Top Down Tourers

 

I am looking to start a Sunday afternoon convertible club at Sonrise Church for the purpose of fellowship and fun. The post will be part of my research and planning. We will taking afternoon jaunts on Sunday afternoon. It will be focused on convertibles, day trips and scenic destinations and routes but not limited to convertibles only. Anyone is welcome.

My initial plan will be to plan for routes roughly about 2 hours from Hillsboro, OR. Ending at a scenic destination or a place for coffee or a snack and then return home. Photography could be a theme of some as well. A short hike included or even a swim in a cool river or lake.

The routes will be scenic and not focused on performance or aggressive driving but cruising and enjoying.

My early searches gave me these pages to study. I will also check trails.com as there are driving trips on there as well.

A great idea is to look for local events like fairs or markets or local attractions in nearby towns or communities that we can drive to an experience. Maybe even a car show or cruise in! I can also look at trips and adventures other car clubs or motor cycle clubs have gone on or maybe tag along with them if they are open.

I am sure there are meet up groups planning similar trips that I can check out and get ideas from as well.

https://www.myscenicdrives.com/regions/oregon

https://roadtrippers.com/map?lat=43.85434&lng=-121.20667&z=7

https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g52024-d487898-i32020110-Island_Cafe-Portland_Oregon.html

https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/portland/best-road-trips-to-take-from-portland

http://traveloregon.com/trip-ideas/scenic-byways/

10 Portland Day Trips

http://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2014-12-21/portland-oregon-great-day-trips-for-nature-lovers

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/DayTrips/Day-Trips-from-Portland-Oregon.htm

http://www.10best.com/interests/travel-features/road-trip-10-must-see-spots-from-portland-to-seattle/

https://www.pacsafe.com/blog/9-towns-to-visit-during-your-oregon-coast-road-trip/

14-Day Best of the Pacific Northwest Road Trip Loop

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2013/may/25/top-10-portland-san-francisco-roadside-attractions

https://www.google.com/search?client=ubuntu&hs=Bbu&channel=fs&q=portland+day+trip+itinerary&revid=133709851&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjNqKDPseDMAhUHxmMKHUkXC0IQ1QIIkQEoBw

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/best-day-trips-portland-oregon

http://jalopnik.com/how-to-drive-the-pacific-coast-highway-like-a-champion-1709670729

http://www.oregonccca.com/B-07-July-Board-minutes.htm

10 Portland Day Trips

http://dguides.com/portland/blog/insider-tips/75-things-to-do-in-portland-this-winter/

6 Must-See Day Trips from Portland

http://www.pdxmonthly.com/articles/2014/12/1/50-things-every-portlander-must-do-this-winter-december-2014

http://www.pdxmonthly.com/tags/day-trips

http://traveloregon.com/trip-ideas/

A Perfect 5-Day Oregon Road Trip

http://www.visitbend.com/Bend_Oregon_Activities_Recreation/Plan-a-Trip/Trip-Ideas/

https://www.pacsafe.com/blog/9-towns-to-visit-during-your-oregon-coast-road-trip/

http://www.oregonlive.com/northwest-life/index.ssf/oregon-travel/25-relaxing-oregon-destinations.html

http://traveloregon.com/trip-ideas/itineraries/

 

 

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http://www.travelchannel.com/interests/road-trips/articles/worlds-best-wine-road-trips

2. Willamette Valley

Thinkstock

In 1979 celebrated French wine and food magazine, GaultMillau, organized a wine Olympics bringing together a total of 330 wines from 33 countries. When a Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley placed in the top 10 of their category, the region was catapulted to international fame. Beginning 100 miles southwest of Portland, the Willamette Valley boasts more than 250 wineries. It also plays host to the celebrated International Pinot Noir Celebration every July. A journey here is not complete without a stop in Portland, a city whose wine is perhaps only bested by its limitless dining options. Also not to miss is Domain Serene in rural Dayton, OR, where you can ponder which is more fantastic, their Pinot Noir or their picturesque views.

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Columbia River Gorge

It’s incredible to find such natural beauty so close to a major city. Mere minutes out of Portland, Oregon, starts the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Drive the Oregon side for stunning views of waterfalls, some of which you can see without leaving the freeway. For a more intimate drive, get off the Interstate and cruise Historic Highway 30. Watch the scenery change from lush forest to high desert as you go east. Be sure to spend some time in quaint towns along the way like Hood River, Cascade Locks and The Dalles.

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How a Road Trip Helps you Experience Local Culture

Are you trying to decide where to go for your next vacation? Instead of flying, try a road trip. A road trip will help you find off-the-beaten-path destinations, and it’s a great way to get to meet locals. Here’s how a road trip lets you experience local culture.

Visit Unique Small Towns

Often, when people are traveling, they seek out famous tourist sites and big cities. But there are plenty of fascinating things to see and people to meet in those out-of-the-way small towns that dot the highway. When you’re on your road trip, take the time to stop in these small towns. You could visit for lunch, or do some shopping. While you’re there, you’ll be able to talk to locals.

Check Out Local Events

A road trip also makes it easy to go to the types of events that are mostly attended by locals. This includes festivals, farmer’s markets, and holiday celebrations. Many small towns have their own unique events that celebrate their town’s unique history and traditions. This is an especially great option for traveling with kids–they’ll love getting the chance to try out fun new celebrations and festivals. After you map out your trip, research the towns you’ll be passing and see if they have any special events that are worth checking out. If there are a few events that look really interesting, plan your trip around them.

Stay With Locals

Websites like AirBnB make it easier than ever to find homes to stay in on the road. Instead of staying in hotels, try using these types of websites to connect with town residents. This is one of the best ways to meet local people and to get to know about the towns you’re passing through. You’ll end up with many more stories and memories in these types of accommodation than you would if you only stayed in hotels.

Whether you’re going on a famous route 66 road trip or making up your own route, plan time to meet locals. Once you have planned your itinerary, hit the road and go experience local culture!

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Top Road Trip Destinations From Seattle, WA

https://www.flipkey.com/blog/2011/04/21/top-10-road-trip-destinations-from-seattle-wa/

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Hiking Trials near Portland to Explore in 2016

I am researching my activities for the year and am thinking hiking and waterfalls will make up most of it.

Here are the links that I am using to start my research:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brittany-wilcox/the-10-most-beautiful-spring-hikes-in-oregon_b_7074596.html

10 Beautiful Spring Hikes in Oregon

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/travel/outdoors/hikes/2014/02/07/best-easy-hikes—columbia-river-gorge/5292817/

http://www.everytrail.com/best/hiking-oregon

http://traveloregon.com/trip-ideas/oregon-stories/20-oregon-hikes/

https://www.travelportland.com/article/waterfalls-near-portland/

http://www.eugenecascadescoast.org/7-waterfalls/

http://www.eugenecascadescoast.org/7-waterfalls/sahalie-and-koosah/

http://www.eugenecascadescoast.org/7-waterfalls/proxy/

http://www.everytrail.com/guide/toketee-falls

http://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/nws/falls.php?num=4343

http://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/nws/falls.php?num=3751

http://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=28

 

 

 

 

Background Photo Sites

I really like different back ground photos and always appreciate good sites that have them. Here are a couple i found that feature primarily buildings.

http://allimageswallpapers.blogspot.com/2012/09/old-building-wallpaper.html

http://moblog.net/view/148123/old-buildings

http://wallpaperswide.com/old_building-wallpapers.html

http://www.civilizationswallpapers.com/architecture-old-building-in-spain-desktop-wallpaper/

http://wallpaper-kid.com/log-cabin-mountain-scenery-wallpaper.htm