tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

hello OOT,
I'm taking a cross country road trip. I'd love thoughts/observations on fun things to do, cheap/cool places to stay, cool national/state parks and/or campgrounds, and good places to eat in the following areas (no steakhouses, please):

1) chicago

2) portland, or

3) seattle

4) eugene

5) yellowstone national park and surrounding area

including stuff in between any of the aforementioned is much appareciated, particularly between yellowstone and chicago. thanks so much for your help. if I am missing something ultra cool, let me know about it!

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

[ QUOTE ]
particularly between yellowstone and chicago.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hahahahahahahaha, that's rich. I hear Des Moines is kickin' this time of year. Check with Whackity Whiz.

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

2) portland, or - Downtown, the Gorge, that's about it really


4) eugene - Ducks game, that's about it really

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

When in Chicago you must must must go to a Cubs game. I know you hate baseball but get bleacher seats, get drunk, and chant "left field sucks" or "right field sucks," depending on where you're sitting.

Get deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati's. It's touristy, but it's probably the quintessential deep-dish pizza place.

If you want museums, the Art Institute, the Field Museum of Natural History, and the Museum of Science and Industry are all world-class.

Try to catch a show at Second City.

I'll try to think of some more stuff and post it here.

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

I don't live in or near Yellowstone but go there every summer for the last 4 years. It is a truly great area and you won't be dissapointed if you like beautiful mountains and deep river gorges and a ton of wildlife. I'm talkin unbelievable waterfalls and elk.

A ways outside the East entrance is a town called Cody WY and it's roughly an hour outside the park. A place there called Irma's which was built by wild Bill himself is a place to eat. Don't expect gourmet there but they do have a large menu and do it well.

Just outside the East entrance is a place called Pahaska Teepee. Another Wild Bill place. Great food in a mountain lodge setting.

There isn't much at the South entrance. But we stayed at a great place called Flagg Ranch. They have beautiful cabins and a campground. Food in the main lodge is great.

On the North entrance is the town of Gardiner. It's mostly a pit and offers nothing except that it's close to the North entrance. Stay away from the Comfort Suites there. It's a dump. There is camping nearby and lots of wildlife. Elk and Moose wander right through town.

The West entrance is a town called West Yellowstone. There is stuff to do there and plenty of places to get good food and cold beer.

Inside the park ... Grand canyon of Yellowstone, Norris Geyser basin, Sylvan Pass, Area where the Yellowstone river comes out of the park (can't remember the name), I suppose Old Faithful though not my favorite.

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

[ QUOTE ]
When in Chicago you must must must go to a Cubs game. I know you hate baseball but get bleacher seats, get drunk, and chant "left field sucks" or "right field sucks," depending on where you're sitting.

[/ QUOTE ]
And this is why the women at Comiskey are always more knowledgable about baseball than the men at Wrigley.

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

Just make sure to protect the nest egg.

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

[ QUOTE ]
2) portland, or - Downtown, the Gorge, that's about it really


[/ QUOTE ]
pacfic crest trail

mt jefferson wilderness area

A bit south but...awesome:
Crater lake

Rogue river:

Rafting

Jet boats:

Jet boats


Closer to portland again:

Multnomah falls

beacon rock

Rooster rock - not as cool as beacon rock

Evergreen avation museum, home of the spruce goose.

And about 1:30-2 hours north near mt st helens:

ape caves

A lava tube cave that's pretty sweet.

Basically everything good to do in the portland area is outside.

I'll let others handle seattle except for:


seattle para gliding

which fly's off of:

Tiger moutain

Which is a good recation area with some pretty good hiking and
mountain biking.

stabn

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

[ QUOTE ]
And this is why the women at Comiskey are always more knowledgable about baseball than the men at Wrigley.

[/ QUOTE ]
And hairier.

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

You have to go see Mt. Rainier, you can camp there as well. And, since the observatory is open again, go check out Mt. St. Helens.

As well as all the stuff Stabn pointed out, Crater Lake is awesome.

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

[ QUOTE ]
You have to go see Mt. Rainier, you can camp there as well. And, since the observatory is open again, go check out Mt. St. Helens.

As well as all the stuff Stabn pointed out, Crater Lake is awesome.

[/ QUOTE ]

FWIW ape caves is at Mt St Helens [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]. I just think they are a lot more interesting than the observatory. I still haven't been to mt rainier yet for some odd reason.

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

this is exactly the type of stuff I'm looking for, thanks man!

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

great advice, thanks!

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

[ QUOTE ]

4) eugene


[/ QUOTE ]

I've lived here for a couple of years. Nice town, but not a ton going on.

If you're going to be here for a day, a hike up Spencer Butte is a good way to spend a couple of hours.

Try happy hour at Cornucopia (17th and Lincoln), or if you like Thai, Manola's on Franklin. Other recommendations based on preferred cuisine, etc. pm if you need more info.

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

If you have a little leeway and want to venture out from the city, the Oregon coast is pretty cool. It doesn't have a lot of fancy resort-ish beach areas, but it's gorgeous. I love our coast. Especially when I'm in a reflective melencholy sort of mood. Depoe Bay is an absolute must.

I really like the drive up to (and a ways past) Mt. Hood too. It always blows me away how quickly the terrain turns from dense forest and mountains to desert.

I'd really skip Eugene though unless you want to see a game at Autzen, just not much going on there.

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

Hey TP,

You thinking about crossing the border up to the North.

Lawrence

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

places to eat:

portland
-any mecmenamins (drink the beer too)
-pizza schmizza
-bridgeport brewery
-burgerville
-nonna emilias (sp?)


seattle-
-flying pie pizzeria
-ivars fish bar
-lots of fish places on the waterfront downtown
-pyramid brewery
-pizzeria pagiliacci
-bimbos bitchin' buritton kitchen

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
And this is why the women at Comiskey are always more knowledgable about baseball than the men at Wrigley.

[/ QUOTE ]
And hairier.

[/ QUOTE ]
And fatter.

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

[ QUOTE ]
When in Chicago you must must must go to a Cubs game. I know you hate baseball but get bleacher seats, get drunk, and chant "left field sucks" or "right field sucks," depending on where you're sitting.

Get deep dish pizza at Gino's East

If you want museums, the Art Institute, the Field Museum of Natural History, and the Museum of Science and Industry are all world-class.

Try to catch a show at Second City.

I'll try to think of some more stuff and post it here.

[/ QUOTE ]

FYP

Sadly all other recs from me would be steak places. Giordano's is an acceptable pizza substitute.

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

Portland - Flying Pie Pizza

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
2) portland, or - Downtown, the Gorge, that's about it really


[/ QUOTE ]
pacfic crest trail

mt jefferson wilderness area

A bit south but...awesome:
Crater lake

Rogue river:

Rafting

Jet boats:

Jet boats


Closer to portland again:

Multnomah falls

beacon rock

Rooster rock - not as cool as beacon rock

Evergreen avation museum, home of the spruce goose.

And about 1:30-2 hours north near mt st helens:

ape caves

A lava tube cave that's pretty sweet.

Basically everything good to do in the portland area is outside.

I'll let others handle seattle except for:


seattle para gliding

which fly's off of:

Tiger moutain

Which is a good recation area with some pretty good hiking and
mountain biking.

stabn

[/ QUOTE ]

I lived in PDX for over 20 years and never did any of that cause it was ALWAYS RAINING!!!!

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
2) portland, or - Downtown, the Gorge, that's about it really


[/ QUOTE ]
pacfic crest trail

mt jefferson wilderness area

A bit south but...awesome:
Crater lake

Rogue river:

Rafting

Jet boats:

Jet boats


Closer to portland again:

Multnomah falls

beacon rock

Rooster rock - not as cool as beacon rock

Evergreen avation museum, home of the spruce goose.

And about 1:30-2 hours north near mt st helens:

ape caves

A lava tube cave that's pretty sweet.

Basically everything good to do in the portland area is outside.

I'll let others handle seattle except for:


seattle para gliding

which fly's off of:

Tiger moutain

Which is a good recation area with some pretty good hiking and
mountain biking.

stabn

[/ QUOTE ]

I lived in PDX for over 20 years and never did any of that cause it was ALWAYS RAINING!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Five day forecast:



Clear


High: 84°
Low: 61°


Sunny


High: 91°
Low: 59°


Mostly Sunny


High: 95°
Low: 61°


Partly Cloudy


High: 86°
Low: 59°


Partly Cloudy


High: 81°
Low: 59°
Extended Forecast



Yah ok whatever duder.

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

[ QUOTE ]


Five day forecast:



Clear


High: 84°
Low: 61°


Sunny


High: 91°
Low: 59°


Mostly Sunny


High: 95°
Low: 61°


Partly Cloudy


High: 86°
Low: 59°


Partly Cloudy


High: 81°
Low: 59°
Extended Forecast



Yah ok whatever duder.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yea, but here is the Sept - June forecast.

CLOUDY WITH NO SIGN OF THE SUN FOR NINE MONTHS STRAIGHT - FREQUENT RAIN!

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]


Five day forecast:



Clear


High: 84°
Low: 61°


Sunny


High: 91°
Low: 59°


Mostly Sunny


High: 95°
Low: 61°


Partly Cloudy


High: 86°
Low: 59°


Partly Cloudy


High: 81°
Low: 59°
Extended Forecast



Yah ok whatever duder.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yea, but here is the Sept - June forecast.

CLOUDY WITH NO SIGN OF THE SUN FOR NINE MONTHS STRAIGHT - FREQUENT RAIN!

[/ QUOTE ]

I won't argue that as it isn't worth my time but, how did that prevent you from seeing all these great places in the summer?

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

[ QUOTE ]

I won't argue that as it isn't worth my time but, how did that prevent you from seeing all these great places in the summer?

[/ QUOTE ]

It isn't worth your time. Actually I've seen all those great places, I've just moved out of PDX and am very happy I did so. I live in Arizona now, where ironically it's raining cats and dogs (in AZ it usually only rains in Aug).

PDX is a wonderful place to visit, lots of cool things to do. I just hated living there because of two things, the weather, and the taxes. The tax system is totally anti-progressive, when I left top bracket was 10.25% and was reached at $8k. My current home in AZ is worth almost twice my home in PDX, but AZ property taxes are one third as much. And most of the OR taxes are going to pay for outrageous public employee pensions that would make a Wall Street CEO blush.

But like I said, great place to visit.

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

im from minnesota, land of the cold air.

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

i can help u alot.

stay out of North Dakota at all costs.

[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] Kasey [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] (from the worthless state)

Re: tell me about your city (chicago, pdx, seattle etc)
 

[ QUOTE ]
You have to go see Mt. Rainier, you can camp there as well. And, since the observatory is open again, go check out Mt. St. Helens.

As well as all the stuff Stabn pointed out, Crater Lake is awesome.

[/ QUOTE ]

Make sure that the day is crystal clear if you make the trek to St. Helens. If there is a cloud in the sky, it will be covering the crater like a blanket. The drive up the backside is awesome, even after all these years. There is no mistaking the moment you enter the blast zone.