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Known for its Silicon Forest, environmentalism, smart urban planning and yes, being totally laid back in the rain, Oregon is the perfect destination for a summer road trip.

Generations ago, when referring to Oregon, a Governor said "Come visit, but don't stay." Whether you drive in from nearby or fly into Portland and rent a car, it's possible to see the mountains, the desert, and the ocean; the sleek urban and the small towns, the trendy and the Wild West, all within a four-day, three-night road tour of Oregon.

DAY ONE

Morning: After waking up in one of Portland's downtown boutique hotels, throw on some sweats and head out to the nearest local coffee shop – sure to be not more than a block away. Once that first cup of Joe has you ready to sightsee, find the Willamette River where you can walk, jog or bike along the waterfront. Keep an eye out for the Dragon boats preparing for competition or a tugboat gearing up for the day's work. You might even want to amble along the Eastbank Esplanade for a stunning view of the city.

Enjoy breakfast at the Bijou, a café known for its organic ingredients and local seafood, Cadillac Café, where the name indicates the most famous piece of décor, or Milo's, another downtown staple.

Mid-morning: It's time to leave Portland behind and turn your thoughts towards the outdoors. Head up Interstate 84 to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Stop to see the newly renovated Vista House with spectacular views of the Gorge and take a short hike at Multnomah Falls before continuing on to Hood River, the self-proclaimed wind surfing capital of the world.

Lunch: Take Highway 35 to Timberline Lodge. High on the flank of Mt. Hood, this WPA-era lodge provides vistas of an array of snow-capped mountains to the south and provides year-round skiing to both locals and Olympic ski teams.
Afternoon: After lunch, make a beeline for Bend, your first night's destination. As you travel along the interstate, you'll pass through Oregon's high desert region and the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, where the tribe still follows ancient customs in the midst of a modern world.

Evening: Enjoy the downtown area or the newly redeveloped Old Mill District, constructed on the site of an old lumber mill. A visit to Mirror Pond and the Pine Tavern Inn will give a flavor of fast-growing Bend's historic roots. This town is now one of the fastest growing cities in the nation and becoming another sought-after Oregon destination with sunny weather much of the year.

DAY TWO

Morning: Head for one of Oregon's crown jewels, Crater Lake National Park. A two-hour drive will take you through a panorama of ancient volcanic high-mountain peaks. Be sure to cruise Rim Drive to enjoy the full view of the volcano that collapsed to create this infinitely clear, deep lake.

Lunch: Plan on eating at the delicious, recently restored Crater Lake Lodge dining room.

Afternoon: Head down Highway 138 through one of the most awe-inspiring forested drives you'll ever encounter with the Umpqua River tumbling madly along the road nearly the entire way to Roseburg, one of Oregon's oldest lumber towns and still very much a small Oregon town. Try checking in to the Holiday Inn Express with its views of the river for relaxing accommodations.

Evening: Look for McMenamin's Pub, a truly funky Oregon, home-grown business with locations throughout the state in historic venues.

DAY THREE

Morning: It's time for the Oregon Coast. The Pacific Coast Scenic Byway is so spectacular that the entire length of US 101 in Oregon is designated a scenic drive by AAA. The small towns dotting the drive range from fishing towns, to lumber towns to tourist towns of every ilk. Stop at Reedsport, known for its ocean-going fleet of salmon fishing boats at nearby Winchester Bay.

Reedsport is also located in the middle of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area that boasts some of the largest natural sand dunes in the world. Jessie M. Honeyman State Park is one of the best places to see the dunes up close. If you are adventuresome, take a dune buggy ride. There are a variety of outfitters from Reedsport to Florence, but remember, it's all about choices: time spent here is less time spent elsewhere.

Lunch: Sample some of the local food scene as you wind your way along. Moe's Clam Chowder is known up and down the coast. Dungeness crab is a local delicacy as well as local Chinook salmon. An opportunity to try any of these seasonal treasures should not be missed, but Oregon blackberry cobbler in late summer is the best.

Afternoon: From Florence to Lincoln City, the world is your oyster. There are more parks and beaches to visit than you'll possibly have the time or energy for. Some highlights are the Heceta Lighthouse and Beach (Florence), Sea Lion Caves (Florence), the waterfront areas in Newport and Depoe Bay, Devil's Punchbowl State Park(North of Newport) and The Oregon Coast Aquarium (Newport).

Evening: You'll arrive in Lincoln City invigorated by the fresh ocean breezes, but also ready to put your feet up. Treat yourself to a night in one of the Oregon Coast's finest lodgings, Salishan Lodge, and dine at the Side Door Café – frequent entertainment makes it a fun place to hang out.

DAY FOUR

Morning: Your road trip is coming to an end, so take time to fly a kite, walk on the beach or shop in some of the many locally-owned stores.

Lunch: As you head up Highway 18, lunch and wine tasting are in Dundee, the heart of Oregon's Pinot Noir wine country.

Afternoon: Armed with your map, spend the rest of the day visiting and wine tasting at any of the nine local wineries in the area.

Evening: Back in Portland, your world is calling you home. But, before you go, promise yourself that you'll return to explore the other two-thirds of the state. After all, Oregon is the only place where you can snow ski in the morning, water ski in the afternoon and watch the sun set over the ocean at night – year round.

Plus, no matter how much fun you had, the Governor told you that you couldn't stay - you'll just have to settle for visiting again.

Carol White is the co-author of the award-winning book, "Live Your Road Trip Dream" – the ultimate road trip planning guide for extended road trips. Carol and her husband Phil have traveled over 50,000 road miles in the past several years, visiting all forty-eight of the contiguous states and having visited all of the National Parks in those states. They now spend their days helping others to live their dreams. For more road trip itineraries and ideas like the ones here, check out the Whites' book.

If summer makes you long for the open road, check the Travel channel all season for insight from road trip experts in addition to tried and true itineraries for great road trips of your very own.