Take off for a Pacific Coast adventure

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November 8, 2008

By Joy Crutchfield The McAlester News-Capital Sat Nov 08, 2008, 02:28 PM CST

On Wednesday evenings I can be found watching classic family movies with my grandson. Lately we’ve been into “Harry and the Henderson’s,” “Benji the Hunted,” and “Return of the Jedi.” “Kindergarten Cop” is coming up.

All of these films are worth watching due simply to their filming location, the Pacific Northwest. They are visually stunning.

The Pacific Coast Adventure offered May through September allows you to experience the dense, lush forests of the Pacific Northwest, as well as practically everything else between Seattle and San Francisco.

Your journey begins with a guided tour of Seattle, including Pike Place Market (local shopping meca), Pioneer Square (original downtown area), and a trip up the Space Needle for an unparalleled view of the city.

You will also tour the Boeing Factory and discover past, present and future developments in aviation. Starbucks first coffee shop is here, and don’t miss the Northwest Coast Indian art and artifacts exhibit.

The journey from Seattle to Portland will allow you an opportunity to view Mount Rainier, a towering ice clad volcano. On Mount St. Helens you will visit Volcano Viewpoint and learn about the violent eruption here in 1980. The international Rose Test Gardens is home to over 7000 rose bushes with 550 varieties. What a beautiful setting for a photo op.

From Portland to Gleneden Beach you’ll have the thrill of seeing the Evergreen Aviation Museum, home of the Spruce Goose.

Famous for having housed the orca from “Free Willy” the Oregon Coast Aquarium will be another of your favorite stops, followed by lunch in Newport. Would you like to take in a behind the scenes look at the fishing and crabbing industry on a harbor cruise? Onboard you can volunteer to be a deckhand.

Continuing south you’ll visit the Yaquina Head Lighthouse before spending time in Bandon by the Sea with its unique offshore rock formations. You’ll also see the Heceta Head Lighthouse and Florence Old Town.

You’ll stop and take pictures of the world’s tallest trees in Redwood National Park. This park protects a staggering 45 percent of all remaining coastal redwoods.

Avenue of the Giants, a quiet two lane road, winds through some of the world’s most spectacular scenery with ancient redwood trees. You’ll see an 1800 year old redwood here.

In Sonoma you’ll see the town square’s early 19th century Solano Mission and tour the historical Sebastiani Vineyards.

Cross the San Francisco Bay via the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge and enjoy an orientation tour. Alcatraz, China Town, cable cars, where do you begin? Drink in her beauty and history, then depart for home. Would you like to stay here an extra day or two? It’s easy to arrange.

Joy Gawf Crutchfield owns The Joy of Travel.

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