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When one thinks of a day trip to enjoy the brilliant colors of fall, the eastern parts of the country immediately come to mind. Boston, Vermont maybe even New Jersey. Rarely does the Pacific Northwest. The fall colors of the Pacific Northwest, Oregon in particular are spectacular. A day trip across the passes to Portland, Salem, Eugene or Medford is a magical trip of color. Bring a camera.

Our first fall in Oregon we left in the morning from Bend headed to a horse auction at the State Fairgrounds on Salem. It was raining. Just as we hit the crest of the Santiam Pass, 4,817-foot in the Cascades on Highway 22, the sun broke though and the breathtaking fall colors blossomed before us.

On the north side of the highway was a valley lava flow filled with burning bushes shooting fire up through the shiny wet black lava rocks. The background, a forest of evergreens, wet, and ever-so-green mingled with maples in various stages of turning yellow to red, covered with raindrops, glistened in the sun. We stopped the car. Everyone scrambled out with cameras in hand. Those pictures still adorn walls, cards and school projects.

Another favorite became the Cottage Grove Covered Bridge Tour Route off of highway 5 in Cottage Grove (south of Eugene) In 20 miles you'll pass by seven covered bridges dating from 1920 forward that when decorated by fall colors make a spectacular drive.

Interested in a day hike? There are many great options. http://www.oregonhiking.com. Try the Hoyt Arboretum in Portland, the trail takes you through oak groves, stands of ponderosa pine, dawn redwood trees, a bamboo grove, and other spectacular species. The 1.8 mile loop has educational, interpretive signs. http://www.hoytarboretum.org/

T here are also two fall foliage trains. During the Mt. Hood Railroad Autumn Fest http://www.mthoodrr.com/specia levents.htm, you can hop aboard to see the blazing fall colors in the orchards and hills of Hood River Valley. On the eastern side of Oregon try the Eagle Cap Excursion Train. This scenic train operates on a 63 mile long railroad following the Grande Ronde River down stream, then turning up the Wallowa River and across the beautiful Wallowa Valley. If you're looking for brilliant autumn colors and wildlife, sign up for their Fall Foliage excursions. http://www.eaglecaptrain.com/.

Over the years since we've made it a habit at least once a year to take a fall trip from Bend over one of the passes, 22 to Salem, 58 to Eugene, 62 to Medford or 26 to Portland just to see the changing. We manage to always find a good restaurant along the way to spend some time soaking in the colors, take a lot of pictures and drive back a different route. We have never been disappointed.

More great planning tips.

1. The color changing season runs from mid-September peaking in mid-October.
2. Oregon Fall Foliage Hotline 1-800-547-5445 has the most up to date status.
3. Visit About.com http://gonw.about.com/od/attra ctions/ss/foliagetrip_4.htm
4. Visit the Travel Oregon Website http://www.traveloregon.com/Ex plore-Oregon/Willamette-Valley /Trips-We-Love/Fall-Foliage.as px

Learn more about this author, Ginger Sanders.
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