Take the Oregon 150 Challenge and win a week long trip to Oregon

May 3, 6:58 AMSeattle North American Travel ExaminerStephanie Jolly

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Participants of the "The the Oregon 150 Challenge" must do five activities in two regions
of Oregon, such as exploring the Hood River Valley in the shadow of Mt. Hood. 
Photo: Stephanie Jolly

In celebration of Oregon's 150 years of state-hood, Travel Oregon has launched a special promotion designed to stimulate spring and summer travel by encouraging locals to "rediscover" Oregon as a destination. 

As part of the "Take the Oregon 150 Challenge," visitors to Oregon during the sesquicentennnial are called upon to prove their love for the Beaver State by experiencing trips across five categories (Events, Outdoors, Food/Drink, Attractions and You Pick) and prove their have experienced all five categories by uploading a photo or documenting their travels with a  brief summary in writing.   Travelers completing the challenge will receive an official certificate and email from the governor congragulating them on their work and declaring them a "certified Oregonian". 

Participants must travel to at least two regions in the state, divided into:

• Portland Metro
• Willamette Valley
• Oregon Coast
• Southern Oregon
• Mt. Hood/Columbia River Gorge
• Central Oregon
• Eastern Oregon

Create a user account and log-into the Oregon 150 Challenge website.  Use the trip planner to plan a dream trip, or pull up oe of several pre-made itineraries.  Print off directions and head out to explore the great wonders of Oregon's outdoor splendor and local communities.  After you've finished your trip, log back in and "Prove It!" with a photo, paragraph of your experience or an online "pinky swear."

Sample activities include walking through the International Rose Test Garden in Portland, beach combing at Ecola State Park on the Oregon Coast, touring the Tilamook Cheese Visitors Center or attending the Pendleton Round-Up rodeo event on the eastern side of the state.

Successful competetors are also entered to win one of seven Grand Oregon Tours, one in each region of the state ranging from two to seven nights.  Among the prizes awarded in the Grand Oregon Tours include lodging and spa packages at the Avalon Hotel and Spa downtown Portland, a half-day naturalist excursion with Wavecrest Discoveries while exploring all 363 miles of coastline or fly-fishing and wine tours near Klamath Falls.  The contest runs through September 30, 2009.

I've already completed a few tasks this spring, having gone wine tasting at King Estate Winery in the Willamette Valley and hiking along the six-mile Wahkeena Loop Trail near Multnomah Falls.  What's your favorite Oregon excursion?

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