What's Happening in The Willamette Valley

It's that time of year when hard core bicyclists brave the Oregon Spring weather and just get out there and ride.  Unable to put it off any longer, they put up with whatever the Pacific Northwest brings and take their ride come rain or shine.  These nice folks pictured here took that ride and are enjoying the scenery, the quintessential valley villages and towns that speckle this part of the country with a sweetness not found anywhere else!

He is used to riding the wilds on his mountain bike but she is calling this a "princess ride!"  Very compatible and enjoying the hot shower and comfy bed every night is quite a treat after those miles of riding no matter what the weather or road conditions are like.  So, where did this princess and her prince stay each night?...and this is where the pot gets even sweeter...let me tell you!

The Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild has almost 100 membership inns all over the state of Oregon.  Our guests come from all over the world to ride, to taste our wines, to explore our mountains and lakes and so much more.  Providing all of our visitors the best in "inn" stays is a priority to say the least.  So, if you wanna ride and stay whether your a "princess" or not, you can begin at Champoeg State Park and for that "ride" info, please check out Travel Oregon's link here.  Your ride through the valley begins there at Champoeg and takes you to three of OBBG's membership inns!

Feller House B & B, Independence House B & B and The Pfeiffer Cottage Inn can't even begin to tell you how much they love their cyclists.  Beginning on your journey can take you right to the Feller House just outside Champoeg.  Spending the first night on the first leg of your bike trip when coming from British Columbia or by train up from Eugene will give you a head start early in the morning and plenty of fuel to begin your trek.  The Independence House makes for the perfect "stop" spot for your weary bones and second night stay along this route.  It has been said that Cheryl is quite a lot of fun and even made lunch for a few of her cyclists to help them along on their ride!  Wanna park your bike and walk to dinner?...well, The Pfeiffer Cottage Inn is perfectly situated in gorgeous downtown Albany, Oregon.  Just a few blocks to some of the best dining digs in the entire Willamette Valley.  Sybaris Bistro, Vault 244 and Calapooia Brewing Co. just to name a few are host to bicyclists all summer long as well.

One very cool ride, a princess and quite possibly her prince, three cozy places to bed down after that ride and it's brought to you courtesy of The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild!  Yes...we are just that awesome!

So...whether you JUST got engaged, are planning to GET engaged or just come to weddings for the cake, come to one of our very gorgeous Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild wedding venues!

I just checked out the web page that shows all of the inn's in our guild that host weddings.  I am already married but I wanna do it again...at one of these places!  

How does this sound..."a landscaped vineyard with gorge views" or "a wedding with the grace of a bygone era." Or this one..."a romantic legacy!"  Still only coming for the cake...hmmm.  Well, seriously check out our "wedding" page and plan on making your memories last at one of our "wedding" venue inn's!

And...if you already have your perfect "place" picked out, just check out one of our Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild Inn's for your romantic honeymoon.  Many of our inn's will provide sparkling wines, chocolates, bubbles and a private breakfast for two for the newlyweds! 

See you at the cake table!

A view from any room in this newest Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild membership inn is the best view in the house!

From atop a hill, surrounded by acres of vineyards, sits the Wine Country Farm.  True to its name, this inn is perfectly situated in some of the most fertile land in the country and yes they do take advantage of that by producing some of the best wine in the valley as well. 

In the inn keeping business for about 20 years, Joan Davenport runs quite an operation at her inn in Dayton.  Not only is her 9 room bed and breakfast a full time job, her winery keeps her pretty busy too.  And there's more!

Last September, I had the pleasure of seeing Oregon wine country via horseback.  Equestrian Wine Tours guided this wine and horse lover through vineyard after vineyard and wineries where we filled our saddle bags to the brim with the best of Oregon wines. So, needless to say, when I drove up to the Wine Country Farm, that awesome memory of last fall came flooding back when I realized this is the inn where I took that ride from.  I highly recommend it to anyone who loves horses and/or wine.  The saddlebags are big enough for several bottles and the horses don't mind waiting around while you taste!

An inn, an event center for weddings, parties and gatherings, a winery and horse stables for that wine ride and the perfect spot for all the fun in one place.  Wine Country Farm has it all!

Welcome Joan and Wine Country Farm to the best line up of bed and breakfasts in the entire state of Oregon.  We are glad to have you on our list of Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild membership inns!

"Comfortable quiet rooms in a restored 1896 farmhouse, private cottage and barn, with your own family of goats and geese.  Inviting willow furniture on two spacious porches and a heated swimming pool open Spring through Fall."

Just a bit of what you may experience at Country Willows B & B Ashland, Oregon and there is so much more.

Five acres of lush Oregon gardens, trees, fields and all the comforts of home!  Country Willows in Southern Oregon has new innkeepers.  Kara and Dan Burian purchased this delightful property several months ago and have enjoyed reaping the benefits of inn keeping.  And this Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild membership inn continues providing one of the best places to stay while visiting Southern Oregon.

Southern Oregon is fast becoming one of the best locations in the state for just about any activity.  Hiking, biking, walking, shopping in nearby downtown Ashland, the theater, the restaurants and all the relaxing anyone could ask for.

Come to Ashland and check in to the Country Willows B & B and stir up a little romance, make some lasting memories and enjoy what Southern Oregon has to offer!

 

Have I mentioned lately how much I love my "volunteer" job with the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild?  Well, if not...here goes!  I LOVE THIS GIG!!!

I am one half of the OBBG membership team and believe me when I say that it is all about being a "team!"  Many of our innkeepers have experience when performing inspections for new inns and re-inspecting those inns that have been members for many years.  However, one inn in particular...Bybee's Historic Inn near Jacksonville, OR joined us about one year ago and I could hardly wait to see this gorgeous place.  Well, as luck would have it, I had to give this "new member" inspection to a friend, team player and fellow innkeeper.  Fred Wickman from the Prospect Historic Hotel-Motel and Dinner House had the divine pleasure of performing this "new inn inspection and I was very jealous!

Needless to say, he was quite smitten with this beautiful inn.  A wonderful addition to our organization, a perfect location just outside of Jacksonville and again another reason to brag about OBBG and their awesome list of membership inns! 

Performing inspections can take us to many different regions in Oregon and my luck was changing and took me right to Bybee's a few days ago.  Not for another inspection but for just a night away and a chance to see the inn.  Cousins and friends Tina Marie and Vikki Lynn have done a wonderful job as innkeepers. Their "historical character dinners of the 1800's, unique themed dinners and high tea's for any occasion, elegant romantic getaways, private weddings, receptions, and unforgettable honeymoons," only add to the stunning surroundings that make you want to stay.

Thank you ladies for making our stay just perfect.  Your special touch on everything you do made us feel special, pampered and very well taken care of! 

“Le Puy is an 8-room, 4-season, destination inn for the Yamhill Wine Valley. The inn strives to exemplify sustainability from the food offered, to the products used, to the care for the environment from the exterior to the interior. Our goal is to provide a superior hospitality experience.  Our mission is to be an authentic “eco-inn”.  We host meetings, retreats and seminars as well as intimate weddings, anniversaries and reunions. Guests are invited to come to the inn to re-balance themselves with the tranquil setting, good food, spa amenities and fresh atmosphere."

The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is very proud to add Le Puy A Wine Valley Inn to their growing list membership inns.  We strive to bring our guests visiting Oregon the best inn experiences possible and Le Puy is a perfect addition. 

Nestled on a hill in the luscious Willamette Valley wine country, Le Puy exudes a peacefullness, a gracefull feel and that gentleness you only get while visiting our Oregon wine country.  One could swear they could hear the grapes ripen while they relax and enjoy this region of the state and the guest rooms and common areas of Le Puy furthers the enjoyment with their focus on nature, organic materials and simple perfection that will make your stay refreshing and memorable and ready to plan your next visit!

So, welcome to our newest inn...Le Puy A Wine Valley Inn and to the innkeepers, Andy and Lea.  You and your inn are perfect additions to the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild and to Oregon's wine country!

Spring is in the air and even though we are expecting snow this week, I can see the bulbs beginning to bloom in my garden.  And, at Midway Farms between Corvallis and Albany, Oregon, you can attend a "Daffodil Garden Walk!"

On Saturday, March 5th and Sunday, March 6th come check out why the Willamette Valley is the best place to see those spring flowers bloom.  Enjoy the walk while you peruse the sweet barn containing all the good things that come naturally from Midway Farms where "working with Mother Nature instead of against her" is their motto!

100% organic, Midway Farms offers a ton of farm goodies to its guests.  Handmade soaps, local cheeses, milk, eggs and jams are among the few.  The farm also offers seasonal events open to the public as well as field trips, parties, kids camps and weddings.

The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is pleased to announce that two of its membership inns are planted at either end of this farm.  Only within a few miles each, The Harrsion House B & B and The Pfeiffer Cottage Inn offers that perfect Willamette Valley stay with all the comforts of home and tastes of the valley!  Using local and fresh ingredients provides their guests the best tastes of Oregon and a whole day of fun and a perfect day of experiencing a "Daffodil Garden Walk!"

Check out other membership inns in the Willamette Valley and plan your "daffodil walk" through Oregon!

Guest Blogger: Jennifer McCormick, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, via...rideoregonride.com

"Oregon Scenic Bikeways are chosen with cyclists in mind: endearing historic downtowns, breathtaking scenery, and bicycle lanes where possible. Oregon’s first designated scenic bikeway celebrates the Willamette Valley, its people and its splendor. The 127-mile Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway (WVSB) travels through one of the most diverse agricultural regions on earth, and showcases the sites where Oregon’s history was made.

The Willamette Valley is a broad, alluvial valley bordered by the low, forested Coast Range to the west and by the mountainous Cascades to the east. The Willamette River meanders north through the valley, eventually flowing into the Columbia River at Portland, Oregon’s largest city. The Willamette Valley is home to the majority of the state’s population, most living in and near Portland, Salem, Albany/Corvallis and Eugene. The rest of the valley, and the state, is rural.

Whether you’re an experienced rider looking for a new challenge, or a family looking for a day ride, the WVSB offers unique and new experiences with each ride. Be prepared for rain, though. The valley is known for its wet climate. Bicyclists with good rainwear and a positive attitude can ride in the valley all 12 months. About 50 inches of rain a year falls from November through April. Snow is rare, with only a few light snowfalls per year and major snowstorms only a couple times a decade. April through November brings drier weather, lots of flowers and warm days, making them the best months to ride.

Shorter Routes

If the complete ride sounds like a lot, any section of the WVSB can be used for a day ride. Of course, we have a few favorites.

Champoeg State Heritage Area to Willamette Mission State Park is a great 30-mile round trip. The route takes you through an agricultural have of crops, including miles of hops grown for brewing beer right here in Oregon.
Albany to Shedd is a very flat 42-mile round trip. The route offers scenery of the coast hills, the Willamette River and the valley pastures.
Armitage County Park to Coburg is a great 13-mile round trip ride. Coburg has a great downtown area with a picnic-perfect park and antique stores to browse.
Places to Stay

Looking to rider the WVSB at a more leisurely pace? There are many places to stay along the way that break up the ride well.

Hotels can be found in the cities and towns and along the way, including Salem/Keizer, Independence, Albany, Corvallis and Eugene.

There are also a number of spots to pitch a tent and enjoy an evening under the stars in the fresh Willamette Valley air. These campgrounds are Champoeg State Heritage Area, Willamette Mission State Park, City of Brownsville Pioneer Park and Armitage County Park.

Things to See and Do

Fruit stands spring up along the bikeway, usually opening in May and closing in October. Some of the stands are large businesses; some are set up at the edge of someone’s driveway. One fruit not well known outside of the region is the marionberry; sweet, purple, blackberry-type berries that were hybridized in Marion County, the same county that hosts much of the bikeway route. The berries ripen throughout late spring and early summer and are sold by the pound and in jams and pies. Watch for strawberries, cherries and blueberries from early- to mid-summer, followed by green beans, peaches, corn and plums. Fall brings walnuts and hazelnuts.

Many towns in the Willamette Valley have farmers markets May through October. Most markets are held on Saturdays, with a few of the larger towns hosting mid-week markets as well.

The Willamette Valley, Oregon’s leading wine region, has two-thirds of the state’s wineries and vineyards and is home to more than 200 wineries. It has been recognized as one of the premier pinot noir-producing areas in the world.

There are unique and special stores and restaurants in many of the smaller towns, including Albany, Corvallis, Brownsville and Coburg. Stop in and say hi. You’re sure to get a warm greeting and a great story about local products."

Jennifer has a lot of good information abut bicycle touring, but we have to add a couple of comments.  First, skip the Salem Oregon hotels and stay with us!  The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild thinks it's high time to book your ride through the Willamette Valley.  And yes...we can tell you where to stay, park your bike and enjoy our Oregon countryside, sweet downtowns and the best places to dine!  Check us out at www.obbg.org!

Inns along the route:  Feller House Bed and Breakfast, Independence House Bed and Breakfast, Harrison House Bed and Breakfast, The Pfeiffer Cottage Inn and C'est La Vie Inn

or for more info on inns...take a look at our Willamette Valley regional page.

Need a little nudge...or maybe a huge shove in the romantic direction?  In the list of upcoming romantic weekend getaways here's one you won't want to miss:

Bybee's Historic Inn near Jacksonville, Oregon is hosting a very romantic:


"Valentine's Chocolate Lovers' Getaway
Catered by Chef William Prahl

Dinner and Accommodations
Chocolate in every course paired with wine
 
Saturday February 12, 2011
 
Monday February 14, 2011
 
Due to the high volume of reservations,
"Chocolate Lovers' Getaway"
is also available Valentine's Day.
 
 
Romantic Dinner with wine, luxurious room and
gourmet breakfast for two.
$160.00 to $180.00 per couple
 
(Dinner is available without accommodations)
$75.00 per couple
 
Dinner at 6:30 pm
Limited availability, so make your reservation early!"

One of our newest Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild membership inns, we are so happy to have Bybee's Historic Inn on our very nice list of Oregon inns to offer guests traveling to and through Oregon!

Sneaking away for Valentine's Weekend has never been more romantic!  See you in Southern Oregon for the romantic weekend getaways!


 

Last week we spent a few days in Bend, Oregon. Last year we went snowmobiling twice and loved it so a copy of 2010's fun and exciting experiences are on tap for 2011 as well.

Ray booked us a 4 hour snowmobiling trip and taking friends from SoCal, we wanted to show them a good time in Oregon so we took the longer tour and had lunch at a lodge accessible only by snowmobile. Taking the wrong trail a few times made the trip better and following each other through the snow, through groomed roads and sneaking up on the banks along side of us was a blast! As I said last year about snowmobiling, I absolutely LOVE it! This is saying a lot especially cause I am a huge chicken but give me a snowmobile with some power, a seat warmer, handle bar heaters and make sure I can feel the gas lever at my thumb through my very warm snow gloves, and I am set to go...really fast!

I really loved going snowmobiling last year and took two-two hour rides but this 4 hour trip that turned into a 5-1/2 hour trip and over 55 miles was even a bigger blast! The scenery is amazing, beautiful and stunning! Yeah...all of those and when you stop to stare cause you can't believe what you are seeing, you just smile, take it all in, rev up the engine, hit the gas and scoot cause you have to see it all!

We lunched at Elk Lake Lodge accessible via snowmobile or a Suburban with tracks instead of tires. That was a sight to see as well. Sweet Potato fries an artichoke veggie wrap and a nice cold one and we were on our way once again. It only took us about an hour to get back to the Yurt to drop the snow mobiles and crawl to our car. Rivers partially covered in snow and ice, the sun and a slight spring thaw, which is unusual in winter, and the ride back was pretty sweet too.

Gear off, jackets stowed in the trunk and resting comfortably on the ride back to civilization, all we could do was talk about what a great day we had. A little achy but not too sore to meet at the patio bar just outside the old classrooms of the redone Old St. Francis Catholic School compliments of the Mc Menamin brothers come hotel, restaurants, bars, cigar lounge, pool, etc. A nice roaring fire sitting near one of the huge the pits, my Hogshead Whiskey Toddy, my honey and our friends all set for the perfect evening of sharing, sipping and dining while reminiscing about our most perfect day in the Oregon back country...pretty sweet!

I'm ready to go again!

"Set amid vineyards, orchards and acres of forest the Black Walnut Inn offers luxurious surroundings in the heart of Oregon's wine country. Newly constructed and reminiscent of Tuscan villas of old, the inn is filled with modern art and amenities blended expertly with beautiful antiques, old world details and the works of local artisans."

Being on our Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild membership committee sure has its perks!  What can I say...I get to see some of the most beautiful inns in the world and they are right here in Oregon.

The Black Walnut Inn and Vineyard is found at the end of a long winding driveway that takes you to the heart of the Tuscan countryside.  Wait...I mean the heart of the Willamette Valley wine country.  Seriously, the feel, the look and the comfort inside and out of this inn is breathtaking.  Viewing the rolling hills of vineyards through over sized windows while enjoying a nice glass of pinot near the huge roaring fire place in the common area of this inn, makes for the perfect get away.  We are so fortunate to have this inn as our newest member!

The Black Walnut Inn and Vineyard has nine suites and sits on several acres.  Exuding European elegance, luxurious linens, soaking tubs and queen and king beds, don't begin to describe this special place.  A visit...a weekend...a few days, whatever you have, this inn is a Willamette Valley "must stay!"

Enjoy finding your way to Yamhill County to visit our Willamette Valley Wine Country.  And, rest, eat, drink and be relaxed in Oregon's own Tuscany at the Black Walnut Inn and Vineyard.

Cheers!

"Romance, relaxation and history enhance the magic of Bybee’s, where time stands still and grace, elegance and hospitality await you."

You can find this statement right on Bybee's Historic Inns website!  It's an amazing inn that we just added to our very sweet list of inns that belong to The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.  Located in Southern Oregon, Bybee's in Jacksonville, is the perfect spot enjoy all the goodness that Southern Oregon exudes.  Sitting among some of the most gorgeous countryside in Oregon and just a mile from downtown Jacksonville where their guests enjoy seeing the wildlife that sometimes graces the inn with their presence, Bybee's is the perfect mix of relaxation, pampering and comfort.  The gourmet breakfasts, the fireplaces and jacuzzi tubs only add to the already stunning inns offerings.

"Our goal is to create an elegant yet comfortable environment where you can experience the magic of this Historic Territory Home. Our attention to detail is our motto for that personal touch in everything we do!"

Thank you Vikki Lynn and Tina Marie for joing The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild and we look forward recommending Bybee's Historic Inn!

Small town Oregon, tons of delicious restaurants, chef's making their "own" creations, using all local ingredients of course!  So, what does one do with resources like that?  Well, we create a food tour of course!  Tastes, sips, bites...a nosh perhaps?

The Albany Nosh Tours began this past June and they were a hit from the get go!  I think we had them at that Traegered prime rib or maybe it was that homemade pasta that Ruby just prepared and filled with buttered butternut squash or maybe it was even those delicious Class 5 burgers or Rubens to go along with the beer from Calapooia Brewing Co.  Who knows and when you are chomping down on a bite of all that is delicious here, it doesn't' really matter, it just tastes soooo good!

Newspaper write ups, flier info, pamphlet lingo and even blogging...ahem...couldn't begin to properly describe what these tours are like.  You really need to go on one.  And, we just happen to have a few seats still available on our NEXT ALBANY NOSH TOUR!

It's all happening on December 18th beginning at 4pm.  We meet downtown, trolley to a few restaurants, taste local wines and cheeses at a local vintage (breathtakingly gorgeous) home, a quick ride through our Monteith District and get the quick tour from our "step on" guide, enjoy live Christmas music all evening till the ending befits the perfection of the evening!  Yes, we will end at one the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild Inns! 

The Pfeiffer Cottage Inn will open up this night only for a first level tour of the inn.  Get your tickets for the this entire tour by calling Cathy at The Albany Visitor's Association.  Her number is 541-928-0831!

Built in 1908, The Pfeiffer Cottage inn exudes Robust Craftsman Bungalow all the way.  Clean lines, oak and fir floors, original leaded glass windows and built in's throughout will make you want to stay!  Warm, inviting and decorated for Christmas!  Our kitchen will be filled to the brim with sweets from several local home bakers and will be served with Bailey's infused homemade Hot Chocolate!

A perfect way to spend an evening in a small town during the holidays!  See you on the trolley!

"31st Annual Christmas Parlour Tour"

Join us for our Christmas Parlour Tour of Historic Homes!
Churches, Museums and our library along with several vintage homes will be open for touring on Sunday, December 12, 2010 from 2pm – 7pm!

This Christmas tour will feature several historic homes (listed on the ticket with a map), which have been lovingly restored and beautifully decorated for the holidays. Along with the homes on tour, guests will visit the Whitespires Church, The United Presbyterian Church, the Albany Regional Museum, the Monteith House Museum, the Carnegie Library, and Albany's Historic Carousel and Museum.

Marks Ridge Percherons will take guests through the Historic Monteith District Neighborhood tour and the vintage trolley will pick-up the rest of the stops on the tour. This tour is self-guided. Visitors can tour the homes in any order they like. Transportation is by your own vehicle or by horse drawn wagon and trolley.

Music, refreshments, horse-drawn wagon rides, and vintage trolley rides are all included in the $10 ticket price ($8 for seniors and groups of 10 or more). Children under 12 are admitted free with a paid adult.

Ticket sales begin at 1pm on tour day at: Albany Visitors Association, 250 Broadalbin Ave SW #110 in Historic Downtown Albany. Tour begins at Two Rivers Market, 800-526-2256 or (541) 928-0911 www.albanyvisitors.com

Whether you are just passing through, planning to stay or just haven't made up your mind yet, consider visiting one or more of Oregon's quaint villages, small towns or even the big city! Boasting historical districts consisting of vintage homes, downtown buildings and bed and breakfasts from Jacksonville to Albany and from McMinnville to Astoria, finding that perfect place to dine, explore and stay overnight isn't hard!

This time of year is when you find native Oregonians holding on to the edge of their seats.  I've seen and heard them for myself in all their anticipation as they ponder the snow conditions up on Mt. Hood, is there still good hiking found in the hills near Corvallis or is too wet, should we get our skiis out yet and head on over to Mt. Bachelor or Hoodoo or, should we just sit in a little coffee shop in the Pearl and think of trying a new restaurant to have dinner in tonight?

Oh...just so much to chose from!  So, where does one start?  Native or visitor to Oregon? Well, I say one must always start with the food!  I could end this blog right here and just tell you to start in Jacosonville and get on the epicurean bus and eat your way through Oregon!  However, I will suggest that you just take your sweet time and begin at the Jacksonville Inn Bistro and have the Butternut Squash Soup made of course with locally grown ingredients and topped so heavenly with creme' fraiche.  Then, work your way up to Albany and dine at Sybaris where Matt Bennet has cornered the farmer's market on all that is local and so fresh that his menu changes monthly allowing him to prepare and serve only what is in season in the Willamette Valley.  Taking that epicurean trail, you could continue on up in to McMinnville and have a burger and tots on the roof top at The Oregon Hotel and discover why the McMenaman brothers are so famous. After that pitstop, go on and check out brew pub after brew pub and learn why our beer here in Oregon is so popular all over the country. Wherever you choose to dine, taste or sip, you will learn why Oregonians just love it here.  Small town or the big city...doesn't matter...the foods always good in Oregon!

Finding that perfect inn on the trail is part of the fun too!  Some of Oregon's most famous foodies are found right in the kitchens of these Oregon Bed and Breakfasts!  There is nothing like coming in from skiing, snowshoeing, or even wine tasting and seeing the roaring fire in the fireplace and a dish of warm cookies and that special bottle of Oregon Pinot Noir waiting for you.  Choosing Oregon Wine Country or a Mt. Hood Bed and Breakfast as a place to warm up this winter sounds like a good place to stop the bus and get off!

Don't miss your bus and hope to see you on the trail as you visit Oregon this winter.  Stay warm and well fed!

The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild has many membership inns all over Oregon.  And in some of those inn's, artist's reside!

Edelweiss Manor B & B in the Willamette Valley is not only home to one of the most beautiful historic homes in Oregon, it's also home to the NW Artist Studio and Gift Boutique and A Touch of Class Day Spa!

Sitting pretty on a few acres of pristine gardens is a place just outside Albany, Oregon where you can escape the busy city and enjoy the country as you peruse through this wonderful event this weekend.  On Saturday, Oct. 23rd from 11-5pm or on Sunday, Oct. 24th from 2pm-5pm, come and enjoy as this art studio opens up to showcase a "Trunk Showing," Vintage Clothing and Collections, Artists of the North West gifts and so much more!

The Open House is also located on the "Willamette River Country Trail" site!  One of the newest trails to be added to the Oregon Country Trail system, Edelweiss Manor B & B is a perfect addition.  For more info please go to www.atouchofclassspa.com or just go to 1708 Springhill Dr. NW this weekend to see the art, enjoy the gorgeous grounds, visit the beautiful historic home and see "Autumn" in the Willamette Valley!

A drive through the country with an awesome ending!

Perusing this new book today got me reeling with excitement about the Pacific Northwest.  It really doesn't take much to make that happen but seeing my inn along with our local restaurants, special places to see, shop and experience in Joan Tapper's new book is very cool!

Joan Tapper and photographer Nik Wheeler spent a few days at our inn a while back as they gathered infomation on their new venture.  Only one in a series, this book focuses on the Pacific Northwest and all the wonderful things about "here!"

One item that really stood out in this read was the fact that a book on places to go to see the beauty of the region included food and drink as part of it's content. Food, drink, the experience of the "place" is all involving.  How can it not be and especially here where all that goodness is the on the forefront of every visitor's mind.  So, again...food becomes the topic!

Mentioning places to see and visit is proper when writing a book but mentioning to it's readers where to eat, well...you gotta assume that the author really loved the food.  And, there is no better way to truly enjoy and learn about a region.  Referring to the words "slow food," according to Wikipedia, they mean, "to preserve traditional and regional cuisine and promote farming of plants, seeds and livestock characteristics of the local ecosystem," explains this particular area to a "t!"  Enter...Matt Bennett, chef and owner of four restaurants in downtown Albany, Oregon.  The epitomy of "slow food" in my book, Joan Tapper mentions two of his restaurants in hers.

Pacific Northwest Cuisine is Matt's specialty and his restaurant, Sybaris in downtown Albany dazzles not only author's, photographer's and aspiring chef's, it attracts locals, guests staying at the inn a few blocks away, bicyclists, friend's and "slow food" lovers from all over the region.  In a place that thrives on the entire meaning of "food" in all it's forms, shapes and tastes and living in some of the most fertile places in the universe, our food is as important to us as breathing!  Local Farmer's Markets, our gardens growing in our communities, fresh delivered greens, eggs, milk and being able to watch our cows graze in real grass, our chickens peck at things chickens peck at and being careful to not abuse our waters so our fish can thrive, gives us the best food in the country!

Now, for the best combo meal?  Toss in with this restaurant experience a nice ride through the countryside of any region in Oregon, a very nice Pinot Noir from our Willamette Valley, a bushel of pears from Hood River, some cheese from Southern Oregon, Joan and Nik's book and one our Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild inns and you're good to go! 

Enjoy the read, the slow food and the slow ride through all of our regions!

This is my most favorite time of year!  I love Autumn, I love the fruit, I love the weather, the trees just beginning to turn colors and drop their leaves, the food and everything else that depicts the perfection here in Oregon right now!

Oregon Bounty is happening all over the state.  There is truly a plethora of wonderful foods being prepared by our chef's as they forage our local Farmer's Markets, pick from their very own gardens and find those perfect items for their fall menu's.  Kind of like kids at Christmastime, these folks live for Autumn and live to please their restaurant guests.  Pairing fruits, main courses and desserts with their wine picks is part of the fun too!  And, we are so lucky to be so close to ALL this goodness.

The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild not only has membership inns in the middle of wine country, we have inns located in some the sweetest down towns where the local chef's begin their preparations for dinner early in the day.  I could smell the traeger and was dying to take a sneak peek as I walked past one of our very awesome dining digs today, Sybaris Bistro.  I know that would most definitely get me in to trouble so I behaved and just walked past it but the scent delighted me most of my walk home!

I think that is why our cyclist love it here too!  Riding the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway to our inn makes it very easy to drop that bike off and head downtown on foot to enjoy our restaurants.  The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild has membership inns along this trail.  From Champoeg State Park through Independence, on to Corvallis and then to Albany and ending in Eugene, there are at least four membership inns to park your bikes, enjoy a hot bath and head just a few blocks for dinner!

It's beautiful here in Autumn and the grapes are ripe as well as our apples and pears and they go so well with our Oregon wine too!  Hope to see you downtown at Sybaris or over in Corvallis enjoying the river walk or even on the bike trail! 

Enjoy and ride safe!

Growing up around horses didn't prepare me for this ride!  Wanting to find something fun to do in the Willamette Valley that involved wine tasting, a horse and a beautiful ride through those gorgeous vineyards led me to discover "Equestrian Wine Tours!"

Seeing those black mares waiting for us as we pulled up to begin our tour, got me itchin' to climb up and get going!  The ride through the vineyards of the Willamette Valley on this unique tour was not only exciting but the perfect way to see and experience wine country.

The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild has several membership inns in the Willamette Valley!  They can be found among some of the most gorgeous vineyards in the world.  Amongst the Pinot Noir grapes that just happened to be surrounding us throughout our entire ride, you can find the most perfect setting for that getaway, that rest and all the best places to wine taste.

Jake was our guide as we rode Lacy and Rave through the vineyards yesterday.  The saddle bags filled up with wine that we couldn't resist from wineries such as "Winter's Hill Vineyard" and "White Rose Wines!"  And have I mentioned that I love this inn keeping gig?...got invited to a spring opening party that his held by "Winter's Hill" every year and it's for innkeepers only! 

Whether you want to get in the saddle or enjoy the wine ride in the horse drawn carriage, check out "Equestrian Wine Tours!"  Remember there is plenty of room in those saddle bags, the pours are generous and the ride...sweet!