Ever want to crush grapes with an Oregon vintner? How about turning hops into a frothy brew, or strolling through the farmers' markets for the freshest produce and plants? Maybe you just want to grab some friends and head for the clear mountain air, explore the wine country, or drop in on the many harvest festivals happening this fall. Well, that's Oregon Bounty. During October and November 2008, hotels and inns, chefs, winemakers and brewers, and the folks who grow, produce and catch what you love to enjoy are opening their doors, vineyards and fields with up-close-and-personal experiences and special lodging packages.
Click here for a link to the Oregon Bounty experiences in the Mt. Hood/Columbia Gorge region.
When travelers think of Oregon, there are certain landmarks that immediately spring to mind. The awe-inspiring Columbia River Gorge. The majestic, symmetrical splendor of Mt. Hood. The rugged history of the Oregon Trail. The rushing white waters of wild and scenic rivers. The Infinity Loop helps bring these fabulous attractions—and many others—together in a travel itinerary that can extend from a weekend to a week or longer.
The Infinity Loop winds through some of Oregon’s most beautiful and diversified landscapes. Traveling east around Mt. Hood on U.S. 26 and Oregon 35 or via the Columbia River Gorge on I-84, you are treated to large expanses of Douglas fir, plunging waterfalls and teasing glimpses of the perennially snow-capped mountain. Near The Dalles, the lush green forests give way abruptly to a high desert landscape that is punctuated by deep canyons as you head south on U.S. 197 near the rugged Deschutes River.
Oregon is an outdoor person’s dream come true, and the Infinity Loop lets you access some of the best. First-class hiking, fishing, birding, white-water rafting, skiing, snowboarding, golfing, windsurfing, and mountain biking are readily accessible from the loop’s five lodging centers – Troutdale, Cascade Locks, Hood River, The Dalles and the Villages of Mt. Hood (Brightwood, Welches, Zigzag, Rhododendron and Government Camp). History buffs will find many points of interest along the way, including the scenic Historic Columbia River Highway, Native American and Oregon Trail pioneer sites, and the magnificent Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood. The bounties of Oregon’s rich agricultural heritage are also present, be it fruit from the Hood River Valley, fine local wines and micro-brewed beer, or Columbia River salmon. Shoppers have a host of options, from a collection of brand-name outlet stores in Troutdale to the boutiques of Hood River and the many art galleries and craft stores along rural routes.
The Infinity Loop Guide highlights some of the attractions you will find traveling through this glorious region. Visit our Links page for more information or download the printable pdf now. The Infinity Loop is a true four-season vacation destination. Thanks to the wonderful diversity of our landscape, you can experience snow on Mt. Hood, the high desert warmth of the Deschutes River basin and the temperate breezes of the Columbia Gorge all in one trip.
We look forward to seeing you on the Infinity Loop, and hope you will take the opportunity to linger among the landmarks that make this region of Oregon such a special place.
