I’m a big fan of Liner & Elsen Wines shop in Northwest Portland

If you’re looking to visit ghost towns like Whitney, Eastern Oregon’s the place.

There are some amazing trails in Central Oregon Two questions: 1. Where in Central Oregon will you be staying? 2. Over ten miles round trip or under? FYI I am Asit Rathod aka President of Powder for Ask Oregon. Born and raised here in Oregon and love snow!

There a few world famous snowboard camps and resorts here in Oregon. Mt. Hood Meadows has some great snowboard camps, depending on when you’re coming out.

I’m not too familiar with fishing the Umpqua. I’ve personally only fished it for smallmouth bass. But, as a general rule winter steelhead will be picking up in January and last through March. The salmon fishing will be winding down about now.

Smith Rock is stunning, as are Dillon&Benham Falls on the Deschutes. Detour up Century Drive to view the snowy Cascades! Bend’s Drake Park is lovely this time of year. Trees with fall foliage by the river. Good excuse to grab lunch downtown, too.

Commuting distance is relative, of course. Much of close-in Portland is actually quite residential, so you could consider that. Nearby suburbs include Gresham, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Oregon City, etc. Like Rogue Ales says, traffic can be bear – but it really depends on your own tolerance for it. The Portland area has some good transit too, so the first three suburbs I mentioned, for example, there’s light rail into Portland.

I must admit that I am very clumsy so skiing isn’t right up there on my list of things to do but I have to say…I love the snow and tubing. So, if you check out Hoodoo, they actually have anticipated the snow season beginning on Nov. 25th for skiing among other great snow activities.

They have a great Autoban Tubing Park and a great event on New Years Eve. Check out their link and Hoodoo is only about 35 miles from Detroit!

The ocean crabbing season (the commercial season) is officially closed from Aug. 15 until around Dec. 1. In the fall they are likely to be light and stringy, as they fill in their new shells. By the winter, they are usually full and heavy. That being said, it is legal to crab in the bays and estuaries here year round. And I’ve seen people haul up quite a few, off the dock in September and October. I would wait to get your shellfish license, and first ask at the marina, to get the latest on bait, tides and the like. If the crabbing has been poor, then you won’t have wasted your money on licenses, traps, boat rental, etc. Good luck!

I always stop at the Morning Glory Cafe for baked goods and sandwiches. Also, you can stay at the Silver Sands Oceanfront Resort.