OREGON

Whitewater and brew

Sample Oregon's natural and man-made thrills on Rogue Wilderness Adventures' "Paddles and Pints" trip down the Rogue River Canyon. The whitewater-rafting trip ends each day with beer tasting and a meal hosted by a brew master.

Dates: Aug. 28 to 30

Price: From $899 per person, including rafting, meals and beer, guides, necessary equipment and transportation.

Contact: Rogue Wilderness Adventures, Merlin, Ore.; (800) 336-1647, www.wildrogue.com/rogue-whitewater-rafting-trips.htm

"Where to go for a real (cell phone-free) escape. 226 miles from Portland... Oregon's Rogue River Rogue Wilderness Adventures offers multiday trips down the river (with class IV rapids in some areas), including a three day paddle that combines the best of both worlds: camping one night, then sleeping in a river access only lodge the next. Roughing it never felt so good. From $869 for three days, reservations required www.wildrogue.com." ....

by Lisa Rogak

Welcome to wine camp! In the last few years, a variety of programs, both one-day and sleep-away, have sprung up, for wine lovers looking to immerse themselves in the winemaking process. Despite the “Camp Granada” connotations associated with many childhood summer experiences, few wine campers end up roughing it. In many cases, participants stay in luxurious inns and hotels—where vineyard work boots are clearly not part of the dress code—and are treated to at least one multi-course meal. While some are scheduled throughout the year, it’s best to attend in spring and/or during the fall harvest to get firsthand experience helping out in the vineyard and blending room.

Here are five to consider ....

An empty highway, a beat-up atlas, and no reservations—now that sounds like a road trip. To get you out the door and rolling this summer, we scoured the country for those lost stretches of blacktop where you can still find real adventure.

Bear Camp Road, Oregon
80 miles
It's a rare road that traces a Class IV river, passes through 4,000-foot peaks, and ends at the Pacific. Which is why we love this 80-mile, one-lane, gravel-and-pavement affair through the heart of the Siskiyou National Forest. The route from the one-store village of Galice—start of multi-day Rogue River float trips—to Gold Beach puts you on the edge of pine-lined ridges before dropping you into the confluence of the lllinois and the Rogue. Four-wheel drive isn't necessary, but sturdy tires are—old rockslides near Galice Creek and dozens of blind corners mean you'll want to stick to the middle of th ....

by Allison Wellner

Whitewater rafting while drinking is probably not such a terrific idea, but if you love rafting and beer, here's a smart way to combine the two. Oregon's Rogue Wilderness is offering a Paddles & Pints weekend on August 28th to the 30th. Raft the Rogue River by day, and in the evening, camp out and enjoy a beer tasting and lecture with Oregon brew master Mark Vickery, head brewer at Golden Valley Brewery in McMinnville, Oregon. (Which happens to also be in the heart of very fine wine country.) On the first night, the focus will be on Northwest and Indian p ....

by Lisa Rogak

Whether you call it a mancation or man-tripping, buddy vacations and trips that aren’t stag parties have been gaining some traction in recent years both as the flip side of girlfriend getaways and as travel grows increasingly niche-y.

James Hills runs ManTripping.com, and says that his goal is to promote existing packages while also getting the word out about cool ideas that guys of all stripes will enjoy.

Truth be told, I personally prefer a mancation to any girly-girl pedicure party, and the more adrenaline the better.  Here are a few at the top of my list:

Oregon: The Paddles and Pints Package — say that three times fast — from veteran rafting company

"Duct tape. Aleve. Bandages. Insect repellent. Sunscreen. An extra water bottle. Antibiotics. Batteries. Windbreaker/poncho. Plastic bags. And a medical kit. I could take out your appendix, if needed," says the retired psychiatrist, only half in jest.

But what's more impressive is what Chesluk and six companions aren't packing on this four-day hike into one of America's most serene and remote wilderness areas. Absent are cook stoves and pots, sleeping bags and pads, tents and ground covers and any sustenance beyond a few energy bars. By day, they're enjoying an unburdened walk in the woods, relishing riverside lunch ....

Here are five places where the rivers are wild and scenic.

1Rogue River, Oregon. The Rogue is famous for its beautiful scenery and exciting white water. Take on a 34-mile stretch of rapids and encounter Blossom Bar Rapid and Mule Creek Canyon, two world-famous Class IV rapids. Camp under the stars or stay in historic lodges with hot showers and comfortable beds. Hike and fish in the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Contact: 1-800-336-1647; www.wildrogue.com/oregon- family-vacations.htm

Lynn O'Rourke Hayes is editor of FamilyTravel.com.