Oregon road trip?
 

We have not been to the PNW, and I am trying to plan a road trip for Fall 2020. We will be driving from Ohio. I have tons of info about Oregon, but there is just so much to see and do, I am having a hard time creating an itinerary.
Anyone have ideas? We are limiting ourselves to Oregon for this trip because Alaska is in our future, and we will explore Seattle then. We are in our 60’s, in pretty good physical shape, and like to hike to waterfalls, etc.
would love to hear from experienced travelers! :)

if you like/love art then Joseph Or. is a must, fine art gallery's and foundry's , great hiking, beautiful Lake Wallowa. the tram with super views, a quilt shop too. It is a real jewel! small town of 1200, great little town, no fast food, no stop lights, clean air and water. In the north east part of Oregon, Joseph is at the end of the road,
Sisters Oregon is also great for quilters, Jean wells shop is there.

For me Oregon is the next state down and a destination in itself. A lot of people aren't aware of how different the east and west sides of Washington and Oregon are. I like the Columbia river/desert area between the two states even though I live on the coastal side of the mountains. Some fun places to cross the river, like at the bridge of the gods
https://portofcascadelocks.org/bridge-of-the-gods/

They have pretty good tourist info for free from a state agency
https://traveloregon.com/travel-guides/

As a quilter, you will probably want to go through the Sisters area.

If you are into plants, the Portland area has some really great specialist nurseries. And a tea garden :)

Crater Lake is also a must see area.

I've only mostly visited the coast and Portland...the drive along the coast heading West from Eugene and all the lovely little stops along the way are a great way to spend the day. Little B&B's to stay at, beaches to explore - historical lighthouse at Yaquina Head was a wonderful visit! They have tours running during the day. Amazing little seafood shacks on the coast! We once took the 6 back inland to Portland, and the drive through the Tillamook State Forest was another joy. Or, you can go back more quickly on the 18 and hit up the many wineries around Willamette Valley if that's something you enjoy. The Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum (just east of there) is *lots* of fun.
Another trip we took was south of Portland to Silver Falls State Park - it's gorgeous! And on the way is the Gordon House (a Frank Lloyd Wright house) which is on the grounds of a lovely botanical garden, the Oregon Garden. If you stay in Portland these are all 'day trip' or maybe two-day trips on the western part of the state. I hope you have a wonderful time wherever you go!

If you are any where near Grants Pass, you must take the time to go to Jordan Fabrics. Their store is amazing! I was lucky enough to go on the way back from the Sisters Outdoor Quilt show July of 2018. You won't be disappointed :-)

On the desert side of the state there are wild horses! Actually becoming a problem as the population is about double what the land can really sustain.
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/oregon/wild-horses-or/

If you go to the coast there is of course Haystack Rock. Son and I were doing some secret teaching (I was teaching but he didn't know) about types of caves and we went to the Sea Lion Caves one year.
http://www.sealioncaves.com/tickets.php
We also did the Ape Caves on Mt St Helens and one up by Boundary Dam (Canada/Washington border)

For a trip into central Washington, Goldendale with what my son and I call Faux Henge and a wonderful solar observatory (I've seen the rings on Saturn!) is just above the Columbia River.

A little down the way is the Maryhill Museum. You ever hear the expression "What in the Sam Hill are you doing" well Sam was building Faux Henge and the Maryhill collection which could be named for either his wife, daughter, or mistress :p
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/...and-stonehenge

Wow! Thanks for all of your input....now I have even more stops on my list! Haha.
Travel Oregon sent me a ton of great info, which is why I am having a hard time narrowing our choices down.
I will print out a map and start mapping things out so I can put together a realistic itinerary. Hoping to stay in maybe 3 places, and do daytrips....

I second the suggestion for crater lake, it’s breathtaking. We just had a guest here from NewJersey and we took her to silver falls. There is a trail that goes behind a waterfall.

If if I had to narrow down though, I’d choose Crater lake and probably Ashland to see some really good theatre.