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Pack your luggage, load the kids in the car, and let FTF tell you how best to enjoy a scenic road trip though Oregon.

There's probably no better state for scenic touring than Oregon, and no better place to begin than its gorgeous coast. From Brookings in the south, to Astoria, on the banks of the Columbia River opposite Washington state, Oregon hosts a 360-mile length of US Highway 101, the celebrated West Coast route better known for its California scenery.

Let the journey begin...

From Shakespeare to Skiing

Before you hit the coast, spend a few days in sophisticated Ashland, a small southern town nestled in the Rogue River Valley. (The Riverside Inn is recommended, but you can contact the Ashland Chamber of Commerce at 541/482-3486 for information about other motels and B&Bs.) The cultural highlight here is the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (541/482-4331), whose backstage tours and fun Shakespeare Festival Museum are as anticipated as its annual productions, where children are welcome.

Head north the next day to the Crater Lake National Park ( 541/594-3000) for picnicking, boating, and a hike (for the hardy) along the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. Take a leisurely car tour around the lake, actually a caldera formed by a collapsed volcano; the islands you see are broken slabs from the original mountain. When your family has recovered, head west to explore the striking Oregon Caves National Monument (541/592-2100). Winding roads through forest and foothills will bring you to Brookings, a seaside town at the foot of the Klamath Mountains, right at the head of Highway 101.

Those traveling with older children may prefer a detour northeast into Bend, where mountain bikers, hikers and rock climbers venture into the Cascade Mountains, and windsurfers rule the lakes. Luxe "rustic" cabins sleeping 8-10 people can be rented at the Sunriver Resort (800/801-8765), a huge parcel of wilderness, including 600 acres of carefully preserved wetlands, punctuated by hiking/biking trails and the nearby Deschutes River. The crisp, dry air of Bend and the scenic vistas provided by the volcanic Mt. Bachelor, Three Sisters and Broken Top peaks lure regional tourists all summer. With the Sage Spring Club & Spa for parents and Fort Funnigan for kids, Sunriver Resort is a great time for the whole family.

Cabin-hating non-skiers should contact the Bend Visitor and Convention Bureau (877/245-8484) for accommodations information.

From Eugene North

Eugene, almost halfway between Bend and the Oregon coast, and about halfway up the coast route, is another fine place to break your trip. Another few hours of driving back to the coast brings you to Newport, within 90 minutes of Portland.

Keiko Slept Here

You've got to stop at the Oregon Coast Aquarium (541/867-3474), the small facility once chosen by the Free Willy Keiko Foundation to house the retired movie star. The young orphan Keiko was captured by a fishing boat off Iceland in 1979, sold to Marineland in Ontario, and sold again to Reino Aventura in Mexico City. There he became a movie star (remember "Free Willy"?) and fell ill. In 1996, he was rescued by public pressure on Warner Brothers to fund his move and rehabilitation at Newport. Because he flourished in Oregon, in the fall of 1998 he was pronounced ready to return home to Rekjavik, Iceland. In 2002, Keiko decided to move on to Norway, but sadly Keiko died from pneumonia in 2003, ending his heroic journey back from captivity.

Meanwhile, try to book a B&B in this pretty coastal town- the Moolack Shores B&B (541/265-2326) on Beverly Beach or The Vikings (541/265-2477), with condos at nearby Pacific Crest (541/265-2477). As along most of the coast, the thundering surf and high winds make the beach more suitable for challenging sand play than for a swim. Book lovers with quiet kids (or book-loving kids) should consider the unique Sylvia Beach Hotel (888/795-8499), where rooms are literary themed and family-style meals are greatly appreciated. The Newport Chamber of Commerce(541/265-8801) is the best source for alternate lodgings and recreation information.

The region around sleepy Florence comes to life with RVs, dune buggies, ATVs and dirt bikes, as visitors throng to its stunning sand dunes, many over 100-feet-tall. More than 40 miles of the central coastline, from Florence south to Coos Bay, comprise the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Whether you drop in for the day or stay longer, dont miss the chance to take out your own buggy, or join a large guided buggy truck, for a memorable ride.

Summer visitors will find Cannon Beach another good stop. It's a small, quaint town many shops and restaurants, a beautiful beach, and the highly regarded Evergreen Aircraft Museum, resting place of "The Aviator's" Spruce Goose. In addition to the popular beach, there is the Ecola State Park for hiking, and Haystack Rock, a big rock outcropping, for dramatic picture taking. Locals come from throughout the area to dine at JP's Bistro (503/436-0908). North of it is Seaside, an even busier beach resort where you may be surprised by the highrise, ocean front developments. Surfing lessons have become the rage, so if you didn't do it in Hawaii, this may be your chance. The town's funky Million Dollar Walk on Broadway Street boasts arcades, games, shops, and snackbars. There is a small Seaside Aquarium when you want to head indoors.