Pacific Northwest trip

Hi all,

I am planning if can get my vacation from work as soon as possible to visit USA again, and i decided i will take that direct flight to Seattle so i ca be on the North/West states there, i am thinking i would like to have about 18 days up to 3 weeks if possible, so my few questions:

- Which areas i should be around there for photography?
- How much is the transport if available to national parks around there?
- Can i get some restaurants with international cuisine because i am not much with meat food specially with forbidden meat and trying to have very very similar food to what i eat in my country [Arabian, indian, middle eastern or turkish...etc]

- If you can help or give some guides, are there some cheapo hotels there so i can move around as cheap as possible?

I am thinking to be in Oregon and Washington states ad not planning to go to another many states very far, even California i m not looking for to visit which is not that much far by flight, but i am thinking to use buses or trains and those lands transports than air.

I appreciate any help here to plan my trip at best i can.

You may want to consider getting up to Vancouver BC, Victoria and the Olympic National Park.

windpig wrote in post #16261438
You may want to consider getting up to Vancouver BC, Victoria and the Olympic National Park.

I don't have visa for Canada, actually my first plan was Canada but because of few issues in my country for Canadian visa i canceled Canada for this time, i asked someone genuine about helping me for visa in USA as he is living in Canada and know many VIPs in Embassy there or some high level contacts due to his working in army or navy, and he just told me it is not problem for USA going to Canada but he never confirm me anything else and i didn't hear from here last time he told me, so I will put my plan for USA only and i hope i can find a way to get visa to Canada from USA.

First of all, when do you plan on coming?

Scrumhalf wrote in post #16261579
First of all, when do you plan on coming?

One of 2 periods, either from 16 Sept to 12 October, we have our religious occasion from 14 Oct to 17 Oct so i must be back before that, or after that occasion then maybe from 20 Oct to 18 November, i try not to put Whole November as my vacation as it will get very cold by that time, i think Sept to Oct will be less cold.

So, again, either 16 Sept to 12 Oct 2013, or 20 Oct to 18 Nov 2013.

Earlier is better. Mid Sept to mid October is going to be perfect weather here. In fact, I always tell people that September is the best time to visit the Pacific Northwest. The temperatures are just right and the rain usually doesn't start until late October, so statistically, you'll have a better chance of encountering sunshine.

As far as places to visit, definitely take in the Olympic Peninsula (Olympic National Park) and then drive down the coast. The Oregon coast is spectacular - lots of places to see. There are many threads on this.

Here is what I would do: Seattle > Olympic National Park > Oregon Coast > Northern California to see the coastal redwoods - not to be missed. Then, head back North up I-5 (if running short of time) to Seattle through Portland. Take a detour to the Columbia River Gorge near Portland if you have time - well worth it.

Scrumhalf wrote in post #16261665
Earlier is better. Mid Sept to mid October is going to be perfect weather here. In fact, I always tell people that September is the best time to visit the Pacific Northwest. The temperatures are just right and the rain usually doesn't start until late October, so statistically, you'll have a better chance of encountering sunshine.

As far as places to visit, definitely take in the Olympic Peninsula (Olympic National Park) and then drive down the coast. The Oregon coast is spectacular - lots of places to see. There are many threads on this.

Here is what I would do: Seattle > Olympic National Park > Oregon Coast > Northern California to see the coastal redwoods - not to be missed. Then, head back North up I-5 (if running short of time) to Seattle through Portland. Take a detour to the Columbia River Gorge near Portland if you have time - well worth it.

Hmmmmm, thanks for that.

Well, i don't drive there and i don't know how to take trips around there, that is why i asked here about the transports on my OP, i don't want to waste my time finding the right transports and the timing of transport are maybe another issue, and i have to check accommodations all around to see, i will carry much stuff of my DSLRs so it will be a big main issue how can i travel around light with my gear, and i don't know stops and spots to stop for shooting there, i may get to the whole area of national park but not getting to the spot on locations there.

Also let's say, how far are those areas you mentioned to each other? I mean from Seattle to Oregon or Portland to Northern Cal by drive

Because of the transportation "issue" you will of course be limited, you'll want to find "targets" that offer both transportation and lodging.

I'd imagine that there are spots in the Olympic peninsula that offer both. From Seattle you can catch a ferry across the Puget Sound and I'd imagine that there are bus services from Bremerton to different spots on the peninsula, but I wouldn't know of any particulars.

Also from Seattle I'd suggest a trip into the Cascade Mountains, look at Snoqualamie Falls for both transportation and lodging.

Also from Seattle there are "cruises" to Alaska, that could be a very enjoyable trip! In fact, POTN member AirButchie has been taking one of those cruises this past week!

Then, down to Portland/Oregon! Three easy destinations: you can get good transportation and lodging out in the Columbia River Gorge, check out Multnomah Falls for a good spot to land!

Then, I'd also spend some time around Mount Hood! Transportation and lodging are right there!

Then the Oregon Coast is filled with sights to see, and there should be buses, and plenty of lodging possibilities, at places like Newport and Tillamook.

I knew that this part will be so full of scenes i can't imagine, everyday since i started photography back in 2005 until now i see terrific stunning beautiful shots from there, so i can't get my head off those places over there, i was planning for Canada only, but maybe that trip can make me to forget about Canada now for a while until i can sort out of the visa another time.

I will try and go with hiring/renting the car, some people told me it is better and easier and sometimes the only way by using the car, i can go with public transportation but i will be limited to some places and times too, so better have a car to have freedom with access and time.

I still need a good if not accurate or exact times for going around from Seattle, say from Seattle to Oregon, from Seattle again to Portland, Seattle to Olympic NP, Glacier NPs, Mt Ranier, Mt Hood, Mt. St. Helens, Crater Lake...etc, once i can get the time for driving to those locations say from Seattle or Portland then i may plan my staying better then.

Depending on traffic, Seattle to Portland is 3 to 4 hours.
I did a google search for "Olympic National Park excursion". This is one that I found, not saying go with it, but do a search and I think you will come up with something.
http://www.viator.com …rom-Seattle/d704-5412OLYM

I will see what i can do for this plan within a week or 2 before my actual vacation time, if i ended up with this plan trip and i have good budget saved then i may do more what i was expecting, and i may end up with renting a car too, but honestly speaking, i am thinking i want to buy a lens, TS lens before i take this trip, this lens is really very very temping for landscapes and cityscapes, and if i buy this lens then my budget is getting lower for this trip.

Tareq,

Post in the region POTN Member activities Pacific Northwest discussion group and see if anyone will be making a trip to any of the places you want to visit. If you share fuel cost, you might find someone planning a trip around your timeframe.
Here's where to post https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=836068

Tareq, if you plan on renting a car, then the possibilities are virtually endless, so decide on that and let us know!

rick_reno wrote in post #16263146
Tareq,

Post in the region POTN Member activities Pacific Northwest discussion group and see if anyone will be making a trip to any of the places you want to visit. If you share fuel cost, you might find someone planning a trip around your timeframe.
Here's where to post https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=836068

Yeah, without the ability to drive, I am afraid your options are going to be restricted to metropolitan areas, which kinda defeats the whole idea of a PNW trip (although Seattle and Portland are nice cities ). Rick's suggestion is a good one...

Ok, cool, i will post there, thanks!