PDX to Bend: things to do/see along the way?

I have been enjoying the topics in theis forum, very informative.

I%26#39;ve been to OR once, to see my dad in Bend, and am going again in August with my 12 and 9 year old. We are once again flying into Portland and renting a car to get to Bend.

We arrive at 1PM after not a too early flight (we expect to have some energy) and I%26#39;m thinking that gives us enough time to make some stops along the way and still get to Bend by or soon after dark.

I remember the ride being very, very pretty, over the mountains by Hood and then through lovely desert. What I don%26#39;t know is what might be lurking just off our route that we missed...and now that we have maybe 3 hours to kill beyond the 3.5 hour drive I%26#39;d like to know.

We already plan to do rafting and get up to the top of Mt Bachelor while we%26#39;re in Bend, so I am looking more for things that are different, and not far off our route (mainly Rt 26).

Multnomah Falls looks like it might be just 10 miles or so out of the way, and close to the airport is nice because we[%26#39;ll all be ready to get a little blood moving, i think.. It is really not that far and is there anything else worth checking out that an adventurous adult and two older kids would enjoy?

Thanks all!

PDX to Bend: things to do/see along the way?

oops, meant ';is it really not that far'; for the falls :)

PDX to Bend: things to do/see along the way?

How about a different route? We usually take I-5 south to Salem, then hwys 22 and 20 on into Bend. Beautiful scenery along the way, especially as you wind your way up the western side of the Cascades, past Detroit Reservoir, then transition into the high mountain desert, with views of Mts. Jefferson, Washington, Three Fingered Jack, and Three Sisters.

Along the way, your kids might enjoy a stop at the fish hatchery near Camp Sherman, and you all might like to spend a few minutes in the town of Sisters. Come to think of it, Silver Falls Park isn%26#39;t too far off this route either.

Enjoy your visit with your dad.

Sisters is neat. IMO, you can%26#39;t go to Bend without spending some (I%26#39;d spend a lot) of time in Sunriver just about 20 minutes or so south. Great biking, swimming, horseback riding, rafting down the river, parks ect . . . One of my favorites places to go. We usually go every summer, but unfortunately won%26#39;t make it this summer. It is a resort town, but you could just go for the day. Plan to go again next summer though!

Hi

And don%26#39;t miss Multnomah Falls 25 miles east of Portland IA, it%26#39;s the second highest-non seasonal-falls in the USA. Really worth the detour.

Tet{:o)-

Thanks all. We%26#39;ve done that route through Salem, actually, wen we were there a few years ago. But maybe we%26#39;ll do one route going and another going back, thanks for the idea.

We are planning to do rafting and I think that%26#39;s from Sunriver, it%26#39;s a half day trip, so I%26#39;ll see what else is happening in the area.

Thanks for tjhe suggestions!

Agree with the previous posters about Multnomah Falls. It%26#39;s very pretty. Don%26#39;t miss Wahkeena Falls, also. A short walk will take you right up to the falls there.

We really enjoyed our time in the Gorge area a couple of weeks ago. It%26#39;s just a short walk up to the lower falls at Jultnomah up to the bridge. Have fun! :)

Are they right in the same place, meaning no drive between the two?

We have walked Wahkeena to Multnomah across the top, most of a day. Along Hwy would be much shorter walk but I would drive it.

One short walk worth it is Bridal Veil.

Gorge and Hist Hwy a long diversion from 26, if you are in hurry to get to Bend I would forget Gorge. But if you have time wonderful trip along Hist Hwy

Different things always a hard term for me. sort of like quaint. Must see I understand.

We have time :) I%26#39;m thinking it can%26#39;t be TOO far off, we are starting in Portland and the falls are only 25 miles away? So I%26#39;d think we could cut down to 26 from the falls area....I%26#39;ve ordered maps so we%26#39;ll see.

Multiple falls in a short distance (within 10-20 miles or so) is definitely a plus. I assume we can eat somewhere near there too?

...and is there an admission or parking fee for any of these falls?

No fees at all for the falls. We parked at Bridal Veil and had a little picnic right there on the tables they have, you walk down to these falls :) Then the others you park along the road in areas provided, Multnomah has the largest area for parking and there is much more there to do, more people and of course, those amazing falls and that bridge..!!

There you will find things to pay for ( drinks, food,snacks souviners)..

All of you will enjoy it, I am sure. We have been there are few times now and it is always just as wonderful to see them again.