Road Scholar : Home
Bridges and Beacons of Northwest Oregon

Program Number: 10004RJ
Start and End Dates:
5/12/2013 - 5/17/2013; 9/8/2013 - 9/13/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Newberg, Oregon
Price starting at: $849.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: On the Road Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 15; 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Gluten Free; Low Fat; Vegetarian; None    

Oregon is home to more covered bridges than any state west of the Mississippi and a collection of beautiful lighthouses that are an integral part of local maritime history. Based in the vineyards of the Willamette Valley, observe fine examples of wooden, steel and concrete bridges and compare their styles. With local experts, explore maritime history — trade, fishing and seafaring.




Highlights

• Journey along the stunning coast to see famous beacons, such as Yaquina Head Lighthouse and Tillamook Head Lighthouse.
• Discover the unique architectural style of the numerous covered bridges, the drawbridges in Portland and other bridges over the rivers.
• Enjoy local cuisine while voyaging onboard the Spirit of Portland, comparing the diverse construction of Willamette River bridges from the water.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to one mile; some optional stairs.



Itinerary Summary

Newberg, Ore., 2 nights; Pacific City, 1 night; Astoria, 1 night; Newberg, 1 night.



Coordinated by Tilikum Retreat Center.




Newberg

The rich soil of the Willamette Valley, which has contributed to the region’s successful grape-growing industry, also made Newberg the final stop for many pioneers on the Oregon Trail. Quakers settled here, as well, and Herbert Hoover’s boyhood home is nearby.



Pacific City

Pacific City is a fishing village of about 1,000 residents on the Oregon coast. The land and the ocean meet in dramatic fashion in the form of Cape Kiwanda; half a mile offshore one can see a spectacular sea stack called Haystack Rock. As early as the 19th century, Willamette Valley settlers began coming to Pacific City for rest and relaxation.



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
Retreat Center and two coastal hotels.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Dave Beach
A native Oregonian, Dave Beach is well-versed in local lore and history. Since his retirement from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — where he was in charge of the dredging operations along the Columbia River and Oregon Coast — Dave has traveled through the Panama Canal, the mountains of Peru and aboard a four-masted sailing trip to French Polynesia. He and his wife live outside Sherwood, Oregon where they run a small blueberry farm.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Tilikum Center for Retreats
  Newberg, OR 2 nights
   Inn at Cape Kiwanda
  Pacific City, OR 1 night
   Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
  Astoria, OR 1 night
   Tilikum Center for Retreats
  Newberg, OR 1 night
 Tilikum Center for Retreats
Type: Conference Center
  Description: Tilikum is in the rolling countryside, among hazelnut orchards and vineyards and is a year-round camp and retreat center. Formerly a family farm, Tilikum has a 15 acre lake, miles of hiking trails, outdoor activities and peaceful surroundings.
  Contact info: 15321 NE North Valley Road
Newberg, OR 97132 USA
phone: 503-538-2763
web: www.camptilikum.org
  Facility amenities: Spacious meeting rooms, inviting dining room with solarium, library, sitting room, game room. Comfortable sleeping rooms, coffee/tea available at all times. Tilikum is a smoking/alcohol free facility. Free wi-fi and phones for local calls (or long distance with a calling card) are available. Bring your own laptop or tablet for coverage of current news as there is no TV to allow for a peaceful and quiet setting.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Bathroom: 13 rooms have private, attached bathrooms. Some rooms have private bathroom across the hall.
  Additional nights prior:  Tilikum is available for group reservations only.
  Check in time: 5:00 PM
  Additional nights after:  Tilikum is available for group reservations only.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM

 Inn at Cape Kiwanda
Type: Hotel
  Description: All rooms have view of beach, easy access for evening walks
  Contact info: 33105 Cape Kiwanda Drive
Pacific City, OR 97135 USA
phone: 888-965-7001
web: www.innatcapekiwanda.com
  Room amenities: Private ocean view decks, fireplaces, pillow top beds, DVD/CD players, mini-refrigerators, all smoke free rooms.
  Facility amenities: All ocean view rooms just steps from the beach, exercise room, espresso/book store, gift shop, art gallery, guest laundry.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes

 Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
Type: Hotel
  Description: Recently opened in May 2004, the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites - Astoria is an attractive, 78-room riverfront hotel, suited for both business and leisure travelers. All of the comforts of home plus the added benefit of cutting-edge technology and impeccable service make it the ideal lodging choice on the North Oregon coast. In the heart of historic Astoria, Oregon, the hotel is close to restaurants, boutiques, antique stores, Victorian-style homes, historic sites and businesses. Astoria’s museums, lighthouses, interpretive centers, forts and theaters reveal its rich history and culture. Explore Astoria’s waterfront while riding a completely refurbished 1913 trolley. Adventure seekers will enjoy the beaches, ocean, rivers, mountains, forests and parks for beachcombing, kayaking, hiking, biking, fishing, clamming, boating, surfing, and bird watching.
  Contact info: 204 W Marine Dr
Astoria, OR 97103 USA
phone: 503-325-6222
web: www.astoriahie.com
  Room amenities: Air conditioning, refrigerator, microwave, 27" TV/DVD player, coffeemaker, hair dryer, ironing board and iron, high-speed internet access, direct-dial phone with data port and voice mail.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Check in 4:00 PM. You will be staying at Tilikum Center for Retreats that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends with lunch option. Check out time is 12 PM. You will be staying at Tilikum Center for Retreats the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
No fee for parking. Please contact Tilikum for information on RV parking availability.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Newberg, OR
  Nearest highway: Highway 99W
  Nearest airport:  n/a
  From End of Program
  Location: Newberg, OR
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Portland, OR

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Tilikum Retreat Center
phone: 503-538-2763
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

See comments below
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

45 minutes - 1 hour 
   

Tilikum can provide transportation from PDX, Portland hotel, train and/or bus station to our facility. Request forms included in pre-program communication. Cost $60/couple, $35/single (may update). Specific pick up and drop off times are scheduled once we receive all participant times as we work to make it most convenient for everyone. Ideally, Sunday flights are scheduled to arrive early to mid afternoon. We are also able to pick up at area hotels for those who choose to arrive early.
 
Driving Directions
  From Interstate 5 Take Tualatin/Sherwood Exit number 289. Turn west and follow Tualatin/Sherwood Road five miles to Hwy 99W at Sherwood. Turn left, going southwest, for eight miles and drive through Newberg until you are on the west side of town. Turn north (right) at the intersection of Hwy 99W and Hwy 240 (Chehalem Valley / Yamhill sign). Follow Hwy 240 for five miles. Turn right (north), onto Ribbon Ridge Road (a Tilikum Retreat Center sign is on your left). After one mile, bear left at the junction onto North Valley Road. Look for the Tilikum sign on the right (one mile).
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: Orientation and Introduction
(Sunday, May 12)

Note: This is the opportunity to begin friendships with those with whom you will be spending the week as you learn more about the program's content.
   
 Arrive To: Registration and check-in begin at 4pm. We can typically accommodate some early arrivals.
 Dinner: Welcome dinner. Food Service at Tilikum: We strive to present our guests with outstanding customer service and top-quality food. We make this possible by preparing our food from scratch, utilizing the freshest local ingredients and herbs picked fresh from our garden. We are happy to accommodate your special dietary needs with advance notice. Meals will include homemade bread, from scratch pastries and desserts, local & freshly roasted coffees along with a variety of menus.
 Evening: Program orientation and introductions
   
Accommodations: Tilikum Center for Retreats
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Introductory presentations of Covered Bridges and Lighthouses. Visit five covered bridges of the Willamette Valley
(Monday, May 13)

Note: Participants will discover how the climate and vegetation of the Willamette Valley and Coast Range led Oregonians to build more than 50 wooden covered bridges in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Inspect their construction and structure while walking over, under and around these unique structures.
   
 Breakfast: In the Tilikum dining room.
 Morning: History and Construction of Covered Bridges followed by a field trip to five covered bridges in the Willamette Valley.
 Lunch: Picnic lunch at Stayton Covered Bridge Park
 Afternoon: Continue covered bridge tour, return to Tilikum
 Dinner: Provided by Tilikum's Food Service personnel.
 Evening: History and Construction of Lighthouses. Film: "Oregon Coastal Bridges"
   
Accommodations: Tilikum Center for Retreats
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Yaquina Head Lighthouse/Yaquina Bay Lighthouse/Alsea Bay Interpretive Center
(Tuesday, May 14)

Note: We head toward the Oregon Coast spotting another covered bridge, the artistic Alsea Bay and Newport bridges. Then we start our exploration of the Oregon lighthouses with opportunity to climb to the top of Yaquina Bay, re-live the life of early lighthouse keepers at Yaquina Head. Then relax at the quiet coastal town of Pacific City.
   
 Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast in the Tilikum dining area.
 Morning: Travel to Newport, OR. Visit Alsea Bay Bridge Interpretive Center in Waldport, OR.
 Lunch: After a picnic lunch, we will visit Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, the oldest wooden structure in Newport. Yaquina Bay State Park is located in Newport at the north end of Yaquina Bay near its outlet to the Pacific Ocean. The bluff is forested with spruce and pine, but the real star is the historic lighthouse. The lighthouse -- later used as a Coast Guard Lifeboat Station -- has been restored and is open to the public.
 Afternoon: Enjoy Yaquina Head Lighthouse and visitor's center. The tallest lighthouse on the Oregon coast at 93 feet tall. Participants will be given the opportunity to climb to the top to inspect the working fresnel lense. Migrating whales, sea lion calves and countless water fowl are often hightlights of time well spent. Travel to Pacific City and overnight hotel.
 Dinner: Dinner at Pelican Pub & Brewery banquet room with oceanview -- perfect for a sunset dinner.
 Evening: Film: "Coastal Lights." Overnight facility has beach access and all rooms have ocean view. Pacific City has been known for over a hundred years as a quaint fishing village and vacation destination located in a very unique and special geographical and geological area. Pacific City is located on the Oregon Coast between Tillamook and Lincoln City on the south end of beautiful "3 Capes Scenic Drive". We are off the beaten path on a short loop 3 miles from highway 101.
   
Accommodations: Inn at Cape Kiwanda
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Cape Meares Lighthouse/Columbia Maritime Museum/Cape Disappointment interpretive center.
(Wednesday, May 15)

Note: Continue our journey north on the Pacific Coast. The Cape Meares lighthouse expands our understanding of lighthouse structure and gives expansive views of the coastline. The Maritime Museum in Astoria informs of life, transportation, commerce, and history of northern Oregon. Learn why Cape Disappointment was named during Lewis and Clark's travels.
   
 Breakfast: Catered continental breakfast at hotel.
 Morning: Travel the Oregon Coast. Visit Cape Meares Lighthouse.
 Lunch: Lunch at Stephanie's Cabin in Astoria, OR
 Afternoon: Visit Columbia Maritime Museum with a knowledgeable guide. The Columbia River Maritime Museum was founded in 1962, a preservation of the rich maritime heritage of the entire Columbia River region - a museum of national distinction. Today the Columbia River Maritime Museum's national reputation for the quality of its exhibits and the scope of its collections makes it one of the finest maritime museums in the nation. It is also the first museum in Oregon to meet national accreditation standards, and has been designated the official state maritime museum for Oregon. Visitors of all ages will experience what it is like to pilot a tugboat, participate in a Coast Guard rescue on the Columbia River Bar, and live in Astoria during the height of salmon fishing. Cape Disappointment is on the Washington side of the river with a nice interpretive center, and spectacular views of the mouth of the Columbia River, Cape Disappointment Lighthouse, and on clear days, "Terrible Tilly" lighthouse to the south.
 Dinner: Dinner at Silver Salmon Bar and Grill in Astoria.
 Evening: Free evening. Good opportunity to rest from busy travel day. Visit nearby Astoria, OR, or simply enjoy acitivities around the hotel with fellow participants.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Portland Spirit lunch cruise on the Willamette River/Portland's Draw Bridges/St John's Bridge
(Thursday, May 16)

Note: Viewing a city from the water allows a new perspective of Portland's downtown core. Sailing below the string of Willamette River bridges connecting east and west Portland will give you a greater appreciation for the engineers who designed and constructed these pieces of art.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel. Start your day off with a unique breakfast experience at the Holiday Inn Express Start™ Breakfast Bar, featuring a delicious selection of fresh fruits, juices, cereals, breads/pastries, yogurts, and hardboiled eggs. They serve the world's best tasting cinnamon roll and Smart Roast™ coffee - a special blend of 100% Arabica beans especially roasted and blended for Holiday Inn Express® hotels.
 Morning: Visit the Astoria Column, weather permitting. The Astoria Column was erected in 1926 at an elevation of 600 feet atop Coxcomb Hill, the location of the first permanent American Settlement west of the Rockies. It has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1974, and was refurbished in 1995. This impressive Oregon Coast historical monument is the only one of its kind in the world! Travel to Portland.
 Lunch: Lunch cruise on the Willamette River aboard the Portland Spirit. A 2 hour afternoon getaway. Includes plated lunch entree selected by each guest on board, bread, hot tea, iced tea, coffee, fountain soft drinks, service gratuity and piano music. Desserts, appetizers and other beverages from the full service bar are available for purchase.
 Afternoon: Willamette River lunch cruise followed by a trip to Cathedral Park and the St. John's Bridge. The St. Johns Bridge is a steel suspension bridge that spans the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon, USA, between the St. Johns neighborhood and the northwest industrial area around Linnton. It is the only suspension bridge in the Willamette Valley and one of three public highway suspension bridges in Oregon. The bridge has two 408 ft (124 m) tall Gothic towers, a 1,207 ft (368 m) center span and a total length of 2,067 ft (630 m). The adjacent park and neighborhood of Cathedral Park, Portland, Oregon are named after the Gothic Cathedral-like appearance of the bridge towers. It is the tallest bridge in Portland, with 400 ft (122 m) tall towers and a 205 ft (62 m) navigational clearance.
 Dinner: In the Tilikum dining room.
 Evening: Free evening, Movie: The World's Longest Bridge.
   
Accommodations: Tilikum Center for Retreats
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Wrap-Up and Departures
(Friday, May 17)

Note: It is time to say good bye, but you will look at every bridge or lighthouse with greater appreciation.
   
 Breakfast: Served in Tilikum's dining room.
 Morning: Final class discussion and wrap up.
 Lunch: Lunch onsite or "to-go" option available for travellers who need to depart early. Final check out time is 12 pm.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Newberg, OR Pacific City
Chamber of Commerce and general information.
  Pacific City, OR Covered Bridges
Covered Bridge information For additional information, visit www.covered-bridges.org
  Newberg Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of Commerce information For additional information, visit www.newberg.org
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


Oregon Covered Bridges


Author: Bert & Margie Webber


Bridges of the Oregon Coast


Author: Ray Bottenberg


Description: In the 1920s and 1930s, Oregon's legendary bridge engineer Conde B. McCullough designed a first-rate collection of aesthetic bridges on the Oregon Coast Highway to enhance an already dramatic and beautiful landscape. The six largest of these, at Gold Beach, Newport, Waldport, Florence, Reedsport, and Coos Bay, eliminated the last ferries on the Oregon Coast Highway between the Columbia River and California. McCullough planned to build one bridge each year after completion of the Rogue River Bridge at Gold Beach in 1932, but the tightening grip of the Depression threatened his plans. In 1933, McCullough and his staff worked day and night to finish plans for the remaining five bridges, and in early 1934, the Public Works Administration funded simultaneous construction of them. The combined projects provided approximately 630 jobs, but at least six workers perished during construction. After the bridges were complete, Oregon coast tourism increased by a dramatic 72 percent in the first year. - Amazon.com Editorial Review



Oregon Lighthouses


Author: Sharlene & Ted Nelson


Description: A guide to the grand lighthouses along the beautiful Oregon Coast. - Amazon.com Editorial Review



Lighthouses & Lifesaving on the Oregon Coast


Author: David Pinyerd


Description: The Oregon Coast has been the site of shipwrecks even before Lewis and Clark’s arrival in 1805. Even as the population grew, the federal government let the Oregon Coast go unguarded by lighthouses and lifesavers for decades. Economic and political pressures finally forced the government to build the first Oregon lighthouse in 1857 at the Umpqua River. The LifeSaving Service followed in 1878 with a station at the mouth of Coos Bay. Eventually, most of the harbor entrances and headlands were protected by both the Lighthouse Service and the LifeSaving Service, the precursor to today’s Coast Guard. Lighthouses and Lifesaving on the Oregon Coast commemorates the true heroes who served to warn, protect, and rescue those who went to sea. - Amazon.com Editorial Review



Twilight on the Lighthouses


Author: Jim Gibbs


Description: The safety of the countless people depends on lighthouses. These sentinels from California to British Columbia are pictured and discussed historically in great detail by author Jim Gibbs. Dramatic vintage and color photos of stark coastal landscapes and many unavoidable shipwrecks are presented as part of the lighthouse story where human courage links all events. The lighthouse keepers are portrayed heroically while their jobs are gradually being phased out; this is the twilight of lighthouses' use for navigation. - Amazon.com Editorial Review





You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.


As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.



Specifically, this program includes:

Plus these special experiences...

View the Daily Schedule to see more

And included with all Road Scholar programs:


© Road Scholar 2013 | Call toll-free: 1-800-454-5768