Are you looking for a sight of a lifetime?  Then go visit the Sea Lion Caves just outside of Florence Oregon.  Here you will find the world’s largest Sea Cave according to Guinness.  The cave offers an awe-inspiring, intimate view of Sea Lions in their natural habitat.

You will go down over 200 feet into the world’s largest and most fantastic sea cave.  The cave is the home of  the wild steller sea lion.  It is used primarily in the fall and winter months and is called the hauling area.

The rock ledge below the lookout located just outside the cave is the sea lions home during hte spring and summer, this is were they breed and bear their young.  They live in this area year around.

You will also be able to see sea birds, whales and more.  The Stellar Sea Lions are members of the Otariidae family, also known as the eared seal.  There are nearly 80,000 of them and their lifespan runs approximately 20 years.  When traveling the top speed they reach is 17 mph.  Of the 80,000 and average of 200 (a herd) live in the Sea Lion Caves region.

The Sea Lion is a warm-blooded mammal.  The are pinnipeds (literally, feather footed).  They have finlike members for propulsion and are carnivorous, eating mainly bottom fish such as skate, small sharks, squid and a variety of rock fish.

Sea Lions breed and bear their young in the spring, usually in May and June.  A rare case will have them breeding as late as July or even August.  The females generally bear every otehr year, as half-grown pups (what baby Sea Lions are called) have been seen nursing at their mother retractable dugs well past bearing time.  This Otaridae family pattern may be the reason young sea lions get a better diet and thus have a better chance of survival.

Sea lions pups are about four feet long at birth and weigh from 40 to 50 pounds. They are slate gray in color for about six months, turn dark brown until approximately two years of age, and they begin to assume the lighter tan color of the adult.

The birds in the area are the pigeon guillemot, a migratory bird, usually appears at Sea Lion Caves in early April when its mating season begins. It is similar in species to the murre of the East Coast, and is called “dovekie” by sailors, who often encounter it far out to sea.

The pigeon guillemot is black with white patches and markings on its wings. It has bright orangish-red feet which trail in flight, looking like a scarlet tail. Its voice, a shrill, hissing whistle, sounds much like a canary. The murre family of seabirds is fairly numerous throughout the Northern Hemisphere, but the particular variety found at Sea Lion Caves is rather rare.

You MAY get to see the Killer Whale in this area too.  The killer whale is not a frequent visitor to the Sea Lion Caves’ area; however, it is of considerable interest. This black and white mammal is one of the few sea mammals that attack other warm blooded sea life, and has been seen taking sea lions in the vicinity, although its hunting ground is generally farther north.

In the Pacific Ocean, the male killer whale attains a known length of about 27 feet and weighs an estimated 9 tons. A newborn calf is about eight feet long and weighs about 400 pounds.

Start your visit with a look at the statue “The Family”.   This bronze sculpture was dedicated in September 1982, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Sea Lion Caves.

This unique sculpture is the first stop on your tour of the Sea Lion Caves. The backdrop of Heceta Head Lighthouse creates a truly memorable experience.

The Sea Lion Caves are open every day of the year with the exception of Thanksgiving na dChristmas Day.  It opens at 9 AM and ticket sales close at 5 PM.

Admission is:

• $12.00 eachAdults:
• $11.00 eachSeniors:
• $8.00 eachChildren Ages 3 to 12:
• FREE! Ages 2 and younger:
• FREE! Parking:

Prices subject to change without notice.

In order to make the trip, you must go down as well as come back up 37 steps in our building to reach the outside trails. There are about 400 yards of uphill and downhill walking at a grade that ranges from 10% to 20%. You then reach the elevator that takes you down to the cave. There are also 63 steps in the cave in order to access the lighthouse viewpoint.

Recognized in 2008 and 2009 by National Geographic Adventure as “The Best River & Sea Outfitter on Earth,” O.A.R.S. sets the standard in first-class rafting, sea kayaking and multi-sport adventures throughout North America, South America and Fiji.

O.A.R.S. caters to active travelers of all ages and abilities with experienced, professional guides and top notch equipment and today offers more than 75 unique itineraries worldwide, including one-day and weekend escapes.

The Rogue River stretches 215 miles from Crater Lake Naitonal Park to the Rogue River National Forest, with its moderate Class III whitewater.  It is just perfect to satiate an adult sense of adventure, and yet will tantalize teens and thrill youngsters.  No more than four to six in a raft there is ample opportunity to glean historical and environmental facts from the guides as you do down the river. 

The Owyhee River rafting is southeastern Oregon is another paddling delight by dory, raft or inflatable kayak.  All the options on the 6 day Owyhee River Rafting trip area available to you.  This route has abundant wildlife and its dramatic canyon settings to make this Class III whitewater rafting trip one you will truly enjoy.

If you are a hiker and looking for something outstanding to do you will want to take the scenic beauty of the historic Rogue River Trail which goes over 39 miles in six days or riverside hiking.

Merlin, OR 97532
Hours: Mon-Fri 8 am – 7 pm; Sat 9 am – 4 pm; Sun 1 pm – 4 pm
(800) 346-6277
rogueriverrafting@oars.com

Here is a museum, zoo and discovery center all in one location for you to visit just three miles south of Bend on Highway 97.  It used to be the Western Natural History Institute when it was first opened in 1974 but changed to the present name and exhibits in 1982. 

The Museum has two permanent exhibits that capture everyone’s interest.  “Spirit of the West” and By Hand Through Memory” are the two.  The exhibits provide a perspective on the high desert which encompasses an area from eastern Washington through central and eastern Oregon and into Nevada and California. 

The: Spirit of the West” tells the story of the settlement in the region with a European perspective.  The “By Hand through Memory” balances the presentation by explaining the impact of White settlements on Native Americans.  The exhibit gives you the sights and sounds of those who lived and worked in this part of the West.  You will experience a Northern Paiute rock shelter overlooking marshland, to a Hard Rock mine operation and an 1885 settlement town with businesses and services that were necessary for life in the High Desert community.  There are daily tours at 2:45 in the Hall of Exploration and Settlement.  The tours last approximately 30 minutes.

There are also attractions for the kids to enjoy in the Whose Home space.  Here they can climb up to an eagle’s perch slide down the rock slide, stash treasures into a packrat nest , uncover the hidden tarantula, scorpion, rattlesnake and lizards, raid the ranchers shed, and do animal puppet theater.  They will have a blast here.

In the Museum you will be able to see the coach that may have carried famous passengers like Mark twain and Horace Greeley, and was used by the DeMoss Lyric Bards, who performed throughout the West.  When you look at the coach you will find that the pioneers and early travelers to the area were certainly willing to endure a very rough trip across the country. 

Outside you can visit the Lazinka Sawmill which is truly an interesting look at the history of building construction.  The engine of the mill powered a 48 inch blade and today sawyers will tell you what it was like to run a mill like this over 100 years ago.  Worth the trip outside to see it and visit with the staff.

At the High Desert Homestead Ranch you will be able to visit with staff in the dress of the past and learn about how things were done to keep the house and family running without the modern conveniences of today.  You will also be able to help with the daily chores at the Blair family cabin if you want.  You can lend a hand at churning butter and splitting wood, dipping candles, watering the vegetables or even mining.  You will also want to visit the Barn, Willow Corral Root Cellar, and other structures that make up the ranch stead.  This area is open from 11 AM to 4 PM daily during the summer months.

There are so many more exhibits to see and learn from that you will be busy from the moment you get there until you leave a wiser and very happy traveler.

It is suggested that you allow 3 to 4 hours for your visit to this Museum.

Pets are not allowed on Museum grounds, for their and our animals’ safety. As it gets hot in our parking lot, please, for your pets’ sake, don’t leave them in a closed vehicle. The Museum offers portable airline-style dog kennels in the shade outside where your pet can relax and cool off – ask for a key at Admissions. Service animals are allowed: please see the admissions staff for the service animal waiver form.

Hours of Operation
Summer: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, May 1 through October 31.

Winter: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily, November 1 through April 30. We are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Admission Rates
     Summer: May 1 – October 31
   
     Adult  $15 
     Senior (65 plus)  $12 
     Youth (ages 5-12)  $  9 
     Child (4 and under)  Free  
     Winter: November 1 – April 30
   
     Adult  $10 
     Senior (65 plus)  $  9 
     Youth (ages 5-12)  $  6 
     Child (4 and under)  Free 
     
     Stroller Rental  $  3 
     Wheelchair  Free  

Phone: (541) 382-4754

Location:
59800 S Highway 97
Bend, OR 97702

The Museum accepts all major credit cards, with the exception of the Discover Card.

The valley is alive with the prehistoric monsters of the past in this genuine rain forest in the valley with a mild climate and all of the things that you could want in a rainforest.  Here the area is drenched with rainfall, giant ferns, drippy mosses and the soil, although black is mucky and not good for anything other than the use it now has as a Prehistoric Garden.

For 40 years sculptor E.V. Nelson built dinosaurs.  He chose to make it a tourist destination called Prehistoric Gardens.  His life-size replicas are "scientifically correct" but the coloring of them will certainly be something you will remember.

Each animal is identified along with a pronunciation guide for their scientific names, facts about their diet and the period in which they lived.  The opportunity to walk through the gardens and see all of them is a wonderful trip for adults and children.

There is a baby triceratops freshly emerged from its egg that will certainly catch your attention.  There is a Struthiommus and a plesiosaur with its long neck.  You can see the winged Pteranodon and a Tyrannosaurus Rex along with other interesting creatures just waiting for you to explore the area and see what you can learn. 

Because of the choice of colors used by Mr. Nelson the sculptures aren’t scary for the kids, they are just a delight.  Mr. Nelson built the sculptures based on measurements of fossil skeletons to assure the accuracy of the size and shape.

They were created from steel frames and hand-finished mortar.  They are life like enough to make you glad you didn’t live at the same time they did.  Although, seeing them at the Prehistoric Garden will have you delving deeper for more information on these creatures of the past.

There are 23 life-size replicas to see.  You can visit anytime of the day from 9 AM until dusk.

Location: 36848 U.S. 101, Port Orford, Oregon

Phone: 541/332-4463

Directions: 10 to 12 miles south of town on US 101.
 

This among the oldest and largest professional theaters in the nation.  The theater presents 8 1/2 months of outstanding performances for the public to enjoy.

The community of Ashland is just 20,000 so you won’t have difficulty getting around and finding where you want to go.

There are backstage tours available for those that want a deeper understanding of how a production is put on.  This tour explores the history, design and technology of repertory theatre.  You must have reservations to attend this tour.  The regular tour is a walking tour and has six flights of stairs you must be able to manage.  Adult tickets are $12, youth (6-17) are $6.  Value season prices are $9 for adults and $6 for youth.  

There is a stairless tour available but they need at least three days notice. To order stairless tour tickets, please call (800) 219-8161 or (541) 482-4331.

February 24 – October 31 10:00 a.m.

You can also attend classes to learn more about the story, themes and characters of a play (all tickets are $5). 

OSF directors, scholars, and guest lecturers from around the country will share their insights about the plays, the playwrights and theater during their lecture series.  Check with the theatre to find out when they will be holding these sessions and where they will be held.

The embers of the theatre will be sharing their knowledge about the Festival and theatre in general, followed by a question and answer period which take place either in Carpenter Hall (in the spring) or the Bill Patton Garden (summertime).  It will be a great way to learn more about the productions as well as get to know others that are interested in Shakespeare.  This event is free to the public.

The theatre also produces productions of other talented playwrights.  There are 11 main stage productions each season so check to see what is playing while you are planning to be in the area on your Oregon vacation.

The OSF campus is comprised of three established theatres.  In addition to these they have other venues both indoors and outside.  The three primary theatres are the Angus Bowmer Theater (600-seat), New Theatre (250 to 350 seats), Elizabethan Stage/Allen Pavilion (1,200 seat).  Each of these will provide you with great seats and a huge memory of the great production.

There are Matinees and evening shows most days although it is dark (closed) on Monday.

It is highly recommended that you have reservations.  The cost of tickets vary so check with the theatre or online for rates.

The season runs from late February through early November;  you’ll find more to do mid-June through September, but tickets are cheaper February through June and in the fall

Location: 15 S Pioneer St
Ashland, OR 97520 (downtown Ashland)
Ashland is located on I-5, 350 miles north of San Francisco and 285 miles south of Portland, Oregon.

Phone: (541) 482-4331

You think you have everything under control, that you see what you see, feel what you feel and have a pretty good sense of balance.  Wrong.  Just step into the world of visual and perceptual phenomena, a step into the twilight zone! 

The House of Mystery gives you a glimpse of the strange world where the improbable is commonplace. You will experience physical facts that are reversed and what you know to be true isn’t so clear any longer.

You can even capture the experience on film to prove that you really aren’t losing your mind!

The building was originally an assay office and then tool storage building for the Old Grey Eagle Mining Company in 1904.  Although the mining company used it, the Native Americans would not go near the place, they  called it "Forbidden Ground", a place where even their horses would not go.

The Oregon Vortex is a spherical field of force, half above the ground and half below ground.  A cortex is like a whirling mass of water, especially one in which a force of suction operates, kind of like a tornado. 

It is the basic form of our universe. From our galaxy, whose vortex form we see as the countless suns of the Milky Way, throughout the gravitational vortex of our solar system, down to the vortex of an atom, the vortex form recurs throughout our world structure. The Phenomena that gives The Oregon Vortex its name are evident throughout the entire area. Nowhere in the circle do you normally stand erect. Inevitably the visitor assumes a posture that inclines toward magnetic north. The corona of The Vortex, as well as the minor vortices, discovered during the continuous study of The Vortex, are among the unique phenomena to be observed here.

Another person, standing on a level platform recedes from you towards magnetic south which makes them appear taller and so, when they come towards you, towards magnetic north, they appear to become shorter.  You truly have to see this to believe it because it is contrary to the laws of perspective as we know it.

When you visit you are welcome to bring you still camera, sorry, but you can not use a motion video or audio recorders of any kind because of copyright issues.

The road to the vortex is paved so the trip will be easy, even for larger trailer, buses and RV’s since there is a turn around there.

Open Everyday – Seven Days a Week:
March 1st through October 31st

Hours:
March, April, May, September, October – Open 9:00 AM PST to 4:00 PM PST
June, July, August – Open 9:00 AM PST to 5:00 PM PST

Prices:
Ages Price
5 and Under Free
6 – 11 $7.00
12 – 61 $9.00
62 and Above $8.00

Visa and Mastercard accepted.
No personal checks.

The Oregon Vortex
4303 Sardine Creek L Fork RD
Gold Hill, OR 97525-9732

Voice: (541) 855-1543
E-Mail: mystery@oregonvortex.com

Coming on I-5 Southbound, from Eugene, Portland, or Washington:

1. Take Exit 43 off of I-5 and turn left at the end of the offramp.
2. At the end of the overpass, turn right onto Highway 99.
3. Follow the road over Rock Point Bridge and continue on Highway 99 to the right.
4. Turn left onto Sardine Creek Road a quarter mile after the billboard.
5. Follow Sardine Creek Road for 3 miles and continue left at the fork, following the creek.
6. Follow Sardine Creek Left Fork Road 1.3 miles to The Oregon Vortex.

Coming on I-5 Northbound, from Ashland, Medford, or California:

1. Take Exit 40 off of I-5 and turn right at the end of the offramp.
2. Turn left at Highway 99, towards Gold Hill.
3. Follow Highway 99 for 2 miles through Gold Hill.
4. Turn right at the large billboard onto Sardine Creek Road.
5. Follow Sardine Creek Road for 3 miles and continue left at the fork, following the creek.
6. Follow Sardine Creek Left Fork Road 1.3 miles to The Oregon Vortex.

Pets and Animals:
Pets and animals are not allowed in the area or on tours. There are two exceptions to this. The first is a trained seeing-eye dog accompanied by a disabled person. Dogs still in training are not allowed. The second exception is a small dog that is nice, does not bite, and does not bark. These small dogs can be taken through if they are carried in a pouch or other carrier the entire time they are in the area. The House of Mystery is a very crooked building and your hands must be free while inside. There is shaded parking for warm days and a nearby creek that pets and animals may get a drink at with supervision. What many people do is have someone in their group wait outside with the pet. This allows the rest of your group to go through without needing to leave your pet in the car on a hot day.

Hours of operation and prices subject to change without notice.

Powell’s City of Books is billed as the largest independent bookstore in the nation, but it isn’t just a bookstore. Powell’s is a tourist attraction, complete with its own parking garage at NW 11th Avenue.

It may be top on the list of destinations for tourists visiting Portland, but Powell’s City of Books is also a local hangout. The store features monthly exhibitions, reading events and an inviting atmosphere that keeps local as well as out of town shoppers entertained.

Powell’s is a tremendous resource for anyone looking for a specific book. You’re practically guaranteed to find what you’re after here. If you can’t, call on Powell’s out-of-print and rare-books specialists on staff to find what you’re after.

Not only can you browse and buy new and used books at Powell’s, you can research and read here as long as you like. What your library lacks, Powell’s is likely to have on hand. Students, teachers, scholars or anyone interested in virtually any topic can find a wealth of information at their fingertips at Powell’s.

If you’re planning to visit Powell’s City of Books, why not bring along some of your used books to unload while you’re there? Powell’s offers cash or trade value for used books. You can sell or trade in your books from 9 am until 8 pm daily.
 
Want to feel even better about shopping and trading in books at Powell’s City of Books? Check out the Powell’s Community Giving Program. You’ll discover Powell’s donates books, time and money to support public schools and libraries, kids’ reading programs, adult literacy programs and civil rights causes.

1005 W Burnside
Portland, Oregon 97209

The Thomas Condon Paleontology Center is located at Sheep Rock Unit within the National Monument in Kimberly, Oregon. This is the best place to start your exploration of the incredible John Day Fossil Beds. The Thomas Condon Paleontology Center features a Museum with a variety of exhibits, special interpretive programs, and audiovisual presentations on fossils, geology, and paleontology research.

As you tour the Paleontology Center Museum, you’ll learn about the geology and fossils at the John Day Fossil Beds, plus the evolution traced in the more than 40,000 item fossil collection amassed at the Center. You can also view the Paleontology Center’s fossil preparation laboratory for a fascinating glimpse at the ongoing research and methodology used by paleontologists here.

You can start your tour of the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center by requesting to view an 18 minute orientation film. You can then begin exploring the diverse exhibits at the Museum, including displays of fossils covering 40 million years of animal and plant evolution.

The Horse Family Tree exhibit is one of the many intriguing displays at the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center that you’ll see on your tour. This exhibit details the evolution of the horse over the course of millions of years and features fossils that illustrate the horse’s adaptation to the changing environment.

Another exhibit features a scale model of the large nimravid, Pogonodon platycopis in attack position. The Rattlesnake Formation exhibit includes fossils and a detailed representation of how the area appeared 7 million years ago. These are just a few of the exhibits at the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center.

In addition to viewing the exhibits at the Paleontology Center at Sheep Rock Unit, you may be able to attend a special talk presented by a park Ranger. Sheep Rock talks are available Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 pm, June through September. Talks may not be available if another program is being held at the Center.

20 miles west of the town of Fossil on Highway 218
Fossil, Oregon 97830

"Scientifically" speaking, the Oregon Vortex is a spherical field of force that exists half above and half below the ground. This whirling mass of force and its accompanying confluence of magnetic fields are said to suspend several laws of physics at this location. The results are strange occurrences that can be observed with the naked eye, such as changes in height, balls rolling uphill, brooms standing on end, and other phenomena.

The Oregon Vortex was first opened as a tourist business in 1930. Millions of people have visited the Oregon Vortex since then, including psychics, mystics, scientists and curious folks passing through the area. Today the Oregon Vortex is still an intensely popular "mystery spot." It was even featured on an episode of the TV hit show "The X-Files" in 1999.

Although scientists are quick to call the phenomena you’ll see at the Oregon Vortex either fraud or optical illusions, no scientific studies have conclusively either debunked or proven anything. Interest in the spot is likely to continue, in large part because the mystery of the Oregon Vortex is so interesting and the strange occurences are so much fun.

The spot identified as the Oregon Vortex is situated within a woodsy, hilly, ¾-acre circular area that contains the House of Mystery. The House of Mystery is a wooden shack that was built in 1890 by a gold mining company. The House of Mystery rests at a disorienting slant, as it has since it originally slipped off its foundation. The House is used as a sort of tourist laboratory for exhibiting some of the strange phenomena that occurs as a result of the Vortex.

Regardless of whether or not you believe the strange sights you’ll observe at the Oregon Vortex are a trick of the eye or real phenomena, it’s well worth a tour. The Oregon Vortex is open every day, 7 days a week from March 1 through October 31.

4303 Sardine Creek L Fork Road
Gold Hill, Oregon 97525

Discover a Magical Attraction in Hood River: The International Museum of Carousel Art. If you’re traveling in northwest Oregon and you happen to be a fan of carousels, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to view the world’s largest collection of antique carousel animals and carousel art. Travel from Portland east on I-84 about 70 miles and you’ll come to Hood River. More than 150 carousel animals are exhibited at the International Museum of Carousel Art here.

The incredible collection of hand-carved, wooden carousel animals at the International Museum of Carousel Art includes works by many master carvers. Individual carousels usually include artwork created by only one artist. The Museum presents a unique opportunity to compare, contrast and enjoy many different styles of carousel animals. 

The majority of the antique carousel animals and artwork on display at the International Museum of Carousel Art is from the incredible collection owned by Duane and Carol Perron. The Perrons’ collection of carousel art began in the 1970s’ with just one carousel horse. Today the couple owns the largest and most comprehensive collection of carousel art in the world, including over a dozen complete carousels.

A large portion of the Perron Family Collection of carousel art is on permanent loan to the International Museum of Carousel Art. The Perrons and other volunteers have assisted in restoring a number of historic carousels throughout the United States. The proceeds from the operation of these restored carousels are used to fund restorations of additional carousels. An average of two additional carousels are restored each year as a result.

The International Museum of Carousel Art operates as a non-profit organization, as it has since its foundation in the early 1980s. The Perron family remains devoted to helping preserve and restore carousels throughout the world.

In addition to the many beautiful and intriguing carousel animals displayed at the International Museum of Carousel Art, you can also see (and hear) an operational 1917 Wurlitzer band organ as well as other rare artifacts. Exhibits focusing on European animals, American carvers, and the restoration process involved in preserving carousel art are some of the other highlights of the Museum.  

The Museum of Carousel Art was formerly located at 304 Oak Street in Hood River. It is presently closed temporarily while it moves to a different location (September 2008). You can find out more about carousel art and contact the Museum for more information on the grand re-opening of this fascinating attraction.

While visiting Hood River, you’ll most likely need to take a break during your day’s activities. There are several hotel options available and great rates can be found on HotelsCombined.com.

304 Oak Street,
Hood River, Oregon 97031