The Beautiful Astoria Column in Oregon

The beautiful Astoria Column is a 125 foot tall monument located in Astoria Oregon. It stands above the city giving you a stunning view of the surrounding area and in the distance you'll catch a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean. It's one of twelve historical markers that stretch from St. Paul, Minnesota and Astoria, Oregon.

According to their website: It was modeled after the Trajan Column in Rome, the Astoria Column features a hand-painted spiral frieze that would stretch more than 500 feet if unwound. The monument was dedicated in 1926 and over the years has underwent several restorations and upgrades. You can read all about the history of the column by visiting their website online.

When it comes to the exterior artwork it's absolutely stunning to see! The artwork depicts the historic events that transpired at the mouth of the Columbia River. The artwork goes around the complete exterior of the column, so make sure that you walk around and really check it all out while you're there.

On the day that we visited they weren't crowded at all, so we were able to take our time exploring the site. They offer balsa wood airplanes for sale at the on-site gift shop, so my husband did purchase one and once he climbed all of the stairs to the top, he flew it over the sides. Several visitors participated, so it was fun to see all of the balsa wood planes flying down.

There is no admission fee to enter the park or to visit the Astoria Column. With that said, they do charge a small fee for parking (I believe it was around $5.00). They're open year-round, but the park does change up their hours of operation depending on the season of the year. You can find their operating schedule directly on their site.

If you're unfamiliar with the area, you'll find the Astoria Column located at 1 Coxcomb Drive in Astoria, Oregon 97103. If you need additional driving directions or information, you can call the park at 503-325-2963.

Luxury Accommodations in Bend Oregon: Tetherow Lodges

One of the places that I have never had the pleasure to visit is the great state of Oregon. With that said, it is definitely on my bucket list of top 20 places that I want to visit. I have seen photos of beautiful places in Oregon on various travel blogs and on Pinterest. One of these days, I will get there! In the meantime, I was asked to share this information with all of my travel blog readers who may be considering a trip to Bend, Oregon.

New Luxury Accommodations in Bend, Oregon: Tetherow Lodges
50-room premium lodging experience offers spectacular views, golf and amenities

Tetherow Lodges, a premium destination resort in outdoor recreation mecca Bend, Oregon will open on April 17, 2014. The boutique hotel will feature 50 guest rooms that overlook the neighboring Cascade Mountains, creating the perfect “luxury base camp” for a stay that takes advantage of what both the outdoors and the sweet mountain town have to offer. With nine different room types and spectacular views, the variety of accommodations will meet any guest’s needs. Click to Tweet Luxury resort opens: Tetherow Lodges @TetherowGolf views, trails, Adventure Concierge! http://bit.ly/1iwkC93 #inBend #Travel #Oregon

Guestroom amenities include: spacious floor plans of up to 550 sq. ft. per room, a roomy tiled entry, cozy fireplace with basalt tile hearth, tiled bathroom with two sinks and a fully tiled walk-in shower, Simmons Black Beauty beds, pillow menu, a sitting area with sofa, coffee table, reading lamp, work desk and chair, wireless hi-speed internet access, 46” flat panel HDTV as well as an in-room safe that fits a 17” laptop. Each room features a mini refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker to enjoy with locally sourced coffee and teas. King rooms and suites also feature an American Leather memory foam sleeper sofa.

Other amenities at Tetherow include:

• Adventure Concierge – Our concierge will set up your perfect day. Whether you want to play outside – golfing, fishing, hiking, paddleboarding, biking or skiing – or enjoy the town of Bend and its 15+ micro breweries and other hot spots, we’ll make exploring the area easy.

• Award-winning Tetherow Golf Course – an 18-hole championship semi-private links-style course that boasts a distinctive layout by David McLay Kidd, architect of Bandon Dunes and Castle Course in Scotland. Tetherow’s course was recently ranked #1 as the “Best New Course You Can Play in The Country” by GOLF Magazine.

• Two great family-friendly dining facilities – The Row, Tetherow’s version of a pub, and The Grill, for fine dining. Both feature inventive menus with an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients in settings with unparalleled views.

“Tetherow Lodges are a key piece of the property’s puzzle,” said Tetherow managing partner, Chris van der Velde. “We’re excited to now offer a complete guest experience with luxury lodging, fine and casual dining, award-winning golf, and access to the amazing outdoor and cultural activities Central Oregon has to offer.”

Tetherow Lodges: designed by Darren Thomas Architecture + Planning; interiors by Kirsti Wolfe Designs; built by Sunwest Builders.

About Tetherow Resort: Tetherow is a 700-acre golf and recreational planned resort community in beautiful Bend, Oregon featuring stunning views of the Cascade Mountains near national forest land. Built around the award-winning, David McLay Kidd-designed Tetherow Golf Course, the community offers single-family home sites as well as townhome living. Its distinctive restaurants, The Grill and The Row, are open to its residents, guests and the general public. For more information, visit www.tetherow.com.

5 Northwest Caves for Spelunking

5 Northwest Caves for Spelunking

By Tom C Huntington

Spelunking is a popular hobby in the Northwest. The geological features of the Northwest naturally lend themselves to this activity. There are dozens of fascinating caverns and passageways in the area. Whether you are a newbie or a more experienced spelunker, there are plenty of intriguing caves to explore within your skill level.

Remember on your adventure to use proper caving etiquette: be careful not to damage rock formations, avoid touching the walls and don't leave any trash or other obvious signs of your visit behind. It's also always a good idea to bring some basic survival gear along, even if you're visiting a well-populated cave. To provide a couple of examples, it's wise to pack twice as much food as you think you'll need for your excursion, along with a multi tool or folding knife, an LED headlamp and, if possible, some extra LED flashlights. Finally, don't forget to dress warmly, as the temperature of many caves remains in the low-40s, even in summer.

Here are a few of the many cave adventures in the Pacific Northwest.

1. Ape Cave

Located near Washington's Mount St. Helens, Ape Cave is an intermediate spelunking challenge. Quite simple in form, Ape Cave is a long lava tube. It's pitch black inside and many visitors describe the Ape Cave experience as eerie. A result of a rare eruption, the Ape Cave is the third longest lava tube in North America, at 13,042 feet long. Two different routes are available. Visitors are strongly encouraged to bring at least three sources of light, such as LED flashlights, headlamps or lanterns.

2. Gardner Cave

Located way up at the northern border of Washington, Gardner Cave is the third longest limestone cave in the state. It is the central feature of 49-acre Crawford State Park. Gardner Cave is replete with underground wonders such as stalagmites, stalactites and rimstone pools. If you're hoping for more information about the cave, there are guided tours between May and September.

3. Oregon Caves National Monument

The Oregon Caves National Monument is located deep within the Siskiyou Mountains, near the Oregon-California border. Here, acidic rainwater has created pockets within the marble of the mountains, forming some of the few marble caves in the world. The National Park Service manages these caves and offers seasonal guided tours.

A great place for beginners, the Oregon Caves are well-lit and you'll have to leave your LED flashlights and supplies in the car - backpacks aren't allowed on the tour. But you can still use those supplies for hiking in the surrounding old growth forest.

The Oregon Caves also offer a unique experience for beginners who are interested in learning spelunking skills. You can take an off-trail caving tour where guides will assist you with skills such as climbing, crawling and descending over uneven rocky slopes. Guides on this program provide safety equipment such as an LED headlamp.

4. & 5. Boyd Cave and Lava River Cave

Near Bend, Ore. lies the Deschutes National Forest, where you can find obsidian fields, petrified forests and miles of underground lava tubes riddled with caves. Many of the more than 300 caves here are not widely known. One is the Lava River Cave, which opens July 1 and offers both self-guided and traditionally guided tours of the mile-long underground hike.

Boyd Cave offers a more rigorous experience, with narrow passageways, low ceilings and areas that require crawling. An LED headlamp is a must for this cave, so as to keep your hands free. Bring at least two additional LED flashlights or other sources of light.

Exploring a cave can be a great adventure. Just remember to come prepared with the necessary supplies and tools - plenty of LED flashlights and a multi-tool or other survival knife in case of emergency.