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.
March brings the beginning of the southward movement of many migratory land birds through Oregon and as an avid birder I wanted to share the many birding opportunities that can be found in throughout our state. The Oregon Cascade Birding Trail (OCBT) is a self-guided auto tour highlighting nearly 200 prime birding destinations designed to showcase the region's birds and spectacular scenery. This blog will focus on the Mt Hood Loop of the Oregon Cascade Birding Trail. Let's get settled first before we begin our birding adventure.
There are Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member inns all along the OCBT where you can begin your trek with a belly full of a hearty breakfast and a brain full of local knowledge.
Check into the Mt. Hood Hamlet, nestles into the woods of the family cherry orchard with magnificent views of Mt. Hood. Pick the brain of the innkeeper who is very knowledgeable of the area's flora, fauna and geology. Located between the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood has four unique guestrooms decorated beautifully with comfort and care.
The Mt. Hood Loop of the OCBT rises from the Columbia River to Mt. Hood, the highest point in Oregon, and combines some of the best of the region's birding with legendary Oregon scenery. This loop traverses the Columbia River National Scenic Area and the Mt. Hood National Forest and visits 19 birding sites.
Lewis and Clark traveled the Columbia Gorge corridor. The Lewis' Woodpecker, Clark's Nutcracker and Clark's Grebe were named in their honor. Many species of waterfowl and raptors including the Bald Eagle inhabit the river and further up the mountain you'll observe woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches and so many more.
One of my favorite hikes, and I have many, is the Tamanawas Falls trail. The falls are amazing at 100 feet high and 40 feet wide. The trailhead footbridge is the midpoint of a 8-mile stretch of the East Fork of the Hood Riverhosting nesting Harlequin Ducks. A riparian habitat and mature mixed-conifer forest surrounds the trail to the falls.
After you've explored the trails on the north side of Mt. Hood head on around to the south and western flanks where the Sandy and Zig Zag Rivers lead you past Trillium Lake and through Wildwood Recreation Area. The Brightwood Guest House B&B, the site of a former pioneer way station, can provide a home base while searching for the elusive Pileated Woodpecker.
Bring out the hiking boots and binoculars, pack your bags. Next stop the Mt. Jefferson Loop.
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.
[Editor's note: Villa Columbia is a member of the Oregon B&B Guild's Green Lodging Certification program.]Mike also provides an excellent short video with views of the inn, the guestrooms and the area, plus a photo album of the inn. Visit his blog to see it all. And while you're at it, take a look at the rest of Mike's Road Trip--what an interesting fellow and an interesting mission!
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.
Aug 6&7 and continuing through August. Celebrating 60 kinds of sunflowers – Perfect opportunity to paint, cut, take photos and enjoy the many colors of summer. Reservations suggested for photo clubs or art groups. Kick-off weekend features live music, wine tasting from Hood River Vineyards, vegetable games, and a treasure hunt. Quilt show and sale, art show and sale. Come paint, take photos, cut bouquets, and enjoy through the whole month of August. Covered picnic area.Gravenstein Apple Days August 20 & 21. Kick-off the fall fruit season with our favorite pie apple. At Rasmussen Farms, fresh cider, Gravenstein Apple Pie, and recipes. Also, family activities, featuring a Pie Walk, Chicken Dance, and live music in the afternoons. Opening of the Corn Maze.
Gravenstein season is short and the Hood River Valley Fruit Loop celebrates the harvest each year with a weekend full of special activities. Come enjoy family activities including BBQs, U-pick, baby alpacas, apple dumplings, apple jam and more. Visit the Fruit Loop website for a complete list of harvest events and begin planning your adventure today.
Apple Valley's Huckleberry Jam & Country BBQ ~ August 13 & 14 Huckleberry and music lovers come together to celebrate the wild huckleberry harvest. Listen to live music Saturday Aug 15 from 12–5 while enjoying a BBQ lunch (cherry-wood smoked ribs, pulled pork and chicken sandwiches, all served with cider baked beans and pear coleslaw). Huckleberry cobbler, crisps, turnovers, milkshakes, pies, and more.
From August till the snow flys in November, the fruit stands of the Hood River Valley will be open with over 30 varieties of apples and pears to purchase and sample. The Hood River Valley is just an hour away from Portland. Located in the national scenic area of the Columbia River Gorge, and the nation's largest pear-growing region, this is one of the few places that offers the complete experience of growing, producing, and then enjoying fruit and wine.
Fall is an amazing season to visit. Warm days and cool nights make for perfect weather to taste the harvest and enjoy the fall foliage. Why not stay a few days to take it all in? The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild has 13 member inns ready to provide the perfect Mt Hood Bed and Breakfast.
transit. I love it. So when I overheard my Portland guests suggesting to our Portland bound Minnesota guests the 4T Trail I was all ears. We had to go into Portland so after a bit of research on the trail we headed out Monday morning. Plan: Drive the hour and a half into Portland, do the 4T Trail then run errands, mixing adventure with necessity. 
Starting at the parking lot of the Washington Park Max Station, the 4 mile Trail section takes you through the thick forests of the West Hills, to Portland's highest point, Counsil Crest, and on into OHSU. Oregon Health and
Science University has a campus on the hills overlooking Portland and the Cascade Range. A few years ago a Tram was built to connect OSHU and the Waterfront and it has become quite a tourist destination. Take the tram down to the waterfront, disembark and walk about 50 steps and catch the Portland Trolley to downtown. then the
Train (Max) back to your car.One can
begin the loop at any point and the trail is marked numerous places, even downtown. We hiked the trail first, arrived downtown in time for lunch and a gelato, with plenty of time to stroll, before heading taking the Train back.This is one of many urban hikes in Portland. Combine one of these with Portland Oregon Lodging at a unique bed and breakfast and you have the perfect Oregon Geotourism Adventure. Visit the Portland region of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild website and select an inn in the West Hills, many just a short drive, or Max train, to the Washington Park Max Station.
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!!
The Mt Hood Cycling Classic is coming to the Columbia River Gorge June 2nd-5th. The race features stages through the Gorge, the Upper Hood River Valley, and the Mt Hood National Forest and has been described by experienced international racers as some of the most beautiful they’ve ever ridden.This event is not just for those that are racing. Spectators are given an opportunity to see the action first hand. Food, fun and music greet those who come to watch the action. Spectators have an opportunity to see some of the best racing in the Northwest as the riders compete for one of the richest prize purses around. The time trials give onlookers an opportunity to see just how fast and aerodynamic the riders can be.
The criterium seems to be a definite crowd favorite. The race will be conducted in the twilight hours on Saturday. Spectators are able to get to within inches of the riders as they lean into the corners at break neck speeds. Thrills chills and some monster spills will keep the crowd glued to the action
The Columbia River Gorge and Hood River hotels fill up fast as 500 riders begin registration. Make your reservation at one of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast inns in area surrounding Mt Hood, come up enjoy the race and the Columbia River Gorge.
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
With a gorgeous view of Mt. Hood, Seven Oaks Bed and Breakfast, an inspected and approved member of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild, has two simply elegant bedrooms with private bathrooms and a separate cottage. Lots of nooks for relaxing plus a complete vegetarian breakfast to start your day. Less than five minutes from downtown Hood River. A wholesome retreat...in every sense.Built in 1928 by French craftsman and renowned inventor August Guignard, the homestead at 1373 Barker Road featured acres of farms and orchards as well as manufacturing operations for the fruit grading equipment he pioneered. Today, that home is Seven Oaks Bed & Breakfast and it continues to be one of the finest historical homes in the nation.
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
On March 31st, 2003, we arrived in Parkdale and began our journey as innkeepers of the Old Parkdale Inn, a Mt. Hood Bed and Breakfast. It was something I had dreamed about doing for quite awhile and some days I still pinch myself and some days I ask myself what am I doing!Today I begin my 9th year. My, time certainly flies when we are having fun! And I am having fun. Oh, I admit there are days when it gets a little rough, say mid September when we have had a constant turnover of guests experiencing Oregon. But those guests are amazing and I wouldn't trade them for the world. Some have become friends, almost family, they have returned so many times.
The Old Parkdale Inn is nestled in the Hood River Valley on the northern slope of Mt. Hood. We are the perfect base for outdoor adventure and quiet retreats. Our grounds have been recognized as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat and we look forward to spring and the arrival of the many birds that frequent our feeders.
Located in the heart of the Fruit loop, a scenic 35 mile driving tour past family farms, fruit stands, wineries, and friendly communities, we anxiously await the show of blossoms ready to open in the acres of pears, cherries and apples.
On Blossom Fest Weekend, April 15/16, businesses along the Fruit Loop open after their winter nap and celebrate spring with art shows, music, and of course, food.
As a Certified Green Lodging member of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild you can rest assured you will experience accommodations fulfilling your sustainable travel needs. Our inn has three artistically decorated guest rooms, all with private bath, eco friendly products, a modern kitchen and dining room where we serve up a hearty Northwest culinary breakfast. The Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast, , the Hood River Valley blossoms, Mt. Hood. Is there a better way to welcome spring?
That's the motto for the Columbia Gorge Winegrowers. Americas' Most Unique Wine Region is located less than an hour East of Portland, Oregon. Straddling the mighty Columbia River, the Columbia Gorge Growing Region includes the fertile soils of both Washington and Oregon! From the marine influenced climate of Underwood Mountain to the arid dryland of the Eastern Gorge, from Albarino to Zinfandel, the grapes and wines of this unique region are a spectacular selection of sweet whites and luscious reds.
Monday, March 28, 2011
The preview event for Passport Weekend featuring wineries from the
Columbia Gorge in Washington and Oregon
The wineries span the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area through 40 miles of peaceful, open-roads running through double mountain views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams.Stay a long weekend at a member inn of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild in the Mt Hood, Columbia Gorge Region. One day can be spent in the Washington wineries, the next in our Oregon wineries then complete the weekend in Hood River's downtown tasting Rooms. It's a wonderful way to spend the weekend and discover the variety of wines from the Columbia Gorge and Columbia Valley AVAs and the member inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.
And this is just too cool. The Columbia River Winegrowers now has an app available at the iTunes store! Passports for the upcoming 'Passport to A World of Wine' are available on the app. Isn't that progressive? A World of Wine in the palm of your hand. Love it!!
Timberline Ski Resort offers some of the state's most scenic skiing. And it doesn't stop after Spring Break as Timberline is the only ski area in North America to be open 12 months of the year. That means summer skiing on the Palmer Glacier.
And just minutes from world class skiing is the Brightwood Guest Bed and Breakfast. Be the only guests at this one unit Mt Hood Bed and Breakfast. Secluded by a clear creek and surrounded by fir and cedar forests, this Oregon B&B is tucked away in the village of Mt Hood. After a day on the slopes return to your private unit, complete with
a large bath, kitchenette and all the amenities you need. Outdoors, the covered fireplace and wooden clawfoot hot soaking tubs will delight, rain, snow or shine.A hearty and delicious breakfast is served in your cabin at your convenience. A perfect way to start a perfect day near skiing and snowshoeing
The Brightwood Guest House is open year round and being adjacent to the Mt Hood National forest is close to hiking biking, backpacking, and fine dining in the Village of Mt Hood.
For a private Oregon Bed and Breakfast getaway choose the Bright wood Guest House, a true Mt Hood Bed and Breakfast.
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.
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.
Whether you are just passing through, planning to stay or just haven't made up your mind yet, consider visiting one or more of Oregon's quaint villages, small towns or even the big city! Boasting historical districts consisting of vintage homes, downtown buildings and bed and breakfasts from Jacksonville to Albany and from McMinnville to Astoria, finding that perfect place to dine, explore and stay overnight isn't hard!This time of year is when you find native Oregonians holding on to the edge of their seats. I've seen and heard them for myself in all their anticipation as they ponder the snow conditions up on Mt. Hood, is there still good hiking found in the hills near Corvallis or is too wet, should we get our skiis out yet and head on over to Mt. Bachelor or Hoodoo or, should we just sit in a little coffee shop in the Pearl and think of trying a new restaurant to have dinner in tonight?
Oh...just so much to chose from! So, where does one start? Native or visitor to Oregon? Well, I say one must always start with the food! I could end this blog right here and just tell you to start in Jacosonville and get on the epicurean bus and eat your way through Oregon! However, I will suggest that you just take your sweet time and begin at the Jacksonville Inn Bistro and have the Butternut Squash Soup made of course with locally grown ingredients and topped so heavenly with creme' fraiche. Then, work your way up to Albany and dine at Sybaris where Matt Bennet has cornered the farmer's market on all that is local and so fresh that his menu changes monthly allowing him to prepare and serve only what is in season in the Willamette Valley. Taking that epicurean trail, you could continue on up in to McMinnville and have a burger and tots on the roof top at The Oregon Hotel and discover why the McMenaman brothers are so famous. After that pitstop, go on and check out brew pub after brew pub and learn why our beer here in Oregon is so popular all over the country. Wherever you choose to dine, taste or sip, you will learn why Oregonians just love it here. Small town or the big city...doesn't matter...the foods always good in Oregon!
Finding that perfect inn on the trail is part of the fun too! Some of Oregon's most famous foodies are found right in the kitchens of these Oregon Bed and Breakfasts! There is nothing like coming in from skiing, snowshoeing, or even wine tasting and seeing the roaring fire in the fireplace and a dish of warm cookies and that special bottle of Oregon Pinot Noir waiting for you. Choosing Oregon Wine Country or a Mt. Hood Bed and Breakfast as a place to warm up this winter sounds like a good place to stop the bus and get off!
Don't miss your bus and hope to see you on the trail as you visit Oregon this winter. Stay warm and well fed!
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