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Sharing a Common Vision: Intergenerational Photography on the Oregon Coast

Program Number: 20910RJ
Start and End Dates:
6/16/2013 - 6/21/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Astoria, Oregon
Price starting at: $846.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Intergenerational; Photography
Intergenerational
Meals: 14; 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Program intended for grandchildren from 12 - 16 years of age.

Historic lighthouses, wave-battered shipwrecks, emerald green rainforests and the oldest town on the West Coast will be your inspiration and a local photographer will be your director as you and a grandchild explore the rugged Oregon Coast and lower Columbia River. Daily lessons and engaging hands-on workshops in digital photography get you ready to capture incredible images of stunning sunsets and breathtaking sunrises, while friendly critiques encourage you to grow.




Highlights

• Visit historic locations like Lewis's and Clark’s winter encampment at Fort Clatsop, Cape Disappointment Lighthouse at the mouth of the Columbia River and Astoria, the oldest town west of the Mississippi.
• In the classroom and in the field, your photography instructor provides lessons on digital photography fundamentals and advanced techniques.
• Field excursions place you and your grandchild in locations of incredible natural beauty at the best time of day to make memorable images.



Activity Particulars

Each day begins with sunrise shoot, ends with sunset shoot. Walking two miles over uneven terrain, loose sand, rocky trails, uneven city sidewalks and paths.



At least one adult for each child.



Coordinated by Coastal Journeys Unlimited.




Astoria

Astoria, at the mouth of the Columbia River near the Pacific Ocean, is the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies and a significant historic region at the end of the Lewis and Clark Trail. Victorian homes overlook the town and waterfront.
Accommodations
Riverside hotel on historic waterfront. Airport shuttle available for a fee.
Meals and Lodgings
   Holiday Inn Express
  Astoria, OR 5 nights
 Holiday Inn Express
Type: Hotel
  Description: The Holiday Inn Express is located on the bank of the mighty Columbia River adjacent to the remarkable Astoria-Megler Bridge. Great photographic opportunities exist right in front of the hotel!
  Contact info: 204 West Marine Drive
Astoria, OR 97103 USA
phone: 503-325-6222
web: www.astoriahie.com
  Room amenities: Air Conditioning, Refrigerator, Microwave, 27 inch TV-DVD Player, Coffeemaker, Hairdryer, Ironing Board & Iron, High Speed Internet Access, Dirct Dial Phone with voice mail, Free Local and 800 Number access Calls
  Facility amenities: Indoor Heated Pool, Whirlpool, Smoke-free, Business Center, Fax, Copy, High Speed Internet Access; River views, Exercise Room, Game Room, Guest Laundry, GIft Shop
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Contact hotel for reservations Additional nights available by calling hotel directly.
  Check in time: 4:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Contact hotel for reservations Additional nights available by calling hotel directly.
  Check out time: 11:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
4 p.m. Check in at hotel front desk, 5 p.m. Orientation You will be staying at Holiday Inn Express that night.
  End of Program:
8 a.m. Breakfast You will be staying at Holiday Inn Express the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
Hotel has free parking on site.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Astoria, OR
  Nearest city or town:  Astoria
  Nearest highway: Highway 101
  Nearest airport:  Astoria Airport in nearby Warrenton
  From End of Program
  Location: Astoria, OR
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

To Astoria

 

From Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Northwest Point Bus
phone: 800-442-4106
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$18 but check to confirm rates
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

2 
 

Distance:

 

100 miles
   

Bus departs from Portland's train station in downtown Portland. If you are travelling to Portland International Airport you will need to either take a taxi to the train station or use Portland's MAX light rail. For MAX information, visit www.trimet.org For bus schedules, rates, and other information visit: http://www.northwest-point.com/index.html
 

Astoria

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

None - Car Required
Varies
phone: NA -0/0-
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Varies depending on vendor
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

2 hours 
 

Distance:

 

100 miles
   

Rental cars are readily available at PDX. The drive to Astoria is pleasant and scenic, and parking is available at the hotel.
 
Driving Directions
  Portland to Astoria by Car There are three good routes from Portland to Astoria. Option #1: From Portland International Airport (PDX), follow I-205 North into Washington State and onto northbound I-5. Exit at Longview Exit 36 and follow the Highway 432 & 433 signs. Cross the Columbia River at Rainier and follow Hwy. 30 west to Astoria. Drive time is approximately 2 hours. Option #2: Take I-205 South from PDX. Take Portland exit onto I-84 Westbound. at the terminus of I-84, merge onto I-5 North and take the I-405 exit. Cross the Willamette River on I-405 (enjoy the view!) and take the Highway 30 (St. Helens) exit. Follow Highway 30 through Northwest Portland, Scapoose, and St. Helens to Astoria. Drive time is about 2 hours. Option #3: Follow I-205 to I-84 and I-405 just as you would for Option #2, but take the Highway 26 exit from I-405 and follow 26 West through the Coast Range to Highway 101. Head North on Highway 101 to Astoria.
Elevation Note: All activities at or near sea level.

Equipment Requirements: Digital photography equipment including DSLR or compact camera capable of manual exposure control. Tripod not required, but strongly encouraged.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Shuttle to Astoria, Orientation
(Sunday, June 16)
   
 Arrive To: Independent arrivals to Astoria.
 Afternoon: Orientation at 5 p.m. in hotel meeting room.
 Dinner: Welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Photography Fundamentals, Astoria Riverfront Photo Walk, Digital Workflow Workshop, Fort Stevens State Park, Peter Iredale Shipwreck Sunset Shoot
(Monday, June 17)
   
 Breakfast: Sunrise photography session along the river in front of the hotel.

Breakfast buffet in hotel.

 Morning: After breakfast, there will be an engaging lecture on the fundamentals of photography with an emphasis on digital photography. Following the casual lecture, there will be a short photo walk along the boardwalk in Astoria.
 Lunch: Lunch in a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: After lunch, it will be time to fire up the computers for a hands-on workshop on digital workflow. Your instructor will guide you through the process of importing your images from your camera into your computer and using software to organize and adjust your photographs. Participants should bring their computers or tablets and any cords or card readers necessary to import photos.

After the digital workflow workshop, the group will travel to Fort Stevens, the historic home of a U.S. Army artillery unit. We will explore the abandoned concrete bunkers where shadows, textures and shapes abound and creativity flourishes. As with all field excursions, your instructor will be on hand to help you and your grandchild make the best photographs possible.

 Dinner: Dinner is a local restaurant.
 Evening: Just south of the mouth of the Columbia River rests the rusting hull of the sailing ship Peter Iredale. This famous shipwreck will be the subject of the evening sunset shoot. Bring warm clothing and a tripod.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Astoria Bridge Sunrise Shoot, Astoria Column, Fort Clatsop National Park, Cape Disappointment Lighthouse, Columbia River Mouth, Critique, Astoria Sunset Shoot
(Tuesday, June 18)
   
 Breakfast: We will greet the sun with a sunrise shoot in front of the hotel on the banks of the mighty Columbia River. Watch for wildlife along the river's edge. There may be otters, cormorants, herons, and harbor seals to photograph.

Breakfast buffet at the hotel.

 Morning: After breakfast we will travel to the highest point in Astoria to photograph the Astoria Column. This wonderful spire offers sweeping views of the lower Columbia River, the northern Oregon Coast, and the Washington State side of the Columbia.

Following our time at the Column, we will head down to Fort Clatsop, part of Lewis & Clark National Park, where a replica of the Corps of Discovery's winter fort will be our muse. The fort sits in a lovely forest with plenty of opportunities for photos of all kinds.

 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: After lunch, we will cross the Columbia on the 4 mile-long Astoria-Megler Bridge to Washington State. There we will visit the historic Cape Disappointment Lighthouse and North Point Lighthouse. Two lighthouses in one place!
 Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant.
 Evening: After dinner, the group will gather for a friendly critique. Your instructor will review projected images from everyone in the group and provide gentle tips and honest accolades.

For those ready to stay up later, we will venture out under the Astoria-Megler Bridge for a sunset shoot.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Astoria Bridge Sunrise Shoot, Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach, Oswald West State Park, Haystack Rock Sunset Shoot
(Wednesday, June 19)
   
 Breakfast: Once again, we will greet the sun along the banks of the Columbia River before breakfast. Perhaps a passing ship will provide just the composition you've been waiting for.

Breakfast buffet in the hotel.

 Morning: After breakfast the group will travel down the Oregon Coast to Ecola State Park. There opportunities for seascapes, nature and possibly even wildlife photography will keep everyone busy. Ecola is a favorite location for Hollywood movie producers who have used the rugged headland in several notable films including Kindergarten Cop.
 Lunch: Lunch in Cannon Beach at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: After lunch we will continue down the coast to Oswald West State Park, where a 1-mile stroll through an ancient rainforest will bring us to one of the most scenic beaches on the west coast. It's a popular spot for surfers, so keep your eyes open for action photo opportunities.
 Dinner: Dinner in Cannon Beach at a local restaurant.
 Evening: After dinner, it's a long walk down lovely Cannon Beach to iconic Haystack Rock where the sunset will dazzle you. Be ready to make the best sunset shots of the trip here. This location is amazing! We'll stay well after sunset to catch the changing light, so be prepared with warm clothing.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Astoria Riverfront Sunrise Shoot, Digital Workflow Workshop, Critique, Seaside Photo Walk, Wrap Up
(Thursday, June 20)
   
 Breakfast: The final sunrise shoot of the trip will find you back out on the banks of the Columbia looking for that last masterpiece.

Breakfast buffet in the hotel.

 Morning: After breakfast we'll break out the laptops and tablets for a final workshop on digital workflow. With the instructor's help you will work on images from the week in preparation for the final critique.
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.
 Afternoon: After lunch, sit back and enjoy the final critique of the trip as the instructor once again provides gentle feedback to help you and your grandchild improve.

Following the critique we'll travel to Seaside for a casual photo walk along the town's historic promenade. It's the perfect chance to capture fun people photos and the unique flavor of Seaside.

 Dinner: We'll celebrate a great week with a wrap up dinner at a great local restaurant.
 Evening: Finish strong with a final sunset shoot. We'll see what the evening holds, so the location will be determined that day. Expect something truly special.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Astoria Riverfront Sunrise Shoot, Shuttle to Portland, Departures
(Friday, June 21)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet in the hotel.
 Morning: Optional morning sunrise session in front of the hotel.

Independent departures. Check out deadline is 11 am.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Photographing Oregon


Author: Greg Vaughn


Description: When it comes to photographing the Oregon Coast, Greg Vaughn's book is inspiring, informative, and comprehensive. As a bonus, the rest of the state is included!



The Photographer's Guide to the Oregon Coast


Author: David Middleton & Rod Barbee


Description: This is a decent guide to the scenic wonders along the Oregon Coast. Not as useful as Greg Vaughn's book, but certainly worthy of a look if you are going to be photographing the coast.





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