an

overnight stay at McMennamins Oregon Hotel.

Have dinner there, or try Nick's Italian Cafe.

Day 2: Get up early and head back to Lafayette.

The Trappist Abbey is called Our Lady of

Guadalupe. If you're up early enough you can join

them for matins. Don't miss the fruitcake -- really!

Bayou Golf Course offers nine holes in

McMinnville, or head over to Champoeg State

Park for a bit of hiking and history. If you're feeling

lucky, and you're willing to go the extra mile (see

No. 48), you can head down to Spirit Mountain

Casino on Oregon 99W.

6. Go north

Day 1: Take I-5 north into Washington and stop off

at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Watch

the migrating swans or sandhill cranes. Head back

toward La Center and follow the signs to the

Salishan Vineyard, or take Lucia Falls Road over

to the Pomeroy House, an old log farmstead; stay

for lunch in the tearoom, then take a tour of the

farm. It's been in the same family since about

1910. Kids can watch a blacksmith at work or learn

about lace-making. Head back to Battle Ground for

dinner, and check in to the Robins Nest B&B.

Day 2: Get aboard the Lewis and Clark Railway in

Battle Ground for a scenic ride along the Lewis

River to Moulton Falls, where the scenery is

breathtaking and there's enough layover time for a

hike. When the ride's over, drive to the Fort

Vancouver National Historic Site. Visit the

Hudson's Bay stockade and Officer's Row. Stay for

dinner in the Grant House on Officer's Row, or

head down to the Columbia River for dinner at one

of the trendy eateries overlooking the water.

7. Enchanted children

Even my tireless little rug rats need a break now

and then, and the Enchanted Forest near Turner is

just what Mother Goose ordered. Head south on

I-5; just past Salem you'll see signs for the

Enchanted Forest.

The park is a perfect spot on a warm day because

of its shaded, woodsy setting. Little ones will love

grabbing a gunnysack and sliding down the Old

Woman's Shoe (adults can ride, too). They'll

disappear through the rabbit hole, living their

favorite fairy tales and nursery rhymes.

There are several snack bars offering the basics

(ice cream, drinks, hot dogs). The newly

remodeled restrooms are very clean, and the price

of admission is fairly reasonable (ages 2 and

under are free; $6.25 for ages 3-12; $6.95 for

teens and adults. But some rides take extra tickets

at 55 cents each.) It's not Disneyland, but your kids

will have a great couple of hours. Bring your

camera.

Next door is ThrillVille USA, a small amusement

park that offers a little more excitement for older

kids.

For the grownups: Stop at the Willamette Valley

Vineyards just on the other side of the Enchanted

Forest. The winery is lovely. There's a great

viewing tower, and you can taste and buy some

nice Oregon wine to savor once your kids are

tucked in.

8. Pioneers and politicians

Day 1: In the morning, head south from Portland on

Oregon 213 to Oregon City and the end of the

Oregon Trail. Walk through the town, visit the End

of the Trail Interpretive Center (open 9 a.m. to 5

p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday), stop at the McLoughlin House, the

Barclay House, the Ematinger House and the

Stevens-Crawford House, all historic and all worth

visiting. Ride the 10-story elevator that links the

residential area to the commercial district. Check

out the Trail's End Heritage Center just above the

spectacular Willamette Falls.

Take 213 to Silverton. Fuel up with lunch at the

Silver Grill and check out the new Oregon Garden.

Then get back on 213 to Salem; check in at the

Marquee House B&B, a 1938 Mount Vernon-style

home decorated in a movie theme with lots of

antiques. Be sure to enjoy the evening movie show

with popcorn, candy and beverages.

Day 2: The full breakfast in the morning will fuel you

for a hike at Silver Falls State Park or a tour of the

State Capitol, where guided tours are offered

daily. Other possible stops: the Deepwood Estate

on Mission Street; Bush House at the other end of

Bush Pasture Park; and the Mission Mill Museum,

across the street from Willamette University.

Take Oregon 99E north to Aurora, a good town for

antiquing. Stay on 99E to Canby. Check out St.

Josef's Winery and have a late lunch at the

Mar-Kum Inn in Marquam, which has great burgers.

Then head back to Portland.

9. All aboard

Head toward Molalla on I-5 south, and take the

Oregon 211 exit for Molalla. Follow the signs to

Shady Dell Road and the Molalla Train Park,

where kids can ride around on scale model trains.

Stop at Indian Springs Trout Farm on South

Springwater Road. The pond is well stocked;

everyone will catch fish. You pay for what you catch

by the inch, and you can't throw your catch back.

There are picnic grounds for lunch; take home your

trout (they clean them) for dinner.

10. Comin' round the mountain

Take I-84 east to the Mount Hood exit and follow

the signs to Welches. Settle in at the Resort at the

Mountain for a relaxing weekend of golf, fishing or

hikes along the old Salmon Falls Trail. (Plan the

trip to coincide with the Sandy Mountain Festival,

held in mid-July). Enjoy a leisurely drive back to

Portland the next day.

11. Go tell it on the mountain

Day 1. Make it a late-morning start to drive to

Mount Angel. Stop off at the local brewery, Mt.

Angel Brewing Co., for some pub grub. Check out

the Traeger barbecue grills next door. Stop off at

St. Mary's Church; it's peaceful and beautiful. (Old

Irish tradition: If it's your first visit to a certain

church, make a wish -- and it will come true.) Drive

to the Abbey. The library is phenomenal, the

grounds peaceful. Stroll, reflect and enjoy the

views. (The Bach Festival, on the abbey grounds,

is July 26-28 this year. Details: 503-845-3321.)

Drive to Silver Falls State Park, where hikes to the

10 waterfalls or horseback riding could keep you

busy all day. You could spend the night there, in a

campground, or drive back to Silverton for a night

in the Abiqua Creek Farms B&B.

Day 2. Shop till you drop at the Woodburn Outlet

Mall. Then haul your loot home.

12. Roll on Columbia, Washington-side

Day 1. Begin in Vancouver at the Fort Vancouver

National Historic Site. Tour the old military reserve.

Lunch in the Grant House, tour the Marshall House

and stop at the Pearson Air Museum. Tour the old

stockade at the Hudson's Bay Company, where

park employees in costume bring it to life. Next

stop is Camas; spend the night in the Fairgate Inn,

a luxurious mansion with a White House-decor feel

to it.

Day 2. After breakfast drive up the gorge, stopping

in Washougal to visit the Pendleton Woolen Mills

outlet store. Take the scenic drive to Carson Hot

Springs. You'll need a reservation for a soak in the

mineral waters, a body wrap and a massage. Do

it. The place may look like something out of the

movie "Deliverance," but you'll love it. Have a

casual dinner in the funky cafe, and spend the night

in a rustic cabin.

Day 3. Breakfast in Stevenson, Wash. Explore the

antique shops around town. Visit the Columbia

Gorge Interpretive Center. Then check into

Skamania Lodge for the perfect luxurious contrast

to Carson. Play some golf, lunch on the deck, then

get another massage or soak in the outdoor spa.

Have dinner in the dining room. Turn in early, and

enjoy the fireplace in your room.

13. Rustic retreat

Leave Portland on I-5 north. Take the Longview

exit. Get out and stretch your legs in the downtown

area that's undergoing a renovation. Take a jog

around Sacajawea Lake. Then go west on

Washington 4 to Skamokawa. The little hamlet's

gill-net era is long gone, but you can stay in a cozy

B&B and spend the next day kayaking or canoeing

on the river and its inlets. (Go the extra mile: see

No. 50)

14. Wine down

Create your own Washington County Wine Tour.

You can get helpful information including maps

from the Wine Advisory Board (800-242-2363).

Day 1. Take U.S. 26 west to Jackson Road; drive

south on Jackson Road, then take a right turn onto

Old Scotch Church Road. If it's open, visit the

church. Near by, on Seavey Road, you'll find

Tualatin Vineyards, with tasting and picnic

grounds. (Update: The most direct route to Tualatin

Estate Vineyards from Portland is to take U.S. 26

west to Oregon 6 west, then follow signs to the

vineyards on Seavey Road). From the winery, follow

signs to Oregon 6 and to Shaefer Vineyard in

Forest Grove. For a great valley view, drive to

Oregon 8 and David Hill Road, following signs to

the Laurel Ridge Winery. Follow the signs south to

Forest Grove and visit Pacific University. The old

College Hall is on the National Register of Historic

Places. Leave Forest Grove on Oregon 47 to

Dilley and its Montinore Vineyards, then return on

Oregon 47 to Gaston and the Laurel Orchard B&B

(which also is a small working farm).

Day 2: After breakfast, stop at the local store and

pick up picnic supplies. Then, follow the signs to

Oregon 219. Turn south to Burkwalter Road and

follow signs to Oak Knoll Winery. Keep an eye out

for U-pick berry fields; raspberries or strawberries

may be in season. Head east on Scholls Ferry

Road to Tile Flat Road, then take a left on

Grabhorn Road and follow it to the Cooper

Mountain Winery. Picnic there, or drive farther on

Grabhorn Road to the Jenkins Estate and picnic

there. Head back to Portland on Scholls Ferry

Road -- a scenic way home -- making a last stop at

Ponzi Vineyard.

15. Green thumb tour

Take I-5 north to the Hulda Klagar Lilac Gardens in

Woodland, Wash. Then take Washington 503 to

Merwyn Dam for an afternoon of paddling and

picnicking.

16. Visit Portland

Stay in Portland, but pretend you're from

somewhere else. Reserve a room in a downtown

hotel or a city B&B (The Lion and Rose Victorian

B&B in Irvington, for example). Also, make

reservations for dinner at a trendy restaurant in

either the Pearl District or on Northwest 23rd

Avenue. (You did save your copy of "Diner," The

Oregonian's annual restaurant guide, didn't you?)

Start with a leisurely late brunch on Broadway or at

RiverPlace. Check in to your hotel, then spend a

few hours in the Japanese Gardens and the Rose

Gardens (you don't need to be out-of-town guests

to be admitted). Drive to the area where you'll be

dining, park the car, and explore the shops and

galleries. After dinner, go back and enjoy that hotel

-- a little jazz in the lounge, perhaps, or an in-room

Jacuzzi for two.

Sleep in late the next morning, then find another

great restaurant for brunch. If it's summer, there's

bound to be something happening on the

waterfront. Or, if the weather hasn't cooperated,

take in a museum or a movie matinee before

heading home.

17. Waterfalls

This is a great day trip for out-of-town guests. Go

with them, or hand them a map; they can go alone

while you enjoy a quiet, empty house. Take I-84

east to Troutdale. The old town area is going

through a major renovation. Stop at quilt shops,

antique stores and art galleries. Then head across

the Sandy River to Tad's Chicken and Dumplings

for lunch.

After lunch, get on the Scenic Highway and head

down the gorge for a waterfall tour: Latourell,

Shepherd's Dell, Bridal Veil, Wahkeena and

spectacular Multnomah Falls. The area offers lots

of hiking opportunities. Drive back to Portland, or

spend the night at the Bridal Veil B&B.

18. Bike'n hike

The Springwater Corridor is a great destination for

the whole family. Load up the kids and the bikes

and head for Southeast 45th Avenue and Johnson

Creek in Sellwood. If you've got the stamina you

can pedal all the way to Boring. Better have a car

at the other end, though, or it could be a long,

cranky ride home.

19. Get lost

Spend the weekend camping at Lost Lake on

Mount Hood. There's a store for basic supplies.

You can bike, hike, fish -- or just lounge around

beneath a tree with a good book.

20. Hug a tree

Head down Oregon 99E through Sherwood to the

Magness Memorial Tree Farm. Spend the

afternoon, or if you call the World Forestry Center

at 503-228-1367 in advance, you can make

arrangements to camp overnight.

21. Flowing like a river

Drive to the Clackamas River about five miles past

Estacada. Take I-205 to the Oregon City/Estacada

exit. Just outside Estacada, park on the north side

of the road and hike through a tunnel beneath

Oregon 224. There, you'll be able to perch beside

the river and relax. Head home, or continue to the

other side of Estacada and the Ripplebrook

Ranger Station for some camping.

22. Rollin' on the river

Drive up the Columbia Gorge to Cascade Locks

for a ride on the Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge

(503-223-3928). Visit the museum and the lock

tender's house. The Oregon Pony, a steam

locomotive that used to operate on the portage

railroad around the Cascades, is on display. You

can picnic and camp at the marina or spend the

night in the Best Western Motel.

Day 2: Explore Bonneville Dam and Fish Hatchery.

See the salmon ladders, tour inside the dam, and

watch the barges pass through the locks.

23. A dip in a water hole

Drive to east Multnomah County and spend the day

at Roslyn Lake. The place has an old-time feel to it.

Great for swimming, boating and picnicking.

24. Another dip

Load up the kids and head out to Blue Lake Park.

Picnic, rent a paddleboat or canoe, or swim. A

great outdoor getaway close to home.

25. A day at the races

Drive south on I-5 to Woodburn and spend an

evening at the Woodburn Drag Strip. Take

disposable earplugs, as things can get quite noisy,

especially for kids. Pay close attention to the

racing technique, then on the way home stop off at

the Family Fun Center (Bullwinkles) at Wilsonville,

or Malibu Grand Prix on Oregon 217 across from

Washington Square and try to put some of those

moves to the test.

26. Sport of kings

If local racing is a little more to your liking, check

out the Greyhound Race track at the Multnomah

Kennel Club. Or, plan to go to Portland Meadows

for the horse races. Get a group of friends together

and dress as if you were attending the races on

opening day at Ascot (guys wear morning coats

and top hats; ladies, long dresses and fine

millinery). The season is Oct. 15 through the end of

April. That's when you can dine in style in the

glass-enclosed Turf Club and watch the races. Put

on a phony accent, like Eliza Doolittle, and it might

remind you of "My Fair Lady."

27. Yamhill Valley wineries

Call 503-646-2985 for the Yamhill County Wineries

Association. You can request a guide to the areas

wineries. It includes hours of operation and

location information. Or check last week's

Memorial Day wine tab published in FOODday.

Day 1. You'll begin on Oregon 99W, heading

toward Newberg. Stop at the Rex Hill Vineyards --

the gardens are spectacular, and it's a nice picnic

spot. In Dundee you'll find Knudsen Erath Winery.

Heading south, you'll see the Sokol Blosser Winery

(where you'll have a great view of the

closed-to-the-public Domaine Drouhin.)

Farther west on 99 you'll reach the Lawrence

Gallery of Art. Browse a bit before lunch in

Augustine's, above the gallery. After lunch take

Oregon 18 northeast to the Yamhill Valley

Vineyards. Back to 99, take the McMinnville exit.

Stroll around Linfield College (home of the

International Pinot Noir Festival July 28-30). Spend

the night at the Orchard View Inn B&B, an

octagon-shaped house with a nice view of the

orchard and meadow (and it's listed in the "Best

Places to Kiss in the Northwest.")

Day 2: After breakfast, drive to Lafayette and shop

at the Lafayette School House Antique Mall. Take

in another couple of wineries: Chateau Benoit and

Hidden Springs are nice. Then take a leisurely tour

cross country to Dayton. Visit the Fort Yamhill

Blockhouse (a structure used by Gen. Phil

Sheridan while he was in Grand Ronde), then enjoy

lunch at the Joel Palmer House, a historic home

restored by Jack and Heidi Czarnecki. They do a

wonderful job of preparing fresh, local foods (wild

mushrooms are Jack's specialty) and pairing them

with Oregon wines. (Check out their herb garden,

too).

28. A day for the kids

Load the kids up and head down I-5 to Wilsonville.

Spend the day at Bullwinkle's Family Entertainment

Center. The kids will think they've died and gone to

heaven. (Parents: Prepare yourself for the barrage

of video-game sounds; bring a book to read). If

you're game, play a round of laser tag with the

kids. Older kids can buy a few laps in a go-cart

around the racetrack; younger kids can ride with

parents. Everyone will enjoy the outdoor miniature

golf.

29. Stay at the poor farm

Drive to McMenamins Edgefield Manor in

Troutdale. Once the Multnomah County Poor Farm,

now it's a renovated, trendy destination with a

hotel, a movie theater that runs vintage classics, a

brewpub and winery, and the Black Rabbit

Restaurant. Relax in a comfy chair on the porch,

follow the peacocks around the gardens or indulge

yourself in the cigar nook. In the summer, an

outdoor amphitheater draws big-name bands; or

drive to the nearby Multnomah Kennel Club for dog

races. The hotel includes family rooms that sleep

six and men's and women's hostels.

30. More McMenamins

Use McMenamins Grand Lodge (the newly

renovated Masonic Home) in Forest Grove or

McMenamins Hotel Oregon in McMinnville as your

base for antique browsing and wine tasting in

those areas. (Check out www.mcmenamins.com

for details.)

31. Down on the farm

Load up the kids and head to Clackamas County.

You can visit Fir Point Produce Farms in Barlow

for U-pick produce and fresh-cut flowers; there are

good biking trails and a picnic area at the farm. Or

head down to Canby and the Flower Farm/Phoenix

& Holly Railroad. You can buy flowers and see a

15-inch miniature gauge railroad (operated 11

a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays). Then

drive to Sherwood for an afternoon of hiking

through Magness Memorial Tree Farm, with 80

acres to explore.

32. Barlow Road tour

Set your sites on Sandy. The nearby Jonsrud

Viewpoint gives you a great view of the Sandy

River and Mount Hood. Just east on U.S. 26, visit

the Wasson Winery and Janz Berryland and Fruit

Stand. If the kids are with you, stop off at Fantasy

Forest, in Meining Park, just behind the Sandy City

Hall; it's a big wooden structure the kids are sure to

love. Or visit the Rainbow Trout Farm for U-catch

trout. In Welches, visit the U.S. Forest Service's

Mount Hood Information Center. It offers an

interpretive exhibit, lectures and tours of the

national forest. In Rhododendron, stop to see the

replica of the Barlow Road west tollgate from the

old Oregon Trail Days. (You're so close to Mount

Hood. See the "Go the extra mile" section.)

33. A rustic lodge in Vancouver

Head across the Columbia River to the Heathman

Lodge in Vancouver. The lodge is rustic and

wonderful, even though it's plunked down in the

middle of the city. But once you settle into your

comfy room, you'll quickly forget what's outside.

Dinner in the lodge's Hudson's Bar & Grill is an

experience to remember, thanks to the watchful

eye of Chef Mark Hosack.

34. Family fun

Make it a family-friendly weekend. Let the kids

write up a list of the places they want to go and

begin on Saturday morning. Buy lunch at the sites

or save money by toting picnic lunches. Rent a

movie and bring pizza home to end the evening.

Finish off the list on Sunday, ending with dinner at

a favorite kid-friendly restaurant like the Original

Portland Ice Cream Parlor or the Old Spaghetti

Factory. Places to consider: the Oregon Zoo,

OMSI, the Children's Museum, Saturday Market

(they'll love getting their faces painted), and the

Oregon History Center.

35. Cool pool, movie madness

Day 1. It's August. It's hot. The kids are bored. You

don't have a pool. So make the weekend a

mini-"resort" vacation. "Resort" to kids means

"swimming pool." Make reservations at the

DoubleTree Hotel Lloyd Center, which has a nice

pool. Let the kids pick out water toys at the Lloyd

Center Toys "R" Us, then check in. The kids can

wear themselves out in the water while you lounge

with a good book. Younger children will love the

idea of watching TV in the motel room; have pizza

delivered. Or have dinner at a nearby restaurant

and choose from one of the 18 movies at either

Lloyd Cinemas or Lloyd Mall theaters.

Day 2: After a late breakfast, give each child some

money to spend in the Lloyd Center arcade before

settling down for another movie in air-conditioned

splendor.

36. Ding, ding, ding goes the trolley

Trolley anyone? At RiverPlace you can board the

Lake Oswego trolley for a ride along the

Willamette River to Lake Oswego. The tracks, built

in the 1880s, run through a 1,400-foot tunnel and

past some of Portland's most elegant homes in the

Dunthorpe neighborhood. In Lake Oswego, you

could visit the Tillamook Creamery, an

old-fashioned ice- cream parlor, before reboarding

for the ride back.

37. Cruisin' on the river

Book a day or evening trip on the Sternwheeler

Rose (503-286-7673) or one of three Portland

Spirit yachts (503-224-3900), and enjoy a leisurely

cruise, with brunch, lunch, dinner or dinner and

dancing onboard. The Sternwheeler sunset dinner

cruises let you watch the colors change over the

Portland skyline until dark, when the lighted

bridges add drama to the city lights. The Portland

Spirit yachts have three decks offering open-air

observation and indoor dining. In the summer, you

can book a one-day Portland Spirit cruise to

Astoria.

38. Pack a picnic

Visit your favorite farmer's market or gourmet deli

and pick up picnic goodies. Then head out to any

one of Portland's great parks. Cathedral Park,

under the St. John's Bridge, offers a summer jazz

series. Washington Park offers play areas, rolling

lawns and proximity to the Rose Gardens and the

Japanese Garden. Butterfly Park, adjacent to

Willamette Park, was designed to attract

butterflies. Dunniway Park is famous for lilacs in

the spring. Hoyt Arboretum offers quiet trails and

proximity to the Oregon Zoo. At McIver State Park,

you can almost always join a pick-up game of

Frisbee golf.

39. Golf anyone?

Take a golf vacation without spending money on

overnight accommodations.

Day 1: Start by getting an early tee time at

Eastmoreland Municipal Golf Course, ranked

among the best in the country. Portland's oldest

public course, it opened in 1918. Have lunch in the

clubhouse. In the afternoon, treat yourself and your

golf partner to semi-private lessons to improve

your game, then go hit a bucket or practice your

putt. On the way home, rent the movie "Tin Cup" to

enjoy after dinner.

Day 2: The next morning, treat yourself to 18 holes

at a course where you've always wanted to play --

Pumpkin Ridge, maybe. Have a leisurely lunch in

the club's dining room before going home.

40. Bike it

The Banks-Vernonia Linear State Park is a

21-mile easy riding bike trail (no big hills), which

makes it ideal for the whole family. Start out in

Vernonia at Anderson City Park. The trail ends just

outside Banks. Go the whole route or only part of it,

based on the stamina of your crew. Or take your

bike out to Sauvie Island. There are lots of easy,

paved roads. If you are interested in a more

challenging trip, call the Portland Wheelmen

cycling club at 503-257-7982.

41. Get wild

Head out to Sauvie Island for some bird-watching.

If you've got larger animals in mind, try Jewell

Meadow Wildlife Area, one of the largest wildlife

viewing areas in the state. It's just off the

Banks-Vernonia Linear State Park, which is ideal

for bike riding or hiking. You'll see everything from

elk to bald eagles.

42. Monte Carlo

Sign up for driving lessons at Portland International

Raceway, and have some fun winding through the

curves. Then rent a classy car and take it for a

scenic, but safe, spin. Or hire a limo to tool around

in for an afternoon. Make reservations for dinner at

Alfie's in Dundee, or the Joel Palmer House in

Dayton, or Skamania Lodge on the Washington

side of the Columbia Gorge -- all scenic drives

from Portland. Toss your keys to the valet and

make a grand entrance. Be sure to leave a nice

tip.

43. Special occasion

For a special occasion (a wedding anniversary, a

special birthday) or just to celebrate summer, get

10 or more friends together for a catered

Western-style barbecue or a Chinook Salmon

Bake and day of play at Alderbrook in Brush

Prairie. There's a lake, rowboats, a heated

swimming pool and sun deck (with lifeguards),

playing fields, horseshoes, volleyball, equipment, a

kids park, nature trails and more. It's not cheap, but

it's private and a wonderful way to mark a special

day. Details: 503-283-5152.

44. Another special occasion

Here's another private party that's spendy but well

worth the money. Wendy Daniels, known to her

clients as the "Party Princess," runs Crown Vista, a

private 47-acre estate just 15 minutes northwest of

Portland with an amazing view of the Columbia

River and the Cascades. You can take over the

estate with a group of 10 or 400, enjoying the

serene gardens and fabulous food. Make it a

"Great Gatsby"-themed event and have everyone

dress accordingly. Daniels and her staff will get

into the act with costumes and themes. For details,

call 503-621-1189.

Go the extra mile

45. Hood River

You made it as far as Multnomah Falls, but the

open road beckons. Go ahead, go the extra mile.

Just a few miles farther up I-84 is Hood River.

Head for the Port Marina Park, a great spot to

watch windsurfers from all over the world enjoy the

wind and the water. Then visit Hood River Brewing

Co. for a tour, after which you can stop in the White

Cap Pub next door for a cool one. Drop your bags

at the Hood River Hotel (in the center of town) and

head out for some browsing and shopping. Book

dinner at the Stonehedge Inn.

Day 2: After breakfast at the hotel take the "Fruit

Loop" around the Hood River Valley -- you can get

a map from the Chamber of Commerce. You'll be

able to sightsee and load up on fresh fruit straight

from the growers. Spend the afternoon golfing at

the Three Rivers Country Club before driving back

to Portland.

46. Timberline Lodge

You made it as far as Welches but want to get

higher on Mount Hood. Take the turnoff for

Timberline Lodge, just past Government Camp.

Check in and spend the rest of the afternoon hiking

or curled up with a book in the great open room.

Soak in the outside hot tub before a wonderful

dinner in the Cascade Dining Room.

Day 2: Breakfast in the dining room and then head

back on U.S. 26 and east on Oregon 35 toward

Hood River. Stop in the town of Mount Hood for

snacks or picnic goodies. In Parkdale, hop aboard

the Mount Hood Railroad for a scenic tour of the

Hood River Valley, Oregon's largest fruit-growing

district, and spectacular views of Mount Adams.

47. Don't drizzle, sizzle

You've seen their ads for "From Drizzle to Sizzle,"

and if June is typical, you'll be craving some

sunshine. So book a room -- or a teepee -- and

spend the day soaking up the sun. You'll find plenty

to do at Kah-Nee-Tah Resort in Warm Springs:

horseback riding, river kayaking, fishing, golf,

miniature golf, a European-style day spa and a

giant water slide for kids. Dinner in the Juniper

Room or, on Saturdays, a traditional Native

American outdoor salmon bake.

48. Feeling lucky

Lady Luck lures you out of the heart of Yamhill

Valley wine country toward Grand Ronde. Check in

to Spirit Mountain Hotel, adjacent to the casino.

The rooms, decorated in a tasteful Northwest style,

are cozy, and dinner in the Legends dining room

offers excellent food at reasonable prices. Good

luck!

49. Some like it hot

Day 1: If you enjoy hot soaks in natural settings,

head toward Eugene and keep going on Oregon

126 along the McKenzie River. You're headed

toward the Cougar Dam and reservoir. Just off

Forest Road 19, past the dam, is a trail to

Terwilliger Hot Springs. Clothing is optional.

Spend the night in the Log Cabin Inn.

Day 2: Visit the historic town of Brownsville before

heading home.

50. See Astoria

You spent the night in Sakmokawa and have the

urge to head to the coast. Head south on

Washington 401; cross the four-mile bridge into

Astoria. Drive up to Coxcomb Hill and climb the

Astoria Column. Visit the maritime museum. Kids

will like the old firehouse museum. Downtown is

going through some renovation. Check into the

Rosebriar Hotel or one of the many Victorian

B&Bs in Astoria. For a casual dinner at a

reasonable price, try the Ship Inn on Second

Street.

Day 2: Visit the Fort Clatsop National Memorial

and commiserate with poor old Lewis and Clark; it

must have been a long, dreary winter for them in

that spot. Pop over to Fort Stevens and check out

the Civil War-era military installation before doing

some beach walking. If you've got time, head back

into Astoria for a tour of the old Flavel House, and

check out the unusual wines at Shallon Winery.

Head home via Clatskanie, and stop off for lunch at

Humps.