AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Hello, all. I'm planning to drive to Port Angeles, WA to visit friends, then come down Highway 101 through Washington and Oregon. Looking at the map it appears there are literally hundreds of places I'll want to photograph. If you have experience in that area, I'd like to know the "do not miss" ones and the ones that if I miss them, it won't matter so much.

Thanks in advance!

susanmarie Loc: Redding, CA

Florence, Reedsport, Newport are beautiful locations (Oregon coast). The Washington coast is not as spectacular as Oregon -- but certainly beautiful also. Enjoy - it's cool/ cold/ sometimes rainy - be prepared.

heyrob Loc: Western Washington

What sorts of things interest you and what don't? This will give those of us who know the area a better idea of what to suggest to you. For instance, do you like rugged coastline scenes? Unique bridges or lighthouses? Quaint fishing villages? Port Angeles has a replica Liberty Bell, that's tastefully displayed. I made a special trip from Seattle to see that on the 4th of July about 6 or 8 years ago.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Yes, hundreds of places. Here are some suggestions for Oregon from past threads:

Seattle to Los Angelas
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-113323-1.html

Oregon Coast
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-54174-1.html

Allow extra time for your trip. It's guaranteed this time of year you will spend some time following RV's doing 35 MPH. :hunf: Relax and enjoy the scenery. :thumbup:

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I looked at the past threads, and yes there are some good ideas there. Answering the question as to what I want to see - basically what's there. I've always heard how beautiful it is. I like old buildings, lighthouses, craggy shorelines, beaches, boulders, even just clouds in the sky! I haven't decided yet whether to go in August or September. Any advice as to best weather? (I really hate rain - being a desert rat!)

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Rainy season can start in late September, but rain can happen on the coast any time of year.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Thanks, OddJobber. That's really good info.

Ambrose Loc: North America

There is plenty to see in Oregon:

> I'll start with my favorite: Silver Falls State Park. It's enormous and contains 10 gorgeous waterfalls. Trails galore too.

> The Oregon Coastline has great stops all along the way including Haystack Rock, Ecola State Park and more.

> Crater lake is a popular photo spot, and well worth seeing.

> Mount Hood is ever present near Portland.

You really don't have to try to hard to find something wonderful in Oregon. I know I sound like a tourism promoter, but it is beautiful!

One of my shots of a waterfall at Silver Falls (notice the little dots behind the fall - those are people!)

olcoach Loc: Oregon

If you want to do just the coast check out the lighthouses and most of them are on the road signs. My favorite is the Bandon light but they are all interesting. Some of the bridges were built during the depression and are beautiful in a way that wouldn't happen today. When you go to old town Newport the bridge is just to the west. Go down to the harbor in Depoe Bay and you can get some great shots of the bridge and the small opening to the sea,. South the spots west of CoosBay include a neat harbor at Charleston, and then continue west to Shoreacres which is the garden area of one of the early timber barons. After that go about another 1/4 mile to photograph a large group of seals. If you have time when you get to GoldBeach take a mail boat up the Rogue. Many things to shoot and a great lunch at the top end. These are just a few. Have fun and send us some photo's. I almost forgot to mention that September is a great month. It can rain but the crowds are gone and most days should be nice. Mike

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

From where are you starting? Do you intend to come to California? If so, how far south?

saichiez Loc: Beautiful Central Oregon

Starting at the Mid Washington coast line and through Oregon down the coast to California, there are about a dozen lighthouses. Some of them are decommissioned but allow tours. They continue to be decommissioned and eventually budgetary constraints will reduce maintenance as tourist spots. Most very photogenic.

Living in Oregon (central part of the state) I have done a few. I envision a trip at some point in the future starting up in Washington and down the Coastal Highway to Ca, shooting all the remaining lighthouses.

Caution however, please be advised that the waysides or parking areas all along both state's coast lines are heavy for theft from cars. Park and walk over the dunes for a look at the Ocean and the risk is high that you will come back to broken windows and any valuables that can be seen will be gone. Law enforcement is limited due to tight budgets. All waysides are clearly marked for potential theft warning to lock cars. Keep valuables locked in the trunk and have a rear compartment cover on any SUV vehicle.

My solution when exploring, especially the coastal communitees is a locked strongbox welded to the floor in the rear of my Suburban. And yet, I've lost a few windows.

DEBJENROB Loc: DELRAY BEACH FL

These are the two books I used:

The photographers guide to the Oregon coast by Middleton and Barbee

Northwest Mileposts, published by Vernon Publications

Both are available on Amazon .......

Makaipi Loc: Lexington, South Carolina

Lot of memories here! There's a road outside of PortAngeles .that goes into the Olympic National Forest. It will bring you up to an observation area(s) where you can get some breath taking photos. A buddy of mine saw a Sasquatch up there! His wife restrained him from running after it! There is the Coast Guard Station on a spit where the paper factory is and then there is the Dungeness light house. Good photo op here. And a restaurant nearby where you can get the famous Dungeoness crabs.

You can follow the road west out of PA toward the tip of the state. Interesting little towns all the way there. Near the Macaa Indian reservation out off the point, there is Cape Flattery Light house on Tatoosh island. At one time it was a self sustaining town with a school for the families of the light house personnel. My friend was the last commanding officer. Also near there is a spooky looking what looks like a burned up forest. The Macaas say their people don't know why it's that way! It happened before their people arrived centuries ago.

Watch out for logging trucks! They go real fast. If you keep driving south on the coast road, you'll go by the area where the Coast Guard trains for rescue. The waters are beautiful but treacherous. You'll also go by the Quillute Reservation. Nice folks also. Lots of photo ops here.

You can follow this road into Oregon. Real pretty. There is another part of the Olympic forest that is really neat. Everything is green all over.

One thing I liked about the coast in Oregon and Washinton is that you can go to the beach and have a campfire pretty much anywhere. At least you could about 30 years ago. Have a good and safe trip and enjoy. Especially all the great seafood!

Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

Hi AzPicLady,

You didn't say how you are getting there so IF you travel across central Washington State the Step Toe Butte area has really interesting long-distant, landscape-texture type shots early in the morning or late in the evening. Take care & ...

ole sarg Loc: south florida

just go to any state park in OR and sit down and watch the chipmunks play. You will get some great shots. the place is one vast canvas.