Clear, large enough print to read, small size and laminated to protect from that Portland weather! Covers the downtown area very well, and I use it on a weekly basis. Even bought one for my fiancee when she relocated to Portland. All our guests who borrow the car find it to be the best map we have on the area. Great map of the area, helps me get around daily.

I purchased this book to help me find a place to honeymoon that was cozy, not over-run by tourists. I wanted a honeymoon site that offered an authentic experience, not one marketed or comercialized. I knew there had to be out of the way places that would allow genuine exploration and discovery in which the traveler was not just another number being shuttled around to the same places to spend money with everyone else. I ended up finding a beautiful bed and breakfast on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. Built in the late 1800's this inn featured a small detached bungalow on the bluffs overlooking the harbor. There is no way I would have found this place without the guide.

I am realizing the benefit of "place." The world is full of ugly concrete box hotels that all look and feel the same. Why not chance it a little and explore a small county inn off a small country road surrounded by woods and coastline? Yes, there may be a little discomfort in the lack of anonimity, but why settle for the generic?

For those who live on the west coast, or want to visit, this guide has hundreds of listings of places to stay. The author has personally visited each of them (tough job), and offers insightful recommendations. The guide thoroughly covers a broad range of geography and has something from everyone from 19th century hotels to small cabins in California's Gold Rush Country. Most of these inns are owned by families who live on the site, so you know you are supporting local economies and not some corporate interest 1,000 miles away.

Read this and then get out there and explore.

"The Regulated Landscape" is an excellent book that details the state of Oregon's experiments with broad, state level attempts to control land-use. Knaap and Nelson are two long time participants of the debates that accompanied the rise of state sponsored attempts to control landscapes during the 1960s and 1970s. While the book they have produced here may be specific to the Oregon example, it does contain information that is applicable to many other regions (such as my own area of study; British Columbia) across the continent. Most notable in this regard is the section on the politics of land use planning. The authors identify the various schools of thought that have contributed to the debate of the last 30-35 years (Structuralist, Institutionalist and Marxist) and seek to debunk some of the myths that have arisen. Such as the belief that the "class based theory of growth politics" may not be appropriate as a defining motive for the state to assume control of land use planning. Regardless of your own beliefs on this subject I highly recommend this book! Even if you are not entirely interested in Oregon, the bibliography that has been provided can be used to identify some of the other major contributions and contributors (be it in book form, articles, or government publications) to the issue of land use. Enjoy!

A nice addition to anyone's geology library. Alt and Hyndman cover every corner of Oregon, and explain the major players in the shape of the landscape clearly and succinctly, as well as local aspects of geology. There's the added bonus of being able to jump in the car and find what they've written about as they provide regional maps, indicating formations, special interest items and more.

Romance of Waterfalls is a unique book on the magnificent waterfalls within day-trip range of Portland, Oregon. The 252 page work combines the best of a hiking book, coffee table book, nature book, art book, and a work of poetry and literature.For each of its 100 featured waterfalls, it provides a photograph-like pencil drawing, complete directions, time and distance, map, description, nearby attractions, hazards, accessibility to the physically challenged, view and kissing spots, picnic areas, restrooms, historical trivia, and a poem. Introductory and reference sections offer advice on weather, children, pets, and safety, and information on local wildlife and plants, the Chinook language, and phone numbers for reservations, information, and emergencies. It contains 165 illustrations and 111 poems, all original works by the authors.This one of a kind book can be enjoyed year around by all families, couples, and individuals, it should be in the library of every resident and visitor to the Pacific Northwest.

We planned our honeymoon out of this book, and boy am I glad that we did. The places in here are all splurges, but it's money well spent. Jacuzzis, balconies, and all sorts of romantic touches. This book never steered us wrong. Plus it's a delight just to look at the photos, and dream of trying more spots.

My 6 yr old son and 8 year old daughter paid close attention and enjoyed this book. My daughter enjoyed reading the bubble conversation; I read the text part. Nice illustrations - neither they nor the story was too dark as is sometimes a problem with historical fiction for this age. Sort of a Magic School Bus feel to it, with travel back in time.

While reading this book one can easily see why Overton Johnson and William Winter's personal narratives of the 1843 Great Migration to the Pacific is heavily cited in Oregon Trail literature. With wonderful descriptions of day to day activities, adventures and people experienced along the trail, there are also superb first-hand accounts of climate, landforms, agricultural and economical possibilities in Oregon and California. The chapter "Instructions to Emigrants" acted as a guide for future overlanders by explaining provisions, modes of transportation, clothing, firearms, character of Indians, etc., including a general estimate of mileage between campsites with available (or not available) wood, grass and water. This is a very readable, enjoyable and historical record of early pioneers traversing the continent. Excellent!

This book draws the reader into its world. It makes you laugh and cry. As you journy with Katherine, you will find yourself feeling her feelings. It is a must read book. I could not put it down.

I like to consider myself a gourmet cook. I have been a great admirer of Julia Child and even took a short class from her when whe was in Seattle. However, I like to explore new horizons and most recently I got "hooked on" The Junior League Cookbooks. During my travels I always go to the hotel gift shop (or airport) to pick up the state Junior League Cookbook. I hit the "Jackpot" when I bought Oregon's "Savor the Flavor." My girl's all own the cookbook and we write in each others book comments like Great, Fantastic...try this one. Today I am recommending it for my book study club. Close behind I would rate the two Seattle and San Francisco Junior League Cookbooks. As my husband said, "If you find one great recipe in a cookbook than it is worth the price of the book." Well, this is worth gold!