Field trip ideas needed for Idaho & Oregon

[phathui5]

I've been offered a midwifery apprenticeship in Oregon, so it looks like our family is going to be making the drive from upstate New York to Lebanon, Oregon this fall.

We'll be driving along I-84 and Rt. 20 for this part of the trip and I am looking for field trip suggestions for stops along the way.

Our children will be 11, 8, 6, and 4 when we make the trip. We've always homeschooled and I'm thinking we'll treat this like the biggest homeschool field trip we've ever had.

What can you suggest that's clost to the highway that we shouldn't miss?

[BubbyNShmee]

I'm pretty fresh on these forums, but if you wanted to hang out, I live pretty close to the highway. I'm in Caldwell, ID.

[Valkyrie9]

Check out City of Rocks state park, which is in southern Idaho.  I haven't been yet, but have heard rave reviews and seen some pretty awesome pictures.  It's a good place for kids who climb on rocks.  :-)

Boise has a number of nice city parks with a Greenbelt connecting them, which is nice and cheap if everyone needs to stretch their legs.  I like to check out the Pendleton Wool Mill in Pendleton, Oregon, though they don't have great bargains too often.  HTH!

[philomom]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_84_in_Oregon

Multnomah falls, Bonneville dam and historic Columbia highway laced with waterfalls are all great stops.

[olliesmommy]

The High Desert Museum in Bend is really cool, so is Newberry National Volcanic Monument (bend area).

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is pretty cool for a learning experience on wetlands/wildlife, etc-it's about 30mi south of Burns. 

The 20 is pretty remote until you get to Bend, Eastern OR is really beautiful. 

Once you get to Lebanon there are so many daytrip opportunities that are great experiences for kids-the Willamette Valley is a really great area with tons of stuff to do! Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

I know you posted about homeschool info, my partner is checking with a friend & I'll get back to you once we get some info.

[philomom]

Yes, the lava cave is cool. And Bend is good for a day or two.

[DahliaRW]

Just going to second the High Desert Museum and the lava caves and such near Bend.  Both wonderful!

Not sure what route this is around in Idaho, but the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center there is fantastic.  Though it may be too far north.

[1babysmom]

The 20 is definitely remote but we always drive it on our way to the coast from where we're at on the ID/OR border (and then we drive 84 back, to stop at the falls and the fish hatcheries)...we are right where you'll split off to the 20. .  Cascadia is a really pretty place to stop, I think it's right outside of Sweet Home, and not far from Lebanon.  There are tons of little places along the road that are absolutely gorgeous once you get a ways outside of Sisters and come down the pass.  (We like Sisters, btw...fun themed little town)

What time of year will you be coming through?  One thing we love about here is you basically go from deserts and rolling hills to mountains to lush green.  Such variety!

[ancoda]

There are several things that you could stop at in Boise, idaho.  I love the World center for birds of prey.   Here is a list of some others.

[carmel23]

might not be on your way but the ape caves are cool: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/MSH/NatMonument/PointsInterest/ape_cave.html