10 minute read
Oregon’s Fruit Loop
Stay in the Loop Oregon’s Fruit Loop
Pies, berry picking, and wineries. Who can resist a trail called the Fruit Loop? Nestled in the fertile Hood River Valley in Oregon, the Fruit Loop trail offers the chance to eat, drink, and soak in nature’s beauty. The 35-mile, self-paced driving trail has a little bit of everything--road-side farm stands, wineries, breweries, cideries, and flower fields. Winding past the serene countryside dotted with orchards and vineyards, you can spend the day. Or, maybe spend several nights to bike, hike, and even indulge in a slice of homemade pie back at the inn.
When to visit?
No one visit to the Fruit Loop is the same. Scenery, sips, and fresh offerings change with the seasons. In spring, fruit blossoms and wildflowers will pave the way. Most agree, however, the prime time to savor the Fruit Loop is summer through early fall. Berries are plump, juicy and ready for picking. Heavy peaches waiting to be snatched hang from branches. U-pick orchards are in full swing, and outside dining at vineyards offers snow-capped, mountain views.
The Gorge White House, a fruit stand and winery, is the second stop on the Fruit Loop. Amelia Teyner, a native Midwesterner who lived in Oregon with her husband, Louie, agrees summer is ideal. “The views of snow-covered Mount Hood at The Gorge Whitehouse are especially spectacular,” Teyner says. “In summer, they have a food truck with farm-fresh inspired foods where you can sit on picnic tables to enjoy lunch or dinner, and sip on wines and ciders.”
When planning a Fruit Loop visit, check the U-Pick schedule ahead of time to see what awaits— https://hoodriverfruitloop.com/u-pick. In June, U-pick strawberries and lavender will be bursting forth. In August, orchards with peaches and pears are plentiful. Even into October, a rainbow of blueberries, pears, apples, and yes, pumpkins are available. Fall marks the time of farm festivals and harvests celebrations, ciders and cooler temps.
Draper Girls’ Country Farm at stop 14 is as satisfying as it is stylish. Stocked with antiques, fruits, grass-fed meats, flowers, and food gifts–the farm promises a cherished souvenir or a savory addition to your next meal. The Draper Girls’ petting farm, gardens, farms stand produce, and more, are worth the stop. One more stop down, The Draper Girls’ Cider Company at stop 15, is probably what the Draper Girls are known for best. Award-winning hard ciders are fresh-squeezed into decorative growlers to take home.
Apple Valley Country Store, stop #22, will satisfy all sweet tooth cravings. In August, huckleberry milkshakes are sweet and cold. Perfectly packaged apple dumplings bubbling over with caramel and artful hand pies are comforts to eat on the spot or savor later. Jams, jellies, and sauces with endless fruity combinations can bring vivid memories of the Fruit Loop trail long after the visit.
How much time to allow for the entire Fruit Loop?
The Fruit Loop is only 35-miles on Highway 35 and can be done in 4-5 hours. While it’s possible to just choose a few stops, reconsider. With 27 stops total, it’s best to stay a few days. Besides vineyards and novel shopping, the Fruit Loop trail winds past some of the most postcard-worthy spots imaginable. Just stepping out over the Columbia River Gorge area where fog brushes the green mountains and the wide, deep blue Hood River calms below—time stands still here.
If possible, plan to stay overnight or longer. Accommodations are as diverse as the fruits for the picking. For a resort experience, Best Western Plus Hood River Inn has a swimming pool with views of Hood River, indoor/outdoor dining, and basic accommodations to luxury suites. More intimate choices like the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast, circa 1910, offer a home-like feel with views of Mount Hood and local coffees and breakfast served for you. Cooper Spur Mountain Resort appeals to the adventurer with ample places for biking, hiking, and even a chair-lift ride. Adjacent to Mount Hood National Forest, the setting is made for exploring. Hotel rooms, cabins, lodge condos, and more offer a cozy, wood-themed place to rest with rich woods. An on-site restaurant and amenities make this a popular choice for the outdoor enthusiast looking for creature comforts. Area campgrounds are also plentiful just off the Fruit Loop trail.
The Oregon Film Trail
Oregon’s history in the media industry dates back to the silent film era of the early 1900s. Several of the earliest “studios” were located here, and since then over 500 feature films and television projects have been produced in Oregon (as well as hundreds of commercials and interactive games). Our office helps facilitate by finding experienced crews and support services and a diverse variety of locations. the film that were shot on or near University of Oregon’s Eugene campus.
The city of Ashland inspired the setting for “Coraline,” earning this area an Oregon Film Trail marker. The film “Phoenix, Oregon” was shot in Klamath Falls, with film locations throughout the town. And Medford is credited in over 60 films, including plenty for horror and thriller genre lovers.
Visit some of the filming locations of the grand Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood vehicle “Paint Your Wagon,” which was shot outside of Baker City and in the Wallowas in 1968. There’s even a saloon named after the one in the film at the Anthony Lakes Ski Resort in North Powder.
The Oregon Film Trail markers are located on the ancestral homelands of the Grand Ronde, Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla Nimiippu (Nez Perce) people, Kathlamet, Clatsop, Chinook, Siletz, Nehalem, Kalapuya, Tsankupi, Ahantchuyuk, Santiam, Cascades, Cowlitz, Tillamook, Yakina, Takelma, Winefelly, Suislaw, Chelamela, Numu (Northern Paiute), Yoncalla, Cow Creek Umpqua, Mechoopda, Koyom:k’awi (Konkow), Tenino, Confederate Tribes of Warm Springs and Atfalti people.
For more information, visit https:// www.historicoregonfilmtrail.com/
Film buffs will definitely want to head to Salem with a tour of the infamous Oregon State Hospital, featured in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” based on the 1962 novel by one of Oregon’s most famous authors, Ken Kesey. It’s now a fascinating museum in its own right, the OSH Museum of Mental Health, with exhibits on medical equipment and practices, some of which were highlighted in the film.
Fans of the college comedy “Animal House” will love the self-guided tour of sites related to
For more on Oregon > Click Here
in us in Casper Wyoming and you ride the Historic Oregon ,California, Pony Express and Mormon Trails with the modern comfort of our Four wheel drive vehicles. Relive the adventures of the Pioneers as they traveled West to follow their hopes and dreams to settle a new land and build their history. 4 hour Going wild West Tour-
Travel to historic Independence Rock ,off the beaten path past Historic monuments, Trail ruts ,Historic landmarks ,See the Devils Back bone ,The look ahead and look back ,on the trails. We immerse you in the stories of their trials and tribulations as we explore the trail.
Adult $55.00 Child 10 and under $ 45.00
Experience Three Days on a Wagon Train Trek and or Ride on The Pony Express Trail
Yellowstone 1883 Wagon Train is like our Three Day Wagon Train
The Old Oregon Trail is an incredible journey... The covered wagon is a symbol of the Western expansion of the United States. In May 1843, the first large migration left Missouri. They traveled across unassigned Indian territory in what is now Wyoming, over South Pass to Oregon Country. 500,000 pioneers loaded up the wagons with all they could carry and headed West throughout the mid-1800’s. These pioneers came from all over the world to settle in a new land, later to become these United States.
Riding on Historic wooden wheel wagons that have been on the Oregon and California Trails
We plan these trips as they are booked, for that reason we ask that you call us instead of booking online so we can plan for your custom trek.
Call for reservations, 1-307-266-4868. We will meet you at your hotel the day of departure around 8-9AM. Ask us about special hotel rates.
Available May-September
Become part of history and join us on an authentic Oregon Trail adventure.
You are riding on Historic Wagons that have been on the Oregon and California trails.
Our wagon have wooden wheels not rubber tires.
We head out from Casper, Wy on the morning of the first day to our trail head to begin our wagon journey west of Split Rock. During the ride there, much of the highway follows the old trail systems. We will point out different areas along the way as well, from old Pony Express and Outpost sites to trail sections and crossings as we wind through gorgeous mountains and cross through prairie. Along the way, we will stop at the famous Independence Rock for a tour and photo opportunities
You ride on the actual Old Indian ,Mountain Men ,Oregon,California ,
Mormon and Pony Express Trails.
https://www.historictrailswest.com/3-5-day-treks https://www.historictrailswest.com/
The New Hampshire Ice Cream Trail, produced by Granite State Dairy Promotion, features about 42 ice cream scoop shops all across the state. Create a day, weekend, or whole summer of fun touring New Hampshire with your favorite summertime treat. #eatlikeacow
The New Hampshire dairy industry is located primarily in the Connecticut River Valley on the state’s western borders and along the Merrimack River Valley in the center of the state. There are approximately 94 dairy farms in New Hampshire with an average of 120 milking animals per farm.
Historically the dairy industry was the “king” of agriculture in the state. Dairy farming is an agricultural enterprise using many thousands of acres of tillable land for crops and grazing. This maintains open space, which provides numerous environmental benefits, and gives New Hampshire the rural character enjoyed by its residents and the many tourists.
Get Your Official Map at:
NH state rest areas & at each participating shop. As you travel the state, follow @ nhdairy on Instagram & use the #nhicecreamtrail hashtag.
3 Food & Beverage Trails
New York State is home to celebrated wine regions, the verdant farm-to-table hotbed in the Hudson Valley, and some of the best microbrews, cheeses, and chocolates found anywhere. Why not take a self-guided culinary adventure and discover the bounty of the Empire State? Local organizations have done most of the work for you in creating food and wine trails to help you discover favorites at your own pace and find delicious off-the-beaten-path places along the way!
Cooperstown Beverage Trail
Looking for a home-run beverage trail experience? Head to Otsego County for a tasting or tour at one or all of the seven establishments on the Cooperstown Beverage Trail! Try the latest Belgian brew at Brewery Ommegang (pictured) and sample Bear Pond Winery’s locally produced white or red wines. The other locations on the 37-mile trail are Rustic Ridge Winery, Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard, Pail Shop Vineyards, Cooperstown Distillery, and Cooperstown Brewing Company.
Finger Lakes Cheese Trail
It stands to reason that the Finger Lakes’ incredible ascent as a wine region would encourage cheesemakers in the area to craft farmhouse cow’s and goat’s milk cheese to produce hyper-local pairings. The Finger Lakes Cheese Alliance’s trail includes 12 farms and producers that create their own cheeses. Don’t just take our word for it. Go visit the farms yourself! See how Shtayburne Farm’s handcrafted cheeses are made, learn how to milk a goat by hand at Side Hill Acres Goat Farm in Candor, and get free cheese samples on either a self-guided or guided tour of Sunset View Creamery in Odessa. These are just a few of the many authentic farm experiences available along the trail.
Central New York Food and Beverage Trail
Farm-sourced food, craft beverages, and desserts— what more could you ask for? With 50 establishments participating in the Central New York Food and Beverage Trail, you’ll explore Madison County one taste at a time. Start your day with a coffee and a freshly baked cinnamon bun from HipStir Cafe in Oneida. Next, enjoy a farm-to-table meal at Madison Bistro in Wampsville, followed by a refreshing beer at Good Nature Farm Brewery & Tap Room in Hamilton or Erie Canal Brewing Company (pictured) in Canastota.
