The two events that come to mind are my two favorite events that hit the Willamette Valley in early September.  I know you said you were visiting Oregon this summer, however, if you are able to extend your trip, it would be totally worth it!

First of all, Albany holds an event each year called, “Antiques in the Streets!”  It is held Saturday, September 8, 2012 – all day long!  This event is held every year on the Saturday after Labor Day.  It’s huge and with that and all the other antique shops in town, you are sure to fill your entire Saturday.

Another great location for antiques is Coburg, Oregon. The small town also hosts an Antique Fair every September. This year it is on September 9, 2012 the day after Albany’s and it is even bigger!

We have several hotels in Albany, however, there is a very sweet B & B in Brownsville called the Brownsville House B & B.  Cyndi and Bob have lived in Brownsville for over 30 years.  The perfect place to go to after Albany’s Antiques in the Streets and a just a short drive to Coburg the next day for their Antique Fair!  There are also a lot of B & B’s in Eugene just outside of Coburg for lodging as well if you choose to stay close to the Sunday fair.

I love your question because I have never considered “gold prospecting” but how fun that would be.  I found this awesome site about Oregon Gold for you to check out! It looks like so much family fun so if you go, please let us know how it goes! Also checked this site out gold panning website. It looks like it gives some gold panning info on the “how to” and “where to go!”

I have to say that I am not a camper but my son is and he loves Foster Lake in Sweet Home, Oregon.  Also, if you go to the Ranger Station in Sweet Home, they are always helpful and full of information for camping, hiking and many more outdoor activities in that area.

You are in luck because I have a few ideas to  share with you! I happen to have a B & B in the Willamette Valley and we host many newlyweds so noting the locations our brides and grooms chose to “tie the knot,” can also be some of the most romantic places to “pop the question.” If I could give you just one answer, I would chose smack dab in the middle of a hazelnut orchard!  Off Highway 228 between Brownsville and Sweet Home, Oregon, you’ll find the sweetest orchard with old trees anchored solid in to the earth in the most perfect rows.  They have been there forever and their branches hang like arms in protection of something special and what a peaceful place. You will find many hazelnut orchards all throughout the Willamette Valley and just using Google, you can find more.

The Willamette Valley is gorgeous so choosing any outdoor venue would be  perfect. At Mary’s Peak after a nice long hike to the top, behind the falls at Silver Creek Falls, at Left Coast Cellars in between the rows of grapes or while enjoying a picnic at one of Linn County’s covered bridges.  Wherever you choose, I wish you luck and very romantic and memorable moment.

I love that your grandson is so intent on seeing the University of Oregon!  It’s a gorgeous campus so please be sure to take the whole tour!  As far as baseball games go, check out the University of Oregon’s baseball website. Also, please see my friends at the Eugene, Cascades and Coast Adventure Center in Springfield when you come to town.  There you will find tons of info on so many very cool things to do. From Portland to Eugene, please take the slow road, highway 99 and enjoy our scenery, hiking trails and perhaps a stop at our beautiful Silver Creek Falls.  You will be amazed to find such a place right here in Oregon.

Eugene is surely the place for fun and lots of outdoor activity to keep a 14 year old very busy.  Perhaps renting bikes at Paul’s Bicycle Way of Life and riding along the Willamette River would be fun.  Taking a picnic lunch and exploring by bike is one of the best ways to experience the city.
Also, if you need someplace for lunch or a dinner, check out of the McMenamin’s in Eugene as well. Delicious local food and something on the menu to please every age.

Wow… you won’t believe the list of family friendly recommendations in the Willamette Valley. Here are some places to check out:

• For camping I would suggest renting a yurt in one of Oregon’s beautiful parks. It’s camping without all of the work!
• In Turner, the Enchanted Forest is super cheesy but also super fun if you know ahead of time that this ain’t Disney.
• In Independance they have the Wings of Wonder butterfly exhibit.
• Evergreen Aviation Museum is fun and the Wings and Waves Waterpark is like nothing else!
• In Salem there is the A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery House -Children’s Museum.
• Silver Falls is pretty to hike.
• Splash! Lively Swim Park in Springfield has a wave pool, water slide and lots of other cool things. There is also a roller rink in Springfield and Cascades Raptor Center is in Eugene.
• Fir Point Farms has Goats that climb into trees to eat! Where else are you going to see that!

I’d check out Astoria and Canon Beach, see this blog entry. I would take I-5 to Hwy 38 to the coast and down to San Francisco.

Thanksgiving is probably my most favorite time of year in the Willamette Valley. The leaves are in full fall color and it’s cool enough outdoors that a B & B would provide the coziest stay. Many B & B’s are taking guests over the Thanksgiving holiday. You can find one by checking out the FB page Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild. Also, check this link.