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Massachusettts

Seeing that there’s not much happening in the patch early to mid July (that’s a joke son), we’re flying to OR to visit relatives. We’ll be in the Salem area for a week starting July 14 and we’re looking for stuff to do with our 8 year old. Or if there are any Oregon growers who’d like help pulling weeds… Any thoughts? Thanks -

Craig

5/18/2009 2:12:36 PM

Minnesota

Foghorn Leghorn says Crater lake is in oregon.

5/18/2009 5:13:14 PM

Silver Falls SP east of Salem is a great hike; the coast has some great places to visit (an hour west of Salem). There are a lot of great places to visit, fishing, outdoorsy type stuff, not exactly Six Flags or Cedar Point activities.

Too bad it’s not a couple weeks later, the Great Oregon Steam Up is the last weekend of July (and first of August). The Steam Up has lots of antique tractors, steam engines, threshing demonstrations, etc. (Yes, I’m a farm nerd.)

If you don’t mind driving a bit, Crater Lake is absolutely gorgeous, and no picture known to mankind ever manages to replicate its beauty.

Little known fact: in addition to Oregon being home to the nation’s deepest lake (Crater Lake), this area is also home to the North America’s deepest canyon (Hell’s Canyon on the Idaho-Oregon border).

Disclaimer: the phrase “this area” in the west doesn’t exactly have the same meaning as it does on the east coast.

Sherwood should weigh in here; I don’t have any kids, so I don’t know what eight year olds like to do. If nothing else pans out, I do have lots of weeds to pull.

5/18/2009 5:57:13 PM

My apologies for the "the" in front of "North America's."

5/18/2009 6:00:09 PM

[email protected]

LOL 8 year olds get bored touring pumpkins even if Dad swears they are enjoying it. Nintendo DS is a good babysitter for between canyons, lakes & roller coasters. Especially if Dad starts flapping his gums with another grower;o)

Personally it sounds like a fantastic trip. That steam-up sounds really cool too.

Have fun!

5/18/2009 6:54:08 PM

Grants Pass, Oregon

Hi Craig, if you like the coast, we have beautiful ones around here. Plus I think Marnie would love the Portland Zoo. In Newport, there is an Aquarium that is fun as well. In Bandon there is the Petting Zoo. I live about 3 1/2 hrs south of Salem if you are in the neighbor hood.

5/18/2009 8:03:04 PM

Coupeville WA

Craig,
We stayed in Salem this spring when I went to our spring conference. While I was at the conference, my wife took our 2 daughters (ages 8 & 6) to an amusement park called the Enchanted Forest. This is about 20 minutes south of Salem, but the kids absolutely loved it. Personally, I would be inviting myself on some patch tours as there are some amazing growers in that area ie. Daletas, Sherwood, Hester, Starr just to name a few.

5/18/2009 10:28:16 PM

Massillon, Ohio

yay for your trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we went to washington and oregon last summer and it was AWESOME! although we had a little more freedom b/c we have no kids so we always just slept wherever we set-up our tent (a pumpkin grower's yard one night haha).

have fun and good luck!!!

5/18/2009 10:31:47 PM

Pleasant Hill, Or

Hey Craig, all are excellent suggestions so far. There really is ton of things to do here. July is a very warm month, and the chance of precip is about zero.

It would help us locals if you gave us some more specifics. Where are you flying into? It's got to be either Portland or Eugene. How much are you willing to travel?
There is an awesome kids museum called the Gilman House in downtown Salem. Right next to the Enchanted Forest is a big water park also. Both are no more than 20 minutes out of Salem. There are some great growers right there around Salem, then within 1 1/2 hrs both North and South you can tour lots of other patches. Sherwood, Hester and Leland are North. Me, Orleck and Daletas are South, but Steve is not growing this year.
If you want to head West, the coast is within 1 1/2 hrs. That section of the coast is probably the most beautiful on the whole West Coast.

See, lots to do! I'd be happy to help make your trip to Oregon fun for your family. Email me anytime.

Thad
[email protected]

5/18/2009 11:15:12 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Dis is why bp.com is so great!!! Peace, Wayne

5/19/2009 2:14:44 AM

I forgot about the Enchanted Forest. I loved that place as a kid!

http://www.enchantedforest.com/enchanted_forest.html

5/19/2009 12:19:46 PM

Dallas, Oregon

Hi Craig, I'm about 15 mins. west of Salem if your interested in a little hitter patch tour. Dallas is just a couple mins. off the highway to the coast. I highly recommend a trip to the beach. Tom, [email protected]

5/19/2009 3:00:39 PM

Mcminnville, Or. ([email protected])

Craig, After you visit Tom, you can come up to see our patch, then stop by the Evergreen Air & Space Museum! The perfect place to take an eight yr old! Truly an incredible place for any youngster! Rumor is, they are suppose to get a shuttle! Cheers, Brent Savage

http://www.sprucegoose.org/

5/19/2009 3:49:23 PM

Whidbey Island

Check out Bauman Farms, site of the mega weigh-off this fall. It is just a few miles N of Salem, maybe 10 minutes off I-5.

5/19/2009 8:33:36 PM

Gold Hill, Oregon

oregon gardens are about midway between silver falls and bauman farms. great place to spend the night.

5/24/2009 12:35:53 AM

Massachusettts

Thank you all for the great suggestions, it should be an awesome trip. I'm sure I won't even think about what's happening back home.

Craig

5/26/2009 9:25:03 AM