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Oregon

The Faces of Oregon: Mt. Hood, Columbia River Gorge & Astoria

Program No. 1834RJ
From awe-inspiring waterfalls to towering Mount Hood, from ancient forests to food-trendy Portland, explore the many wonders of Oregon on this great Northwestern adventure.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
6 days
Program Begins
Portland, OR
Program Concludes
Portland, OR
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
12 ( 5B, 3L, 4D )
Activity Level
On four daylong field trips, discover the natural beauty and human history that make Oregon a state of wonder. Take in city highlights like the International Rose Test Garden, then explore the natural wonders outside the city, from the rugged Pacific Coast to the dramatic Columbia River Gorge to the volcanic Cascade Mountains. Each journey is accented by interesting, interactive activities, enhanced with interpretation from the program Instructor.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Gaze up at towering Mount Hood from majestic Timberline Lodge, one of the iconic great lodges of the West.
  • Stand in awe of the Columbia River Gorge’s magnificent waterfalls and captivating vistas.
  • Visit the rugged Oregon Coast, including the mouth of the Columbia River, known as the “Graveyard of the Pacific,” and the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies.
All Experts
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
John Jarvie is a history teacher at several colleges in the area with Clark College in Vancouver, Wash. as his main campus. He has been working for the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center for over a decade, giving information to visitors about state and regional points of interest, local history and the Oregon Trail.
Terry Clifford, a native Oregonian, is a veteran elementary school teacher. She enjoys learning through travel and nature, whether on a local outing, road tripping through the Pacific Northwest, or visiting family in Australia. Terry has co-authored a textbook on local history. She has explored the ruts and swales of the Oregon Trail, helped with archaeological digs at Ft. Vancouver, and studied the Lewis and Clark trail while cruising the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
Vince Patton loved exploring the northwest as a reporter for a public television show called Oregon Field Guide. Experiencing nature and wildlife made for the best job of his 37-year career in television. During that time, he won 10 Emmy awards and three dozen other national and regional honors. After retiring, he got deep into genealogy, discovering roots back to the earliest settlers of the U.S. He has lived and worked in Colorado, Missouri, Kansas, and Texas, but has spent over two decades in Portland.
Eric Wheeler has over twenty years of experience as an architectural historian. He has written numerous National Register nominations, taught graduate level classes in architectural history and consulted with architects and realtors. Eric discovered the Pacific Northwest several years ago and continues to explore and interpret the captivating built environment of Portland and environs. Currently Eric designs and leads outings for his architectural walking Meetup group: Positively Portland Walking Tours. Eric has been leading walking excursions for Road Scholar since 2017.
Despite growing up in sunny South Florida, Ryan felt a calling to explore the unique landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Ryan’s family emigrated from Zambia in 1979, bringing a sixth-generation jewelry business with them. After studying economics at Florida State University, Ryan worked for Road Scholar for five years before becoming a full-time group leader and professional rugby referee. He is an enthused outdoorsman and enjoys skiing, hiking, and kayaking through Oregon’s natural bounty. These experiences have given him insightful perspectives into American middle-class life.
Natalie DaSilva is an Oregon Master Naturalist and Certified Interpretive Guide who enjoys nothing more than sharing her love for the natural and cultural history of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. After a long and rewarding career in health care, she is now focused on developing programs to inspire others to discover, experience, and protect these natural and cultural wonders. An avid hiker, Natalie spends much of her free time exploring the unique landscapes of Oregon and surrounding areas.
Carolyn Devine has been a hike leader and naturalist for over 25 years in Oregon as well as the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland. Carolyn has a master’s in plant biology from the University of Michigan, and she has worked for a variety of nonprofits, the state of Oregon, and in adult education. She is the creative director of ArtAge Publications, and a freelance writer producing strategic copy for non-profits. Carolyn also has a beautiful garden teeming with hundreds of plants, and is learning classical guitar.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking up to 1.5 miles on varied terrain. Elevations up to 6,000 feet.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List (12 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call 800-454-5768
Enroll with Confidence
Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.