Oregon Lodging Pet Friendly

Music in The Mountains at the Prospect Hotel ~ An Annual Southern Oregon Event

Wednesday, September 14, 2011 by Mary Pellegrini

Music in the Mountains at the Prospect Hotel

Friday Night, September 23^rd, Saturday September 24^th, Sunday September 25^th, 2011

Music Festival, Prospect, Or. – ‘Music in the Mountains’ on the Prospect Historic Hotel grounds. Two days of Bluegrass, Country, Folk and Americana Music. Starts Friday night Sept 23 at 6pm with ‘Jammin’ on the Veranda’. Then all day Saturday starting at 10am Sept. 24th & 10am again on Sunday Sept. 25th. Great Food, Local Wines and Beers. Craft Booths, Quilt Show and more. Another Jammin’ on the Veranda on Saturday night. Bring lawn blankets and chairs, Prospect Hotel 541-560-3664

www.prospecthotel.com/bluegrass.html

General admission is just $18/day or a 2 day pass is only $30.

Set during the last weekend of September; when the weather is predictably pleasant the Upper Rogue’s Premier Music Festival is continuing in the tradition of the 13 years of the Prospect Bluegrass Festival with loads of enhancements.

Superb bands provide a combination of Folk, Bluegrass, Americana and Country music each day for your enjoyment. Seated on the lawn of the majestic Prospect Hotel grounds, surrounded by hundreds of spectacular trees you will hear each genre performed by delightful, multi-talented musicians from the Pacific Northwest. Bands performing are Eight Dollar Mountain, Stereotyped, Jesse Woodside, Apropos, John Hill & Jill Yvonne, and Brooks Robertson.

Each morning there will be breakfast munchies and coffee. Between sets you can partake in some of the best food around; Prospect Hotel’s Dinner House staff will be cooking up clinary deliciousness for your pleasure. Prime Rib French Dip sandwiches, BBQ rib bones, BBQ Chicken quarters, sweet potato fries, salads and more.

Oregon Geotourism at it's best! What better way to enjoy the music and food than with a local wine from Crater Lake Cellars, or a Southern Oregon Brewery beer.

There will be Search and Rescue Benefit breakfast served across the street each morning.

You can listen to all this great music while perusing the beautiful handy work of an elite selection of local Artists and Craftsmen. There are too many creative folks to list here. While the bands take a break you can view the Arts and crafts on display around the grounds and beautiful hand made quilts presented on the Prospect Hotel veranda. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for a GREAT weekend in Prospect for some ‘Music in the Mountains”! Saturday September 24^th & Sunday September 25^th 2011. SORRY no dogs will be allowed.

Sorry but all the rooms at the Prospect Hotel (www.prospecthotel.com) are booked, we have Mike’s RV Service providing accommodations for some of the performers with a few of his RVs. There are also RV spaces are available at the Crater Lake RV Park. (www.prospectrv.com); and there are loads of campsites in the area. Make your reservations early, this promises to be a great event.

Sled Dog Races in Oregon ~ A Great Way to Celebrate Winter!

Thursday, January 6, 2011 by Mary Pellegrini

The infectious enthusiasm and energy of sled dogs will be seen and heard by young and old spectators alike at two different Oregon Sled Dog events. This year’s Annual Chemult Sled Dog Races, January 15 & 16, is particularly special as it marks 50 years of sled dog racing in Oregon. And this week it's time for Eagle Cap Extreme which starts this Thursday, January 6th at the Ferguson Ridge Ski Areaoutside of Joseph Oregon. The every popular veterinary checks for sled dogs takes place at 9 am on Main Street in Joseph.

Sled Dog Races are a great opportunity for everyone to experience the excitement of competitive sled dog racing. Mushers come from as far away as Arizona, Michigan and British Columbia to compete.

The Chemult Races will begin at 8:30 a.m. each day and conclude sometime around mid-afternoon at the Walt Haring Sno-Park. The schedule consists of six sled dog races and two Skijoring races (cross-country skier pulled by 1-2 dogs). Walt Haring Sno-Park is located one-quarter mile north of Chemult, Ore., on Highway 97.

For a lodging option near Chemult, choose Lonesome Duck Ranch and Resort just down the road in Chiloquin. Lonesome Duck Ranch & Resort is tucked away in southern Oregon, just north of Klamath Falls and less than an hour from Crater Lake National Park and offers beautiful vacation guest houses.

In Joseph Oregon this year there are more opportunities for the public to spend time with the mushers of the Eagle Cap Extreme:

Wednesday, Jan 5th, 6 pm, Joseph Community Center. Mushers Potluck (you can bring something or pick up some food at the local Mt. Joseph Family Foods grocery). The Wallowa Avalanche Center will provide a program at 7 pm.
Thursday, Jan 6th, 1 pm, Ferguson Ridge Ski Area. Race starts! Colorful excitement of flags, winter gear, and dogs ready to pull sleds. There will be shuttle buses available leaving from Joseph at 10:45 am.
Thursday, Jan 6th, 2 pm-4 pm (estimate), Salt Creek Summit Snow Park. See the teams as they head into the Wallowa Mountains. Bring your snowshoes and cross-country skis for a better view.
Friday, Jan 7th & Sat, Jan 8th, Fergi. Watch the 100- and 200-mile teams arrive.
Saturday, Jan 8th, 5:30 pm, Joseph Community Center. "Tales from the Trails" dinner (tickets $20). Enjoy dinner, see award presentations and hear the tales from the trails.

You can find out more about this annual Joseph Oregon event at the Eagle Cap Extreme website.

If you're still looking for somewhere to stay for your sled dog fix, the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast has plenty of room available. A delightful, award-winning B&B located in Joseph, the premiere art colony town of Eastern Oregon. Walking distance to local art galleries, restaurants and unique shops. Nearby are Wallowa Lake, Hells Canyon Scenic Byway and the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Snowshoeing, backcountry skiing and snowmobiling are popular winter activities.

Both Lonesome Duck and the Bronze Antler are distinguished members of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.

New Years Eve at the Prospect Hotel ~ Crater Lake Lodging

Friday, December 3, 2010 by Mary Pellegrini

What are you doing for New Year's Eve?

Join us for a Murder Mystery Dinner
Murder Mystery Dinner Party

Murder at the Salty Sea Dog - A Pirate's Tavern

YOU are one of the characters in the mystery!
Will you be killed off or did you committ the dastardly deed!
"ARRRRGGGHH Mateys we'll not know 'til the evenuns dun"
Champagne Reception @ 8:30,
Dinner @ 9:00
Dinner $60, Over 3 hours of entertainment!
Hotel overnight Package for 2 including Breakfast - $245
Comparable deals to stay in the Motel!
Reservations ARE REQUIRED; Characters are LIMITED!
Call 541-560-3664 to JOIN the FUN

Travel Oregon Wanderfeast Beer Week ~ Week Three

Sunday, October 17, 2010 by Mary Pellegrini

Another week....another feast! Wanderfeast, a celebration of food, foodies, and your chance for an authentic Oregon Culinary Vacation. From the wine crush in Applegate Valley to the chanterelles hiding in the Coast Range to the fish and game that frolic in every nook and cranny of Oregon, ten top chefs will chase after ten of Oregon’s finest epicurean products. It’s ten weeks of foodie bliss, from one end of Oregon to the other. And you’re invited to come along.

The beer spectrum in Oregon is as varied as the personalities who brew it, from our signature IPAs to deep dark stouts to beers aged like wine. This week brewer and accomplished cook Alan Sprints of Hair of the Dog Brewery takes a trip to the hop fields of the Willamette Valley and gets inspiration for the kitchen and his latest brew.

You have to love these "beer" stats taken from the Oregon Brewers Guild Fact Sheet:

Oregon is the second largest producer of craft been in the U.S.
Oregon is the No. 2 hop growing state in the country.
There are currently 78 brewing companies, operating 110 brewing facilities in 48 cities in Oregon, 36 breweries operating in Portland, more than any other city in the world!

Design your own Wanderfeast and possibly win a Culinary Vacation of a lifetime. And even if you don't win we encourage you to create your own Oregon Culinary experience by visiting the member inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild and planning an Oregon "Beercation"like no other!. Our innkeepers take breakfast seriously, serving freshly ground coffee, more often than not roasted locally, along with sweet and savory delights created from the very best of what our Oregon producers have to offer. And with 110 brewing facilities in 48 Oregon cities, I can almost guarantee that, which ever inn you choose, there will be a pub nearby.

A Bed and Breakfast in Oregon and the perfect day for a hike!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010 by Debbie Lusk

Mary from The Old Parkdale Inn turned me on to this hiking trail near Mt. Hood last October when she hosted an inn full of "lady innkeepers." Still thinking that this trail was pretty good for someone wanting to experience a nice hike with a easy grade, I chose to take my daughter there today.

Always trying to find new things to do in Oregon isn't hard at all. And when you find that perfect spot in the universe, you wanna keep going back. I was trying to remember how many inns I have stayed at near the Hood River area. I think I counted five! Hood River B & B, The Old Parkdale Inn, The Mt. Hood Hamlet, Seven Oaks B & B and now tonight, Sakura Ridge Farm and Lodge! Hmmm...think I may be on to something! It's gorgeous here in the Hood River region and for some reason, I keep coming back! It kind of helps when this huge white mountain is the back drop for wine tasting, picking pears, eating delicious food and hiking!

I am pretty much "in love" with all of Oregon and hope that I never take it all for granted! I hope that I can continue enticing folks to come here and experience a stay in one of our Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild Inns and experience Oregon one region at a time.

It is amazing how one state can so perfectly...well...just be perfect! Grape stomping in the Willamette Valley, pears in the Hood River region begging to be plucked to make that very yummy Oregon Pear Brandy you're always hankering for, watching the sunset on the Oregon coast, drinking the best brew from the "brew capitol" of the world...(in case you didn't know...Portland wins that one hops down!), nibbling the amazing assortment of cheese's and Organic distilled goods from Southern Oregon and watching with new eyes the absolute stunning Wallowa Mountains from yet another gorgeous OBBG inn in Eastern Oregon!

Whew...did we cover it all? Maybe so, but have you? Check us out...over and over again! You know you love it HERE!

Thanks Mary for the visit and to you too Tilly, you are a precious dog! And Deanna...Sakura Ridge is breathtaking and I will sleep like a baby tonight! Thanks!

A very "GREEN" vacation!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010 by Debbie Lusk

We love being "green!" We love preserving our natural resources, we love the word, "sustainable" and we love experiencing all of this in the natural beauty that surrounds each of us living in or visiting the great "green" state of Oregon!

Not only are we on the forefront of all that exudes "green," we are and have been the example to the rest of the country that if you wanna be green, you have to learn from the best! Riding our bikes, using public transportation, conserving, recycling, you name it, we are doing it, re-creating it or sharing it!

And, for some of us, we love "experiencing" being green too! Filling our "re-usable" water bottles with our perfect tap water, we headed out for our hiking adventure on a trail near Mary's Peak! About 20 miles out of Philomath near Corvallis is where we began our trek yesterday.

We only had a few hours before our guests were arriving so we headed out and up the trail to Mary's Peak by noon! It was a gorgeous day but all I could think about was getting my exercise in and getting as far as possible up the trail before heading back down. Taking a few people "new to

Oregon" with us, was exciting. We love showing off this awesome place and couldn't wait to start walking. About half way through our walk, someone said, "wow...this place is really green!" I almost laughed cause if I had a dollar for every time someone said that to me...well...you know how that goes. But hearing again those words, I had to slow down and take it all in! I looked

up and saw the magnificant trees stretching toward the sun. I saw each wild flower and thought about how perfect each petal is. I saw water falls, I stepped over the biggest slug I have ever seen and sat long enough to watch a spider weave her web.

Over two hours later and still not sure how far we got up the mountain, but we met some great people on the trail, pet some nice dogs and will take more time next trip to make it to the "peak!"

If you are visiting Oregon and want a true "green" experience, check out our trails! Pack your camel packs, your lunch and your sun screen and get your hiking boots and get going!

Don't forget to stop and smell the flowers and experience Oregon's green!

See you on the trail!

Move Your Family Reunion into A B&B This Summer

Tuesday, July 13, 2010 by Mary Pellegrini

From BnBFinder Bed and Breakfast Blog:

"Family reunions are no longer limited to Thanksgiving or Christmas, or to being a one-day potato salad and hot dog affair. They can be customized to embrace every family’s lifestyle and hobbies, and for that reason, bed and breakfasts and innkeepers can be a reunion-planner’s best friend. Many B&Bs offer their entire premises as the venue for staging your event, and also offer a variety of packages and activities to fit your family’s budget and preferences. Some innkeepers even create fun themes around which activities may be planned, and also arrange itineraries that include trips to theme parks, museums, beaches, or other local attractions. Common areas, such as gardens, and porches provide comfortable gathering spots for family members to reconnect and reminisce. Add to that bountiful breakfasts served to you and your kin every morning, and the joy of having no dishes to wash, and you’ve got the ideal setting for an easy and enjoyable family reunion."

Many of the inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild have the space, grounds and ideal settings for your reunion, retreat, reception, and weddings. For larger events visit the Retreats and Weddings Location Page of the Guild website.

For a smaller more intimate gathering of family and friends any one of 87 inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild will work. We've had a few reunions at our inn this spring/summer. We can accommodate 10 at our inn. Some gatherings were large, up to 40 folks, and although we were not able to accommodate all, only three rooms in the Old Parkdale Inn, we were able to find rooms close by and our gardens made for the perfect setting for reuniting and intimate conversation.

"Keep in mind that like families, no two inns are alike, so finding the perfect match between the B&B and the location is key to the success of the event. Whatever your preference, bed and breakfasts are the ideal place for connecting the great grandparents to the newborns in the family. No need to wait until Christmas to see your loved ones. Instead, why not get together at a family-friendly inn this summer?"

Lonesome Duck Ranch and Resort...an anglers dream!

Saturday, May 29, 2010 by Debbie Lusk

In preparing to write this blog, I had to look up what the word "angler" meant. According to wikipedia, it means someone who fishes with a rod and line. I'm not a fisherman or fisher "woman" for that matter but when I had the opportunity to check out Lonesome Duck Ranch and Resort, I was pretty excited. I love anything that says "ranch!" I love what that word means. I love that there are usually animals on a ranch, sometimes a dog, almost always a horse to two and that laid back kind of country atmosphere that can bring out the cowboy or cowgirl in anyone.

Banked on the Williamson River in Southern Oregon where some of the largest wild trout in the country are found, the newest addition to the Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild is located off hwy

97 in Chiloquin, OR. An "angler" at heart and two very gracious hosts, Steve and Debbie Hilbert made it really hard to leave their beautiful inn. Both with a past in home interior and design, as you can see by this picture, Steve and Debbie have captured the ranch feel. By offering all the comforts of using natural organic materials with modern amenities, they have provided the best of both worlds. Two guest rooms, common areas for reading, relaxing, sipping wine or gazing at the river just outside the back door, no matter where you relax, this inn is "stunning!"

Love fly fishing, bird watching our just love really good blueberry pancakes and bar b qued breakfast sausages? You can still choose to stake your claim to one of the sweet fishing cottages but if you want that "inn" get a way, check in to the Lonesome Duck Ranch and Resort and prepared to be pampered!

And, if you are wondering...there is a dog at this ranch! A black lab and she is very well behaved I might add. Yes...there are horses too and a few llamas and each of them are quite excited about being photographed!

So let the naturalist in you come out! Bring out the boots, the outdoor enthusiast, the cowboy, the cowgirl or the angler and mosey on over to the "ranch!" Two lovely guest rooms, two very lovely hosts and a lovely overnight stay at Lonesome Duck Ranch in Chiloquin! Another very good reason to visit Southern Oregon!

Welcome Steve and Debbie and we are looking forward to our next visit!

American Idol Finalists of the Lodging Industry

Wednesday, March 24, 2010 by Heather Tyreman

Here are two things that don't fit together: "generic" and "bed and breakfast accommodations" Ask any bed and breakfast traveler and they'll tell you. But, there are people out there who think the old stereotype still exists. Thanks to Fox News' Paul Eisenberg for helping to clear out the old!

"If your idea of a bed and breakfast experience involves antique furniture, creaky floors, and sharing bathrooms and meals with strangers, well, you have the right idea.

However, this is just one possible B&B experience - the traditional one, if you will - that provides a chance to spend time with like-minded travelers in a quaint and eclectic home away from home. But if you look more closely at the B&B landscape you’ll find your choices are as diverse as a pack of American Idol finalists, ranging from happily staid to contemporary, romantic, and freaky."
--Paul Eisenberg, "The ABCs of B&Bs", FOXNews.com, March 15, 2010.

As diverse as a pack of American Idol finalists--that's us! And you can find us right here in Oregon on the new Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild website. So, what are you looking for in your bed and breakfast accommodations? Our new website features an in-depth search capability. You can find inns by (these are just a few examples in each category):

Geographic setting (beach? urban?)
Architectural style (contemporary? ranch?)
Area Activities (birding? wineries? golfing?)
Food Service (allergies? vegan?)
Inn Amenities (green lodging certification? business rates?)
Policies (children permitted? not permitted? pet friendly?)
Room Amenities (king beds? steam showers?)
Best Suited For (family travel? romantic travel? business travel?)
Or you can string together your own set of keywords, price ranges, region or city and find the bed and breakfast accommodations that are best for you.

So, what are you waiting for? If you want the creaky you can find it here. If you want the ultra modern you can find it here. Today's Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild members go toe-to-toe with hotels, motels, and other forms of lodging. We're proudly not hotels--check into our members' unique inns of Oregon and discover your own favorite styles of bed and breakfast accommodations!

Carousels and Hazelnuts...treasures in the Willamette Valley!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010 by Debbie Lusk

We recently had friends visit us in the Willamette Valley. Desperately trying to cram everything we love about living here in to just a few days, we had to pick and choose and hopefully give them just enough to make them wanna come back. Mission accomplished and we think they are now planning their next trip already.

Besides our dining frenzy that began with their arrival into Portland and ending in Albany, two "must see" experiences needed to be experienced. Off we were and the first stop was actually just a few blocks from our inn.

A fifteen year project now well in to its 9th year, Albany's Carousel Project is shooting for a completion deadline in about 6 years! One of the most showcased projects in this region, the carousel began as a dream then has flourished as artists, donations, carvers, painters and

volunteers are working together to make this dream come true. On the corner of First Avenue and Washington St. in downtown Albany, you can visit the carousel and see first hand how this vision has come to life. We watched as artists painted, carver's carved and children as well as adults stood in awe at the life size animals being created. The museum is open all week but we found that Saturday is the perfect day to go if you want to watch the artists at work. For more info, go to www.albanyvisitors.com!

You can find completed pieces of the carousel all around town as they are being showcased in shop windows, restaurants with The Pfeiffer Cottage Inn housing the Chinook Salmon!

On a whim, we decided to share one of our other Oregon treasures...hazelnuts! Hazelnut Hill is located just south of Corvallis and just minutes away from another great inn...The Harrison House. Minutes away from OSU and Hazelnut Hill, this inn is perfectly situated in the

Willamette Valley with easy access to many restaurants, shops, and did we mention OSU??? Side note here...the Civil War game is Saturday, December 4th just in case you haven't reserved your room yet!

"Orchard to table," milk or dark chocolate covered, raw, salted, chopped, or sprinkled over your chocolate shake...Hazelnut Hill offers the freshest example of sustainability and a northwest culinary treasure in the form of a nut! A delicious one we might add!

Coming to Oregon?...want to experience the local culture?...want to taste a bit of why we are known as one of the best places to eat in the country?...well, consider yourself invited!

Corvallis Culinary Week...an epicurean delight!

Monday, January 18, 2010 by Debbie Lusk

"...where the beer flows through ice taps." Now what could entice you more than those few words?...and enticing is just the beginning!

If you love food, love food from Oregon, love food in Oregon and love the local, fresh and organic mantra we all do our best to cook by, you'll love this week in Corvallis!

Imagine walking up and down the quaint "hip" town of Corvallis, Oregon sampling not only very cold beer and the perfect Pinot Noir but a smattering of delish grub from some of best of the best restaurants in the region! This week is "Corvallis Culinary Week" and they are ready to stuff you full as you enjoy each culinary delight from at least ten Corvallis restaurants.

Imagine a cold beer at 101 or the perfect seafood sampler from Aqua where their specialty is Pacific Rim and Hawaiian cuisine. Visit Cloud 9, the downward dog, Fireworks, Le Bistro, Magenta or Zia's!

Have we mentioned conveniently that there are at least two local bed and breakfasts near downtown Corvallis that are willing to take you in if you need a place to recuperate after tasting your way through Corvallis all evening? Well...The Harrison House and The Pfeiffer Cottage Inn, Corvallis and downtown Albany respectivley, are two Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild membership inns that know where the best of the best is when it comes to that perfect culinary experience and that perfect "inn" stay!

cheers!

Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Race in Northeastern Oregon, Jan 13-16, 2010

Monday, January 4, 2010 by Heather Tyreman

It's time again for the annual Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Race in Northeastern Oregon! This race is Oregon's only sled dog race that is a qualifier for both the Alaska Iditarod and the Yukon Quest in Alaska/Canada.

In a recent press release, ECX President Clyde Raymer, Jr., announced that twelve teams are preregistered for the race--8 for the 100 mile race in the Eagle Cap Wilderness of Wallowa County, Oregon, and 4 for the 200 mile race through the Eagle Cap Wilderness to a site near Halfway, Oregon and return.

The event features fun for the whole family, ranging from the veterinary checks for all the sled dogs on Wednesday, January 13, 2010, through the awards banquet and musher's ball on Saturday, January 16, 2010.

If you'd like to attend the race, we have bed & breakfast lodging in Oregon recommendations for you. There are two Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild members in Joseph, Oregon (the start & finish of the race and location of Race Central):

Belle Pepper's Bed and Breakfast - Pepper herself is very involved in organizing volunteer for this year's Eagle Cap Extreme. You'll find three well-appointed guestrooms with private baths awaiting you.
Bronze Antler Bed and Breakfast - Heather & Bill are hosting one of the ECX out-of-town staff members as their contribution to this year's race. Last year the trail boss stayed with us, giving guests an insider's view to race operations. We don't know yet who will stay with us for the 2010 race, but we're certain we'll learn more about sled dogs and racing from whoever it is!

Regardless of which bed & breakfast you choose, we'd love to see you "go to the dogs" at an Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild member in January 2010!

Things to see and do in Northeastern Oregon in August

Wednesday, August 5, 2009 by Heather Tyreman

Thinking about a quick vacation? There are plenty of things to see and do in Northeastern Oregon in August--especially in Wallowa County. Here's a suggestion for the weekend of August 22 and 23:

Wallowa Resources First Annual Barn Dance Fundraiser

Saturday, August 22, 5:30 pm to 10 pm
5:30 pm social hour with wine tasting
6:30 pm dinner catered by Beth Gibans of Backyard Gardens featuring plenty of fresh, local ingredients (Oregon culinary tourism at the grass roots)
Dance to Country Band "Diverse" with Craig Nichols
Live auction featuring: 2 Scenic Flights over the Wallowa Mountains, Hikers Drop Camp in the Wallowa Mountains, a beautiful Palomino Filly, and a lot more.
Tickets only $20 per person, available from Wallowa Resources at (541) 426-8053 or through local ticket outlets (see web link above).

Not only is it going to be a lot of fun, you're supporting the good works Wallowa Resources does--

Since its formation in 1996, Wallowa Resources has worked to bring people together in a common goal: to blend the ecological needs of the land with the economic needs of the community. The Organization strives to balance Wallowa County's economic well-being with the stewardship and conservation of its resources, preserving the area's heritage of making a living from the land.

What could be better than that?

And you'll need somewhere to stay before and after the dance. There's some wonderful lodging in Oregon to be found in Wallowa County:

Keep your rural weekend theme going by staying at the Barking Mad Farm Bed & Breakfast. Diana & Hunter will be happy to host you in their much-less-than-rustic guestrooms on their farm overlooking Joseph and Enterprise Oregon. Just because they're Oregon lodging pet friendly doesn't mean that they've gone to the dogs!

Nearby Alder Slope Bed & Breakfast also gives you the opportunity to bring along your horse for the weekend. Give Jerry or Barrie a call when you're ready to pull that trailer to some of the most spectacular locations for Oregon trail riding in the Wallowa Mountains.

If city lodging is more your style, both Belle Pepper's Bed & Breakfast and the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast are located in the town of Joseph Oregon. Enjoy your barn dance, but stay in town for the shops, art galleries and restaurants of this art colony town.

Pirates, Beer and A BBQ Cook-Off...it's all happening in historic downtown Albany!

Saturday, July 25, 2009 by Debbie Lusk

Where else can you go for a weekend of fun, food and free family entertainment? Try downtown Albany, Oregon this weekend if you like pirates, like to act like a pirate or just like saying "aarg!"

The Brotherhood of Oceanic Mercenaries (BOOM) pirates will be invading The Pfeiffer Cottage Inn and downtown Albany beginning Friday, July 31st. Calapooia Brewing Co. joins in the downtown fun when the festivities begin with Agility Dog Demo's, a pet parade, an Owner/Pet Look-a-like contest, Army Rock Band Battle of the Bands and Movies By Moonlight playing "The Princess Bride."

Saturday, August 1st will be a very full day of dancing, costume contests, pie and rib eating contests, pirate shows and preparing for the BBQ cook-off. Sunday promises to start the day off right by offering Praise in the Park as Larry Boy from Veggie Tales makes a meet and greet appearance. Then the day gets really down and dirty with the opening of the beer gardens and Ray's Food Place KCBS Regional BBQ Cook-off Awards.

So, our inn is gunna be invaded by pirates but you can still come get bbq sauce all over your face as you act like a pirate and join in the fun and entertainment down by the Willamette River. Check out our other choices of lovely inn's in the Albany and Corvallis area by going to www.obbg.org.

See you down by the river in beautiful historic downtown Albany!

Great Live Music in Eastern Oregon Every Thursday Evening During Summer!

Monday, June 15, 2009 by Heather Tyreman

Looking for a different start to your Oregon vacation? How about some great live music in Northestern Oregon every Thursday evening during summer?

During June, July and August, the Wallowa Valley Music Alliance presents a live music courthouse concert. This isn't just any old concert series--musicians come in from all around the Pacific Northwest and beyond to this far-away corner of Oregon. Performances range from early jazz and swing to alt-country-rock to traditional folk to award-winning contemporary songwriters performing their own music.

Who: Every week is a different group. You can view the most up-to-date listing on the Music Alliance's website. Here are the bands coming for the rest of June 2009:

June 18th: Simon Tucker Group (gut-wrenching original blues)
June 25th: Jessie Morgan (Wallowa County's own country diva)

Where: At the gazebo on the Wallowa County Courthouse grounds in Enterprise, Oregon (only 10 minutes from Joseph Oregon and 20 minutes from Wallowa Lake).

When: Every Thursday evening, June through August, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. The nearby Farmers Market starts at 4:00 p.m.

Cost: FREE (although donations are graciously accepted and can be counted as tax-deductible contributions to the Wallowa Valley Music Alliance).

Sponsors: Wallowa Valley Music Alliance, City of Enterprise, Wallowa County Board of Commissioners, Oregon Arts Commission.

What to do:

Reserve your room at one of four Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild members in Wallowa County so you'll have somewhere to sleep that evening once the concert's over.
Bring your lawn chair (and maybe a blanket--it does cool down during the evening around here).
Start your romantic getaway Oregon style with an intimate, free, open-air concert surrounded by the beautiful Wallowa Mountains!

Where to stay (Oregon Bed and Breakfasts in Wallowa County):

A Barking Mad Farm Country B&B is a short drive out of Enterprise, or a nice bike riding distance if you bring yours along. (also Oregon lodging pet friendly)
Alder Slope B&B is not too far from Barking Mad Farm.
Belle Peppers B&B in Joseph is a 10-minute drive from Enterprise.
Bronze Antler B&B is two blocks away from Belle Peppers.

An Oregon Bed & Breakfast, Butterflies and Elk?

Friday, June 5, 2009 by Debbie Lusk

Elk on highway 38 between two Oregon Bed and Breakfasts.

A 7:30am coffee wake-up call was the perfect way to crawl out of a cozy bed and greet the morning. Last week we enjoyed visiting with our host Jon at Coos Bay Manor, an Oregon coast lodging facility and Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild membership inn.

The manor boasts five guest rooms, a hearty, healthy breakfast and two sweet dogs that happily greet each and every guest. This pet friendly inn offers the perfect location for bird watching, dune buggy rides in the sand dunes and many other family fun activities.

A day or two on the coast then we discover hwy 38. This highway is a must. I mean you really must drive this highway. An absolute gorgeous ride with many surprises along the way. Herds of elk, the Umpqua River, the rolling green hills, and oh yeah, all the red barns. Lots of them, tons of them all along this hwy. I

could have spent an entire day just photographing and looking at the barns...but then I would have missed the butterflies.

Elkton, Oregon, a small historic town, and home to the Butterfly Pavilion, is only about 36 miles from the Pacific Ocean and 60 miles from Eugene. With a population of 197, this town is fast becoming the "Bass Capital of Oregon". Go fishing for trout, salmon, steelhead or shad too. Or, just go see the butterflies. At the Butterfly Pavilion,

Gardner at Butterfly Pavilion, Elkton, Oregon

you can enjoy espresso and/or Umpqua ice cream while perusing the beautiful gardens that provide the natural attraction for many species of butterflies. Tour the gardens full of native shrubs and trees, see the Life-cycle display of Oregon butterflies, sponsor a log and help construct or just visit the replica of historic Fort Umpqua. Consider this natural botanical garden for the perfect Oregon wedding site!

Blueberries, orchards, flowers, gardens, wine grapes and feed crops grace this towns countryside and provides the perfect backdrop for the four wineries found in Elkton. River's Edge Winery, Brandborg Vineyard & Winery, Anindor Vineyards and Bradley Vineyards are all located nearby.

So, a scenic drive along the Oregon Coast, a comfy night in a Coos Bay, Oregon Bed & Breakfast, an unforgettable ride on highway 38, a nice Pinot Noir from an Elkton, Oregon

Lupines at Butterfly Pavilion, Elkton, Oregon

winery and I think we tapped the perfect trip. Just a night and a day or two to discover another Oregon treasure...can't wait to go again!

Being the tourist in the Columbia River Gorge

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 by Mary Pellegrini

I checked out for a couple of days. Our son was visiting from California and we played the tourist, enjoying the cool breezes and warm sunshine in the Columbia River Gorge this past Memorial Weekend.

Mt Hood from the beer gardens of Elliott Glacier Brew Pub in Parkdale Oregon

He arrived on Saturday afternoon and of course the first thing we like to do is walk over to the Elliot Glacier Brew Pub for a pint and to take in the awesome views of Mt Hood from their beer garden.

Then it was UFC 98 on the big screen at our Mt Hood Bed and Breakfast, the Old Parkdale Inn.

Sunday morning we had a wonderful breakfast of Flaxseed-Apple Battered French Toast with Raspberry compote. I do love when our son visits as he is vegan and I can test new recipes for use when our vegan guests stay with us. This recipe came from the Millennium Cookbook and it is certainly a keeper.

The Twin Tunnels of the Historic Columbia River Highway

Then off toward The Dalles to visit nonni. But first a hike along the Historic Columbia River Highway, outside Mosier, and a stroll through the Twin Tunnels. (I blogged about this last week) The views of the Columbia River Gorge are quite amazing, especially this time of year when the hills are quite green and painted with wildflowers. We even had a great vantage point, looking down into the nest of an Osprey Falcon. What a room with a view they have!

A room with a Columbia River View for these Osprey Falcons

After visiting Nonni (that's grandma in our Italian family) we crossed the Columbia River and took a little side trip to Horsethief Lake to see the Native American Petroglyphs and Pictographs that were saved from the rising waters behind The Dalles Dam.

We drove back to Hood River via Highway 14 which is on the Washington side of the Columbia, crossing back over on the Steel Bridge just west of Bingen, Washington. Another great view of Hood River with Mt. Hood rising up in the background. Our next stop was Full Sail Brewery for a pint and a couple souvenir pint glasses, and of course a sampling of the new LTD 03. Full Sail is an employer owned brewery celebrating their 21st in Hood River.

Laurance Lake in the Mt Hood National Forest just minutes from the Old Parkdale Inn

Monday morning we took the kids for a ride to share our playground, Laurance Lake and the Mt Hood National Forest, just minutes from the Old Parkdale Inn. The views of Mt Hood from this man made last are spectacular and we sat for a few and watched the fisherman fly fish from both boats, no motors, and the shore. No live bait or hooks allowed. A very serene setting.

Our son left us for a few hours to tour the Fruit Loop, visiting a few wineries, the Apple Valley Store for some of their wonderful jams and jellies and then to the new Waterfront Park in Hood River to watch the windsurfers and kite boarders on the Columbia River. We met up with them for a stroll through the downtown, a stop at Gorge Dog for Tilly treats and then dinner at 3 Rivers Grill.

Riding the world famous winds of the Columbia River Gorge

They are packing up now and I will spend the day getting the Old Parkdale Inn cleaned up and ready for our next round of guests. Hope to see you soon so we can share our favorite spots in the Columbia River Gorge with you.

Farm To Table...A Cook's Treasures In One Oregon Bed & Breakfast!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 by Debbie Lusk

Flowers at French Prairie Gardens in St. Paul, Oregon.

All throughout the Willamette Valley, farmer's markets are popping up their tents, propping up their tables and unloading their farm and garden treasures for anyone seeking a purely organic culinary experience. Culinary tourism here is fast becoming the reason why people are planning their entire vacations around food. It is also one of the top 10 reasons why someone chooses a destination to begin with.

Almost two years ago, Sunset Magazine wrote an article on the Willamette Valley and why it is such a treasure trove of really good, fresh, wholesome food. Because of that article, Matt Bennett, owner of Sybaris and Clemenza's in Albany still receives guests that have traveled just to taste the bounty he prepares and serves in his restaurants. With monthly menu changes, Matt uses his culinary skills to prepare his classical meals using only the freshest ingredients found in the region.

Jack and Heidi Czarnecki own The Joel Palmer House in Dayton and have also given visitors to Oregon a reason to eat really good food. On the Oregon and National Historic

Mushrooms growing wild near an Oregon Bed & Breakfast.

Registers, The Joel Palmer House is home to one of the finest restaurants in the Willamette Valley. Gathering mushrooms on the property along with other locally grown ingredients such as greens, herbs and vegetables, the dishes prepared and served here are spectacular. Using a method they refer to as "freestyle", Jack and Heidi also use ingredients found in Mexico, China, Thailand, Poland and India. For example, taste Joe's Wild Mushroom Soup or Heidi's 3 Mushroom Tart or the Rack of Lamb Palmer House with Hazelnut Pepper Sauce and Jalapeno Cornbread, oh my gosh! You can't stop there, so try the Cheesecake with Dayton Berry Sauce or the Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding.

French Prairie Gardens in St. Paul, Oregon is the epitome of the "farm to table" experience. So, if you decide to plan your Oregon vacation around "food", visit the gardens in St. Paul on your way home. Be sure to bring your farmer's market basket and fill it with fresh vegetables, breads, fruits, muffins, scones, cobblers and anything else your heart or belly desires. This 500 acre farm offers a little bit of all that is good and fertile in the Willamette Valley. The rural setting, the animals, the food so fresh from the soil, this farm is another reason why culinary tourism here in Oregon is the heart of sustainability and simply a really good reason to dine on really good food.

And, after you have dined, check out or into an Oregon Bed & Breakfast. In Albany, you have your choice of three Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild membership inns. The Train House Inn, Edelweiss Manor or The Pfeiffer Cottage Inn. In and around St. Paul and Dayton, The Lobenhaus Bed & Breakfast offers a full Oregon Bounty breakfast prepared with fresh seasonal ingredients from their own gardens or local farmer's market.

So many ways to taste all that is fertile and good here in the Willamette Valley. Culinary tourism at it's tastiest!

Culinary Tourism and Sustainable Practices in Eastern Oregon

Saturday, May 23, 2009 by Heather Tyreman

There's a new culinary tourism company here in Wallowa County (Northeastern Oregon) that just brought us information about tours and classes. Source Tours is a new effort of three women who want to bring the bounty of Northeastern Oregon to the public through farm and ranch tours, cooking experiences, bicycling and educational opportunities in our rural setting.

We're excited! They are currently offering four scheduled tours--June 6 & 7 and again August 22-23, 2009 for the "Classic Ranch and Farm Tour. The "Cooking from the Source Tour" will be offered on July 11-12 and August 1-2, 2009. In addition they have the flexibility to offer customs tours.

If you're looking for something different to do on your Eastern Oregon vacation, consider booking a ranch and farm tour--you'll learn directly from the farmers and ranchers of Wallowa County. From the Source Tours website:

This trip is for those with an appetite for an authentic experience. We'll travel through the picturesque Wallowa Valley to visit a grass fed beef ranch, an organic produce farm that supplies restaurants and farmers markets, a family-run dairy and chicken farm, a flock of sheep that inspired a rural economic development project, a brewery, wheat fields and more. Meet local farmers and ranchers and walk through their fields with them while they tell you the story of the land.

And we'll enjoy excellent meals that highlight as many local ingredients as possible. Scores of visitors are drawn to the beautiful scenery of Oregon’s rural landscapes, and with Source trips you can get an insider’s perspective and a rich understanding of the local agriculture, culture and economy.

Some of our hosts are the fourth generation of their family to steward the family ranch. Others made a mid-life career switch and started their business in the last few years. They all have a passion for what they do and how they do it. For the people who live here, and the people who visit here, the Wallowa Mountains are an amazing backdrop to it all.

You'll find four Oregon Bed and Breakfasts that are members of the Oregon B&B Guild here in Wallowa County. All four are dedicated to supporting local agriculture and sustainability of our local farms and ranches:

Pasture near Barking Mad Farm Country B&B on Alder Slope in Northeastern Oregon

Barking Mad Farm Country B&B and the Alder Slope Bed and Breakfast are both located between Joseph and Enterprise, Oregon, on the high ground (called Alder Slope) with commanding views of the countryside. Barking Mad Farm is also an Oregon lodging pet friendly B&B.

In the town of Joseph you'll find both Belle Pepper's Bed & Breakfast and the Bronze Antler B&B. These two B&B utilize farm-fresh eggs generously produced by 22 laying hens who live at Belle Pepper's Bed & Breakfast. We even encourage our guests to take home a dozen or two.

As much fun as a stay at the Oregon Coast hotels can be, a trip to Northeastern Oregon is something that can be fun, educational and tasty too. Ask your innkeeper about Source Tours when planning your Eastern Oregon vacation this year.