The Beaver State
Capital: Salem
Oregon was the 33rd state admitted into the Union, on Valentine's Day, in 1859. Some remember the game Oregon Trail, but it was a real, difficult, and hard road to travel to the west. Portland is the biggest city, known for roses, bridges, and a funky vibe. Eugene if famous for Nike and the University of Oregon. Other cities worth checking out include Bend and Ashland.
Bend: Mountain biking paradise. Lakes with beaches. Lava tubes. Breweries. Blockbuster. This place is all about the outdoors but there are some great places to nosh and nip here indoors (or al fresco) too!
Eugene: Home to the University of Oregon...and de facto home of Nike.
Portland: Oregon's largest city, Portland has (and maintains) a reputation for a hippie/funky/artsy kinda culture. Nicknames include the Rose City and the City of Bridges.
National Park Sites Visited
Crater Lake National Park: The deepest lake in country. A stunning lake in the collapsed caldera of a volcano.
Lewis and Clark National Historic Park: The end of the line for Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery, which started in Missouri.
Oregon Caves National Monument: A very diverse cave with a great story of discovery by Elijah Davidson in 1874.