Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
FRUIT LOOP
The bountiful orchard rows, rustic barns, putt-putting tractors, and farm dogs of the Hood River Valley lie in the shadow of Mount Hood, making
the valley's back roads some of the most scenic in all of the Northwest. The locals affectionately refer to the 35-mile loop of Highway 35 running
south and connecting down in Parkdale with Dee Highway 281 as the Fruit Loop. All along the route, participating farms, orchards, fruit stands,
and more invite visitors to their grounds to take pictures, sample products, and pet animals. A fold-out brochure featuring information on more
than 30 stops on the loop is abundantly available in town. The following are a few of the best things to see and do along the route.
Come watch furry alpacas scamper and lounge in their paddocks at
Cascade Alpacas
(4207 Sylvester Dr., 541/354-3542,
www.foothillsyarn.com
, 11 A.M.-4 P.M. Sat.-Sun. Mar., 11 A.M.-4 P.M. Fri.-Sun. Apr.-May and Nov.-Dec. 18, 11 A.M.-5 P.M. daily
June-Oct.). These long-necked cuties are prized for their extremely soft wool and their friendly dispositions compared to their South American
cousin, the llama. On the property you can get your hands on skeins of that wool, plus scarves, hats, socks, and sweaters made from the stuff.
Just a few minutes from downtown,
Wilinda Blueberry Patch
(730 Frankton Rd., 801/556-7964, 9 A.M.-6 P.M. daily July-Labor Day)
opens its blueberry field to u-pickers between July and Labor Day. The patch grows a number of blueberry varieties that ripen at different times
throughout that two-month window.
Visit
Lavender Valley Lavender Farm
(3925 Portland Dr., 541/386-1906,
www.lavendervalley.com
,
10 A.M.-6 P.M. daily June-Labor Day,
10 A.M.-5 P.M. Thurs.-Sun. Sept., 11 A.M.-4 P.M. Sat.-Sun. Oct.) in July to catch the lavender bloom at its peak for incredible pictures of purple
fields backdropped by the imposing glaciers of Mount Hood. Open April through October, the farm runs a u-cut operation when in bloom, allow-
ing visitors to pick from 70 varieties of lavender straight from the field. The rest of the months, enjoy the art gallery featuring hand-painted glass
and get a whiff of the lavender oil that's distilled on the property in the late summer and fall.
More than just a fruit stand,
Mountain View Orchards
(6670 Trout Creek Ridge Rd., 541/352-6554,
www.mtvieworchards.com
,
9 A.M.-5
P.M. daily mid-July-Oct.) usually has enough activities on the property to keep the typical family busy for a good couple of hours. The owners
have built three hiking trails on the property for folks to explore, frequently run tours, host hayrides on the weekends, and put together a full
slate of events during the month of October. The bakery on the property serves pie à la mode and runs a cider mill for fresh-pressed cider. And,
unsurprisingly, the orchard offers u-pick apples, pears, peaches, cherries, pumpkins, and corn, depending on the season.
Mount Hood rises above Hood River.
The petting zoo at Draper Girls Country Farm is a hit with the younger set.
