The Oregon Trail – Boise to Portland

• Day 1

  Your nonstop flight to Boise departs this
  morning at 10:30am, arriving in Boise at
  1:30pm (Mountain Time). A local barbecue
  “joint” provides comfort food, then get
  acquainted with Idaho’s capital city on a
  guided trolley tour of town. Hotel checkin
  follows, along with an afternoon break.
  Tonight, enjoy a little culture in the great outdoors at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival amphitheater. A picnic dinner is provided. Red Lion Inn Boise – 2 nights (L,D)

• Day 2

  The World Center for the Birds of Prey
  is well worth a visit. Here, exhibits tell you about the birds; then you can see live birds, including falcons and eagles, up close and personal. At the Old Idaho Penitentiary, an interpretive walk tells you the fascinating history of the facility, used as Idaho’s main
  prison from 1870–1973. After a “scatter” lunch downtown, stop in at the “main attraction” in town, the Idaho State Capitol. The building will have just
  finished a major restoration. There’s also
  a short stop at the Basque Museum and
  Cultural Center. Dinner allows you to
  discover more about this piece of Idaho
  culture with a traditional Basque familystyle meal. (B,D)

• Day 3

  Off today to follow The Oregon Trail.
  Leave Idaho this morning, stopping at the Four Rivers Cultural Center in Ontario, to learn more about the native people of the region. Just up the road an hour, in Baker City, The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is a wealth of information. Authentic? You betcha. In fact, wagon ruts from the 1850’s run across site.
  While you’re exploring the Oregon Trail,
  we’ve delivered your bags to Baker City’s finest hotel, the historic Geiser Grand. First opened to the public in 1889, she was considered “the finest hotel between Seattle and Salt Lake City.” Today, she has regained her original grandeur, and offers fine accommodations for weary travelers.
  We’ve included dinner in the hotel dining room this evening, so you can experience all the Grand has to offer. Geiser Grand Hotel (B,D)

• Day 4

  Believe it or not, I-94, today’s “Oregon
  Trail” in this part of the state, pretty much follows the original route of the first settlers. Through La Grande and on to Pendleton we go. Pendleton has a fascinating attraction few towns can claim. There is a complete city underground with shops, card rooms,
  jails, living quarters and more. You’ll hear the entire story on your tour. After lunch, head to the Pendleton Mill Factory Store, your chance to grab that special gift or just treat yourself.
  The day’s travels end just across the border in Washington. Tonight, we’ll meet some living history characters at a special dinner event. Remember, this was Lewis and Clark territory some 50 years before the first wagon train came through. Holiday Inn Express – Walla Walla (B,L,D)

• Day 5

  Before leaving town this morning,
  you’ll want to learn more about the area’s most famous agricultural products, the Walla Walla Onion. It’s harvest season and we’ll make sure you know how to create culinary masterpieces with these sweet root vegetables. The Maryhill Museum of Art is a delightful cultural break, perched high on a bluff overlooking the Columbia. Dedicated by the Queen of Romania in 1926, it didn’t open until 1940. American and European paintings are complimented by Rodin sculptures and other works of art. Nearby is a 1920-vintage replica of
  Stonehenge, which serves as a World War I Memorial. We’ll make a photo stop before crossing the river to the Oregon side. Our accommodations tonight are right at the grand river’s edge. Best Western Hood River – 2 nights (B,D)

• Day 6

  Ride the rails this morning, as you hop
  aboard the Mount Hood Railroad for the
  ride to Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood.
  Sunday Brunch is served en route. After
  a short break at the lodge, it’s back down
  the mountain, while enjoying your dessert.
  The four hour round trip is followed by
  a drive through “berry country.” It’s the
  heart of the season and you might want
  to fill your tummy with some of nature’s
  sweetest treats, or perhaps take a box of
  boysenberries or loganberries or blueberries home with you! (BR)

• Day 7

  A stop at Multnomah Falls is a
  highlight of the morning. Enjoy lunch at
  Heathman Lodge, a Pacific Northwestlooking
  building if there ever was one. Your
  afternoon flight returns you home safely to Sacramento. (B,L)