Oregon

When Lewis and Clark reached the end of their Westward journey, what did they find? Dense evergreen forests, rugged mountains, a rocky coastline, a fossil-filled desert—in short, Oregon. Today’s traveler can still encounter all these natural phenomena, as well as some vibrant cities and culture, in this low-key Pacific Northwest state. Those wanting to relive the heart-pounding adventures of explorers won’t want to miss the outdoor activities of the Oregon Cascades. Skiing, hiking, rafting and climbing are all in order, as well as soaking in the spectacularly clear views of Crater Lake. Need a little more thrill? Try windsurfing the 30-mph winds of the Columbia Gorge. Relive the fervor of 60s radicalism in ex-hippie-hangout Eugene, now more famous as the birthplace of Nike. Soak in a little Renaissance culture at Ashland’s highly regarded annual Shakespeare Festival, and school yourself at the sciencey-arty DaVinci Days Festival in academic Corvallis. Hit up the independent bookstores, organic eateries and cozy coffeehouses of quirky Portland, where, despite being the state’s biggest city, the air retains its clean Oregon crispness. You may feel like you’ve discovered your own Western wilderness.