Trip out west

[egpj]

Will be taking a trip out west in August. Will be going out to Portland, Oregon and then driving south along the coast eventually dipping southeast ending up in Las Vegas, Nevada. The trip will be one week long. I was hoping that someone would have some recommendations about "must see" sights.

 

[dmr]

Las Vegas -- all of it. 🙂

 

[photodog]

Are you traveling with family or is this a photo vacation? San Francisco is recommended. Disneyland if you have children. For photos, there's a ghost town in the Sierra Mountains called Bodie.

 

[tpersin]

If you have time in Portland, a must is Powells City of Books. an amazing place.

stop at Newport, OR and go to Moes' for a bowl of chowder. Just off 101 if i recall correctly. You can also watch the fishing boats clean fish from an overlook.

a few national parks not to be missed in OR/CA:
CRATER LAKE
REDWOODS
BIG SUR

go far south in CA and hit Death Valley... should be nice and hot this time of year.

enjoy!
tp

 

[egpj]

Taking my parents for a trip. I have 282,000 air miles so I am able to fly everyone out there and back 1st class and for free! My favorite type of price! The cameras are going with me and where we visit is pretty much up in the air. I do have to visit some family while there. I have an uncle in Portland and a sister in Sacremento (Folsom to be exact). Other then that my shedule is free. I know it will not be near enough time but I am hoping to make it a good enough photo trip.

 

[egpj]

Red Woods park is pretty high up on the list.

 

[Doug]

I'd agree to head pretty much directly to the coast from Portland, and a stop in Newport... That whole line of coast is fascinating. Maybe turn inland at Coos Bay and cross I-5 at Roseburg. I've always liked the shape of the landscape around Roseburg. From there up into the Cascade Range for a look at Crater Lake--- phenomenal views. I suggest catching 97 from there through Klamath Falls and then you have choices of heading toward Mt Shasta or east to see high-altitude dry lakes or more toward Susanville, 49-er country, Lake Tahoe... And from there along the eastern side of the Sierras where you should see Mono Lake and the ghost-town Bodie. Another great way to get to Mono Lake is through Yosemite. From there, Death Valley is between you and your Las Vegas destination...

 

[bmattock]

The cameras are going with me and where we visit is pretty much up in the air.

"Up in the air." LOL!

Anyway, not to sidetrack your thread, but please note - cameras go in carry-on luggage. DO NOT PUT THEM IN CHECKED LUGGAGE. Not unless you're tired of them, of course. Take a look at the editor's letter in the most recent issue of Shutterbug - even the press is finally admitting that the TSA is stealing everything that isn't nailed down. I speak from experience here. If you put a camera in your checked luggage, the chances are quite high that a government employee will steal it. And don't even think about trying to get it back or get compensation - ain't happening. The editor of Shutterbug even stated that he finally reached a poor honest soul who admitted that it is 'pretty common' now.

Also - I'm sure you know this, but to repeat - unprocessed film should NEVER go in checked luggage because the high-intensity scanners used now in the USA will destroy it. Most film will withstand a few passes through airport CARRY ON x-ray machines. You can also request a hand-scan of your film - they may or may not grant it, depending on how they feel that day. Once film is processed (developed), you can put it in checked luggage with no problems.

Digital media can go through x-ray with no problems at all. Don't put it in checked luggage - it can be scrambled, and it will more likely be stolen.

Sorry to be a downer, just would hate to see you lose any valuable camera kit!

I hope you have a great trip!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[parks5920]

Anything and everything on the PCH.

 

[Gerry M]

I lived in Newport for many years and consider the following sites worthwhile. If there is any swell on the ocean, consider Depoe Bay to view the "Spouting Horn". Watch the spout from a distance before taking your camera close. Most action on a rising tide. Approx 20 miles north of Newport.
The" Lookout" viewpoint. Depending on the weather (fog), some great vistas. Approx 5 miles south of Depoe Bay.
The Devils Punchbowl State Park at Otter Rock, about 2 miles south of the "Lookout". At low tide, you can walk among the tidal pools and view marine life. Approx 9 miles noth of Newport.
Newport: Moes, go to the "original", not the annex. Usually long lines.
Across the Yaquina Bay bridge, at South Beach, tour the national award winning Rogue Ale Brewery. A fun tour and good restaraunt if Moes is too busy. Nearby, there is also the aquarium, former home to Keiko the killer whale. A really great exhibit is the" walk under the sea" in Keikos' former home. You walk thru a huge underwater plastic tube and can see all sorts of fish, sharks, salmon, halibut and countless others.
Then south on #101 to The Sea Lion Caves, a mainland rookery. You should get some good shots there.
You can continue south on #101 for a spectacular drive to the Redwoods, or turn inland at Reedsport and follow the Umpqua river to Roseburg and go directly to Crater Lake from there. This is also a beautiful drive. A lot of miles, but Oregon is a large and very scenic state.
If you have any questions, I would be happy to give more specific details.
Have a great trip.
Gerry

 

[mkyy]

maybe some picture would help

yaquina head lighthouse

canon beach

heceta head lighthouse

coquille river lighthouse

 

[David Doler]

Yosemite

Yosemite

What else can I say

 

[egpj]

Those look great! I am really looking forward to this trip and will be plotting out the trip in order to try and hit all these great sites. Thanks everyone for the help!

Glenn