Hood River Oregon Hotels

It's that time of year again.  A time when the Farmer's Markets in Oregon open and the Oregon Bounty begins to flows.  Found some fresh organic strawberries at ours this week and it just gets better from here out!

What do you see in this photo?  If you answered apples, mushrooms, potatoes, bread and greens, you would be right.  I see a savory Italian Fritatta with Argula and mushrooms, herbed roasted potatoes, a rich and flavorful banana French Toast and Old Parkdale Inn’s famous Baked Fuji Apples.

Once a week we receive our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) box delivered to our door by Hood River Organics.  It's like Christmas every time, not knowing what gifts we will receive.  Depends on what is being harvested on the organic family farms in the Hood River Valley and Columbia Gorge.  This is exceptional Oregon Slow Food.

Some of the innkeepers of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild belong to their local CSA and they also, along with most of our innkeepers, visit the farmers markets regularly, selecting the perfect ingredient to create a true Northwest Culinary experience for our guests. Many of us have gardens producing fresh herbs, vegies, and more.

As spring turns into summer the box gets heavier and the market stands overflow with more and more of the bounty our farms have to offer.  Won’t be long before the berries and fresh herbs start arriving.  Can’t you just taste them?

The town of Hood River, the hub of the Columbia River Gorge, is known in the world of sports at the windsurfing capital of America. Stiff prevailing winds and the Columbia's strong river currents combine to create a kind of wind tunnel that makes for legendary windsurfing and kitesurfing conditions.  South of the city, above the pear and apple orchards of the Hood River Valley, the massive glaciered peak of Mount Hood rises to fill the horizon, a perfect postcard image of Oregon. 
 
Where can you ski in the morning and windsurf into the afternoon and evening?  And it's blossom time in the Hood River Valley.  Take the Fruit Loop, a 35 driving tour through the valley's orchards, forests and quiet communities.  Stroll the quaint shops, breweries, and wine tasting rooms in downtown Hood River.  The innkeepers of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild will provide unique accommodations, a superb Northwest Culinary experience, and tips on where to dine and explore. 

Historic Columbia River Highway

Traversing between Hood River and Mosier, the five mile section of the Historic Columbia River Highway passes through the Twin Tunnels and two climate zones and being closed to auto traffic is an amazing trail for hikers, bikers, rollerbladers, anyone human powered. Starting at the east Mark O. Hatfield Trailhead near Mosier, the trail leads through semi-arid terrain dotted with ponderosa pine for about a mile until you reach the Twin Tunnels. Spectacular geologic formations tell the story of the gorge's creation.

After passing through the tunnels, you'll emerge into a forest of fir trees and other common western Oregon plants and stunning views of the Columbia River Gorge.  Viewpoints along the 3.5 mile segment from the tunnels to the west Mark O. Hatfield Trailhead overlook the river.

Mosier is situated between The Dalles and Hood River in Oregon's stunning Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, just 65 easy miles east of Portland on Interstate 84.  Jefferson Mosier built his home in 1904 on a hill overlooking Mosier. In the late 1980's the house, which had been exposed to years of neglect, was purchased.  After several years of extensive remodeling and restoration, the house is now the Mosier House Bed and Breakfast, and a member of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.  The Mosier House Bed and Breakfast sits amidst gardens, a creek and a pond that overlook the town.

Visit the town of Mosier and the Mosier House Bed and Breakfast for an quiet alternative to big Columbia River Gorge Hotels.  After a hearty breakfast head off to the Mark Hatfield Trailhead and a hike, or bike, on the Historic Columbia River Highway.

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 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.

In the Hood River Valley 15,000+ acres pears, apples, cherries and other fruit, will burst into blossom this month.  It is a true sign of sping as we dust the snow off our back steps. 

Blossom Festival celebrates the arrival of spring with a full plate of events from BBQs, to arts and craft shows, to antique sales. 

You won't want to miss the Blossom Fest Quilt Show with some 80-100 beautiful handmade quilts will be on display, many for sale.  Another can't miss event is the Dessert Party at the Apple Valley Country Store.  A variety of desserts, jams and jellies, all made with fresh local fruit, will be available.

Start your day at one of the many Oregon Bed and Breakfasts near Mt. Hood and the Columbia Gorge with a breakfast prepared from fresh local products.  Ginger baked pears, fresh Blueberry Scones, Apple Quiche, we're talking Northwest Culinary breakfasts!

With Nine Unique Inns in OBBG's Mt Hood Region to choose from this will only be one of the hard choices you'll face on a weekend of events for all the senses.

Take the scenic 35 mile Fruit Loop through the valley's orchards, forests, farmlands, and friendly communities.

Just want to sit back and relax?  The Mt Hood Railroad travels through thousands of acres of orchards in blossom and has a layover in Parkdale and the Art and Music Festival.  Enjoy live music and art in the park while taking in stunning views of Mt. Hood.

Visit us in the Hood River Valley at an Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member inn and prove to yourself that spring has definitely arrived!!

The Old Parkdale Inn and the Mt Hood Hamlet are located in the beautiful Hood River Valley.  After a rejuvenating night at the inn and a hearty Northwest breakfast you'll be ready to head up to Mt Hood Meadows for awesome spring skiing conditions.  With over 2 feet of fresh snow in the last couple of weeks conditions are perfect.  Or perhaps some cross country or snowshoeing in the morning before the sun warms the snow?
Come back to the inn, grab a bite of lunch, change gear, then head on down to the Gorge as the afternoon winds pick up for some ideal windsurfing conditions on the Columbia River.

Or bring your bikes for a grand afternoon bike tour along the Fruit Loop.  The combination of sports is certainly flexible and we are sure you can have it all!!

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 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.

It is all about the food.  I am so excited to be a member of the Hood River Organics CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Coop, bringing fresh, locally grown, organic food to my front porch!  Each week throughout the year the participating farms work with multiple other farmers and producers in the Columbia River Gorge area to put together a box of the most delicious, healthy, seasonal food.  Did I mention it will be delivered to my door?

Slow food is an idea, a way of living and a way of eating. It is a global, grassroots movement with thousands of members around the world that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment.

Local Harvest - real food, real farmers, real community - Over the last 20 years, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer.  Use the map on the Local Harvest Website to find a small farm near you.

Slow food, local harvest, and a commitment to sustainable business practices.  These all make for sustainable travel and the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild has implemented a Green Program that encourages and recognizes those inns that are making sustainable travel a reality.


The Old Parkdale Inn is proud to be a member of the Green Program of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.  Located at the base of Mt Hood and in the heart of the Hood River Valley, we have been supporting our local farmers for 6 years now.  Our farmers grow crops of apples to blueberries, pears to strawberries.  Potatoes, greens, onions, all the wonderful fruits and vegies that go into our daily breakfasts.  We are so very excited to now have our box of fresh produce delivered to our door once a week.  And I'm sure our guests will be, too. 

This is an exciting opportunity to sample the best that the Columbia Gorge  Winegrowers have to offer.  Passport holders will be entitled to a variety of benefits, including special reserve tastings, wine discounts, case discounts and more.

"Nestled within and just beyond the stunning beauty of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area sits a wine region like not other.  Tour our wineries, relax in our casual tasting rooms and discover A World of Wine in 40 Miles."

Passports are still available for $15 and  can be purchased on-line, at Gorge area wineries, and at select Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild Inns.

The Columbia Gorge Winegrowers and our Hood River Oregon Innkeepers ask you to taste responsibly and please, "Do not Drink and Drive".  Instead contact Martin's Gorge Tours and book your Passport To Wine winery tour. 

Every time another storm comes through the Columbia River Gorge and into the Mt Hood National Forest we say, "This has got to be the last one".  And then comes another.  Seems like Winter and Spring are playing a bit of tug-a-war and we are hoping winter holds on a bit longer.
  
All this is making for some awesome spring conditions on Mt Hood and in the Mt Hood National Forest. Take advantage of these longer, warmer days of Winter and the substantial snow pack to explore the back-country side of Mt. Hood, just minutes from Hood River Oregon and the member inns there of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.  No Sno-Park passes needed after April 15 and you'll find no crowds, the trails less traveled, great spring snow adventures and an Oregon Bed and Breakfast Inn.  What more do you need?

Villa Columbia Bed and Breakfast in Hood River, Oregon, was recently featured on Mike's Road Trip.  In the same class as the Columbia River Gorge hotels (really more in the boutique hotel category), Villa Columbia B&B gives you good access to the scenic Columbia Gorge year round and access to Mt. Hood in the winter for skiing.

An excerpt from Mike's blog post:

Breakfast at the Villa Columbia is scrumptious and served in thee-courses.  Local ingredients are often used to create a unique experience that reminded me of being in Europe.  Each morning of my stay I enjoyed a fresh fruit berry parfait with vanilla yogurt.  Some of the other items/dished included:

• Whole wheat blueberry scone
• Ham & cheese breakfast calzone
• Twice baked croissant with cherry compote and chicken sausage
• Spinach quiche with sliced cantaloupe accompanied with sausage in puff pastry

Throughout the day refreshments are available, from stocked mini-fridges with soda and water, to cookies, fruit (like a fresh bowl of cherries while I was there) and a number of candy dishes…all the comforts of home.

The Hood River Valley is certainly known for having thousands of acres of fruit of which cherries, blueberries and peaches are finding their way to the fruit stands now.  We also have some amazing flower farms, one of which, The Gorge White House, has glads, daisies, cone flowers, snapdragons, Oriental lilies, lavender and more. 

The dahlia fields at the Gorge White House have begun to bloom and it is a photo op you won’t want to miss.  They will be in their seasonal display until the first frost.  Pick out your favorite and order tubers to be picked up or delivered next year at planting time. 

In the fields behind the dahlias are u-pick blueberries just now coming on and in their fruit stand are cherries, cut flowers, and raspberries.  The peaches should arrive early next week.

In the White House itself is a lovingly restored bar that now serves up wines and micro-brews produced right here in the Columbia River Gorge.  Enjoy by the taste, the glass or the bottle all at one stop! 

If you had to pick just one place to visit in the Hood River Valley, The Gorge White House would be it.  Just minutes from Mt Hood Bed and Breakfasts and Hood River Lodging, this is really a one stop, enjoy all, location.  After a hearty Hood River Valley Bounty Breakfast at one of the inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild, consider a picnic on their patio or in the fields.

Matthew Domingo
FARM to FORK Co-Founder

Farm Dinners Celebrate Hood River Valley's Farmers, Winemakers and Food Artisans

Farm to Fork’s founders have created a traveling farm-to-table restaurant, local food fundraiser, andcommunity celebration rolled into one. Each dinner is set at the farm where much of the food on the menu was produced, and proceeds benefit food-focused non-profits. rm to Fork’s mission is to connect guests to local sources of produce, meat, seafood and dairy products, and to honor the talented farmers, food artisans, winemakers and chefs who contribute to Oregon’s growing culinary and winemaking reputation.

An enormously successful 2010 season in Southern Oregon has led FARM to FORK north to Hood River. On September 18th at Historic Kiyokawa Family Orchards, FARM to FORK will feature their first Hood River event in anticipation of an expanded dinner series in the Hood River Valley next summer.
 
“The Hood River Valley, and the greater Columbia Gorge is a rich and beautiful agricultural region,” says Matthew Domingo, FARM to FORK’s Event Director.  “We’re excited to meet the farmers and food artisans in the valley, share their stories, and support the work of local organizations like the Gorge Grown Network and the Hood River Valley Residents Committee.”

Dinners begin with a tour from the host farmer, and include local wine, a five-course meal, and producer discussions (suggested minimum donation: $75).  Proceeds benefit local farmers and organizations supporting small farms, food security and greater accessibility to local food. Proceeds for this dinner will benefit the Gorge Grown Food Network and the Hood River Valley Residents Committee. For more information on Farm to Fork’s September 18th Farm Dinner, and to purchase seats to the event, go to farmtoforkevents.com.

After you have purchased your Farm to Fork tickets, choose a Mt Hood bed and breakfast through the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild as your lodging option and you are sure to turn a simple weekend into an Oregon culinary vacation.   Beside two major bike rides this same weekend in the Gorge, we are going to be in the middle of Harvest.  Which means over 1500 riders and visitors to the Family Fruit Farms, which means Rooms will be hard to come by.  Not to mention this event is almost sold out!! 

Sakura Ridge - The Farm and Lodge, is a working orchard and Oregon bed and breakfast located on the west slopes of the Hood River Valley.  You'll feel like you are sitting on top of the world as you enjoy panoramic views of the valley and majestic Mt Hood from your private patios or the extensive decks.

The Farm grows organic dark sweet cherries and delicate pears many of which make it to the amazing breakfasts served at the Lodge along with many other organic fruits and vegetables grown organically in the extensive gardens.  A true Northwest Culinary experience. 

From the Coast, Portland, Mount Hood and The Gorge, Willamette Valley, Southern Oregon to the Rogue River Valley or Central Oregon to the High desert of the East the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild offers unique and comfortable accommodations.

Get to know our State like a local; stay with one of our near 100 hosts in any one of our many 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 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

NEWTON, Mass., Jan. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/  TripAdvisor®, the world's largest travel site*, today announced the winners of its 2011 Travelers' Choice® awards.  This year 676 establishments were recognized in the ninth year of the competition. Unlike any other hotel honors, TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice winners are based on millions of real and unbiased reviews and opinions from travelers around the world.

"Based on reviews from millions of travelers around the globe, TripAdvisor is able to recognize the world's most outstanding hotels for the ninth year of the Travelers' Choice Awards," said Karen Drake, senior director of communications for TripAdvisor. "Outstanding service, great value and top quality are hallmarks of our Travelers' Choice winners."

The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is proud to announce that one of our unique, inspected and approved inns made this prestigious list.

Congratulations, Cricketwood Country Bed and Breakfast is listed as the #1 Trip Advisor Lodging property in Central Oregon and #4 on the Traveler's Choice Award list of Top 10 Bed and Breakfasts in the United States.

Nestled on 10 acres of park-like setting just outside of Bend, Oregon, Cricketwood Country Bed and Breakfast is complete with three rooms, all with private baths, two person spa tubs, fireplaces, flat screen and hight def TVs.  You'll also be treated to fresh-baked cookies to order, custom restaurant style breakfast menu with many options for all dietary choices, a beverage refrigerator with Deschutes Brewery beers, sodas, white wines, waters.  Ice Cream treats in the freezer, pop-corn selections and microwave to pop it in, Biscotti, Candy bars, Nuts Energy Bars and more.  And it's all complimentary!

From the Coast, Portland, Mt Hood and The Gorge, the Willamette Valley, to Southern Oregon to the Rogue River Valley or to the high deserts of the Eastern and Central Oregon, the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild offers unique and comfortable accommodations.

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 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.

On New Year's Day I participated in the 2011 Christmas Bird Count at our Mt Hood Bed and Breakfast.  Although this yearly event has been going on now for 111 years through the Audubon Society, it is the 23rd annual event in the Hood River Valley.  Unlike many who braved the single digit temps, I stayed close to home, I did have B&B guests to pamper, participating in the FeederWatch Count. 

Thousands of volunteers braving the winter weather, grab their binoculars, bird guides and checklists to head out on an annual mission – often before dawn.  For over one hundred years, the desire to both make a difference and to experience the beauty of nature has driven dedicated people to leave the comfort of a warm house during the Holiday season to make vital contributions to conservation.  Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this longest-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations – and to help guide conservation action.  Visiting our feeders yesterday were:

1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
9 California Quail
1 Northern Flicker
7 Steller’s Jay
2 Western Scrub Jay
2 Black-capped Chickadee
1 Chestnut-backed Chickadee
2 Red-breasted Nuthatch
3 Song Sparrow
50 Juncos

From feeder-watchers and field observers to count compilers and regional editors, everyone who takes part in the Christmas Bird Count does it for love of birds and the excitement of friendly competition — and with the knowledge that their efforts are making a difference for science and bird conservation.  Our feeders sit right outside our dining room so our guests got to participate in the count, expanding their birding knowledge.

I love birding, still have a lot to learn, and Oregon is an amazing state to explore the world of Ornithology.  I have written quite a few blogs on the subject, including lodging options at the member inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.

The State of Oregon is a bird watchers paradise.  There are extensive reserves and habitats that serve as excellent nesting and brood rearing areas for waterfowl and colonial nesting birds including American white pelican and several heron species. Many of our member inns have habitats on their grounds or are located near areas ideal for birding.  Grab your binoculars, choose an inn, and set out on your bird watching adventure.

Spring activity along the major flyways begins in March and then the spring rituals in our habitats and backyard resume.  The Oregon Cascade Birding Trail (OCBT) is a great place to begin your birding adventure.  From there you can decide where you'd like to visit.  When you have made that decision turn to the website for the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild and I am sure you will find an inn close by.