Where the Willamette and Columbia Rivers meet, you will find a most incredible city, Portland, Oregon. Also known as "the City of Roses," Portland has grown into a popular vacation destination, with one of the largest wilderness parks that exists within a city as well as the world's smallest park, only two feet in diameter.

There are beautiful roses to see at the International Rose Test Garden. At Mt. Tabor Park you can visit the historic reservoirs and see views that will take your breath away. Visit Tryon Creek State Park where the creek still has a run of steelhead. Open-spaced Hoyt Arboretum holds over 1,000 species of trees from around the world.

As in any large city, there is no lack of accommodations and you will find exactly what you need. Stay in a luxury hotel or find a simple and inexpensive motel on the outskirts of town. Get a little away from the city to find campgrounds.

It is a drive of about 7 hours coming from McCall, Idaho. If you get onto I-84 West to I-5 South and follow the signs, you will be glad you took this side trip to a most wonderful place.