When vacationing it’s nice not to have every single moment of your itinerary planned so you can enjoy some down time and truly relax.  At TouVelle House Bed & Breakfast in Jacksonville, Oregon, we know that and have created a wonderful retreat with lots of areas where guests can just “set a spell”.  This year we added a bocce court for another outdoor recreation option.  Bocce is an Italian bowling game with aspects of croquet and horse shoes that can be enjoyed regardless of your level of experience.  It is a great way to relax and enjoy the company of your traveling companion(s).

The court is surrounded by the spectacular front garden where the day lilies are ablaze.  For your comfort while playing, Tim’s father made handcrafted benches based on an antique we found several years ago.  The benches are comprised of two seats with a table in between which is a convenient spot to rest your beverage.  You might have trouble deciding where to relax - between the swimming pool loungers and hammock, rockers on the front porch, Adirondack chairs by the pond, and bouncy lawn chairs in the gazebo--there are so many places to enjoy a book, work on your tan, or just sit still in the shade and watch the world go by.

TouVelle House B&B is located in the National Historic Landmark town of Jacksonville in Southern Oregon and is just two blocks from all of the shopping and dining options and only 4 blocks from the fabulous Britt Festival – a summer long outdoor music festival featuring internationally known artists from all genres with a classical festival in August.

submitted by
Tim Balfour, Proprietor
TouVelle House Bed and Breakfast
Jacksonville, Oregon
Reservations: +1 (541) 899-8938

Forest Springs Bed and Breakfast along with The Gresham Historic Downtown Boosters are proud to announce our city's 10^th Annual Gresham Art Walk!

During the Gresham Art Walk, more than 140 artists from Oregon and Southwest Washington will sell their original works along scenic Main Avenue between First and Fifth streets. The family event also includes live music, free children’s arts and crafts, and unique shops and restaurants in the downtown core. Art for sale includes garden art, pottery, photography, jewelry, watercolors, textiles, glass, wood, oil paintings and much more. Plus you can always meet the artists behind the work!

Always the third Saturday in July. . .this year it's July 16th, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Historic Downtown Gresham

If you're traveling to the Portland Oregon area for this event, consider staying close by at Forest Springs Bed and Breakfast.  This inn is one of the founding members of the Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild's Green Lodging Certification program and is an eco friendly travel option (not to mention a gorgeous setting and great food too).

See you at the Gresham Art Walk!

Innkeeper Jody Runge offers the following about her Portland Oregon lodging:  "Located in vibrant, hip Northeast Portland, A Painted Lady Inn offers a calm oasis in the heart of the city. Just steps from wonderful shops and fine restaurants, A Painted Lady will be your Portland home-away-from-home."

The secret?  Great public transportation via the Portland Max Line and the Portland Trolley will take you to anywhere in Portland Oregon's downtown core.  Visit the Portland Art Museum, the Portland Children's Museum and the Oregon Historical Society's Museum all from the comfort of the MAX line or the Portland Trolley.

And when the day is done, hit Portland's funky restaurant scene for a little bit of culinary tourism on your way home to A Painted Lady.  And vote for the inn in Pamela Lanier's 2012 Guests' Greatest Picks competition!

The Prospect Historic Hotel B&B Inn - Motel and Dinner House along with Bybee’s Historic Inn will be card stops for the Poker Run on Friday June 17^th.

For over a quarter century the Medford Cruise has been all about automobiles, good times and good people. The Poker Run is a great opportunity to join in the fun, cruise with classic cars and win some great prizes. Approximately 90 cars will be participating in the run and the poker game. All of the proceeds benefit local youth organizations.

Both of these authentic Oregon Nationally Registered Historic Inns will be open for tours and a chance to stretch your legs on their magnificent grounds. Refreshments will be provided by each of the Inns.

            William M. Bybee, a prominent figure in the development of Jacksonville and the surrounding area built the Bybee House circa 1857. Now run by innkeepers Vikki Lynn and Tina Marie, the six-guestroom house has been restored to all of its original elegance and is known as Bybee's Historic Inn.  The Inn hosts a ‘Historic Characters’ Dinner on the third Friday of each month. (This is happening after the Poker Run)

            Albion Boothby built the Prospect Hotel (originally called the Boothby House) circa 1888, as a stop over for visitors to Crater Lake. Known as the Prospect Historic Hotel and Dinner House, Karen and Fred Wickman have enhanced the traditions set by the Boothbys in providing an elegant yet relaxing stay along with hearty meals, both for breakfast and one of their fantastic dinners. The Signature Prime Rib has been called “The Best in Southern Oregon” and is one of the Northwest culinary delights of Southern Oregon.

            The Medford Cruise Poker Run Cars will start showing up at the Prospect Historic Hotel around 10:30 to 11am on Friday June 17th and come by Bybee’s Historic Inn around 12:00 to 12:30pm.

            If you wish to see a lot of really great classic cars, stop by either Inn on Friday and ENJOY the VIEWING!

Oregon Coastline: A Bed and Breakfast Inn That Renews, Recharges and Rejuvenates

Have you ever sojourned to a place that thrilled and excited you? Have you ever felt your spirit vibrate in response to the fierceness and solitude of nature? When was the last time you felt the warmth of the sun, soaking in through your skin and muscles? What if along the way, you could learn volumes of local history, see breathtaking views that most people only read about in books, and become enchanted with the local wildlife?

Travelers would serve themselves well to explore the Oregon coastline. In so doing, they may very well uncover a special passion that propels them to renew, rejuvenate and reconnect.

Port Orford, Oregon is a quaint, artistic fishing village in the southern Oregon coast. It was founded in 1861 and served as a port for timber shipping.

At the WildSpring Guest Habitat in Port Orford, guests can sit in a hot tub overlooking the sea, ensconced in fountains of bubbles, smelling the scent of ocean mists coming from the waves.

The true power of Oregon's coastline lies in the notable lessons that its natural environment can teach us. We are exposed to a unique set of conditions, which are not found in large cities. The landscape consists of mountains and forests meeting with the turbulent ocean, and is quite dramatic. The natural beauty, clean air, expansive vistas and unbeaten paths make for a great B & B getaway.

A small bed and breakfast inn is a place where we can build compelling new affinities. As personal witnesses to the charm of the area and special activities of the region, local innkeepers can lend their already fascinating insights, and indulgent touches. Bed and breakfast accommodations are generally more appealing than mundane and sterile hotel chains.

One needs a great deal of guts, patience, eye-opening creativity, perseverance and hard work to succeed in the modern business world. For those of us who have stressful jobs, there comes a point when we should take time out for rest and stillness. If we could choose a destination that makes us feel deep and serenely peaceful, where life is slowed down, where we can immerse ourselves into the delights of gorgeous nature, it can be like a soothing, soft lullaby.

When we look at the anxiety ridden thoughts that clutter our minds, we can't help being concerned. It is little wonder that small bed and breakfast inns have proliferated along the coastal shores of Oregon; providing unique combinations of comfort, relaxation and rejuvenation.

The Oregon coast is a destination that can inspire us. The breakthrough moments come when our energy is replenished. This allows passing thoughts to ascend to defining expressions of our personal creativity and translates into success and accomplishment.

Michelle Duarte, innkeeper of WildSpring Guest Habitat in Port Orford, Oregon told me: "Some business people come very stressed and we understand the psychology. Everyone wants to feel that someone is looking out for his or her best interests. They want to know that the innkeepers know enough and care enough to do that. What it takes to be a good innkeeper is empathy and compassion; the ability to think about what the other person would like if they were in this situation. The whole approach is about what other people need."

Continues Michelle: "Some people are really moved to come here at the times of their lives when they need special attention to heal, to celebrate, or to be alone and find solace within themselves. When they experience great trauma, they are inclined to come here because they sense they will find some consolation in order to recover here."

"WildSpring has put together trips for guests who have suffered arduous and difficult treatments for breast cancer," remarks Michelle. "The travel agent sent them to our place so they could find their center and energy again."

The Oregon coast provided relief to a woman who lost her husband and son. "She came with her best friends," shared Michelle. "It was terribly moving that she was able to find peace in her soul from what she found here."

On the happier side of life, quite a few engagements are made at the Oregon coast. Couples return for their weddings, honeymoons, and anniversaries.

Older, middle aged twosomes, whose kids have left, enjoy the Oregon coast as it rekindles the magic that brought them together in the first place. Mothers like to bring their daughters for birthdays or retreats. Their physical, emotional and mental selves get renewed when they are submerged in nature.

"Part of an innkeepers life is challenging," admits Michelle. "We are providing peak experiences in peoples lives. We have a desire to be of service. It is nice to make people happy, so we might make a difference. We try to make sure that everything our guests see and touch is natural. When we live in an urban life, we get divorced from nature."

FEATURED PROPERTY: WildSpring Guest Habitat is an Eco friendly resort in Port Orford, Oregon. Overlooking the rugged Pacific Coast, it is a place where the owners/innkeepers have a unique set of competencies. From an experiential standpoint, there is a sense of peace and quiet at the property. There are opportunities for visitors to experience whatever is important: guests can be alone, lay in a hammock, or relax in the hot tub. It is the kind of non-intrusive atmosphere lodgers are looking for. Owners try to make sure there is nothing off kilter. Guests can fix themselves whatever they want at any time. They get to take the best parts of home with them. Visitors enjoy the support of innkeepers who want to make them feel pampered and comfortable.

It goes without saying that the grounds and facilities of WildSpring Guest Habitat are peaceful and soothing to the soul. A welcoming atmosphere is evident throughout the resort. The property is located on 5 acres of old Native American grounds and is surrounded by wooded-forests, beautiful scenery and wildlife. This gives visitors a sense of privacy and seclusion. The beautiful setting along with great service makes this a destination of unsurpassed charm.

When guests make a reservation, a confirmation email is sent along with a list of special services. Suggested sights and activities available in the area are also provided.

The breakfast particulars are explained in the registration packet, along with other details. The inn is accommodating if guests have any special requests, needs or dietary considerations. The innkeepers are known for their smiles, hospitality and attention to detail.

WildSpring Guest Habitat is recommended to anyone who wants a good dose of serenity, privacy, renewal and adventure. Relax in the open-air hot tub, on the deck or sit in the garden and just gaze at the beautiful wooded landscape. Listen to the birds and watch for whales and fishing boats on the ocean. You might see deer grazing nearby. Humbug Mountain stands in the distance. You can hear the surf and seals. At night, you can see the Milky Way. WildSpring is a place where you can spend easy times in good conversation with friends.

SUMMARY: WildSpring Guest Habitat is a lovely blend of warm service, sumptuous breakfasts, and natural beauty. The accommodating staff, spacious & comfortable rooms, abundant amenities, exceptional location, and excellent value make for a pleasant getaway experience.

ROOMS: Five elegant cabin suites are comfortable and spacious. Some are romantic and cozy, and others airy and inviting. Relaxing beds, luxury linens and signature toiletries are provided along with robes, hairdryers, and oversize slate walk-in showers. There is free WiFi, TV, ipod docks, CD and DVD players. A fully equipped kitchen is available for all guests. One cabin has a wood-burning stove. In addition to the comfort, rooms are immaculately clean with tasteful design and antique furniture. The property has several gardens, two decks, covered porches with sofa, table & chairs, one gazebo, and one outdoor hot tub.

SERVICE: Expect to receive gracious service with a warm smile. The owners/innkeepers are well known for their genuine hospitality, efficient service and willingness to help plan activities or excursions. The innkeepers are knowledgeable about the area and provide helpful suggestions to all of their guests.

AMENITIES: The resort is known for providing an exceptional, and hearty breakfast buffet that is artfully presented. The dining room is filled with character and looks out over the ocean. French toast custard with warm berry sauce, breakfast cobbler with fruit, and egg puffs with chicken apple sausage are some of the items on their menu. Complimentary beverages, Mity leaf tea, coffee, yogurt, fresh fruit, cold cereals, granola, popcorn, chocolate and snacks are available 24/7. The deck and guest hall with skylights are the ideal reading areas for visitors. The common area is a peaceful space with a variety of books, magazines, board games, CD's and 500 DVD's. The property offers in-cabin spa services with massages, and other treatments. The deck has superb views overlooking the sculpture gardens, the spa and the bay.

LOCATION: The location is ideal for those who want to feel they are in a quiet nature getaway, yet still within half a mile of the historic town. Seven art galleries are half a mile away, where you can purchase jewelry, ceramics, textiles, paintings, or antiques just to name a few. A historical museum, dining, parks, a petting zoo, and dinosaur attractions are all within 10 minutes distance from the resort. Golf, and the Rogue River are 30 minutes away. The resort's proximity to swimming, hiking, biking, windsurfing, wildlife viewing, whale watching, kayaking, and water activities provide good value. The inn has bikes on the premises.

CLEANLINESS: The inn is known to be spotless, especially the guestrooms. The grounds and plantings are well maintained. Overall everything, including the town, is quite picturesque.

VALUE: Compared to a standard hotel room, this property provides an excellent alternative. The niceties, spaciousness, and attentiveness of staff make the difference. The guests appreciate being asked if they are comfortable. The staff is always available to help without being intrusive.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/oregon-coastline-a-bed-and-breakfast-inn-that-renews-recharges-and-rejuvenates-4727700.html

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: C.J. Good is a freelance writer, keynote guest speaker, and author of two books about finding and cultivating contentment. "Precious Gifts of Love" and "Little Gifts of Sustainable Contentment" (Reviews 4.5/5 Stars, Look Inside) are available on Amazon. C.J. Good's keynote addresses include: travel topics, health issues, the generation x/y marketplace, and sales. Her purpose is to write quality books that will make a difference in reader's lives. C.J. Good is a successful business development executive who worked in the travel industry for 17 years. ~ http://www.sustainablecontentment.com

CONTACT: Michelle Duarte, Innkeeper, WildSpring Guest Habitat, 92978 Cemetery Loop, Box R, Port Orford, OR 97465. Phone: 541.332.0977, 866.333.WILD (9453). www.WildSpring.com. Rates: $198-$306 depending on season and cabin.

The May 2011 issue of Sunset Magazine features the "Top 50 Hotels Under $150" for travelers seeking room for a weekend night where the Sunset staff would really want to be.

From the article:

So we set out to find rooms—weekend rooms—for under $150 per night*. Call us cheap, but for that price we also want our own bathroom, no bedbugs, and rooms, or at the very least lobbies, with a dash of personality. And each one of these hotels is in a place we really want to go. (*All hotels have an under-$150 rate for at least 1 weekend through late spring and summer. Rates do not include tax.) What follows is our list of the best.

24. Chehalem Ridge B&B, Newberg, OR. With a view that it shares only with the hawks, this modern cottage has 4 cozy but unfancy rooms within striking distance of dozens and dozens of Willamette Valley wineries. Breakfast is a multicourse affair that on nice days is served out on the deck. $140; chehalemridge.com   

Innkeeper Kristin Fintel's comment:  "The rumors are true! Sunset Magazine Loves Us! We are listed as #24 of the West's best hotel deals. I might quibble with the word un-fancy (is "doily-free so hard to type?), but we appreciate the love non the less."

And Chehalem Ridge B&B is only one of ten properties that Sunset selected in the Northwest!  Kudos to Kristin & Curt!

What the Sunset staff didn't tell you is Kristin is well-versed in the kitchen, creating a variety of breakfast meals that suit individuals who are gluten-free or avoid eating such common foods as eggs, dairy, soy, corn, nuts, or even sugar.  Or course, if you're not food sensitive, her breakfast cuisine features the best the Northwest can offer.  And, the price of breakfast is included with your room.  Will you find that level of service in most hotels?

If you're looking for a Northwest culinary experience at an authentic Oregon bed and breakfast, look no further than Chehalem Ridge B&B in Newberg.  And maybe you'll see the Sunset staffers enjoying the view.

Now here's a nice little first hand travelogue about Jacksonville Oregon.  Kat of Katty's Cosy Cove took the time to write about her recent visit to Jacksonville in Southern Oregon.  I think it was the title, "A French Inspiration in Jacksonville Oregon" that caught my eye.  But what's thrilling are all of her wonderful photos!

Unfortunately her images won't come across to this blog post, but it's worth clicking through and visiting her blog.  Kat spent time in A French BouTEAque, a lovely little shop in historic Jacksonville and her blog is full of lovely photos of the French-inspired items inside.  Then she moved down the street to Pickety Place and shares images of the antiques and country accents inside.

Historic Jacksonville Oregon is full of wonderful little surprises like these.  If you're planning a trip there, consider doing it up in style and stay at an inspected Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild inn.   You'll find two members in Jacksonville:

TouVelle House Bed & Breakfast features 6 guestrooms with private baths, air conditioning and free WiFi and is walking distance to historic downtown Jacksonville.  The inn's decor is sumptuous American and European Arts & Crafts style.

Bybee's Historic Inn is located about a mile outside of Jacksonville and features 6 guestrooms with private baths, air conditioning, fireplaces, and free WiFi.  If you'd like to experience a Victorian themed inn, Bybee's is for you.

Spring is coming to WildSpring

And that means our annual explosion of wild irises, each year more spectacular, plus our rhodies and azaleas say hello, and the baby deer start their cute stumbling around.

Fourth of July Celebrations!

And don't forget Port Orford for your Fourth of July plans. Our fireworks display is considered by many the best on the coast. We have an old-fashioned parade down Main Street, complete with tractors, classic cars, pretty ladies on horses and square dancing. We also have dingy races, arts & crafts, keg tossing and knot contests, and all sorts of "tom foolery."  (I've always wanted to use that word in something...)

Eco friendly travel is just one of the things Oregon bed and breakfasts might specialize in.  Here's some breaking news from the WildSpring Guest Habitat's owner Michele Duarte:

Hi there....we just found out something very cool....actually two things very cool...and just wanted to share:

USAToday just wrote about us (again) as one of five luxury vacations in the U.S. And Spawards just listed us as one of the top 100 spas in the U.S. 

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/luxury-vacations-united-states-25861.html

http://www.spawards.com/winners

Wow....

And woo hoo!

Michelle

When you're looking for your green vacation lodging, consider WildSpring Guest Habitat.  Or, as Michelle might say, "The great outdoors finally comes with an equally great indoors."

Romantic weekend getaways are just around the corner with Valentine's Day Weekend.  Roselyn, innkeeper at the romantic bed and breakfast R.R. Thompson House in Carlton, offers some specific Valentine's Weekend recommendations for exploring Oregon Wine Country:

• Celebrate Valentine's Day in the Willamette Valley and experience the quiet beauty of Oregon's premier wine country in winter.  Tasting rooms and wineries will bring out the cupid in you with special events which are hard to resist.  What could be better than a glass of Pinot Noir wine coupled with Pinot Noir brownies?  Monks Gate Vineyard near Carlton, Oregon tempts with this offering Valentine's Day weekend.  Linda bakes these irresistible treats herself and will offer them to visitors of the vineyard/tasting room on Saturday, February 12 and Sunday, February 13.  (Tasting fee applies).
• Monks Gate is just one of dozens of wineries in the Valley planning special events during Valentine's Day weekend.    The theme at Coelho Winery in Amity will be "The Perfect Aphrodisiac," with the staff offering a selection of wines paired with "sweet and savory aphrodisiacs."  On Sunday, February 13 at 3 p.m., Vintage Voices, a jazz ensemble, will perform classic love songs in the tasting room.  (Reservations requested, charity donation to YCAP.)
• "Fine Wine and Lasting Love" is the theme at Raptor Ridge Winery, Newberg, where the staff is waiting to show off their new winery and tasting room. 
• At Cana's Feast, partake in a "wine country-style" Valentine's dinner on February 12.  Chef Lisa works magic in the kitchen where she mixes skill and heart for fantastic culinary offerings. 
• Check out the Willamette Wines website for more special events.