Todd Weber, Tour Itinerary




		Day 1 Arrive Portland Airport We check into the beautiful Heathman Lodge, in Vancouver, Washington. Orientation and welcome at the hotel with Todd and Nadine. Day 2 Cape Disappointment/Astoria Leaving Vancouver, we drive toward the coast, to the quaint harbor village of Ilwaco. Meander the waterfront shops, galleries and restaurants, featuring local artisans and tasty seasonal seafood. We head to Cape Disappointment for a panoramic view of the Washington and Oregon coast and the infamous Columbia Bar. The Interpretive Center houses displays depicting the significant history of The Cape. This is where The Corps of Discovery reached their goal of following the Columbia to the sea. We cross the Columbia River into Oregon to the historic town of Astoria, where we stay two nights at a lovely riverside hotel. Day 3 Fort Clatsop/Maritime Museum Starting our day at Fort Clatsop, we see a replica of the fort where Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery spent four miserably wet months in 1805, before returning to St.Louis. There will be time to walk the trail through the thick forest to the canoe landing, imagining what it was like for these brave explorers. We return to Astoria for a driving tour of the pleasant Victorian District, climbing above town to the Astoria Column and beautiful views of the area. A short drive brings us to the world-class Columbia River Maritime Museum. It features full-size boats, naval history, salmon fishing and Coast Guard rescue displays. We can then ride the 1913 trolley to the downtown shops and galleries, or even to the door of our hotel. Day 4 Mount St. Helens This morning we drive to Johnston Ridge Observatory in Mount St.Helen’s National Volcanic Monument. The Interpretive Center and impressive film, helps one to better grasp the cataclysmic events that took place here in 1980. Leaving the park, we’ll drive through beautiful forests and will soon reach Salmon Creek where we’ll stay the night. Day 5 Columbia River Gorge/ The Dalles We begin by crossing the Columbia River back to Oregon. Soon we get on the historic and scenic Columbia Gorge Highway and climb 733 feet above the river to Crown Point and Vista House Rest Area built in 1918. Entering the lush, forested Columbia River Gorge, we visit the spectacular Multnomah Falls, whose 620 foot drop is one of America’s tallest. Next stop—The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. Here we will discover the history, geology and culture of this region through quality displays and films. This museum covers local natives, Lewis and Clark, the Oregon Trail, and more. On to the Maryhill Museum of Art , a chateau-like mansion that sits in solitary splendor on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River. We enjoy it’s varied collections of European and American paintings and sculptures. We travel to The Dalles, Oregon for the night. Day 6 Pendelton/Clarkston Heading east we go to Pendleton to the Rodeo Grounds, where we enjoy a Western Variety Show featuring local cowboys, cowgirls, horses and herding dogs. After a short drive, we visit the fascinating Tamastslikt Cultural Center, which depicts the history and culture of local Indian tribes through excellent displays and artifacts. Leaving Pendleton, we head through the rolling hills of wheat country to our riverside hotel in Clarkston, Washington. Day 7 Hells Canyon Jet Boat Ride In the morning we will board the jetboat and head up the Snake River on a thrilling, but safe ride through the rapids, viewing petroglyphs and wildlife along the way. Return to Heller Bar for a buffet lunch and where the coach awaits to drive us to Spokane, where our own expedition ends at the historic and beautifully restored 1911 Davenport Hotel . Day 8 Spokane/Home Check out and transport to the airport Come Join the Adventure!!!!