"Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment.  Geocaching.com is the headquarters for the activity"  On this site you can read the history of Geocaching.

* On May 2, 2000, at approximately midnight, eastern savings time, the great blue switch* controlling selective availability was pressed. Twenty-four satellites around the globe processed their new orders, and instantly the accuracy of GPS technology improved tenfold. Tens of thousands of GPS receivers around the world had an instant upgrade. Now, anyone could "precisely pinpoint their location or the location of items (such as game) left behind for later recovery." How right they were.

* On May 3 a GPS enthusiast, Dave Ulmer, computer consultant, wanted to test the accuracy by hiding a navigational target in the woods. He called the idea the "Great American GPS Stash Hunt" and posted it in an internet GPS users' group. The idea was simple: Hide a container out in the woods and note the coordinates with a GPS unit.  On May 3rd he placed his own container, a black bucket, in the woods near Beavercreek, Oregon, near Portland.

* Within three days, two different readers read about his stash on the Internet, used their own GPS receivers to find the container, and shared their experiences online.  Like many new and innovative ideas on the Internet, the concept spread quickly - but this one required leaving your computer to participate.

* Within the first month, Mike Teague, the first person to find Ulmer's stash, began gathering the online posts of coordinates around the world and documenting them on his personal home page. The "GPS Stash Hunt" mailing list was created to discuss the emerging activity.

* Geocaching.com was released to the stash-hunting community on September 2, 2000. At the time the site was launched there were 75 known caches in the world.  There are now over 1.5 million caches around the world, in only 12 years.'

This is certainly the condensed version.  Visit Geocaching.com history for the full story.  I checked to see if the Original Cache was still available, but alas, it has been archived and the Un-Original Stash placed in it's honor.  The links will take you to their listing on Geocaching.com but if you are not logged in I'm not sure if you will be able to view.  

Geocaching is Eco Friendly Travel at it's best .  Get to know Oregon like a local from the locals, the 100+ hosts of our member inns located in all of Oregon's regions.  Experience romantic getaways, historic treasures, and tucked away rustic retreats.  Whether your trip is for a quiet escape to a quaint rural or coastal town, for a World Class City experience, a geocaching adventure or for a new spin on business travel, you can be assured of combining gracious hospitality with ambiance by staying at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn

Guest blogger Karen Wickman, owner of the Prospect Historic Hotel, lodging near Crater Lake, Oregon, wants you to know!  She writes:

Prospect is a sleepy little town on the side of the road off of Highway 62 in Southern Oregon. It’s right on the way to Crater Lake National Park and is nestled in the middle of the Rogue River National Forest.  It is surrounded by astonishing natural wonders that you would never know were there if you didn’t do a little exploring. Within a half a mile of the Prospect Historic Hotel Bed and Breakfast Inn, you can find yourself in a pristine medieval forest cut through by the Rogue River and riddled with streams, waterfalls and mysterious trails to follow.

This image of me at the Avenue of Boulders gives you an idea of the wonderful hiking destinations that are close by.  Fred (my doting husband and fellow innkeeper) and I have wonderful free hand drawn maps to assist you on your explorations.

When you’ve explored enough to work up an appetite, you can walk back up the trail to our National Register of Historic Places-listed hotel and step back into time to an authentic Oregon Victorian-styled Dinner House. There, you will enjoy some of the finest food you will find anywhere on your travels. Pair your meal with a local Southern Oregon wine or microbrew to complete a wonderful day.

When you wake up in the morning, you’ll think it was all a dream. But you can go back out again and continue exploring for days and still not see the same thing twice. You’ll never forget where to find the Prospect Hotel.

Karen and Fred Wickman know about Oregon geotourism.  Crater Lake National Park is a popular destination in Southern Oregon, but there's more than just the lake to visit.  Make the Prospect Historic Hotel your home base for exploring the best eco friendly travel that Southern Oregon can offer.  Thanks, Karen!

Forest Springs Bed and Breakfast along with The Gresham Historic Downtown Boosters are proud to announce our city's 10^th Annual Gresham Art Walk!

During the Gresham Art Walk, more than 140 artists from Oregon and Southwest Washington will sell their original works along scenic Main Avenue between First and Fifth streets. The family event also includes live music, free children’s arts and crafts, and unique shops and restaurants in the downtown core. Art for sale includes garden art, pottery, photography, jewelry, watercolors, textiles, glass, wood, oil paintings and much more. Plus you can always meet the artists behind the work!

Always the third Saturday in July. . .this year it's July 16th, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Historic Downtown Gresham

If you're traveling to the Portland Oregon area for this event, consider staying close by at Forest Springs Bed and Breakfast.  This inn is one of the founding members of the Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild's Green Lodging Certification program and is an eco friendly travel option (not to mention a gorgeous setting and great food too).

See you at the Gresham Art Walk!

Oregon Coastline: A Bed and Breakfast Inn That Renews, Recharges and Rejuvenates

Have you ever sojourned to a place that thrilled and excited you? Have you ever felt your spirit vibrate in response to the fierceness and solitude of nature? When was the last time you felt the warmth of the sun, soaking in through your skin and muscles? What if along the way, you could learn volumes of local history, see breathtaking views that most people only read about in books, and become enchanted with the local wildlife?

Travelers would serve themselves well to explore the Oregon coastline. In so doing, they may very well uncover a special passion that propels them to renew, rejuvenate and reconnect.

Port Orford, Oregon is a quaint, artistic fishing village in the southern Oregon coast. It was founded in 1861 and served as a port for timber shipping.

At the WildSpring Guest Habitat in Port Orford, guests can sit in a hot tub overlooking the sea, ensconced in fountains of bubbles, smelling the scent of ocean mists coming from the waves.

The true power of Oregon's coastline lies in the notable lessons that its natural environment can teach us. We are exposed to a unique set of conditions, which are not found in large cities. The landscape consists of mountains and forests meeting with the turbulent ocean, and is quite dramatic. The natural beauty, clean air, expansive vistas and unbeaten paths make for a great B & B getaway.

A small bed and breakfast inn is a place where we can build compelling new affinities. As personal witnesses to the charm of the area and special activities of the region, local innkeepers can lend their already fascinating insights, and indulgent touches. Bed and breakfast accommodations are generally more appealing than mundane and sterile hotel chains.

One needs a great deal of guts, patience, eye-opening creativity, perseverance and hard work to succeed in the modern business world. For those of us who have stressful jobs, there comes a point when we should take time out for rest and stillness. If we could choose a destination that makes us feel deep and serenely peaceful, where life is slowed down, where we can immerse ourselves into the delights of gorgeous nature, it can be like a soothing, soft lullaby.

When we look at the anxiety ridden thoughts that clutter our minds, we can't help being concerned. It is little wonder that small bed and breakfast inns have proliferated along the coastal shores of Oregon; providing unique combinations of comfort, relaxation and rejuvenation.

The Oregon coast is a destination that can inspire us. The breakthrough moments come when our energy is replenished. This allows passing thoughts to ascend to defining expressions of our personal creativity and translates into success and accomplishment.

Michelle Duarte, innkeeper of WildSpring Guest Habitat in Port Orford, Oregon told me: "Some business people come very stressed and we understand the psychology. Everyone wants to feel that someone is looking out for his or her best interests. They want to know that the innkeepers know enough and care enough to do that. What it takes to be a good innkeeper is empathy and compassion; the ability to think about what the other person would like if they were in this situation. The whole approach is about what other people need."

Continues Michelle: "Some people are really moved to come here at the times of their lives when they need special attention to heal, to celebrate, or to be alone and find solace within themselves. When they experience great trauma, they are inclined to come here because they sense they will find some consolation in order to recover here."

"WildSpring has put together trips for guests who have suffered arduous and difficult treatments for breast cancer," remarks Michelle. "The travel agent sent them to our place so they could find their center and energy again."

The Oregon coast provided relief to a woman who lost her husband and son. "She came with her best friends," shared Michelle. "It was terribly moving that she was able to find peace in her soul from what she found here."

On the happier side of life, quite a few engagements are made at the Oregon coast. Couples return for their weddings, honeymoons, and anniversaries.

Older, middle aged twosomes, whose kids have left, enjoy the Oregon coast as it rekindles the magic that brought them together in the first place. Mothers like to bring their daughters for birthdays or retreats. Their physical, emotional and mental selves get renewed when they are submerged in nature.

"Part of an innkeepers life is challenging," admits Michelle. "We are providing peak experiences in peoples lives. We have a desire to be of service. It is nice to make people happy, so we might make a difference. We try to make sure that everything our guests see and touch is natural. When we live in an urban life, we get divorced from nature."

FEATURED PROPERTY: WildSpring Guest Habitat is an Eco friendly resort in Port Orford, Oregon. Overlooking the rugged Pacific Coast, it is a place where the owners/innkeepers have a unique set of competencies. From an experiential standpoint, there is a sense of peace and quiet at the property. There are opportunities for visitors to experience whatever is important: guests can be alone, lay in a hammock, or relax in the hot tub. It is the kind of non-intrusive atmosphere lodgers are looking for. Owners try to make sure there is nothing off kilter. Guests can fix themselves whatever they want at any time. They get to take the best parts of home with them. Visitors enjoy the support of innkeepers who want to make them feel pampered and comfortable.

It goes without saying that the grounds and facilities of WildSpring Guest Habitat are peaceful and soothing to the soul. A welcoming atmosphere is evident throughout the resort. The property is located on 5 acres of old Native American grounds and is surrounded by wooded-forests, beautiful scenery and wildlife. This gives visitors a sense of privacy and seclusion. The beautiful setting along with great service makes this a destination of unsurpassed charm.

When guests make a reservation, a confirmation email is sent along with a list of special services. Suggested sights and activities available in the area are also provided.

The breakfast particulars are explained in the registration packet, along with other details. The inn is accommodating if guests have any special requests, needs or dietary considerations. The innkeepers are known for their smiles, hospitality and attention to detail.

WildSpring Guest Habitat is recommended to anyone who wants a good dose of serenity, privacy, renewal and adventure. Relax in the open-air hot tub, on the deck or sit in the garden and just gaze at the beautiful wooded landscape. Listen to the birds and watch for whales and fishing boats on the ocean. You might see deer grazing nearby. Humbug Mountain stands in the distance. You can hear the surf and seals. At night, you can see the Milky Way. WildSpring is a place where you can spend easy times in good conversation with friends.

SUMMARY: WildSpring Guest Habitat is a lovely blend of warm service, sumptuous breakfasts, and natural beauty. The accommodating staff, spacious & comfortable rooms, abundant amenities, exceptional location, and excellent value make for a pleasant getaway experience.

ROOMS: Five elegant cabin suites are comfortable and spacious. Some are romantic and cozy, and others airy and inviting. Relaxing beds, luxury linens and signature toiletries are provided along with robes, hairdryers, and oversize slate walk-in showers. There is free WiFi, TV, ipod docks, CD and DVD players. A fully equipped kitchen is available for all guests. One cabin has a wood-burning stove. In addition to the comfort, rooms are immaculately clean with tasteful design and antique furniture. The property has several gardens, two decks, covered porches with sofa, table & chairs, one gazebo, and one outdoor hot tub.

SERVICE: Expect to receive gracious service with a warm smile. The owners/innkeepers are well known for their genuine hospitality, efficient service and willingness to help plan activities or excursions. The innkeepers are knowledgeable about the area and provide helpful suggestions to all of their guests.

AMENITIES: The resort is known for providing an exceptional, and hearty breakfast buffet that is artfully presented. The dining room is filled with character and looks out over the ocean. French toast custard with warm berry sauce, breakfast cobbler with fruit, and egg puffs with chicken apple sausage are some of the items on their menu. Complimentary beverages, Mity leaf tea, coffee, yogurt, fresh fruit, cold cereals, granola, popcorn, chocolate and snacks are available 24/7. The deck and guest hall with skylights are the ideal reading areas for visitors. The common area is a peaceful space with a variety of books, magazines, board games, CD's and 500 DVD's. The property offers in-cabin spa services with massages, and other treatments. The deck has superb views overlooking the sculpture gardens, the spa and the bay.

LOCATION: The location is ideal for those who want to feel they are in a quiet nature getaway, yet still within half a mile of the historic town. Seven art galleries are half a mile away, where you can purchase jewelry, ceramics, textiles, paintings, or antiques just to name a few. A historical museum, dining, parks, a petting zoo, and dinosaur attractions are all within 10 minutes distance from the resort. Golf, and the Rogue River are 30 minutes away. The resort's proximity to swimming, hiking, biking, windsurfing, wildlife viewing, whale watching, kayaking, and water activities provide good value. The inn has bikes on the premises.

CLEANLINESS: The inn is known to be spotless, especially the guestrooms. The grounds and plantings are well maintained. Overall everything, including the town, is quite picturesque.

VALUE: Compared to a standard hotel room, this property provides an excellent alternative. The niceties, spaciousness, and attentiveness of staff make the difference. The guests appreciate being asked if they are comfortable. The staff is always available to help without being intrusive.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/oregon-coastline-a-bed-and-breakfast-inn-that-renews-recharges-and-rejuvenates-4727700.html

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: C.J. Good is a freelance writer, keynote guest speaker, and author of two books about finding and cultivating contentment. "Precious Gifts of Love" and "Little Gifts of Sustainable Contentment" (Reviews 4.5/5 Stars, Look Inside) are available on Amazon. C.J. Good's keynote addresses include: travel topics, health issues, the generation x/y marketplace, and sales. Her purpose is to write quality books that will make a difference in reader's lives. C.J. Good is a successful business development executive who worked in the travel industry for 17 years. ~ http://www.sustainablecontentment.com

CONTACT: Michelle Duarte, Innkeeper, WildSpring Guest Habitat, 92978 Cemetery Loop, Box R, Port Orford, OR 97465. Phone: 541.332.0977, 866.333.WILD (9453). www.WildSpring.com. Rates: $198-$306 depending on season and cabin.

Eco friendly travel is just one of the things Oregon bed and breakfasts might specialize in.  Here's some breaking news from the WildSpring Guest Habitat's owner Michele Duarte:

Hi there....we just found out something very cool....actually two things very cool...and just wanted to share:

USAToday just wrote about us (again) as one of five luxury vacations in the U.S. And Spawards just listed us as one of the top 100 spas in the U.S. 

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/luxury-vacations-united-states-25861.html

http://www.spawards.com/winners

Wow....

And woo hoo!

Michelle

When you're looking for your green vacation lodging, consider WildSpring Guest Habitat.  Or, as Michelle might say, "The great outdoors finally comes with an equally great indoors."

Submitted by guest blogger Michelle Duarte
Innkeeper WildSpring Guest Habitat
Port Orford, Oregon

The south coast is the place for travelers who want to get away from the same old thing - traffic, strip malls, franchise hotels and restaurants. Travelers who'd like to bring home tales of something off-beat, who enjoy exploring the special but quirky.

Oregon's spectacular south coast is a world all its own, very different from its northern counterpart. It is remote, underdeveloped, without the crowds. A series of authentic small towns scattered along what could reasonably be considered the U.S.'s last accessible, affordable coastline. This is where the ocean and the forests meet the crashing seas. Where rivers pour into the Pacific and people enjoy long, empty beaches perfect for agates and driftwood.

Port Orford is in the middle of it, perfectly situated as base camp to explore the best of the south coast...from redwoods to the south, the sand dunes up near Florence, and everything inbetween.

Hiking. Art. Antiques. Biking. Golf. Birding. Fishing. History. Museums. Shopping. Boating. Surfing. Horseback riding. Wine. Wind surfing. Parks, reserves, floral estates and estuaries. All framed with spectacular ocean vistas on one side and the forests and mountains on the other.  

And it bears repeating...all without the crowds.  

Visitors will find some unexpected options in Port Orford, 60 miles from the California border and an authentic port town of only 1,200 people.

The Port of Port Orford is probably the heart of the town, home to its commercial fishing fleet that - unusually - does not rest in the water. The Port is one of only two "dolly docks" in the U.S. and six in the world, where boats are lifted in and out of the water by huge cranes and sit on custom-made trailers when not in use.

The area is also known for its active art community, with eight galleries owned and operated by working artists, and some beautifully restored and maintained historic sites, such as Hughes House - an authentic Victorian Mansion - and the old Coast Guard Lifeboat station where brave and hardy men had to jerry-can gas down a thousand steps to Nellie's Cove where they would start their sea rescue missions during Port Orford's famous winter storms.

If visitors like to indulge themselves with luxurious accommodations in a naturally beautiful environment, there's WildSpring Guest Habitat. On five acres in a quiet, residential forest overlooking the ocean, it offers only five cabin suites built like small homes, filled with art and antiques, a Guest Hall, lounging areas, sculpture garden, walking labyrinth and open-air slate spa where guests can whale-watch by day and enjoy the Milky Way at night. Known for its peaceful seclusion, attention to detail and eco-friendly operations, it is an Oregon Bed & Breakfast member, a Select Registry Inn and has enjoyed some national attention of note, including USA Today and the NY Times.

The most recent addition to the local scene sits on the northern end of Battle Rock Park and offers arguably the most beautiful views of the Pacific ocean in the U.S.: across sea stacks, a beach with sand the color of a mocha late, down to Humbug Mountain, the tallest mountain in Oregon to rise directly from the ocean.

Here, Redfish is that rare restaurant serving food that actually lives up to the view, and looks like it came from Top Chef. The executive chef Patrick Zulick trained at celebrity chef Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bistro in Las Vegas, and specializes in Pacific Northwest adaptations of traditional French recipes using fresh local fish, beef, chicken, lamb and produce. It has the Redfish LOFT upstairs, a one-room luxury guest suite overlooking the bay.

Also part of this new mixed-use development is Hawthorne Gallery, with museum-quality art in a space that begs comparison to metro world-class galleries. It shows the unique works of 14 internationally collected artists from across the country, including eight of the very gifted Hawthorne family, who also owns the famous Hawthorne Gallery in Big Sur, California.  

Port Orford, beautiful and surprising, is a great place to visit if people want to experience the best of Oregon's beautiful coast without having to fight their way through crowded streets to reach it.

For more information about Port Orford and WildSpring Guest Habitat please contact:

Michelle Duarte, owner, WildSpring Guest Habitat and webmaster for PortOrford.org and EnjoyPortOrford.com
michelle@wildspring.com, 541.332.0977

www.portorford.org
www.enjoyportorford.com
www.wildspring.com

For more information about Redfish and the Hawthorne Gallery, please contact:

Jeff Mecredy, manager & media relations, Hawthorne Gallery, Redfish LOFT
jeff@hawthornegallery.com, 541.366.2266
 

The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is committed to Sustainable Travel and we are encouraging our members to be "Certified Green" through the OBBG Green Certification Program.  Not that we have to do too much coaxing.  Most of our members already implement many "green" practices, like recycling and composting.  But we don't stop there.  We apply business practices that promote sustainability of our planet's natural resources such as using recycled paper, minimal use of disposables and using greener cleaning supplies and energy efficient lighting.

On the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild website's Green page you'll find information and details of the Green Certification Program and a list of those inns that have gone through the checklist to become certified.  It really is such an easy thing to do, going Green and to provide Eco Friendly Travel.  Visit the following Green Certified inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild who proudly display the OBBG Green Certification Green Inspection Program logo on their website and begin your Sustainable Travel Vacation today. 

• The Blue Plum Inn - Portland
• Forest Springs - Gresham
• Nob Hill Riverview - St. Helens
• Belle Pepper's - Joseph
• Sandlake County Inn - near Tillamook
• Old Parkdale Inn - Parkdale
• The Craftsman B&B - Pacific City
• Youngberg Hill Vineyards and Inn - McMinnville
• Arch Cape Inn and Retreat - Cannon Beach
• Yamhill Vineyards B&B - Yamhill 
• WildSpring Guest Habitat - Port Orford
• Georgian House - Portland
• Villa Columbia B&B - Hood River
• Cest la vie Inn - Eugene
• Apple Inn B&B - Cottage Grove
• Hood River BnB - Hood River

St. Patrick's day is behind us but Green is here year-round in Oregon.  Many Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild members provide Certified Green Lodging.  And at Hopworks Urban Brewery in southeast Portland, the brewpub calls itself an "eco brewpub."

Many celebrate St. Patrick's Day with green beer, but in Portland, we're not talking the food colored or dyed kind. We’re talking about the organic kind.

Green is no doubt the theme at Hopworks Urban Brewery in southeast Portland.  Not only does it serve all certified organic beer.  It also uses all renewable energy, runs its kettles on biodiesal fuel, and even sits its customers on furniture made from recycled wood. 

"We're really the first brew pub to incorporate all aspects of sustainability in our operation," said Christian Ettinger, brewmaster and owner of Hopworks.

Combining green beer with Portland's National Green status and the Green Lodging Certification held by some Portland area B&Bs makes for an authentic green Oregon vacation.

• Blue Plum Inn ~ Portland
• Forest Springs B&B ~ Gresham
• Nob Hill Riverview B&B ~ St. Helens

These member inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild's Green Certification Program are committed to engaging in practices that promote the sustainability of our planet's natural resources while providing luxurious accommodations and sharing their eco-friendly values.

Hopworks Urban Brewery is not alone in its green brewing.  It joins other "green" breweries like Lauralwood, which back in 2002 became Portland's first ever organic brewery, as well as Root's Brewing Company which was the first brewpub in the city to serve all organic beer.  While you'll find plenty of organic green beer at these pubs, you won't find any green colored beer on this day or any St. Patrick's Day

From our Guest Blogger
Lori McKean, Arch Cape Inn and Retreat

Arch Cape Inn and Retreat on the Oregon Coast is pleased to announce the arrival of our new Chef, Noah EunJung Kaufman, who will debut his culinary creations at the Inn beginning February 2010. Kaufman was born in South Korea and adopted by his American parents at an early age. While serving at the award winning 1913 Room in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Kaufman's love for food blossomed and, in the fall of 2003, he enrolled at The Culinary Institute of America. Kaufman graduated in 2007, earning his associates degree in Culinary Arts and receiving a bachelor’s degree in Business Management.

Before joining the Arch Cape Inn, Kaufman worked as the Chef/ Director of Food Operations for the exclusive Balsam Lake Club in the heart of the Catskills in New York. His artfully composed dishes taste as delicious as they look. Chef Kaufman's upcoming Valentine's Day Tasting Menu will include Wild mushroom ravioli with Dungeness crab leg and lemon brown butter; braised pork belly with caramelized apples, frisee salad and cayenne oil, pan roasted duck breast with a root vegetable medley with aceto balsamico, and a "Valentine's Day Kiss" composed of meringue, ganache and raspberry coulis, among other dishes -- all paired with regional wines.

On March 12, as part of Savor Cannon Beach, Chef Kaufman will prepare a special Winemaker's Dinner paired with wines from Oregon's Walnut City Wineworks. Arch Cape Inn and Retreat's kitchen specializes in featuring locally grown produce, locally sourced meats, seafood and cheeses and other sustainable foods spiced with a variety of ethnic flavors from top culinary regions around the world a unique Oregon Slow Food experience.

Arch Cape Inn & Retreat is a small, eco-friendly resort overlooking the ocean on the North Oregon coast, offering luxurious green lodging accommodations in a naturally beautiful environment. Eco-conscious since their initial planning stages, they are as proud of the fact they have obtained Green Lodging Certification by the Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild, as they are of being both an exclusive Bed and Breakfast.com Diamond Luxury Property and a Select Registry Inn, which represents only 400 quality assured, inspected inns and B&Bs in North America.

For more information about Arch Cape Inn & Retreat, please contact:

Stephen Malkowski

Arch Cape Inn & Retreat

503.436.2800

206.971.2441 Direct
innkeeper@archcapeinn.com