Bend Oregon Bed and Breakfast

Dessert for Breakfast - Blueberry Buckle Coffee Cake

Monday, July 19, 2010 by Mary Pellegrini

The Innkeepers of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild use the freshest, locally grown ingredients when preparing breakfast for our guests. Berries are big in Oregon and during July the Oregon farmer harvests the Blueberry. The Blueberry Buckle Coffee Cake3

The Blueberry Buckle Coffee Cake is so easy and is always a favorite summer culinary treat at the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast. This great crumb-topping coffee cake recipe comes to me via the Hood River County Fruit Loop Cook Book and Nelson's Blueberry Farm where we pick up our supply of the dark blue berries high in anti-oxidants and other micro-nutrients. The Buckle is a great crumb-topping coffee cake, light, moist, and filled with blueberries. We serve this hot with tangy yogurt and fresh blueberries for an authentic Northwest Culinary Treat.

Have you ever wondered why this dessert is called a "Buckle"? "Buckle" is defined as to "bend, warp, bulge, or collapse" which is exactly what happens to a blueberry buckle as it bakes. That is because during the baking of this coffee cake the baking powder in the cake causes the buckle to rise. But with all those fresh Oregon blueberries and crunchy streusel on top of the cake batter, the cake rises, unevenly, thereby giving it that "buckled" look.

Blueberry Buckle

3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup shortening
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cup flour
2 teas. baking powder
1//2 teas. salt
1/2 teas. nutmeg
1/4 teas. cloves
1 1/2 cup fresh blueberries

Topping
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/2 teas. cinnamon
1/4 cup soft butter or margarine

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut shortening into sugar. Add eggs and milk and blend well. Add dry ingredients then gentle fold in blueberries. Pour into greased 9 inch square baking dish. Combine topping ingredients and crumble over batter. Bake 40-45 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Serves 8

Covered with Charm ~ The Historic Bridges of Oregon

Sunday, July 18, 2010 by Mary Pellegrini

Oregon has the largest collection of covered bridges in the western part of the United States, with over 50 covered spans. Because of the easy availability of forest resources most of the early bridges in the state were timber structures. These timber bridges were often covered to protect them from the weather. Now, the remaining examples of this obsolete bridge construction technology, generally located in pastoral rural settings, provide one of the most significant tourist attractions in the state.

The heyday of covered bridge building in Oregon occurred betweek 1905 and 1925 when there wer an estimated 450 covered bridges in the state. By 1977, this number had dwindled to 56. In 1990, the Oregon Department of Transportation worked with the Oregon Legislature to create the first comprehensive covered bridge preservation program to protect these scenic relics of our past. An online PDF version of the new Covered Bridges information and maps can be accessed here.

All but one of these historic bridges can be found west of the Cascade Range. The Swalley Canal, Rock O' The Range, Covered Bridge is just north of Bend. The others can be found in the Willamette Valley and west toward the Oregon Coast near many inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild. Plan our next authentic Geotourism adventure along the backroads of Oregon.

Live Your Cowboy Dreams at a Central Oregon Dude Ranch

Thursday, April 22, 2010 by Mary Pellegrini

Looking for a dude ranch vacation?  Look no further.  These working cattle ranches, members of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild, provide horseback vacations, cattle drives, and fly fishing vacations.   After a day in the saddle the friendly ranch style atmosphere, the cozy guest rooms and home cooked meals will satisfy and refresh hungry, tired guests.

Howdy! Welcome to the Long Hollow Ranch
Long Hollow Ranch is a guest ranch with good old fashion values. The newly remodeled 100-year old ranch house welcomes you to historic Central Oregon. Explore the ranch on horseback or hike the bordering high desert rimrock. Fish to your heart's content in the ranch reservoirs or spend a relaxing afternoon reading on the veranda, pitching horseshoes in the yard by the campfire or practicing your roping skills

Long Hollow Ranch is located in the heart of one of the Northwest's most scenic recreation areas, just a stones throw from Bend, Oregon.  Golf courses manicured to perfection abound, whitewater rafting awaits the adventurous. Roaming the antique and quilt stores of Sisters, a true town from the Old West just minutes away, revives the spirit.

Welcome, Partner, to Wilson Ranches Retreat
Your hosts, Phil and Nancy Wilson, are fifth generation Oregonians, whose families homesteaded in Wheeler and Gilliam Counties over 100 years ago.  A 9,000 acre working cattle and dude ranch takes you off the beaten track to a rustic hideout, located in the beautiful Butte Creek Valley three miles West of Fossil, Oregon off Highway 19. This incredible, secluded scenic Oregon Lodging Ranch with spectacular sunsets and brilliant star-studded nights will captivate you. The Wilson's and the Ranch are featured in the current online Travel Oregon publication.

Enjoy horseback riding in a geologically and historically rich area with a magnificent view of the Cascade Mountain Range or a quiet hike to view the wildlife and diverse flora and fauna on Wilson Ranches Dude Ranch. Wheeler County is home of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and has the richest find of prehistoric fossils in the world.

What are you waiting for?
Work with ranch hands on authentic ranch activities from fixing fence to moving irrigation to working with cattle.  These ranch adventures of a lifetime are just a click away and will take you on the ultimate Oregon Geotourism adventure.

Live Your Cowboy Dreams at an Oregon Bed and Breakfast

Wednesday, April 21, 2010 by Mary Pellegrini

You Were Right Jimmie...the creme brule' french toast was delish!

Sunday, February 21, 2010 by Debbie Lusk

Three days, a daughter and her boyfriend, an inn, snow, hiking trails, shopping and four very well-fed people. That's pretty much our last few days in a nutshell.

Talk about a quick trip! Our daughter and her boyfriend had read a few of our blogs. Tired of just reading about Oregon, they were determined to do a little exploring for themselves. In doing so, I realized that four people with determination, drive, a taste for adventure and delightful dining options should grab hold and enjoy the ride...even if we've only got a few days. So, we did!

We really only planned one day and that was going to be spent snowmobiling near Mt. Bachelor. So, how to spend the rest of the time our visitor's were here only took a few seconds to figure out. Leaving PDX...our first stop...a true Portland culinary experience...Voodoo Doughnuts! Cap'n Crunch doughnuts, Grape Powder doughnuts, Voodoo Doll doughnuts, M&M doughnuts and a few others made it back to Albany.

Our next full day was filled with adventure as we decided to show our guests the OSU College Forest Trails near Corvallis. Hiking for a short time, we came across an "Old Growth Trail" that if you have never been on before you really must experience it. We had been on this trail once before in the fall and when you are hiking on it, you feel like you are on a movie set involving fairies, gnomes and some kind of spectacular magic. The moss hanging off old spirited trees, emerald ferns, rocks, streams and bridges all throughout this trail make for some of the most awesome sights. We never knew green had so many shades. Dinner at our new fav in downtown Albany, Vault 244, as usual made for the perfect Oregon culinary experience and my Rosemary Lime Cooler was tasty too! Time to check in for the night for the snow awaited us the next day!

Ever drove hwy 20? Well, if you haven't, you must! It is absolutely the most beautiful hwy I

have ever seen. Again, so many shades of green with the forest everywhere and no surprise this scenic route is called, "Over The Rivers and Through The Woods." And so we did go over the river and got through the woods and made it all the way to Mt. Bachelor near Bend, Oregon. Our second time snowmobiling, our first time sharing it with our family and now we are hooked! The faster the better and the weather?...thee most perfectly sunny day up there on the hill! I'm ready to go again!

If you are sitting there reading this blog wondering what in the heck the title has to do with anything, well...I will explain. Several months ago, I happened upon "Word of Mouth Bistro" in Salem, OR. I was immediately in love with this quaint Northwest Culinary experience. I love finding these kinds of places to share with my friends and guests so I did just that. Our friend Jimmie then took his wife to breakfast to "Word of Mouth" and then proceeded to tell me about the Creme Brule' French Toast. We finally got there this morning on our way back to PDX. And...oh my gosh!...to die for...literally! Cream filled bread, soaked in something...who knows what and then brule'd or whatever it is they do. Crispy, crunchy and sweet goodness on the outside and soft and so very tasty on the inside...yum! So, Jimmie...you were right...it was delish!

So, if you are reading this blog and are wondering what to do in Oregon in only a few days, check out one our Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member inns. Innkeepers know all the best places for fun in Oregon and can certainly treat you to a trip to remember!

A very cheesy post from your favorite lodging in Oregon (bed and breakfast, that is)

Sunday, January 24, 2010 by Heather Tyreman

Sometimes I just can't help myself when I find something amusing on the internet. Who doesn't like Tillamook cheese? It's hard not to enjoy something so uniquely Oregon. You'll find Tillamook cheese in use from our Astoria Oregon bed and breakfast inns to the Bend Oregon bed and breakfast inns and even all the way to the Prospect Historic Hotel (our Crater Lake lodging member).

So here's the new video from Tillamook Cheese as they take their Loaf Love Tour. The website's entertaining too, but the videos (one of the loaf tour, one of the making of the Baby Loaf VW buses) are fun too. You'll find them both on the website. Here's one:

Culinary tourism is the new buzz word and our Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild member inns are embarking on our own message, letting our guests know that when you stay with us, you're going to have a very local food experience. And Oregon-made Tillamook cheese is part of that experience!

"Loaf thy neighbor" and tell that someone special "I loaf you" and while you're at it, check out some of our bed and breakfast lodging in Oregon. We'll loaf you too!

A Mt. Hood Bed and Breakfast In The Winter!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010 by Debbie Lusk

Isn't this a gorgeous picture? We took this on our way home from the Hood River Valley a few days ago. What a treat for us to stay in a few Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild inns near Mt. Hood.

After a few days near Bend for snowmobiling and relaxing, we headed north toward Mt. Hood. Reservations at a few inns in that region gave us the opportunity to continue relaxing and get a bit spoiled. Mary at The Old Parkdale Inn in Parkdale, Oregon as always, made us feel welcome, warm and relaxed. Breaking out the "good stuff" for my husband, he totally enjoyed The Old Parkdale Inn's front porch while he enjoyed his guilty pleasures. And, for me...well staying in and reading a good book made for the perfect evening.

A delicious breakfast and we were off a whole two miles up the road to the Mt. Hood Hamlet. Paul and Diane have been innkeepers for some time now and have mastered the menu in the kitchen. Oatmeal souffle for breakfast and we were in heaven. The old barn out the window, the snow, the birds, the huge gorgeous guest room and the company made our second night in the region the perfect ending to our little get-a-way!

Not wanting to leave the area just yet, we decided to "play" on our way home. I had wanted to show Ray where Sakura Ridge Bed and Breakfast was. I had been a dinner guest there a few months ago. What a perfect location for a Mt. Hood Bed and Breakfast! Almost every guest room had a view of Mt. Hood and the hills and gardens surrounding make for the perfect peaceful stay. Organic farming, fresh and local faire added so much to our delicious culinary experience when I visited last October.

Expecting more snow and colder weather very soon, the Mt. Hood region is not only a great place to "play," but it is also a great place to "stay!" Warm inn's, even warmer innkeepers and lovely cuisine all makes for a perfect Mt. Hood Bed and Breakfast get-a-way!

I Resolve To Learn More About Oregon Brewed Beer!

Monday, December 28, 2009 by Debbie Lusk

Don't you just love this time of year? An end of another year and the beginning of "new" beginnings, resolutions and promises we make to ourselves and others. Well...in 2010 I resolve to learn more about where I live. I resolve to learn more about Oregon, to learn more about why people flock here for the food and drink but most of all, I resolve to taste and learn all that I can about the beer brewed here in Oregon and why it is famous all over the world! I think this is a resolution I can keep!

Beer made here in Oregon has been a draw for visitors all over the world for years. Breweries, micro breweries and even the home brewer have succeeded in making the Pacific Northwest thee place to go for really good beer. It also helps that this area of the country is where the most and best hops are grown to be used in making that "really good beer!"

This hop growing region, hasn't always produced hops. German beer makers used hops grown in Germany for centuries with an introduction to the United States around 1629. Believe it or not, Wisconsin was the major producer of hops for a short time with New York in the lead for a while too. However, today, Washington and Oregon are the leaders in hop production for the entire country. The soil, Pacific Northwest weather and our love of beer I am most sure, makes this area of the country and maybe even the world famous for it's "hop growing" capabilities!

Where to go to get the best beer in Oregon??? Well, recently Travel Oregon asked their fans on Facebook to list at least five breweries where they find their favorite beers. It was interesting to see where their fans have been to taste and enjoy beer. I have to say that most of the breweries were in or near Portland! Is that surprising?...not really since Portland is Oregon's beer capital.

So, it kind of looks like maybe I am on my way to learning all about Oregon brewed beer. I think a little tasting trip may be on the agenda as well. That's what is great about Oregon! Whether you live here or you are a visitor staying at a Portland Oregon Bed and Breakfast or an inn around Ashland, wherever you go, a good Oregon brew isn't far away! We would love to hear where in Oregon you have found your "favorite" brew.

Side note: The tour at Deschutes Brewery in Bend is awesome and my favorite part of the tour...well seeing the hop storage room of course but the beer tasting while touring the brewery...that was pretty cool too! So, what is your resolution for 2010? Learning more about Oregon? Learning more about what makes us the place to go for the best in food and drink? Not too shabby and a resolution worth keeping!

Ski Oregon and Stay at an Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild

Wednesday, December 16, 2009 by Mary Pellegrini

Oregon offers unparalleled opportunities for outdoor winter recreation and ski conditions have set records this year. Whether you are a skier, snowboarder, or looking for back-country trails for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, Oregon has it all. And after your day's adventure, get pampered at a member inn of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.

Central and Eastern Oregon Bed and Breakfasts

Mt. Bachelor, one of the Pacific Northwest’s largest ski areas. Only 20 minutes form Bend, Mt. Bachelor offers world class skiing and snowboarding from November through May.

Ferguson Ridge is a community owned ski area located just 9 miles outside Joseph, Oregon. Operated by the Eagle Cap Ski Club, Ferguson Ridge Ski Patrol, and the Enterprise-Joseph Lions Club, it's completely run on heart-volunteers who want a community place to gather and play

Willamette Valley Bed and Breakfasts

From the Willamette Valley, the Willamette Pass Resort on Highway 58 offers big mountain skiing to a variety of skill levels. Seven lifts including the states only high-speed six passenger lift will take you to 360 degrees of alpine adventure.

Mt Hood Bed and Breakfasts

Many of the bed and breakfasts in the Mt Hood region have partnered with Mt Hood Meadows and offer $39 lift tickets good for open-close skiing at the resort with your stay.

Mt. Hood's ski resorts provide downhill skiing and snowboarding, hiking, and cross country skiing. Mt Hood Meadows is the largest ski resort on Mt. Hood! Enjoy 2150 acres of terrain with high speed express service with 5 high speed quads. Twelve chairlifts total and Snowcat access the greatest variety of terrain in the state of Oregon. Experts will revel in back-country skiing at Heather Canyon.

Timberline Ski Resort is the only ski area in North America that's open 12 months of the year with up to 3,590 vertical feet.

Southern Oregon Bed and Breakfasts

From Mt. Ashland’s 7,533-foot summit, skiers and snowboarders ride a drop of 1,150 vertical feet. There is a remarkable terrain park, and the four chairlifts provide access to 23 trails as well as to open bowl skiing.

In Crater Lake National Park cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular. There are nine different skiing trails available, ranging in difficulty.

These are but a few of your Oregon winter sport options. Many inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild are within minutes of world class outdoor adventures. And Oregon ski areas are setting records with snow fall so far this season. Mt Hood alone got over 10 inches last night and are expecting more today. Begin planning your Winter Ski Trip today

Riffs on an Oatmeal Cookie (with a nod to Quaker Oats)

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 by Heather Tyreman

Oatmeal Cookies at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast

Every now and then a bed and breakfast guest is amazed at something we innkeepers take for granted, like fresh oatmeal cookies. If you check into a Bend Oregon Bed and Breakfast, or a Portland Oregon Bed and Breakast, or just about any Bed and Breakfast in Oregon, you're likely to find some version of a bottomless cookie jar.

Here's a riff on an oatmeal cookie, starting with the classic "Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies" recipe found on most every container of Quaker Oats.

At the Bronze Antler B&B, we usually double cookie recipes, drop the cookie dough by tablespoonful on a parchment lined cookie sheet and freeze them solid. Then we transfer them into a freezer bag and hold them in the freezer until guests are arriving. There's nothing like the smell of freshly baked cookies greeting new guests during afternoon check-in time!

Bronze Antler Riff on an Oatmeal Cookie, with a nod to Quaker Oats
Makes about 8 dozen (plenty to freeze)

Ingredients:
4 sticks room temperature butter (2 cups total)
2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup granulated white sugar
4 large eggs, cracked in a bowl, at room temperature
2 teaspoons almond extract (or try orange extract for a different flavor)
3 cups (405 grams) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup dried sweetened cranberries
1 cup dried sliced almonds
6 cups uncooked oatmeal cereal (Quaker Oats is best)

Method:
1. In a standing mixer, cream butter and sugars until thoroughly combined, about 5 minutes.
2. Add eggs and extract. Beat well and scrape down sides as needed.
3. Whisk or sift together flour, salt, soda and cinnamon. Add to wet mixture on lower speed and mix until combined.
4. Add almonds and cranberries and mix. Gradually mix in oatmeal, ensuring that it is fully incorporated into the mixture but not overbeaten.
5. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto a parchment (or wax paper) lined baking sheet. The cookies can be touching each other because they're going to be frozen.
6. Freeze formed dough balls until firm, probably 2-3 hours. Store in zippered plastic storage freezer bag until needed.

Baking:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Remove desired number of dough balls so that balls have at least 2 to 3 inches of space between them for spreading out while baking.
3. Place balls on a parchment lined baking sheet (or an ungreased cookie sheet).
3. Bake on center rack of oven for 13 to 16 minutes. Remove before they are very brown.
4. Transfer to a cooling rack, put them in the dining room, and hope there'll be some left for the cookie jar!

A recent guest at our lodging in Oregon is a busy mother of two young children. She was astounded at our cookies and asked for the recipe. I told her to check the Bronze Antler Bed and Breakfast blog where she can find this recipe and other great cookie recipes. If you type the word "recipe" into the search box at right, you'll find all the bed and breakfast recipes we've posted on the Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild blog.

Enjoy your cookies!

Barrel Aged Brew Festival near a Bend Oregon Bed and Breakfast

Sunday, September 6, 2009 by Mary Pellegrini

All of Central Oregon's microbreweries are participating in this years festival "The Little Woody". Deschutes Brewing, Bend Brewing, Cascade Lakes Brewing, Silver Moon Brewing, McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 10 Barrel Brewing, and Three Creeks Brewing.

The Little Woody Brew Festival in Bend Oregon

The festival will feature hand crafted, wood aged beer as well as one specialty brew from each brewery. The Little Woody is being held on the lawn of the Deschutes Historical Museum in downtown Bend, Saturday, September 12th from 12pm - 10pm. Admission to the event is just $6 and includes a commemorative glass. A tasting package is available for $15 and includes a commemorative glass and tasting tickets. A portion of the event proceeds will benefit the Deschutes Historical Society.

For Bend Oregon lodging contact a member inn of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild:

Blue Spruce Bed and Breakfast ~ Sisters
Long Hollow Ranch ~ Sisters
Cricketwood Country Bed and Breakfast ~ Bend

Annual Historic Tour of Homes and Gardens...It's All Happening In Albany, Oregon

Monday, July 13, 2009 by Debbie Lusk

Victorian Style, Queen Anne. The Train House Inn, Albany, Oregon

July 25th, 2009, Albany, Oregon highlights their valley treasures by opening doors and garden gates to let you into some of the most gorgeous historic homes and gardens in the entire state of Oregon.

Boasting the most varied collection of historic home styles in the state and the most in number as well, come tour the four Nationally Registered Historic Districts that draw

Bungalow in downtown Albany, Oregon. The Pfeiffer Cottage Inn.

photographers, travel writers, history buffs and anyone interested in the vintage bliss these homes exude.

Bring your over-nite bag and plan to spend the night at one of the three bed and breakfasts in Albany. Two of which are located on the edge of historic downtown. Withing walking distance from two of the inns are two new antique shops, several specialty boutiques, coffee houses and of course our many downtown restaurants.

Rare metals capital of the world, located perfectly in the middle of the Willamette Valley and wine country, fields of corn, beans, mint, hazel nuts and grass seed, over 700 historic homes and buildings, who'd a thunk Albany was so full of surprises. Banking on the edge of the Willamette River, Albany is the starting point for birdwatching, bicycling, walking, and of course driving to the coast, Sisters and Bend, Eugene and Portland. With the newly restored train station only a few blocks from downtown, it is an easy walk to step back in time, hop on the train and relax as it takes you to your Oregon destination.

Climbing Pink Heirloom Roses at The Pfeiffer Cottage Inn.

So, no matter why you are coming to Albany and how you are getting here, prepare to be awed and amazed as we are proud to "show off" our many treasures and we hope that you find some vintage bliss in our sweet town.

Central Oregon Musuems Worth Seeing ~ And Quality Bed and Breakfasts Awaiting

Saturday, May 2, 2009 by Mary Pellegrini

High Desert Museum, in Bend, Oregon, is nationally acclaimed and is dedicated to broadening the understanding of the High Desert's wildlife, culture, art and natural resources.

At daily shows and demonstrations, wildlife experts will help you learn about the Museum's more than 100 wildlife creatures -- from porcupines, golden eagles and owls, to bats, lizards, snakes and spiders. In the Birds of Prey Center you will have a rare opportunity to get a close-up look at some of nature's fiercest predators - owls, hawks and eagles.

Kam Wah Chung Museum. in John Day, Oregon, is a must-see for anyone with an interest in Oregon history. This structure was built as a trading post on The Dalles Military Road in the mid-1800's. Chinese businessman Lung On and herbal doctor Ing Hay worked out of this building. Dr. Hay administered care to the Chinese gold-mine workers, pioneers, and others from the John Day area and beyond by using traditional Chinese remedies.

Built to preserve the legacy of the Chinese workforce in Oregon, the museum contains artifacts and displays that share some of the trials of everyday life of these people.

The museum is open seven days a week, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Call (541) 575-2800 or (800) 551-6949 for more information.

The Inn at Juniper Ridge in the heart of Eastern Oregon

In the heart of Eastern Oregon, and the perfect resting place while exploring Eastern Oregon, is the Inn at Juniper Ridge. The Inn sits on a ridge overlooking the Strawberry Mountains. Relax in the tranquility of our thousand acres or, drive to Magone Lake, the John Day Fossil Beds or Kam Wah Chung.

The National History Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Eastern Oregon

They walked for 2,000 miles...men, women, and children by the tens of thousands. The story of this journey comes alive today through the life-size exhibits at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, Baker City. The museum offers living history demonstrations, interpretive programs, exhibits, multi-media presentations, special events, and more than four miles of interpretive trails.

Let the innkeepers of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild share their knowledge of these unique museums and many other natural attractions in the beautiful and vast expanse of Eastern Oregon.

Woodpecker Wonderland near our Bend Oregon Lodging Options

Sunday, April 12, 2009 by Mary Pellegrini

Woodpecker Wonderland in Camp Sherman, near the Bend Oregon Lodging Options of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild

Paradise Birding leads high quality birding programs and this years Woodpecker Wonderland Festival will be no different. Central Oregon with the ponderosa pine forests of the Metolius River Basin and Douglas fir forests just west of Santiam Pass, is home to 11 species of nesting woodpeckers.

The Festival is scheduled for June 5-7, but if you can't make that weekend tours are scheduled through June and the first two weeks of July. The event is loaded with half and full day fields trips, speakers and live music.

Camp Sherman, the site of the Woodpecker Wonderland Festival is only about a half hour from Bend Oregon Lodging options of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.

Join the field trips at the Woodpecker Wonderland to witness the phenomanom of 11 species of nesting woodpeckers

In Sisters, a small town with big appeal, surrounded by beautiful ponderosa pine forests and the Cascade Mountains, the Blue Spruce Bed and Breakfast is just a couple of blocks from downtown where local artists feature their work in the many local shops and galleries, including work in wood, glass, pottery and jewelry.

Just minutes from downtown Sisters, Long Hollow Ranch is in the heart of one of the Northwest's most scenic recreation areas

Nature and beauty abound at Cricketwood Country Bed and Breakfast, just minutes from downtown Bend on a quiet and peaceful 10 acres.

Enjoy the scenic beauty of Central Oregon, the phenomenon of nesting woodpeckers and quality bed and breakfasts of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.

Oregon Covered Bridges...the romance, the history and the ride!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 by Debbie Lusk

Oregon has the most covered bridges in the west and one of the largest collections in the country. Around 1850, the pioneers began building bridges out of the plentiful Douglas fir. They then built houses on them to protect them from the Oregon dampness. There was once hundreds of these covered bridges and now only 51 exist in several counties in Oregon.

From Portland, the Willamette Valley, central and southern Oregon as well as the Coast, covered bridge history is alive and well due to the recognition of these historic sites and the repair and revitalization of the covered bridges.

Activities around the state are actually centered at these bridge sites. The Mid

Willamette Valley Covered Bridge Bicycle Tour

Valley Covered Bridge Bicycle Tour is in August and this event draws hundreds of bicyclists through the bridges with nice easy roads that offer a scenic tour of the country side as well as the covered bridges.

Last year, the Covered Bridge Festival moved to Albany and drew thousands of visitors from all over the world. The history and beauty of these old bridges remains a romantic draw even today. The festival drew several guests to our inn last summer and by bicycle, many of them rode off to see the five covered bridges in Scio and Stayton. Food, entertainment, reenactments and demonstrations are all part of the festival. And, if you just want a nice ride on a comfy bus, you can enjoy your own personal tour with one of original bridge builders as your guide.

We enjoyed the self-guided covered bridge tour when we went in the fall a few years ago. Not only did we enjoy the romantic drive, the bridges with the fall foliage as a backdrop was breath taking. Since then, we have sent many guests on a self guided quest to experience the same.

In Jackson County, Oregon, the McKee bridge near Jacksonville is aptly near the Tou Velle House Bed and Breakfast. An Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild inn, this three story Craftsman style home is nestled in historic Jacksonville, Oregon in the Rogue Valley. It is only 5 miles from Medford and 17 miles from Ashland. This Oregon Bed and Breakfast makes for the perfect base to go exploring by bicycle or auto.

Guest Room at The Oval Door B & B Inn, Oregon Bed & Breakfast

In Lane County, you have 19 covered bridges from Belknap to the Wildcat Creek

Covered Bridge near Oregon Bed & Breakfast

bridges to tour. The Oval Door Bed and Breakfast Inn, offers 6 guest rooms, gourmet breakfasts prepped and served by culinary trained chef/innkeepers. This inn is an Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild inn as well as a newly built farm-style house in the heart of Eugene, Oregon.

In Benton County, you can tour Irish Bend. This covered bridge along with 2 others are close to Corvallis and the Harrison House Bed and Breakfast. This 1930's home offers 5 guest rooms and provides lodging in Oregon that you can write home about. The inn is close to the OSU campus, gourmet restaurants, and downtown Corvallis.

I think it's time to pack your bags, your picnic basket, your bikes, and check in to a Oregon Bed & Breakfast to begin your tour of some of Oregon's most romantic history.

Think you have what it takes to be an Innkeeper? This course is for you!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009 by Heather Tyreman

Want to open a Bend Oregon Bed and Breakfast? Thinking about Crater Lake lodging? Ashland Oregon lodging? If you're serious, then an in-depth bed and breakfast training program might be just what you need. And there's one coming up in the Pacific Northwest very soon. Bed and Breakfast Seminars is a new venture of two Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild innkeepers and endorsed by the Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild.

Guest blogger Diane Emineth tells the story:

Oregon Coast lodging owner Diane Emineth

Two Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild innkeepers, Diane Emineth of Sandlake Country Inn and Debbie Dersham of Eagle Rock Lodge are combining their years of innkeeping and mentoring experience to create the Pacific Northwest's first 3 night/4 day intensive Aspiring Innkeeper Seminar. The first seminar will be at the beautiful Eagle Rock Lodge April 5-8, 2009.

Diane and Debbie saw a real need for an extensive seminar in the Pacific NW. Their desire is to equip aspiring and new Bed and Breakfast owners with the information and tools that they will need in order to have a successful and sustainable Bed and Breakfast. The burnout rate in this industry is very high (7.5 years) and they both feel that if new innkeepers are better informed and prepared, these percentages can decrease

In these unsteady economic times, many people are considering changing careers. Is this a good time to buy a bed and breakfast?

"Yes!" says Rick Newman, Managing Partner of Bed and Breakfast Financing. "It's a great time to buy!" Newman says. "Don't be discouraged by the Doom & Gloom in the media, Inns that can document a profitable history can be financed, even in this market."

It's frightening and exciting all at the same time to change your life and live your dream. Be armed with the knowledge before you buy or start your own B&B. Learn from the experts the pitfalls both financial and personal by experienced innkeepers before you spend your life's savings! They will also share with you some of the amazingly wonderful experiences of interacting with guests and how rewarding a life as an innkeeper can be.

Oregon wedding sites owner Debbie Dersham

From personal experience for Debbie, her first year as an inn owner was a combination of "deer in the headlights and a train wreck." But through education through the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild and a great mentor, Diane Emineth, Debbie is living out her dream career as a successful Bed and Breakfast owner. Diane and Debbie would like to share their knowledge and expertise with up and coming Innkeepers.

For more information about the seminars, go to their website at www.bedandbreakfastseminars.com or call them. They'll be happy to answer any questions you might have about attending their seminar. Contact Diane Emineth at 503-965-6745. Contact Debbie Dersham at 541-822-3630.

3rd Annual Spring Strings in the Wallowas--A Chamber Musician's Retreat--April 24-27, 2009

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 by Heather Tyreman

Forget the Oregon Coast! Forget Crater Lake! Forget Bend! Forget even Portland! . . .

It's time again for recreational chamber musicians to plan their early spring Eastern Oregon vacation and gather in Wallowa County Oregon bed & breakfast inns. The 3rd Annual Spring Strings in the Wallowas is 3-day/3-night workshop held in Wallowa County. The workshop celebrates the music of the string quartet (violin, viola & cello).

As a board member of the Wallowa Valley Music Alliance, I'm pretty involved with the project. Last year, I pulled out my oboe and played "2nd fiddle" (that is, 2nd violin music) to round out some of the playing groups.

In response to suggestions from previous Spring Strings workshops, we've moved the event to a weekend (Friday evening through Monday morning departure). We've also added two outstanding player coaches: Lisa Robertson and Daniel Perry. Both are top-notch violinists and we're thrilled that they will take part in the workshops. You can read more about them on the Music Alliance website.

Spouses and travelling companions are welcome. Even if they don't play, they're bound to enjoy the delicious catered meals and optional tours of local artist studios and bronze foundries.

Rehearsal spaces are in the living & dining rooms and salons of the participating bed and breakfasts--just the places where chamber music was meant to be played. Musicians will rotate through different playing ensembles, having the opportunity to enjoy many of the playing spaces. This year, musicians will be able to use our newly constructed den at the Bronze Antler Bed and Breakfast--a private space not open to the public. We're so excited as the acoustics in this space are wonderful!

This year we have eleven different bed and breakfast inns offering wonderful lodging options, so musicians have plenty of Eastern Oregon lodging to choose from. Details are on the Music Alliance website, complete with an online registration form.

Four of these Oregon bed and breakfasts are members of the (you guessed it) Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild. They are:

Located on the slope between Joseph and Enterprise:

A Barking Mad Farm Country B&B
Alder Slope Bed & Breakfast

Located in the town of Joseph, Oregon:

Belle Peppers Bed & Breakfast
Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast

Register soon as the workshop is in April 2009!

Three Sisters Loop of the Cascade Birding Trail and a Bend Oregon Bed and Breakfast

Wednesday, March 4, 2009 by Mary Pellegrini

On the birding trail again. This time on the Three Sisters Loop of the Oregon Cascade Birding Trail. This loop is a bit south of the Mt. Jefferson Loop so you could spend a few days, using an Oregon Bed and Breakfast Inn as your home base to observe the region's birds and spectacular scenery that is the Central Oregon Cascades.

The Western Meadowlark, the state bird of Oregon, near lodging in Oregon

At the heart of the Oregon Cascades lies the Three Sisters Wilderness, named for three 10,000-foot volcanic peaks. The Three Sisters Loop traverses some of Oregon most stunning scenery with nearly 50 prime birding sites.

Choose Bend Oregon Lodging for your birding vacation and search for the Yellow Headed Blackbird

Eleven species of Woodpeckers nest the between Santiam and McKenzie Passes. Hidden lakes and marshes are home to many species, including the yellow headed blackbird and the Western Meadowlark, Oregon's state bird.

Choose the Long Hollow Ranch for perfect dude ranch lodging in Oregon

We have already suggested Cricketwood Country B&B in Bend and the Blue Spruce Inn, Sisters, as an Oregon Lodging option. May we also recommend Long Hollow Ranch, just minutes from downtown sisters? This working cattle ranch offers at home atmosphere with quiet and comfortable guest rooms. Guests of Long Hollow Ranch can schedule a trail ride, with a horse suitable to their size and riding skills. What better way to explore the mixed conifer forests, high desert rim rocks and diverse birding habitats?

We will continue to write blogs with insight to the many options for bird watching in Oregon. If you want to see them all, type "birding" in the search box on the right. The spring migration is about to begin, the festivals are being planned. For the very best lodging in Oregon choose an Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild Inn, grab your binoculars and discover nearly 500 species of birds in spectacular landscapes ranging from sandy beaches to verdant forests, from desert playas to alpine meadows.

A Portland, Oregon Bed and Breakfast, Quilts, Elephants and Beer!

Monday, March 2, 2009 by Debbie Lusk

Only one year ago, my husband and I took the train from Albany, Oregon and spent a lovely couple of days in Portland, Oregon. We had only driven through the area and never stopped to see or enjoy the city. Well, now Portland has become one of our most favorite destinations. I still am in awe of my husband when I follow him like a puppy dog as we get on the MAX, get off the MAX, get on a street car, well you know where this is going. I really don't but I am always game for a ride and we always end up somewhere fun.

Two Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild inns come to mind when I think of location,

Oregon Bed & Breakfast, The Fulton House, Portland, Oregon

luxury, and relaxation in the Rose City. The first Oregon Bed & Breakfast is The Fulton House B & B. It is located in the heart of Portland and minutes from city center and just a block from the Willametter River. This inn has quite a history. It was built in the late 19th century and was originally a floating bordello and around 1910, it was moved to its present location on logs by teams of horses. The inn offers two guest rooms with private baths, a beautiful outdoor patio and a hot tub.

The second Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild inn, The Lion and The Rose Victorian Bed and Breakfast is on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1906, this Queen Anne and is decorated with period furnishings and offers a two course breakfast, is near restaurants, shops and the downtown area. It was also listed as one of the Best Places to Kiss in Oregon.

When we go to Portland our goal is to do something new, something we have never done before. However, we are kinda hooked on the Deschutes Brewery in the Pearl District in Portland. It's an easy step off the streetcar right across from the Armory and you will not be dissapointed! The brewery originally began in Bend, Oregon and this new brewery was opened in 2008. They specialize in a "Northwest style that brings a taste of Central Oregon to the heart of Portland." And of course their brewery offerings are as spectacular as their surroundings. Using a collection of large salvaged timber beams to build the bar and tables, they also boast a beautiful collection of carvings that bring a natural feeling to the setting while you dine, drink and

Carvings at Deschutes Brewery, Portland, Oregon

enjoy your burger with house made pickles.

Hopefully you won't see too many "pink elephants" while you are in Portland after hitting the breweries when you go to the Portland Zoo for the "Elephantastic" celebration on April 18,2009. This event features a party for "Packy" who is a resident elephant turning 47 years old. The Portland Zoo is the world leader in Asian elephant care and is planning to offer special training sessions and other fun

birthday activites for Packy at the party.

Wow! It looks like Portland has something for everyone in the family. We covered Portland, Oregon lodging, elephants and beer. So, all we have left is quilts! Quilting is a craft that many people have taken up recently. Many cities in Oregon actually celebrate quilting by offering quilt shows that draw thousands of crafters from all over the region. Portland, Oregon will celebrate with "A Festival of Quilts", March 26th to March 28th, 2009. This 35th annual show will offer over 400 quilts to be viewed along with vendors and supplies to be purchased.

It kinda looks like someones "Spring Break" is all planned out for them. A trip the whole family can enjoy!

Birding the Mt. Jefferson Loop of the Oregon Cascades Birding Trails

Sunday, March 1, 2009 by Mary Pellegrini

In another few weeks the spring migration begins and its time to choose a Bend Oregon Bed and Breakfast as your home base when exploring the Mt. Jefferson Loop of the Oregon Cascades Birding Trails.

Cricketwood Country Bed and Breakfast is the perfect for Bend Oregon Lodging

Cricketwood Country Bed & Breakfast sits on 10 acres so close to town. Choose to have breakfast delivered to your room or dine with other guests. Three spacious guests rooms, all with private baths, have all the amenities of home and then some. After a day of hiking and bird watching soak in the outdoor therapy spa as you gaze at an incredible eastern Oregon star lit sky.

Observe wildlife from the back deck of the Blue Spruce Inn, Sisters. Perfect alternative for Bend Oregon Lodging.

The Blue Spruce Inn, located in Sisters, with four large guest rooms, fireplaces, spa-tubs, private baths and a great home cooked breakfast is another excellent choice for the bird-watchers home base.

The riparian habitat near Bend Oregon Lodging hosts a variety of species including the White Headed Woodpecker

Mt. Jefferson, Oregon's second highest peak, is bordered by dry sagebrush and juniper flats and dense forested corridors. Harlequin Duck reaches it highest density here and the high mountain lakes host typically east-side species. You'll find bird-rich riparian zones along major rivers like the Metolius and Deschutes.

The innkeepers of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild can help you navigate to the bird-rich trails of the Oregon Cascades Birding Trails near Sisters and Bend Oregon.