Travel demand is on the rebound this summer, and in a big way for the domestic travel market. Americans are eager to go places again after being on hiatus for over a year due to the pandemic. Last month, we visited the far northeast corner of the continental United States in our Travel Video share series (Acadia National Park in Maine). This month, we’re taking you to the far northwest corner as we explore, from an aerial point of view, one of the country’s most geographically diverse states — Oregon.

Oregon’s western border is formed by the Pacific Ocean, and the seacoast is separated from the rest of the state by the rugged mountains of the coastal range. East of the coastal mountains is the fertile Willamette Valley, stretching from southern Oregon to the Columbia River and bordered on the east by the Cascade Mountains. North and east of the Cascades is the Columbia Plateau, a dramatic, high-desert environment punctuated with mountains and secluded lakes. South and east of the Cascades is the northern end of the Great Basin desert.

Oregon’s main attractions include rugged coastal scenery, outdoor activities, forests, lush waterfalls, river and deep-sea fishing, Portland, clamming, crabbing, white-water rafting, windsurfing, bicycling, nautical exhibits, Crater Lake National Park, historic sites, Mount Hood, the Columbia River Gorge, canoeing, skiing (both downhill and cross-country), hiking and backpacking in the wilderness, covered bridges, wildlife, rock hounding and camping. Sightseeing in Oregon is as near as the closest highway. Oregon is just plain beautiful and it is the perfect destination for travelers who love the outdoors, beautiful craggy scenery, solitude, rural towns and a non-touristy atmosphere.

This month’s Travel Video share, entitled RISE — An Oregon Aerial Journey, is brought to you by Michael Shainblum, a landscape, timelapse and aerial photographer based in San Francisco, California. Mr. Shainblum describes RISE as his first aerial short video which showcases the diverse landscape of Oregon from a new perspective: “As a landscape photograoher/filmmaker, Oregon is a compositional wonderland from the rugged coast to the lush forests. It definitely has something to offer anyone seeking a little bit of adventure.”  The beautiful and mesmerizing soundtrack for this film is a song called Guardian by talented British composer James Everingham.

So, without further ado, turn up the volume a bit, sit back, relax and enjoy RISE! (And when you’re ready to start planning your next big travel adventure, be sure to give our dedicated team of travel professionals the opportunity to RISE to the occasion by serving you!)

The Avant Team