I would go a different way myself. He is just the other side of Sheridan, and I would take the more direct route through McMinville down 99W. That I-5 freeway route is a good one for the brothers coming from sunny Kalifornia. By the time you get through Salem I do not think it is any faster than 99W from the north though. Here are some places to stay around there:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...hBox&rlz=1I7TSHB&q=motels+in+sheridan,+oregon
As for all the casino madness, it is hard to get away from them in OryGun any more though. They are everywhere. Other stuff near there worth checking out, great wineries, nice parks, good hiking trails, the Oregon coast, and big trees. Some of the oldest and biggest Doug firs are not very far south of there in the Valley of the Giants (600 year old ents). Amity and the surrounding area produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the world. There are lots of wine tasting places along 99W but they all chage for tasting until you get around Amity.
Weather and climate information on Sheridan and Willamina:
The overall climate of Willamina can be considered Mediterranean. This is characteristic of areas with wet and mild winters and warm and dry summers.
Willamina receives an average of 51.45" of precipitation per year based on the Western Regional Climate Center averages from 1971–2000. Willamina's highest annual precipitation was 84.33" in 1996 and the lowest was 32.28" in 1944. Willamina's wettest month was December 1996 with 22.00". Willamina has had 20 months since 1935 in which no precipitation has fallen, the most recent being August 2005.
On average Willamina receives 10.5" of snowfall annually. The highest seasonal snowfall was 73.6" in the winter of 1949-1950 and the lowest has been none on many occasions. Willamina's snowiest month was January 1950 with 68.6".
Ahhh Grasshopper, things are not always as easy as the map may say
If you get off I-5 at 99W It will take to 2+ hours to get here. Could be the same through Salem but very doubtful, but you will have better country to look at and you will be moving. 99W all the way most of your time will be at red lights and plenty of traffic. Dundee, wow you can sit in the mile stretch between Newberg for 45 min sometimes. I drive 99 through Dundee everyday twice.
I was thinking of the easiest path for the lost to follow.
Casinos are an evil we wil deal with in this state from now till the end of time. I live 10 min from the most popular and have never been in there on my own time. Only durring work.
One of our favorite hikes is Drift creek falls, easy ground, cool wooden suspension bridge and a fairly unique falls at the end. If you have time I would recomend that one, especially if you are going to stay in Lincoln City the cutoff road is about half way inbetween here and there.
Valley of the giants can be a spectacular site, some of the biggest trees next to the redwoods. Very good chance however that the access will be blocked by weather related problems.
Wine. This country has wineries like no other place on the panet(really). I help hook up the power to them but that is as far as I go. We have some of the best wines in the world in a 40 mile radius of the house.
The weather report you found, all I can give that is a great big raspberry. Forcast for May, Wind, Rain, Snow, Sleet, Hail, Fog, Sun. Flip a coin it could be one or the other or all inside to 20 min.
Mediterranean, my back side.
All will have a great time though. Mix exhaust, bar oil, grease, saw chip all mixed together and damp, ahh, what could be better.
