OTE - Oregon Travel Experience

What is this project about?

Oregon’s Grove of the States is located at the French Prairie Rest Area (southbound I-5 at Milepost 281), near Wilsonville. The Grove is believed to be the oldest arboretum of state trees in the US and was originally a collection of trees from 53 US states and territories. The concept for the Grove was conceived and implemented by former Oregon Attorney General Robert Thornton in the mid-1960s as a way …

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Oregon’s Grove of the States enters active restoration phase

On November 11, 2016, a team of two dozen highly skilled volunteer arborists from four local companies sponsored a work day in Oregon’s Grove of the States to prepare the site for the next phase of its restoration.
Located at the southbound I-5 French Prairie Rest Area (at Milepost 281 near Wilsonville) the Grove is believed to be the oldest public arboretum of state …

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Learn what’s possible and what’s not

Oregon’s public rest area system has a lengthy history of welcoming travelers and providing safe clean facilities for motorists to refresh. At OTE managed rest areas, dedicated employees provide a range of services. From helping families find lost keys and pets to ensuring that the grounds are free from obstructions and hazards, our specialists are present during peak travel hours, seven days per week and …

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As the weather improves, Oregonians turn their thoughts towards outdoor activities. Many of these prospective vacationers will plan road trips far in advance—performing online research and outlining the perfect route to their chosen destinations. They’ll schedule stopping points for meals and driving breaks, and collect travel brochures and other tourism publications that invite them to explore nearby points of interest.
Many Americans  will take to the open highway this season during …

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Gear up for fun on Oregon roadways

We thought it might be easier to plan your Oregon road-trip if you know what our most common rest area amenities are and what to look for when you stop. You’ll find all that information and more, including traffic updates, below.

Amenities

Among some of the more unusual features at Oregon rest areas to be found are:

Horse corrals On your way to Idaho in search of  famous …

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The Lee Oak Heritage Tree in Canby, Oregon, was celebrated on April 8, 2016. A crowd of about 60 people attended, including four generations descended from Philander and Anna Lee, who planted the tree some 146 years ago.
Canby Mayor Brian Hodson, OTIC/OTE Executive Director Nancy DeSouza, Chair Carol Palmer of the Canby Historic Review Board, and members of the Oregon Heritage Tree Committee gave presentations.
As the 68th tree to be …

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Oregon Travel Experience (OTE) and the Oregon Heritage Tree Committee are pleased to announce the 2016 winner of the Maynard Drawson Memorial Award. Catherine Mushel, of Portland, Oregon, will receive the award during Portland’s Arbor Day celebration on Saturday, April 30, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. The public is invited to attend the presentation at the South Park Blocks arbor-event stage.

Canby’s Lee Oak Tree honored

Oregon’s Heritage Tree Program inducted the Canby ‘Lee Oak Tree,’ a 146-year old specimen of Oregon botanical history as part of its Class of 2016. Finding the tree is easy—it’s located at 777 NE 4th Avenue, between Package Containers Inc., and the Clackamas County Fairgrounds.
*Enlarge the invitation by clicking on the image.

About the Lee Oak Tree

Philander Lee
The Lee Oak Tree belongs to the species Quercus garryana …

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2016 Deep Roots

Dive into Oregon history and heritage—with Oregon Travel Experience’s latest publication, Deep Roots. The annual publication is available free of charge to the public, as long as supplies last.
Deep Roots provides snapshots of Oregon history, culture, and heritage—introducing the reader to a variety of events, people, and geographical wonders. The eight-page print version is produced in black and white, and is styled after an antique newspaper. An online …

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