Hood River Oregon Hotels

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.
 

From the small community owned slopes of Ferguson Ridge Ski Area in Eastern Oregon to the slopes of Mt Ashland in the south, Oregon offers unparalleled opportunities for outdoor winter recreation. Whether you are a skier, snowboarder or looking for backcountry trails for snowshowing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, Oregon has it all. And after your day's adventure, get pampered at an Oregon Bed and Breakfast member inn nearby.

The Innkeepers of Central and Eastern Oregon await your visit.  Mt. Bachelor is one of the Pacific Northwest’s largest ski areas. Only 20 minutes form Bend and Sisters, Mt. Bachelor offers world class skiing and snowboarding from November through May. Famous for its deep, dry powder and with 3,683 acres of terrain served by a network of ten lifts, seven of which are high speed quads, there’s room for every interest and ability. Ferguson Ridge is a community owned ski area located just 9 miles outside Joseph, Oregon.  With the highest base elevation of any ski area in the state (7,100 feet) and located in the Elkhorn Ridge of the Blue Mountains, Anthony Lakes has the recipe for light, dry snow. 

In the Cascades the ski areas in the Mt Hood National Forest provide downhill skiing and snowboarding, hiking, and cross country skiing. Mt Hood Meadows is the largest ski resort on Mt. Hood and  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.  Just about an hour from Portland and minutes from Hood River let the innkeepers in these regions provide a warm respite after your day in the crisp outdoors.

Community owned Mt. Ashland, the highest mountain in Southern Oregon’s Siskiyou range, is one of the only slopes in the nation where skiers can carve graceful turns during the day and enjoy clever turns of phrase at night. It’s located just 30 minutes from Ashland, where après ski options include a vibrant arts community, superb restaurants and unique bed and breakfasts of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.

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. The mountain’s 200 acres of skiing offer a number of challenging runs, including Ado and Balcony, leading locals to brag: If you can ski Ashland, you can ski anywhere.  Crater Lake has the best Cross Country views along rim road and you can snowshoe the rim on free Ranger guided snowshoe hikes!

So there you have it.  The ski and snow adventure options are plentiful as are the inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.

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

In 2003, riding on years of success protecting the Yuba River, the South Yuba River Citizens League, SYRCL, decided to plan an environmental film festival.  Seven festivals later, the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival is the largest event of its kind in the US.  The goal is to become the premiere environmental film festival in the world.  Each January, screening begins for the most important and inspirational environmental films available today, as well as host a variety of environmental activists, filmmakers, and celebrities. Wild & Scenic® works to inspire audiences to make positive changes for a healthier world.

The On Tour program began in 2004 because of the many requests to share the festival beyond Nevada County. Today Wild & Scenic® On Tour is shown in communities across the United States … reaching over 85 towns and cities in 2008-2009.

With a growing public awareness for the environment, the festival aims to increase this groundswell through inspiring and educational films which hopefully will motivate people to go out and make a difference in their community and around the world.

The Hood River Valley Residents Committee (HRVRC) was formed in 1977 when a few residents gathered to discuss Hood River County's impending attempt to rezone the upper valley into one-acre home sites. Through grass-roots organizing and effort by local citizens, the proposal was rejected. HRVRC was formed.

On August 26th and 27th, the Crag Law Center and the Hood River Valley Residents Committee will be hosting the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival on Tour.

This will be the third time that the Wild & Scenic Film Festival has come to Hood River, Oregon. This year’s films will be shown outdoors in downtown Hood River at The Ruins at Springhouse Cellar. The Ruins, a picturesque amphitheater, are the remains of a historic Hood River distillery.



Sorry for this last minute notice.  Hope you can join us for this inspiring film festival.  Some of the Mt Hood Bed and Breakfast inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild still have rooms available. 
 

The 2010 Hood River cherry crop is amazing.  We have been picking about 10 pounds of fresh cherries every few days and they become the main ingredient in many a tasty breakfast treat here at the Old Parkdale Inn.  We’ve been making cherry crepes, cherry scones, cherry cobblers and of course placing big bowls of cold, crisp cherries on the table to nibble on before, during and after breakfast. 

One of our guests’ favorite though, is the Double-Crust Cherry Tart and as promised here is the recipe.

1 cup (1/2 lb.) butter, room temperature
2 large egg yolks
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup yellow cornmeal
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 pounds fresh cherries, rinsed and pitted
2 Tbs. quick-tapioca
1 Tbs. lemon juice

In a bowl, with a mixer on medium speed, beat butter with 3/4 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in egg yolks.  Stir in flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt until will blended.  Divide dough in half.  Press one portion over bottom and up sides to rim of a 9-inch tart pan with removable rim.  Place other portion on a lightly floured piece of waxed paper.  Set aside.

In another bowl, mix cherries, tapioca, lemon juice and remaining 1/4 cup sugar.  Let stand for 10 minutes as you roll out second portion of dough with a lightly floured rolling pin into a 10-inch round. 

Pour cherries into tart shell.  Invert round over cherries.  Press edges into rim of tart pan, pinching off any excess.  Sprinkle tart lightly with sugar.
Place tart pan on a baking sheet and bake on the lower rack of a 375 degree over until top is golden brown, about 35-40 minutes.

Cherries are finding their way to the breakfast tables of the member inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild in Hood River and the Columbia River Gorge.  Make your reservation today and see what culinary delight they're cooking up.
 

Mother Nature offered up a cool, damp spring and set the harvest back a couple of weeks.  But the cherries are here and as good as every.  If you have never tasted a fresh, tree ripened cherry, you are really missing a treat! 

Head on up to the Hood River Valley and join in the harvest.  The Hood River Valley's cherry season features sales of fresh-picked cherries at Fruit Loop farms and cherry products, such as wine, jam, pies and other desserts.

Don't miss the cherry/white chocolate chip cookies at Packer's Orchard and Cookie Stop Bakery, #14 on the Fruit Loop.  The pear-fect place to enjoy fresh seasonal orchard fruits and mouth watering aroma of freshly baked cookies. Enjoy a refreshing fruit smoothie and watch the cookie crew at work in the bakery. Something for everyone.  Packer's also offers homemade, all products right on site, jams, jellies, butters, sauces, syrups, pie fillings, cookies and so much more!

So much to see and so much tasting to do, you will want to plan a couple of days.  Enjoy the warm days and cool, crisp nights in the Hood River Valley.  Plan to stay at an area bed and breakfast of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.

When it is hot in the valleys there is nothing like a ride on the Magic Mile chair lift on Mt Hood, Oregon's tallest peak at 11, 240 feet.  The majestic mountain can be seen from Portland, the Willamette Valley, the Hood River Valley and the Columbia River Gorge and is an easy day trip from any of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member inns in these regions.

Take the lift to the mountain’s 7000′ level – no skis or snowboards needed but if you do need a ski fix there are but a few places in the world where one can summer ski and on the Palmer Glacier on Mt Hood is one of them.  The spectacular view of Mt. Hood, Palmer snowfield, and nearby Mt. Jefferson is one you’ll soon not forget. Allow 30 minutes to ride up and ride down, or 2 hours if you choose to ride up and walk down.  The temperature can be cool on Mt. Hood, even in the summer. Please dress appropriately for current weather conditions.  

The Hood River Valley is our nations largest pear growing regions but we don’t stop there.  Cherries and apples also are a huge crop along with the berries, stone fruit, lavender, wine grapes and more.  July’s warmth ripens the cherries, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries and begins the 2010 harvest.  From now through the summer, something is always fresh and ready to be picked, snipped or sipped.  The first cherries arrived in our CSA box this week!!

The 2010 Cherry Celebration, July 10 -11, is an adventure with activities for the entire family.  Farms offer many varieties of fresh-picked and u-pick cherries, wines, lavender, jams and other cherry treats.  Many farms feature picnic areas.   In addition to the orchard-fresh fruit available all along the Loop, some Fruit Loop farms serve up special activities or attractions for Cherry Days. Admission to most Fruit Loop farms and attractions is free, and most are open from at least 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (some have shorter or longer hours). There is free parking, too.

Friday and Saturday nights are filling up quickly this summer but do check.  Better yet, we invite you to beat the crowds and visit the Hood River Valley mid week.  The fruit and wines taste the same, sometimes better with less distractions!   There are certainly more rooms available at the inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild  If you are thinking Fall Apple/Pear Harvest, don’t think too long.  Reserve your room today. 

What do you think of when we say the word "Lavender"?  Aromatic, fragrant, relaxing, soothing are a few adjectives that come to mind.  Leave the hustle and bustle of daily life behind, visit an Oregon Lavender Farm and prepare to relax.  During the weekend of July 9-11, 2010, over 30 Lavender Farms in Oregon will open their farms to tours, workshops and celebrations, many including food and music, during the peak of the lavender season.  

I may be a little bias but my favorite lavender farm is Hood River Lavender Farms as it is just 8 miles from the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast.  Recently selected for inclusion in the Central Cascades Geotourism Project, Hood River Lavender Farms is a certified-organic u-pick lavender farm situated on the top of Straight Hill surrounded by orchards and offering amazing views of Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams and the Hood River Valley below. It has a large wildflower garden (Oregon native wildflowers) in the center of the farm. Due to the climate and location, over 70 varieties of lavender are present, including two unique lavenders grown only here, with a cute Lavender Shoppe on the farm where many luxury lavender items (including lavender oil distilled on site) are created and sold.

The farm is home to the annual Lavender DAZE Festival, July 10-11, 2010, featuring live music, local wines, 20+ local artisan booths, craft classes, kid activities and more. Picnic lunches are encouraged. Truly a unique and beautiful experience.  The bed and breakfast inns of the Mt Hood and Columbia River Gorge region, all members of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild, have rooms available for the perfect, romantic weekend getaway. 

Can't make it to the Hood River Valley?  No problem as there are plenty of Lavender Festivals planned this same weekend across Oregon.  And certainly a bed and breakfast of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild near the one of your choice.