In the beginning, the proceeds helped defray the costs of the campaign website and (beginning in 2008) the WyEast Blog. They also operate brunch and dinner excursions, special seasonal excursions, as well as Murder Mystery rides.The coming year marks the 16th annual scenic calendar that I’ve assembled for the Mount Hood National Park Campaign, with each calendar drawing from photos from the previous year of Mount Hood country. The 2.5-hour trip begins at the historic depot in Hood River, and winds through forests and orchards up the valley to Odell and a longer 4-hour trip goes all the way to Parkdale. All are open for wine tastings.Ī relaxing way to appreciate the seasonal splendors of the region is an excursion aboard the Mt. There are several vineyards and wineries located on the loop - Hood River Vineyards, Phelps Creek Vineyards, Mt.

Held at the Expo Center, the event includes over one hundred craft and artisan booths, live entertainment, and, of course, plenty of local produce. Back in the town of Hood River, the Hood River Valley Harvest Fest (mid-October) is a time-honored tradition. Chose your favorites from Pippins, Spitzenbergs, and Winter Bananas and go pick your own.Īt the Apple Valley Country Store, chosen by Travelocity as one of Oregon's most popular hidden gems, visitors are tempted with over 50 varieties of jams, jellies, pie fillings and syrups fresh fruit pies baked from scratch, and country barbeque lunches. Later in the month, they offer an Heirloom Apple Tasting with the opportunity to sam ple varieties from the largest selection of apples grown in the valley. Just up the road, the Kiyokawa Family Orchards celebrate Fiesta Days in mid-October featuring traditional Mexican food, mariachi bands, piñatas, orchard tours, hay wagon rides, and pick-your-own apples. For the adults, there is a cornfield maze, u-pick pumpkins, and pumpkin bowling. With the lure of a 5 foot pumpkin, 4 pound apple pie, and huckleberry flavored gummi bears, no one young or old could resist a visit!ĭuring the entire month of October, the Rasmussen Farm transforms its greenhouse and grounds into a Pumpkin Funland, with storybook characters and farm animals, a Halloween Hut, decorated maze, and pumpkin patch…a perfect place to take the kids. Besides the delicious apples and pears, a number of events provide entertainment and an opportunity for tasting varieties of fruits rarely seen in supermarkets. But autumn is the ideal time to savor the valley's abundance. In summer, as the fruits begin to ripen, local stands offer berries, cherries, peaches and fresh baked goods for sale. An annual Blossom Festival held in mid-April honors the occasion. In spring, the countryside is awash in fragrance and color as the white and p ink blossoms of pear, apple, and cherry trees reach their peak. A Fruit Loop Driving Map, available at the tourist office in Hood River guides you through the valley to over thirty member farms, fruit stands, country markets, and wineries. You'll immediately recognize the scene from the colorful labels of old fruit packing crates.įrom here, follow any number of back roads up the east side of the valley, returning on the west side.

Mt Hood and the surrounding acres of orchards, farms, and forests. Here, the entire valley stretches out below, offering sweeping views of 11,239 ft. Over thirty percent of the nation's winter pears are harvested here, along with a variety of apples, berries, peaches, and cherries.Īny visit must begin with a stop at Panorama Point, off East Side Road a few miles south of Hood River. Located about 45 minutes east of Portland by way of the Columbia Gorge, and directly south of the town of Hood River, the area is Oregon's largest fruit growing region. It's a 35-mile scenic meander through the fruit orchards, small towns, and back roads of the Hood River Valley. No, the Fruit Loop is not the name of a candy treat, a Carmen Miranda earring, or a ride at the state fair. Harvest Season along the Fruit Loop By Pat Snider

Parkdale oregon tourism