evotech,
Don't try to see it all. The PNW is a very diverse area with deserts, mountains, large valleys, and miles of varied coastline.
In Oregon, you really have three route choices:
- Hwy 101 up the coast. Beautiful coastline, but busy in the summer.
- Interstate 5 up the Willamette Valley. Pretty, but it's a freeway and in many ways it looks like western NY.
- Hwy's 97 and/or 395 up the eastern side of the state. Mountains and high desert country.
If it was me (I like outdoor activities), I would go for the high desert and mountains.
So I suggest taking hwy 97 North at Weed, check out Crater Lake, maybe detour west along hwy 138 (North Umpqua river for fishing and great camping), back to hwy 97 and north to Sunriver. From Sunriver, drive west on South Century Drive to connect with the Cascade Lakes Hwy. (more great camping and fishing....esp. if you have a small boat), follow the Cascade Lakes Hwy NW to Bend and spend a few days (camp at Tumalo State Park) and check out the High Desert Museum, Sisters, Metolius River (more great camping and fishing) and one or two of the many micro-breweries that have sprung up in Bend, then take hwys 97 North to Madras and Hwy 26 NW to Mt Hood (more great camping), check out Timberline Lodge and ski area (go skiing if you want), then backtrack to hwy 35 and take it north to Hood River. At Hood River, hop on interstate 84 east toward home. Oops, forgot Washington but you will be out of time by then anyway. Besides, if you do have some extra time, there is Idaho and Wyoming to explore. Did you say that you had two WEEKS or two LIFETIMES :)
The only negative on the loop I outlined above is that the mosquitoes will be out in full force in the alpine areas and the higher trails will have snow. That said, if you prepare, you will be fine.
Have a safe trip (I already know that you'll have fun),
Steve
p.s.; Some of the above fishing locations are Fly Fishing only (N. Umpqua River, some of the Cascade Lakes, and the Metolius River). So if you don't have this skill and/or equipment, now is the time to obtain it (Christmas presents???)
S.
