Where to Stay

Just a few ideas for places to stay while you're in Portland. The wedding is in Hillsboro, west of Portland, so if you choose to stay close to the wedding, you will be distant from Portland itself: ie, away from most of the fun stuff to do and civilization as we've come to recognize it.

But if you want to stay in Hillsboro, here are a few options close to the site:

Residence Inn By Marriott Portland West
18855 Tanasbourne Drive Hillsboro, OR 503-531-3200

Red Lion Hillsboro Hotel
3500 NE Cornell Rd Hillsboro, OR 503-648-3500

Holiday Inn Express Hillsboro
5900 NORTHEAST RAY CIRCLE Hillsboro, OR 503-844-9696

In Portland, we recommend you stay relatively close to the city center--the airport is far north, though the MAX train will bring you into town if need be. It's more expensive to stay west of the river than on the east side. There are many options around the Convention Center and the Lloyd District that offer easy access to public transportation, all the major thoroughfares, and any amenities you may desire.

Our parents, when they come to visit, like to stay at this place:

Residence Inn Portland
1710 NE Multnomah St. 503-288-1400

Here are a few more options:

Inn at the Convention Center
420 N.E. Holiday Street Portland, OR 503-233-6331

Courtyard By Marriott Portland Downtown-Lloyd Center
435 Northeast Wasco Street Portland, OR 503-234-3200

La Quinta Portland Convention Center
431 NE Multnomah Portland, OR 503-531-5900

Red Lion Hotel Portland Convention Center
1021 NE Grand Avenue Portland, OR 503-235-2100

Attention hipsters and homesick bohemians:

Ace Hotel
1022 SW Stark StPortland, OR 97205 503-228-2277

Jupiter Hotel
800 E Burnside StPortland, OR 97214 503-230-9200

Trip 2: Hood River and the Fruit Loop

This is an extension of the first trip to the Gorge. If you are in for a longer afternoon or even a close-in overnight trip, you could do worse than to continue on I-84 to the little town of Hood River. You could even hit Multnomah Falls, or any of its lesser fellows, on the way and simply make it a part of this trip.

Perched along the hills and bluffs overlooking the Columbia, Hood River is a friendly small town dedicated to the recreational opportunities that surround it. It’s especially known as a windsurfing mecca. If nothing else, I recommend stopping in at the Big Horse Brew Pub for refreshment and commanding views of the river and the Washington side of the Gorge. Hood River is a fine place to outfit yourself before a fishing trip or to provision up before camping.

Drive south out of Hood River on State Highway 35, and you have embarked on the Fruit Loop. The Hood River Valley is replete with orchards and vineyards. Depending on the season, you can pull into many roadside stands to sample the local fare. Many wineries on both sides of the Gorge will make you feel welcome with a taste. You will approach Mt. Hood, climbing steadily, until you’re too close to see the summit.

If you’re in for more adventure, stop at the small roadside sign for Tamanawas Falls. The falls is about 4 miles from the trail head, and the hike will take you up and down through a startling range of microclimates. The walk requires some exertion, but the end is worth every bit.

If you are going up for an overnight, farther south on HWY 35, you’ll see signs for Sherwood and Robin Hood Campgrounds. Both are nice, easily accessible sites right on Hood River. Summer travelers: on those dry hot days when the valley is up around 100 degrees, this is the place to be.

If you’re just passing through, follow the signs that connect you to HWY 26, which will return you to Portland. Be sure to stop by Timberline Lodge, if just for a look. This hotel/ski lodge seems to hop year round; no idea what it takes to reserve a room there. But a trip up is worth it to see the place and stand on the steps at the entry way that offer a sublime southward view of the Cascades and the ragged peak of Mt. Jefferson.

From this point you may just cruise back into Portland, enjoying the shifting landscape and your descent back into civilization, or you may stop at any of numerous sites that offer short or long hikes. I hear that both Timothy and Trillium Lakes are nice, and the Salmon River hike is an easy walk through lush landscapes. You might do some research ahead to see which hikes require day passes, available at markets, ranger stations, etc.

see you soon; visit the gorge

Congratulations to Brian and Gina! And welcome to the party, Aidan Robert!

If you’re reading this, you may have received your save-the-date notification. Or, if you were already clued in to the website, you’ll be receiving notice soon. We are really looking forward to seeing our far-flung friends and family.

Thanks are due to our close-at-hand friends and family for their help on getting the save-the-date word out: Stacey (with Robert), Carrie, Kelly G., and Liz (with extra props for the sister of the bride for all her help. What a trooper.). All this support allowed me to do guy stuff like shopping at the hardware store for hose clamps.

If you travel out to Oregon for the first time—or for a return trip—to attend the wedding, give yourself a little extra time to explore. I’ll recommend a few trips that are close by car but out of the city. People wax romantic about Oregon often, but I don’t exaggerate when I say that nearly everywhere I’ve traveled in this state is uniquely beautiful.

Daytrip 1: The Columbia River Gorge. Drive east out of Portland on I-84 until you outrun the east county sprawl and enter the rugged fairyland of the gorge. Some odd thousands of years ago, a massive reservoir cut loose over around Missoula and carved out hundreds of miles of geological freak show, from mist-shrouded mountains to the west to high desert east of The Dalles. Check out the scenery from the car, or hop off 84 and onto the Columbia River Highway and get close and personal with some of the many waterfalls along the route. Short and long hikes are plentiful near the road—I highly recommend Eagle Creek. Just be aware, Multnomah Falls—certainly worth a close look—is the most frequently visited tourist site in Oregon.