Route to the Spring NOG at Waterloo

[drpaddle]

We're planning to take our time getting from the Tacoma area to the Spring NOG in Oregon -- stopping overnight at Champoeg. We have in the past driven down 5 (and used the I205 bypass around Portland to cut down on quick lane changes), but 5 does get old.

Has anyone taken alternate routes through Washington & Oregon? Google Maps tells me I can get there with minimal freeway driving (in about double the time, which should still be okay), but maybe some of you have favorite routes and bypasses you could share. Or places to avoid. Maybe. Just asking... thanks!

[Bobbito]

We did it many years ago and took the I90 all the way to Chicago, then up through Kalamazoo I94 and I69. We took that route because of some of the sights we wanted to see on the way, like Crow Agency, Wyoming (Custer's Last Stand; from my childhood fascination with first cowboys and then Native Americans). We found the drive through the U.S. much more interesting than our return trip to Vancouver via the Canadian route. It should be even more direct from Tacoma. Also, there was very little traffic back then.

Bob K

[drpaddle]

Originally Posted by Bobbito

It should be even more direct from Tacoma. Also, there was very little traffic back then.
Bob K

I suppose I could route our trip through Acadia National Park, or maybe Key West

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by drpaddle

We're planning to take our time getting from the Tacoma area to the Spring NOG in Oregon -- stopping overnight at Champoeg.

Champoeg stop kinda locks in your I-5 route. South of Salem there are a few covered bridges you could visit and then cut South to Waterloo, though:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...4.k1NJPmIgENnk

[Dave&Kathie]

From Champoeg you could drive down 99 to Corvallis and then cut over or you could cut over to 213 and drive down. Both are nice drives, 2 lane. Of course, that's just for the last bit. I'm not sure how much time you're taking but you could skip Champoeg and drive down the coast (from as far north as you choose) to Newport and then take 20 all the way over. You'd have to pick one (or two) spots for overnighters on the way.

Have fun, it's all good and Happy Trails, safe travels see you there!

Kathie (and Dave)

[Bobbito]

Originally Posted by drpaddle

I suppose I could route our trip through Acadia National Park, or maybe Key West

My apology for not reading your initial post carefully. I read it at 4:30 a.m. on my iPhone, half awake and later posted my response without rereading anything. I saw "Waterloo", assumed it was the only one I knew of - in Ontario- and missed all the other important information that made it clear it was in Oregon. My bad!

Hope you have a great time at the rally!

Bob K

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Bobbito

My apology for not reading your initial post carefully. I read it at 4:30 a.m. on my iPhone, half awake and later posted my response without rereading anything. I saw "Waterloo", assumed it was the only one I knew of - in Ontario- and missed all the other important information that made it clear it was in Oregon. My bad!

Hope you have a great time at the rally!

Bob K

I did wonder a bit since I live in Oregon but went to Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Definitely a scenic route!

[escape artist]

Hi: Bobito... Guess you've finally met your "Waterloo". Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Bobbito]

The worst situation I encountered with duplicate location names was trying to drive to a town near Berlin, Germany. We headed to Schoenwalde, then learned of a second Schoenwalde a bit further out and we're finally advised our Schoenwalde was a third town by the same name. All three within 90 minutes of Berlin. I should have learned. That was really my Waterloo!


SSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[drpaddle]

Thanks, all. There is some discord among Team Toto members about this route plan. I am for staying on the 2-lane roads, even when they parallel I-5, just because I've been on 5 so many times and would like to see something different. Tyler, the terrier, is with me -- he's interested in scenery. Wally (the terrier) and Sooz, however, prefer straight, flat, boring roads.

Tyler and I want to ditch the 5 at Longview, WA and take two-lanes to Champoeg. Same for the 99 south from Champoeg. I don't know if we're going to be able to convince the others. We have only six more days to convince them...

[gbaglo]

I-5 is made up of chunks of concrete loosely joined together, making for a lumpy ride.

[techfan]

Originally Posted by drpaddle

Thanks, all. There is some discord among Team Toto members about this route plan. I am for staying on the 2-lane roads, even when they parallel I-5, just because I've been on 5 so many times and would like to see something different. Tyler, the terrier, is with me -- he's interested in scenery. Wally (the terrier) and Sooz, however, prefer straight, flat, boring roads.

Tyler and I want to ditch the 5 at Longview, WA and take two-lanes to Champoeg. Same for the 99 south from Champoeg. I don't know if we're going to be able to convince the others. We have only six more days to convince them...

Hi, met at Maryhill last year. If you really want two lanes, pick up old 99E from Tacoma down to Chehalis, pretty drive, then cross the highway and come down 99W to Longview where it turns into Westside highway and takes you directly to the Lewis and Clark bridge. Then your plan to get to Waterloo sounds good. This will take you longer but you see some interesting country if you haven't gotten off I5 before in this area. From our house we can almost throw a rock and hit Westside Hwy. Tim

[drpaddle]

Originally Posted by techfan

From our house we can almost throw a rock and hit Westside Hwy. Tim

Hi Tim, I remember you well from Maryhill. You gave us a lot of good advice (and we have even followed some of it). We can't make Maryhill this year but we'll be at Osoyoos and Taidnapam and both NOGs -- hope to see you out there somewhere.

I am going to try your route if I can persuade the team! Please don't throw any rocks toward Westside highway midday next Wednesday....

[Roger C H]

For a real change, we use US 101.