Geotourism

Geotourism is defined as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.

Oregon has many geotourism spots, one right off state highway 82 in eastern Oregon outside of Joseph.  Named in Nez Perce after the tribe that summered at the edge of the lake, the county’s newest park is called Iwetemlaykin (ee-weh-TEMM-lye-kinn).

From the parking lot, follow the trail that winds up the glacial moraine and you’ll quickly reach a remote and tranquil place. The trail is less than a mile long overall, but feels longer as it meanders through the grasslands and along waterways with likely wildlife encounters. Within minutes you’ll reach a reflecting pond with views of Chief Joseph Mountain worthy of a strenuous all-day hike.

Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site is a convenient new place to encounter nature, history, culture.  The 62-acre park is a joint triumph for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla, the Nez Perce tribe, the Confederated Tribes of Colville and the Oregon State Parks.  To the Native Americans, this is a sacred place.  For everyday visitors, it feels timeless and one can imagine Nez Perce pulling salmon from the Wallowa River flowing nearby. Take the easy-access trail to the tops of the moraine that contains the lake and visit the Old Chief Joseph Gravesite.  This is the Nez Perce National Historic Site and the beginning of the Nee-Me-Poo National Historic Trail that commemorates the Nez Perce’s flight from the Wallowas over 130 years ago.

With so many native heritage sites and scenic wilderness to explore sites you'll want to spend a few days.  Book your stay at a member inn of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild in Joseph, Oregon.

Oregon has the largest collection of covered bridges in the western part of the United States, with over 50 covered spans. Because of the easy availability of forest resources most of the early bridges in the state were timber structures. These timber bridges were often covered to protect them from the weather. Now, the remaining examples of this obsolete bridge construction technology, generally located in pastoral rural settings, provide one of the most significant tourist attractions in the state.

The heyday of covered bridge building in Oregon occurred betweek 1905 and 1925 when there wer an  estimated 450 covered bridges in the state.  By 1977, this number had dwindled to 56.  In 1990, the Oregon Department of Transportation worked with the Oregon Legislature to create the first comprehensive covered bridge preservation program to protect these scenic relics of our past.  An online PDF version of the new Covered Bridges information and maps can be accessed here.  

All but one of these historic bridges can be found west of the Cascade Range.   The Swalley Canal, Rock O' The Range, Covered Bridge is just north of Bend.  The others can be found in the Willamette Valley and west toward the Oregon Coast near many inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.  Plan our next authentic Geotourism adventure along the backroads of Oregon.
 

When it is hot in the valleys there is nothing like a ride on the Magic Mile chair lift on Mt Hood, Oregon's tallest peak at 11, 240 feet.  The majestic mountain can be seen from Portland, the Willamette Valley, the Hood River Valley and the Columbia River Gorge and is an easy day trip from any of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member inns in these regions.

Take the lift to the mountain’s 7000′ level – no skis or snowboards needed but if you do need a ski fix there are but a few places in the world where one can summer ski and on the Palmer Glacier on Mt Hood is one of them.  The spectacular view of Mt. Hood, Palmer snowfield, and nearby Mt. Jefferson is one you’ll soon not forget. Allow 30 minutes to ride up and ride down, or 2 hours if you choose to ride up and walk down.  The temperature can be cool on Mt. Hood, even in the summer. Please dress appropriately for current weather conditions.  

From nearly every viewpoint on the Oregon coast, colossal rocks can be seen jutting out of the Pacific Ocean creating postcard images.  
 
Each of these rocks is protected as part of Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge includes 1,853 small islands, rocks, and reefs plus two headlands, totaling 371 acres spanning 320 miles of Oregon's coastline from the Oregon–California border to Tillamook Head.

This is a place where eight of America's most beautiful wild and scenic rivers tumble down through towering forests of Douglas fir, Port Orford cedar,myrtlewood and redwoods creating tidal estuaries, long sandy beaches and coastal islands.  The Siulsaw National Forest has 4 major rivers flowing through onto the Pacific Ocean.  It also provides many Oregon coast B&B lodging options.  More about that in a minute.

All of the island acreage is designated National Wilderness, with the exception of 1-acre Tillamook Rock and Lighthouse, so public access is restricted but there are spectacular viewing opportunities at numerous locations along the coast.

The Oregon Coast Birding Trail website includes a birding checklist that shows 250 birds most likely to be seen along the scenic seascapes of the Central and South Oregon Coast.  It also includes trail guides with maps and site descriptions for over 50 sites. 


Central Oregon coast lodging options are plenty from Lincoln City, to Depoe Bay, to Newport and then to Florence.    South Coast lodging options include the unique inns of Coos Bay and Port Orford.

You'll find that you can bird-watch on the Oregon Coast for days and hop from one Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild  member inn to another from Astoria to Port Orford.
 

Sea watches on the Pacific Coast are best conducted in the morning with the sun at your back.

What do you think of when we say the word "Lavender"?  Aromatic, fragrant, relaxing, soothing are a few adjectives that come to mind.  Leave the hustle and bustle of daily life behind, visit an Oregon Lavender Farm and prepare to relax.  During the weekend of July 9-11, 2010, over 30 Lavender Farms in Oregon will open their farms to tours, workshops and celebrations, many including food and music, during the peak of the lavender season.  

I may be a little bias but my favorite lavender farm is Hood River Lavender Farms as it is just 8 miles from the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast.  Recently selected for inclusion in the Central Cascades Geotourism Project, Hood River Lavender Farms is a certified-organic u-pick lavender farm situated on the top of Straight Hill surrounded by orchards and offering amazing views of Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams and the Hood River Valley below. It has a large wildflower garden (Oregon native wildflowers) in the center of the farm. Due to the climate and location, over 70 varieties of lavender are present, including two unique lavenders grown only here, with a cute Lavender Shoppe on the farm where many luxury lavender items (including lavender oil distilled on site) are created and sold.

The farm is home to the annual Lavender DAZE Festival, July 10-11, 2010, featuring live music, local wines, 20+ local artisan booths, craft classes, kid activities and more. Picnic lunches are encouraged. Truly a unique and beautiful experience.  The bed and breakfast inns of the Mt Hood and Columbia River Gorge region, all members of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild, have rooms available for the perfect, romantic weekend getaway. 

Can't make it to the Hood River Valley?  No problem as there are plenty of Lavender Festivals planned this same weekend across Oregon.  And certainly a bed and breakfast of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild near the one of your choice.
 

Looking for a dude ranch vacation?  Look no further.  These working cattle ranches, members of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild, provide horseback vacations, cattle drives, and fly fishing vacations.   After a day in the saddle the friendly ranch style atmosphere, the cozy guest rooms and home cooked meals will satisfy and refresh hungry, tired guests.

Howdy!  Welcome to the Long Hollow Ranch
Long Hollow Ranch is a guest ranch with good old fashion values. The newly remodeled 100-year old ranch house welcomes you to historic Central Oregon.  Explore the ranch on horseback or hike the bordering high desert rimrock. Fish to your heart's content in the ranch reservoirs or spend a relaxing afternoon reading on the veranda, pitching horseshoes in the yard by the campfire or practicing your roping skills

Long Hollow Ranch is located in the heart of one of the Northwest's most scenic recreation areas, just a stones throw from Bend, Oregon.  Golf courses manicured to perfection abound, whitewater rafting awaits the adventurous.  Roaming the antique and quilt stores of Sisters, a true town from the Old West just minutes away, revives the spirit.

Welcome, Partner, to Wilson Ranches Retreat
Your hosts, Phil and Nancy Wilson, are fifth generation Oregonians, whose families homesteaded in Wheeler and Gilliam Counties over 100 years ago.  A 9,000 acre working cattle and dude ranch takes you off the beaten track to a rustic hideout, located in the beautiful Butte Creek Valley three miles West of Fossil, Oregon off Highway 19. This incredible, secluded scenic Oregon Lodging Ranch with spectacular sunsets and brilliant star-studded nights will captivate you.  The Wilson's and the Ranch are featured in the current online Travel Oregon publication.

Enjoy horseback riding in a geologically and historically rich area with a magnificent view of the Cascade Mountain Range or a quiet hike to view the wildlife and diverse flora and fauna on Wilson Ranches Dude Ranch. Wheeler County is home of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and has the richest find of prehistoric fossils in the world.

What are you waiting for?
Work with ranch hands on authentic ranch activities from fixing fence to moving irrigation to working with cattle.  These ranch adventures of a lifetime are just a click away and will take you on the ultimate Oregon Geotourism adventure.
 

Step back in time and experience a bit of yesteryear. Enjoy the beautiful Oregon Coast line by riding the rail behind a 1910 Heisler Steam Locomotive. This scenic trip chugs along Tillamook Bay and gives passengers views of the ocean.  Great for all ages, this trip will give you a glimpse into history.

The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad is offering two types of old school excursions for 2010.  A true Oregon Geotourism excusion, the first is a shorter coastal excursion which travels between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach. This hour and a half round trip gives you views of Tillamook Bay and the ocean.  These trips begin operation Saturday, May 29 and run through the end of September.

The second trip is a three-hour Sunset Dinner Train excursion. While enjoying sights of Tillamook Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and Nehalem Bay, passengers dine on a four-course meal. Dates for this excursion are Mother's Day, May 9, and May 29, June 19, July 17 and 31, August 14 and 28, September 18, October 23, and December 4.

Start your Oregon Coast tour at a Pacific City Bed and Breakfast of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.  Our innkeepers are committed to providing luxurious accommodations while promoting Oregon Geotourism opportunities.

Sandlake Country Inn ~ Voted "MOST ROMANTIC HIDEAWAY" by Inn Traveler Magazine! Sandlake Country Inn offers luxury and privacy rarely found. 4 Romantic rooms, most with double whirlpool & Jacuzzi tubs and all with fireplaces and private decks. Breakfast is delivered to your door

Eagle's View B&B ~ Breathe deeply of the fresh, stress-free air at this quiet secluded Oregon Coast Bed and Breakfast nestled on a hillside overlooking the beautiful Nestucca Bay & Little Nestucca River. The views from the four-acre paradise are breathtaking.

 

Sandlake Country Inn ~ Voted "MOST ROMANTIC HIDEAWAY" by Inn Traveler Magazine! Sandlake Country Inn offers luxury and privacy rarely found. 4 Romantic rooms, most with double whirlpool & Jacuzzi tubs and all with fireplaces and private decks. Breakfast is delivered to your door

Eagle's View B&B ~ Breathe deeply of the fresh, stress-free air at this quiet secluded Oregon Coast Bed and Breakfast nestled on a hillside overlooking the beautiful Nestucca Bay & Little Nestucca River. The views from the four-acre paradise are breathtaking.

The event features three days of presentations.  Great opportunities include a chance to test your birding knowledge with “The Great American Bird Quiz,” learn about shorebirds,  and find out the challenges facing the Swainson’s Hawk.

In the evening, birders can exchange their binoculars for their dancing shoes as two popular bands hit the stage at Kiawanda Community Center. Local favorite Donna Jose and the Side Effects play their brand of the blues while Portland-based Kolvane will bring their “rollicking style” of blues/rock to Birding and Blues on Saturday night.
Participants can get more information or register now at www.birdingandblues.com.
 

• Belle Pepper's Bed & Breakfast offers stately lodging in the former home of Frank D. McCully, one of (Old) Chief Joseph's white neighbors.  Frank McCully's headstone can be found on the grounds of the Old Chief Joseph Gravesite near Wallowa Lake.
• Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast is located nearby in Joseph.  This 1920s period bungalow is restored in the European Arts & Crafts style.  The inn's library includes many books on local Oregon history to round out your geotourism experience.