CLICK HERE FOR A MAP OF HOOD RIVER

This, the sixth annual gathering of the Stone Foundation, is shaping up to be the best one yet – and that’s saying something.

Please make an effort to be at the conference room downstairs in the HOOD RIVER HOTEL, 102 Oak Street in downtown Hood River between 6:00 and 10:00 PM, Thursday, September 28 to register and socialize. Besides being a pleasant occasion, this will make it possible for the presentations to commence promptly on Friday morning.

There is much of interest to see and do in Portland.  First-time visitors may consider scheduling a day or two to explore the city and the region.  Small groups may form to do this following the Symposium.

For the registration form, CLICK HERE.
To request additional information email: tomas@stonefoundation.org


TRANSPORTATION


AIR: Plan  to arrive at Portland International Airport (PDX).  Car Rental and Ground Transportation Information  is available at http://www.portofportland.com/PDX_home.aspx

CAR: All major car rental firms are represented at PDX.  Hood River is 55 miles east of  Portland on I-84, exits 62 -64. The Gorge region can  be reached via I-84 in Oregon and Highway 14 in Washington,  both of which are easily accessed via I-5 and Highway 97. Driving by car also allows the option to detour on the  Columbia River  Historic Highway from Troutdale to Ainsworth and Mosier  to The Dalles. This scenic route passes a series of waterfalls,  including Oregon's largest, Multnomah Falls. Rental cars  and limited local bus and taxi services are available in Hood River.

SHUTTLE SERVICE:
To those not wishing to rent a car we recommend the AMTRAK option described below, or taking a shuttle.  There are more than a few shuttle companies. We recommend Wings Shuttle Service, 503-330-5040.  Transportation to any Hood River address costs $85 for one passenger, and $10 for each additional passenger, so this could be quite economical.  Wings personnel will make an effort to locate Stonework Symposium folks and guide them to the shuttle.  Email them with details of your arrival at wingsshuttle@aol.com.

TRAIN:
Portland, OR to Bingen, WA & return:   Round  trip fares start as low as $20.
It's  an easy, scenic train ride from Portland to Bingen along the Columbia  River Gorge. Bingen is just across the bridge over the Columbia River from the town of Hood River and shuttle service will be arranged  there from the Amtrak station.  This is an interesting alternative mode of travel for those arriving by plane or train  who do not wish to rent a car.

AMTRAK Daily Schedule:
Leaves  Portland 4:45pm, arrives in Bingen 6:21pm. 
Leaves Bingen  8:04am, arrives in Portland 10:10am.

To get from PDX to Union (AMTRAK) Station, take the Blue Star Shuttle  (second concrete island across from the baggage claim area.) Price:  $14.  Departures:  Every half hour.  Duration: about 30 minutes.   (Those  arriving at PDX in the morning of Sept 28 will be able to spend  time in Portland before catching the train to Bingen.)

Seattle-to-Portland: Amtrak  Daily Schedule:
Trains leave Seattle at 7:30am, 11:20am,  2:20pm, and 5:25pm.
Portland  to Seattle trains leave at 12:15pm, 3:55pm, 6:20pm and 9:45pm.)

One-way fares start at $26 (and top out at $42.)

www.amtrak.com   800-872-7245

BUS: Greyhound buses, 4 eastbound and 4 westbound each day, stop in Hood River. www.greyhound.com

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

Hood River is a small town with a lively historic downtown. A large variety of restaurants, pubs, delis, shops, parks, and museums are all within walking distance from one another. The following lodging choices are all within 3 miles of historic Hood River Hotel where the STONEWORK SYMPOSIUM will take place. Please mention THE STONEWORK SYMPOSIUM when making your reservations.

The Hood River Hotel (Host Hotel)
Rooms starting at $69/night + tax
Phone toll free 800.386.1859 or 541.386.1900
102 Oak Street, Hood River, OR
www.HoodRiverHotel.com


UPDATE: The block of rooms at the Hood River Hotel, the Symposium venue available at a discounted rate was quickly filled.  Even rooms at the normal rate are taken.  We recommend the Best Western Hood River Inn, or the more affordable Vagabond Lodge or Riverview Lodge. The latter place is nearest the Symposium venue.  For the tightly budgeted Symposiumite, the Hostel across the river in Bingen WA has rooms and dorm space.

Vagabond Lodge, 4070 Westcliff Dr. Hood River, OR 877.386.2992 or 541.386.2992
 Rooms start at $49.00/night + tax 
www.vagabondlodge.com

Hood River Inn (Best Western) 1108 E. Marina Way, Hood River, OR.  800.828.7873, 541.386.2200
$97 single, $106 double.
www.hoodriverinn.com

Lone Pine Motel, 2429 Cascade Ave. Hood River. 541-387-8882
$30 - $75.  (plus some three and four bed suites)

Comfort Suites, 2625 Cascade Avenue, Hood River. 541-308-1000
$75-$110

Riverview Lodge, 1505 Oak Ave., Hood River.  541-386-8719
$75 (plus some three and four bed suites)
www.riverviewforyou.com

Columbia Gorge Hotel, 4000 Westcliff Dr., Hood River  541-386-5566
Room rates start at $150
www.columbiagorgehotel.com

I stayed at the Hood River Hotel, the Symposium venue; it’s conveniently located, comfortable rooms, good breakfasts.  I visited -and liked- the Hood River Inn; it’s right on the river, modern, quite nice, a fifteen minute walk from the center of town.  The two places on Westcliff Drive are on the bluff directly overlooking the river on the other side of the Interstate from (and a bit west of) town; a car would be a necessity for folks staying there.  The Columbia Gorge Hotel is, as the price indicates, somewhat of a luxury, vintage swank (Rudolph Valentino stayed there) the grounds are remarkable though - stone bridges, etc.- and are worth visiting.  The Lone Pine and the Riverview seem to be modest but adequate lodging places - but I didn’t check out the rooms.

New Info:  I've just learned of this hostel in Bingen, WA, only a few miles from Hood River and easily reached by train from Portland. (see TRANSPORTATION  information.).We will be reserving one of the dormitories; 12 beds for the financially challenged.

Those wishing to share a room, and the cost of the room, in a hotel, motel or the hostel with another Symposium attendee should email me (tomas@stonefoundation.org) and I'll try to match you up with someone. 

 The Columbia River Gorge Hostel. P.O. Box 155 · Bingen, WA 98605 (509) 493-3363
Email: info@bingenschool.com  Website: www.bingenschool.com
from $19 (dormitory beds) to $40 (private rooms)

CAMPING

Toll Bridge Park, Hwy 35, Parkdale, OR Phone 541.352.5522
This is a Hood River County Park located 17 miles south of Hood River. Camping fees: Full service sites $15, tent sites $13. Reservations are accepted. Electricity and grill can be reserved.

Sherwood Campground, 541.352.6002
Camping fees: $10 per day (First come, first served, no reservations accepted)
14 sites in a U.S. Forest Service campground on the west bank of the Hood River. 10.5 miles from Hood River on Hwy 35 toward Mt Hood. Stream fishing, hiking (close to Tamanawas Falls trail) Handicap facilities, drinking water, picnic sites. Trailers limited to 16'.


Hope this helps.  I look forward to seeing you in September.

Tomas Lipps