Via - May/June 2015 - Oregon - (Page 14)

HO T T OP IC DE T OU R Oregon's farm bounty on a single drive Preparing for a perfect road trip T he road trip is a summer ritual, one that combines the thrill of the open highway with the comfort of your own car. A little advance planning can save you money, spare you headaches, and keep you rolling smoothly even when the road gets rough. Consider these suggestions before you pile the gang into the car. Tune 'er up Nothing can spoil a road trip like car trouble. Make sure your ith 21 stops and miles of glorious country driving about 20 miles south of Portland, the Molalla Country Farm Loop invites visitors to experience the breadth of Oregon's agricultural activity. This loop, one of three in the state, starts in Beavercreek, curves south to tiny Molalla, heads north through Woodburn, and then returns to its starting point, with different public activities offered at each farm stop. Rosse Posse Acres is the place to pet a pygmy goat, a wallaby, or a Patagonian cavy (which looks like a stubby-eared rabbit). You can visit Alpacas at Marquam Hill Ranch to meet fuzzy newborns in spring, or purchase yarn, sweaters, and scarves made from cashmere-soft alpaca ﬂeece. At Stoller Farms, gardeners can take home vegetable seedlings and hanging plants, while ﬂower ﬁends may brake for blossoming perennials at Out in the Garden Nursery, also home to display gardens with picnic tables. Feeling hungry after the drive? Head to the historic Clarkes General Store & Eatery in Beavercreek, established in 1925, for pizza, microbrews, and a toast to the season. molallafarmloop.com. -emily grosvenor 14 VIA I MAY+JUNE 2015 Diamond ratings. Prefer paper? Members can pick up maps at no additional cost at AAA branches close to home or on the road. Pack snacks You've refueled the car, but what about the passengers? A carsize cooler stocked with sandwiches, fruit, and drinks will help cut down on expensive, time-consuming pit stops and keep you from ﬁlling up on gas-station junk food. Stay ﬂexible The best road trips aren't just about traveling from point A to point B. Stay open to adventure. Sometimes there's nothing like a detour to remind you that the journey to your destination is half the fun. -josh sens » Let AAA help with your summer adventure. Pick up maps and TourBook guides at a local branch (see AAA.com/locations) and book AAA-approved lodging along your route at AAA.com/hotel. TOP: COURTESY ALPACAS AT MARQUAM HILL RANCH W Just try not to pet Marquam Hill's alpacas. vehicle is in shape for the drive with a visit to a AAA Approved Auto Repair shop. You'll get a complimentary maintenance inspection with any paid service (such as a pretrip oil change). If, despite your preparations, you need a mechanic en route, check AAA.com/repair or the AAA Mobile app (AAA.com/mobile) for one of 8,000 approved shops nationwide. Make a realistic budget Before you hit the road, calculate what you can reasonably afford to spend each day. Restaurant meals and lodging add up quickly, but AAA can help with member discounts on hotels, museums, amusement parks, and more. Find them at AAA.com/discounts. Know your route The TripTik Travel Planner (AAA.com/triptik) lets you map your itinerary and make adjustments on the ﬂy. This handy online tool also helps locate gas stations, points of interest, campgrounds, and electric-vehicle charging pods, as well as hotels and restaurants with http://www.AAA.com/repair http://www.AAA.com/mobile http://www.AAA.com/discounts http://www.AAA.com/triptik http://www.molallafarmloop.com http://www.AAA.com/locations http://www.AAA.com/hotel

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Via - May/June 2015 - Oregon