Oregon's Best Bed and Breakfasts

Geotourism is a great way to see the United States. Keith Riggs at the US Department of Agriculture recently posted a really good blog post about touring through Northern California and Southern Oregon on the national Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway.  The route runs from Lake Almanor in Northern California to Crater Lake in Southern Oregon, passing through seven national forests along the way.  Riggs writes: 

Along this journey from volcano to volcano you’ll find opportunities for adventure, exploration, communion with nature and an appreciation for the culture and history of the region. You’ll also find residents eager to share the beauty and mystery of this land that is dotted with evidence of an eruptive past.

We'd like to make sure you know about some of the residents along the way--the innkeepers of Southern Oregon bed and breakfasts ready and eager to host you as you explore the volcanic region of Southern Oregon.

You'll find six Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild members in Southern Oregon here on the OBBG website.  Each one is a different lodging experience, but all are inspected and approved members of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.

• The Prospect Historic Hotel & Dinner House is the closest bed & breakfast to Crater Lake and offers a full range of meals in the dinner house.  
• Lonesome Duck Ranch and Resort is a close 35 minutes to Crater Lake in the Chiloquin area and offers hiking, flyfishing, birding, or just relaxing on the porch.
• TouVelle House in Jacksonville, Oregon, is the elegantly restored home of Judge Touvelle, complete with bocce court, swimming pool & sauna.
• Just outside of Jacksonville is Bybee's Historic Inn, a classic revival Victorian home on 3.5 acres.

Driving the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway is just a taste of the range of Oregon geotourism.  Whether it's Crater Lake lodging you seek or a broader based experience, there's an Oregon B&B waiting for you!

Guest blogger Vikki Lynn from Bybee's Historic Inn at Jacksonville, Oregon, sends in the following announcement about the Britt Festival, an annual music event in Jacksonville:

The stars are out for Britt 2013!

Britt has launched this year's lineup! As always, you can expect their signature mix of classical, blues, rock, pop, country and more. You'll enjoy great performers that are new to the Britt stage like Cyndi Lauper, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Scotty McCreery, Tegan & Sar and the Steve Miller Band, as well as some returning favorites such as Pink Martini, Martina McBride, John Hiatt, The Doobie Brothers, Ziggy Marley and much more! Check out the full lineup at www.brittfest.org/performances.

Britt members may purchase tickets beginning next Thursday, April 11, 2013. Nonmembers can still make a membership contribution online and be part of the presale!

General public sales start Thursday, May 16. Get ready for yet another season of concerts under the stars in Jacksonville!

Vikki Lynn notes, "Britt Festivals is an open air amphitheater here in Jacksonville.  Bybee's Historic Inn provides free shuttles (to and from) for our guests to the VIP gate.  Most of the month of August is a classical orchestra made up of musicians from all over the United States and June, July and September are a mix of genre from pop, blues, country and more." 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Roselyn from the R. R. Thompson House in Carlton, Oregon, writes about what you can can do for Spring Break in the Oregon Wine Country:

Evergreen Wings and Waves Waterpark in nearby McMinnville will be open every day during Spring Break and Easter period -- the last week of March and the first week of April.  The educational waterpark includes ten waterslides and a wave pool.  In addition, a children’s museum is dedicated to teaching students about the power of water.  The building housing the waterpark is topped by a Boeing 747 aircraft.  Here's a video of the huge plane being hoisted to the top of the building:

The waterpark includes ten different waterslides for everyone's taste. In addition to just plain fun, the waterpark teaches youngsters about the wonder of science and the power of water through interactive exhibits and learning tools.  Here's a video of one of the waterslides:  

Wings and Waves is part of the impressive Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum complex, a jewel in Yamhill County.  This is an attraction visitors to the north Willamette Valley will not want to miss.

The waterpark meets all ADA guidelines, according to the Evergreen website.

After the Spring Break and Easter periods, the park will be open Thursday through Sunday until June when it will again be open daily.  Please check the website for days and times of operation before your visit.

Thanks, Roselyn, for sharing things to do near your bed and breakfast!

Here's a special you won't want to miss in the Oregon Wine Country!  

Roselyn, innkeeper of the R. R. Thompson House in Carlton, invites you to enjoy a Spring Break Special.  For the rest of March 2013 and through the month of April 2013 only, you can:

• book one night and get the second night half off;
• book two nights and get the third night free! 

Please call the inn directly to reserve this special rate: (503) 852-6236  

Spring is a special time to visit the Willamette Valley.  The daffodils are in bloom and soon many flowering trees will be at the peak of beauty. 

The R. R. Thompson House is walking distance to nearly 20 wine tasting rooms and a short driving distance to many world-class wineries found in the Oregon Wine Country.  Located only 40 miles from Portland, Oregon, and 60 miles from the Oregon Coast, this inn makes a perfect central location for your Spring Break getaway.

And you'll stay in luxury.  Although the house was originally constructed in 1936, today this authentic Oregon home boasts two spacious suites and three intimate guestrooms, each appointed with marble tiled baths and jetted tubs and either a king or queen-sized pillow top mattress and crisp, luxury linens.

Hungry yet?  Make your Spring Break a culinary vacation too.  The R. R. Thompson House features a bountiful breakfast with specialties like Brie omlettes and house-baked pastries.  You can read more about this wonderful inn from a previous blog post here.

Visit the R. R. Thompson House soon and "like" them on Facebook too!

Roselyn at the R. R. Thompson House is ready and waiting for you!  

Roselyn shares the following information:

The 20^th Annual McMinnville Wine and Food Classic, known as SIP, will be held Friday through Sunday, March 8 – 10, 2013, at the Evergreen Space Museum in McMinnville.  Come enjoy great cuisine and meet the chefs, talk with winemakers about their craft and purchase by the taste, glass or bottle.  View fine art available for purchase. 

The R. R. Thompson House in nearby Carlton still has rooms available for this event.  Check out our website and plan your stay with us. You can read and see more about the R. R. Thompson House in a previous blog post.

(And thanks to the SIP!McMinnville page on Facebook for the image of this year's wine--Kramer Vineyard's 2011 Estate Cuvee is the featured wine for the 20th Anniversary wine label.  This image is courtesy of the SIP!McMinnville page on Facebook.)

Coming to Enterprise or Joseph Oregon and looking to stay at the Best Western Rama Inn in Enterprise? Well, that lodging is closed, but don't despair!  There are a couple of wonderful places to stay nearby!

The 1910 Historic Enterprise House Bed and Breakfast, also called the "Enterprise House," is very close to downtown Enterprise and offers 5 well-appointed guestrooms, each with its own private attached bath.

The Bronze Antler Bed and Breakfast is located only 10 minutes away in nearby Joseph, Oregon. This inn offers 4 well-appointed guestrooms, each with its own attached private bath.

Both inns are inspected and approved members of the Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild and are also inspected and approved at the three-diamond level by AAA.

If you're accustomed to the conveniences of staying at a Best Western, you'll find that these two inns cover many of the same featuresand perhaps even throw in a few that you didn't expect.  Plus, each offers a full  breakfast cooked for you in the morning!  Sorry, neither one has a swimming pool (one of the favorite features of the Enterprise Oregon Best Western Rama Inn) but their convenience to Joseph and Enterprise combined with their level of service could more than make up for not being part of a corporate hotel chain.

Give the innkeepers a call: Judy & Jack at the Enterprise House (541-426-4238) or Heather & Bill at the Bronze Antler (541-432-0230).  They'll be happy to accommodate you, feed you well and extend to you some of Wallowa County's finest hospitality!

We always like it when venerable travel writer Gerry Frank picks an Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member to include in his articles.  On November 18, 2012, Gerry picked the Oval Door Bed & Breakfast in Eugene as one of his favorites.  You can read the full article from the Oregonian here.

"Mornings start out right with locally roasted coffee delivered to the guest rooms. Follow the aroma of just-out-of-the-oven baked goods to the dining room for a full gourmet breakfast. Main dishes feature a choice of two entrees made with seasonal ingredients (including a healthier option) such as corn fritters, eggnog French toast and Dungeness crab hash. Fruit and breakfast meats complement the superb main dishes."

Nothing like adding a little culinary tourism to your Eugene Oregon stay!  If you're a business traveler, thinking about relocating to Eugene, or parents of a University of Oregon college student looking for a more home-like environment for your time in Eugene, the Oval Door Bed and Breakfast could be your pick too.

Call Melissa or Nicole at 541-683-3160 or visit their comprehensive website to review their rooms and make your reservation.  Lodging in downtown Eugene Oregon can't be more complete than a stay at the Oval Door.  

And thanks, Gerry Frank, for picking an Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild member!

There's more to Oregon Coast lodging than Oregon coast hotels and the folks that run the Oregon bed and breakfasts there are creative in what they do.  tInnkeepers are known for doing more than just running a bed and breakfast.  Eileen Obteshka, innkeeper of the Grand Victorian B&B and Vintage Cottage Rental supplied this photo from a High Tea event she recently catered for a ladies church group.

Don't they look precious in their hats?

High Tea is available 7 days per week by arrangement at the Grand Victorian Bed & Breakfast, but Eileen will also cater your event in other locations too.  If you're thinking about a high tea event or other party in the Newport, Oregon, area, Eileen will also bring the event to your office, your church or your home. You can call her at 541-265-4490 to discuss your events needs.  Who better than an innkeeper to make yummy scones and other high tea delights? Reserve your Grand Victoria tea party today!

Ah, the fall in Southern Oregon!  Vikki, innkeeper at Bybee's Historic Inn, a romantic bed and breakfast in Jacksonville, has a few tips about things to see and do in Jacksonville.  

What better way to enjoy autumn than visiting Historic Jacksonville? The town gardens are still brimming with flowers while the cool nights begin to tint the trees with color. The trolley is still touring about and our quaint streets beckon you to wander through town admiring our historic buildings. The Woodlands trails offer you the opportunity to crunch leaves underfoot, breathe in crisp fresh air, and admire the changing colors; every image you conjure up with thoughts of autumn is yours to experience in Jacksonville. The shops are brimming with great new products and restaurants are serving the bounty of the harvest. And who can resist harvest time in the vineyards? There is no more perfect season to visit the wineries. Plan a day driving through the now colorful vineyards, sipping wine, and munching on a perfect fall picnic full of goodies you picked up in town!

So many things await your visit; step into Jacksonville and discover another world.  "Meet the Pioneers" October 12th and 13th where Pioneer spirits in costumes share their stories of life in and around Jacksonville and the Rogue Valley www.friendsjvillecemetery.org. Ticket price is $12.00 for adults, children under 12 are $5.00 and the Family Pack (2 adults and up to 3 children) is $29.00, contact the Chamber office at 541-899-8118 or email  chamber@jacksonvilleoregon.org

And you'll need a place to stay in Jacksonville.  Bybee's Historic Inn, an authentic Oregon lodging on the outskirts of town, offers romantic weekend getaways for your time in Southern Oregon.  Get on out there while the autumn weather lasts!

The 16th Annual Nez Perce Art in the Wallowa is coming up very quickly--Saturday of the first weekend in October 2012 to be exact.  If you like contemporary Native American art then you don't want to miss this opportunity.  Nez Perce Indian and nearly Columbia River Tribal Plateau artists will once again display and offer their work for sale at the historic Wallowa Lake Lodge in Northeastern Oregon.

Live and silent auctions take place in the afternoon of Saturday, October 4, 2012, from noon to 4 pm.  Every year's different so it's worth to see what the artists are offering this year.  Many of the artists are in attendance too.

In the evening at 6 pm, there'll be a dinner by reservation only in the dining room of the Wallowa Lake Lodge.  Tickets for this dinner sell out quickly as fewer than 100 people can attend.  The scrumptious dinner includes fresh salmon, local buffalo, local salad and vegetables, and cheesecake with huckleberry topping.  A culinary tourism or locavore delight!

The afternoon reception, live & silent auction is free admission.  Dinner tickets are $45 in advance and can be reserved through the Wallowa Band Nez Perce Trail Interpretive Center at 541-886-3101 or purchased through local vendors listed here

Entertainment during the dinner features Nez Perce storyteller Carlotta Kauffman who will perform  "According to Coyote" a collection of Coyote stories collected and produced by her brother John Kauffman.  This show was recently performed Dakota State University (see photo).

You can stay at the Wallowa Lake Lodge for this event, but we'd like to recommend that you check into one of three Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild members located nearby in Joseph, Oregon (10 minutes away) or Enterprise, Oregon (20 minutes away). All three of these Oregon bed and breakfasts are equipped with only private bathrooms that are either attached directly to your guestroom or are nearby.  And by staying in Joseph or Enterprise you'll be able to enjoy more of the sights and sounds of this vibrant Pacific Northwest artistic community.  

Make your reservations soon!

See you at this northwest culinary and artistic event!

Those innkeepers at Bybee's Historic Inn near Jacksonville, Oregon, are at it again!   If you're going to be staying in Ashland Oregon lodging in Southern Oregon near Jacksonville on July 15,, 2012, then plan to spend your afternoon with a little outdoor food & fun while supporting a great cause at Bybee's Historic Inn.  Proceeds benefit Hearts With A Mission , a faith-based organization that supports youth in crises.

Bybee’s BBQ Benefit and Talent Show Extravaganza--Sunday, July 15, 2012, 2 pm to 6 pm.  Proceeds will benefit Hearts With A Mission & Rogue Valley YFC H.A.T.S. Mentoring Program!   $5.00 for adults, $1.00 for children. Entry fee includes food ticket for homemade food, ice cream beverages and all the entertainment featuring the Jen Ambrose Band/Rock Project, Rogue Valley Harmonizers, Timeless with guest singer...s Donna Tennaro and Michele Spohn, Gordon "The Saw Guy" Schmieder, Jael Hanson, 17-year old Luke Silva and 18-year old George King and Frank Ricci just to name a few. There will be a donation box for free drawings of several items donated by the merchants of Jacksonville, specifics will follow. A silent auction that will consist of night stay at Bybee's Historic Inn, champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and two beautiful hand crocheted afghans donated by Julie Robertson. A second silent auction to include a portrait session and an Oregon photography book that invites you to take a brief tour of the beautiful state of Oregon donated by RLR Photography, Roy Robertson.

No one knows a town quite like the innkeepers who live there.  And Jacksonville, Oregon, is no exception.  Southern Oregon innkeeper Tim Balfour of the iconic TouVelle House provides a few ideas of how you can master Jacksonville in just two days. . .and consider the authentic Oregon TouVelle House as home base for your Southern Oregon explorations.  Give Tim a call at 541-899-8938 and let him know you're ready to start your romantic weekend getaway that might just include a little bit of education on the side.

Giving History a Personal Perspective – Many towns claim a historic status, so it is fun to come across a place like Jacksonville Oregon where people are “living history”.  The town is fortunate to still have the look and feel from its heyday in the late 1800’s.  That is because during the first part of the 1900’s it fell into an economic coma that allowed for its preservation by neglect. All of the commercial buildings and homes remained untouched by “updates”, which had the unexpected benefit of retaining the town’s historical architecture.  In addition to being able to appreciate the charming setting you can also get a peek at the personal histories behind the town through a combination of presentations and tours being offered.

The second Saturdays of the month through November offer two special history programs, a cemetery tour in the morning and tours of the town’s wealthiest pioneer family in the afternoon.  Start the day with “History Saturday in the Jacksonville Cemetery”, a guided tour focusing on a specific topic or section of the cemetery provided by the Friends of Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery.  Tours begin at 10:00 am and are about 1.5 hours long.  June’s tour focuses on the Independent Order of Odd Fellows section and the stories of the pioneers buried there.  Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes, and meet the docents at the top of Cemetery Road.  The program is free however, donations are always appreciated to support the restoration and preservation work.  Additional tours are scheduled for July 14, August 11,

Next, make reservations for a special narrated “Closets and Cupboards” tour of The C.C. Beekman House, home to one of Southern Oregon’s most prominent pioneers.  Built and lived in by only the one family, the home remains completely furnished with family artifacts.  This special living history tour of the home and its newly restocked closets and cupboards will be offered at noon and 2:30 pm on June 9, July 14, and August 11.

“The year is 1932.  Julia Beekman has passed away. Daughter Carrie has moved to Portland where her brother Ben has been living for the past 43 years. Carrie and Ben are going through the closets and cupboards prior to closing up the Beekman House and reminiscing about “growing up Beekman”.  And you are invited to visit.”

Cost for the tours is $20 which includes the history talk and either a picnic lunch or a “strawberry tea.”  Tours require a minimum of 10 people, limited to a maximum of 15 and are by advance reservations only.  Additional dates and times are possible for group bookings.  Call 541-245-3650 or email info@jvilleheritage.org to make your individual reservations or to book your group.  Proceeds of the tours go toward the preservations and maintenance of the Beekman House, through the Jacksonville Hertiage Society.

There will also be themed historical tours focusing on different aspects of the Victorian era and the Beekman family on the 3^rd Saturdays of each month through November.  Topics include architecture, art, cooking and menus and travel.

You can cap your day off with a narrated trolley tour of the historic homes and commercial district.  The trolley runs hourly and gives you an overview of the town in addition to some special personal histories that you won’t hear anywhere else.  In addition to the history, Jacksonville is once again bustling with independently owned boutiques, bistros and restaurants and is proud to be the epicenter of the Southern Oregon Wine Region with over 70 wineries.  A great getaway that is still relatively unknown.  You can check out what all is going on in Jacksonville at www.JacksonvilleOregon.com.

The innkeepers of Bybee's Historic Inn near Jacksonville, Oregon, want to make sure their guests know what's going on nearby.  Coming up soon on Saturday, June 9, 2012, the Britt Festival opens in Jacksonville!  Vikki and Tina invite you to stay at their inn on the outskirts of Jacksonville while you attend the Britt Festival.  Give them a call toll-free at (877) 292-3374 and let them help design your authentic Oregon vacation experience. 

Bybee's Historic Inn is also a great place to think about for special gatherings and family events.  This inn is also a wonderful Oregon wedding location.  With extensive grounds, guests can wander inside and out of this historic home.  Check it out!

The opening of the Britt Festival starts with a celebration downtown Jacksonville.  Britt website is www.brittfest.org .

Here's a little note from the innkeepers of the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast in Joseph, Oregon (almost into Idaho it's so far east & north in Oregon):

If you're a guy and into wildlife, you might just want the 2012 Wallowa Mountain Quilters Guild raffle quilt for your bed or as a blanket on the leather couch in your den.  And the raffle's still on until June 9, 2012, so buy your tickets now!  $1 per ticket or 6 for $5--and you can order them through the mail too.  This year's quilt is a Montana Log Cabin style with black silhouettes of birds, moose, deer, foxes and other wildlife.  Very masculine and very striking.

Gee, might even be a good idea to order some tickets and win this beautiful quilt to give as a present to that man who has everything. . .

If you want to see the quilt in person, come to the 20th Annual Quilt Show!  The show takes place on June 8 & 9, 2012, the same weekend here in Joseph Oregon as the Oregon Mountain Cruise Car Show.

We're all sold out of lodging here at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast but we're happy to refer you to other inspected and approved Oregon bed and breakfasts of the Oregon B&B Guild.  Belle Peppers Bed and Breakfast in Joseph still has rooms open and carries green lodging certification.  Only 6 miles away, the 1910 Historic Enterprise House Bed and Breakfast is currently full.  See you at the quilt show!

Who knows better than someone who lives in Newport Oregon?  The innkeepers of the Ocean House Bed and Breakfast  share this upcoming news for May & June 2012.  This Oregon Coast lodging is a great place to stay when exploring the central Oregon Coast.

As you may have noticed, I am not much of a blogger. But there is news to tell and here it is: The Tall Ships are coming to Newport. The Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain, both tall ships will be in Yaquina Bay May 15 – May 27 for tours and naval skirmishes. Don’t miss it.

Also, there’s the Newport Oregon’s Home and Garden Show from May 18 until May 20 at the Newport Recreation Center, located at 225 Avery

Join us for the highly anticipated 2nd Annual Celtic Festival and Highland Games on June 8, 9, & 10, 2012 at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds at 880 NE 7th St. Newport.

Have a restful stay at the Ocean House Bed & Breakfast, “Far enough to be Away, Close enough to be Near” at the “Couples Retreat at the Beach”. Couldn’t help a little advertising there.  See you all soon!

Ready to book your room?  Contact the Craig or Dawn at the Ocean House Bed and Breakfast by phone at (541) 265-3888 or toll-free 866-495-3888.

Want to know why business travelers should choose an Oregon bed and breakfast over a hotel?  Lots of reasons!  Of course, every bed & breakfast is different and that's the beauty of staying at a B&B. Some are more accustomed to business travel, but all are gracious and accommodating.  Here are just a few reasons to consider:

1. Comfortable bed (and great pillows)
2. Home atmosphere (yes it's fine to take off your shoes & stretch out)
3. A place to spread out your work if you need to (dining room table in the evening with a glass of wine in your hand?)
4. Free Wi-Fi always (always, always free!)
5. Maps, local contacts, restaurant recommendations (we really do live here not just work here like the front desk clerk often does)
6. Cooked breakfast prepared for you when you want it (and coffee or tea too)
7. Peace & quiet (a big plus--sometimes with a TV in the room, sometimes not)
8. Especially for women traveling alone, someone who at least knows if you don't make it home at night (your mom away from mom)

Isn't it funny how many chain hotels are now offering breakfast, free Wi-Fi, etc.?  Wonder where they got the idea? 

Here's a recent comment in a room journal from a business traveler who spends about 75% to 80% of her time on the road calling on clients:

"After spending 4 out of 5 nights a week in "tract" hotels--what a wonderful break! The bed was spectacular (my back says THANK YOU!) and the robe so comfy.  Breakfast was such a treat.  I'll be back and be sure to let my fellow road warrior know about you.  Bravo!! See you soon - KB

Sure you can stay at the Salem Oregon hotels or the Portland Oregon hotels, for instance, but why choose a hotel when you can stay at a bed & breakfast?  Expand your radar and put us on the map.  You won't be sorry.  Oh, and if you need a little more convincing to think "bed and breakfast" when you travel on business, hope you enjoyed the video courtesy of the Better Way To Stay campaign.

See you at your next Oregon bed and breakfast!