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