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Tuesday, May 20, 2008

An Oregon Get-Away



If you want a weekend get-away (and still can afford the gas) I cannot say enough good things about the Portland area. Portland itself is a vibrant, beautiful city with many districts and shops to keep one occupied for days. Powell’s Books alone could keep a bibliophile busy for an entire weekend. But if you prefer rural settings I urge tourists to get off the beaten path a bit and check out rural Oregon for it has many diversions. This past weekend I did just that.

Mt. Angel is frequently a destination for me when I head south. A sweet little town named for the Monastery of the same name, it was founded by Swiss immigrants and this tiny berg has a Bavarian feel. Friday night my oldest friend and I dined at the German restaurant Glockenspiel, so named for the giant glockenspiel in the tower above the restaurant. The new apartment/business building was built to add to the Bavarian feel of this tiny town that every fall hosts the Pacific Northwest’s largest Oktoberfest.

Each summer this part of rural Oregon also hosts one of the largest lavender festivals in the NW. This weekend I got to check out the Barn Owl Nursery. Even though the lavender is two months away from being in bloom their large gift shop of all things lavender made for lots of happy shopping for two lavender lovers. I have every intention of returning for the Yamhill festival in July.

If you want a relaxing get-away, check out the many little towns of rural Oregon. There are wineries and fruit and vegetable stands galore here in this NW bread basket. The rich soil lends itself to farming of every sort including organic diaries, free range chickens, and fruit, vegetables and nuts of every sort. In addition, rural Oregon has many crafters’ shops where one can browse antiques and creations made from new and used materials. Girls’ Back Porch is just such a crafters’ mall located at 8030 Wheatland Road North, Keizer, OR, 97303, (503) 856 -8150 in Keizer, OR. The Salem area has many businesses as well as excellent Goodwills.

The many rural towns of Oregon have farmer’s markets and art festivals during the summer. Taking a weekend to tour some of these and enjoy the fresh produce (be sure to bring your cooler with you) can make for a relaxing and valuable get-away. If you want to by-pass Portland on your way to more bucolic areas get off I-5 and on to I-205 until you reach the second Oregon City exit. When you hit Canby, Oregon you will be well on your way to being out in the country. Pull out your map and breath in the fresh air.

12 comments:

Kim Thompson said...

Oh, this road trip sounds just divine, especially the lavender farms and festivals!

Stephanie Frieze said...

The Yamhill Lavender Festival out strips even the Sequim Lavender Festival so I'm anxious to give it a try.

I feel blessed to have been introduced to this part of Oregon!

Kim Thompson said...

I feel blessed that we live on the West Coast--in my view, the best coast!

VW said...

The wife and I are planning on a jaunt to Seaside next month for our tenth anniversary. I can afford the gas because our hotel is paid for by my points I've gathered in my travels. Thanks for telling us about this!

VW

JosephMcG said...

Oregon is great... thanks for pointing out some places I intend to see over the next year

Stephanie Frieze said...

Joseph, Mt. Angel Abbey has a Retreat House and I understand the food is good. The abbey is situated on top of a hill overlooking the town and in a very pretty setting.

VW, Mt. Angel and its surrounds is two-three hours from Seaside and may require another weekend, but there is much to see and do around Seaside. Cannon Beach makes a great place for window shopping, but is VERY expensive. Sometime you might want to check out a B&B in Silverton. It's a quaint town and a little larger than Mt. Angel.

JosephMcG said...

I have heard about the monastery... might be a great place for me to look at around Christmas to get a way... thanks

Stephanie Frieze said...

If you go to Mt. Angel Abbey for Christmas, Joseph, you will have to give the Neighborhood an account of your time there.

Patty Cake said...

i LOVE Oregon!

Stephanie Frieze said...

And Oregon is so conveniently located!

Lorraine Hart said...

I'd love to check out Oregon! I heard there's a State Park where you can rent Yurts very reasonably for luxury camping on the coast.

I'm itchy for the road...but scratchin' for gas money!

Stephanie Frieze said...

I know at one time Ft. Canby on the Washington side of the Columbia had Yurts, but I'm not sure which Oregon State park has them. I know someone who probably knows or can find out. It does sound lovely.