Archive for February, 2015

Hard-Pressed Cider Festival in the Hood River Valley

February 24th, 2015 by Gorge Lodging

Hard-Pressed Cider Festival in the Hood River Valley

Hard-Pressed Cider Festival in the Hood River Valley

Hood River Valley’s hard cider scene is exploding, with nine cideries and counting. These craft cidermakers source the apples, pears and other fruits from the 440+ local orchardists, creating ciders that truly give you a taste of Hood River, and place the region at the forefront of the new national hard cider movement.  Now in its second year, the Hood River Hard-Pressed Cider Fest gives seasoned and novice cider drinkers alike the chance to sample cider from Hood River County’s very own cider makers, as well as a variety of additional Northwest cideries.  More than 20 cideries will be participating, with more than 30 ciders on tap.  The daylong event also features local food vendors, produce and arts vendors, a kid’s area and a line-up of local music, from bluegrass to classic rock – guaranteeing a great time for the whole family

The innkeepers of the Columbia River Gorge Bed and Breakfast Association are eager to share their favorite spots and events for adventure and exploration in the Hood River Valley, Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area, Mt Adams and Mt Hood.

Hood 2 River Relay ~ Countdown on Events and Activities in the Columbia Gorge

February 22nd, 2015 by Gorge Lodging

Hood2RiverThe Hood 2 River Relay is an exciting spring time event that kicks off the summer recreational season on Mt. Hood and in the Columbia River Gorge. Two to six person teams quickly descend 6000 feet off of Mt Hood to the low lying elevations of the Columbia River Basin near sea level provides a unique opportunity for recreational enthusiast to enjoy a multitude of sports in the same day.  The Hood 2 River Relay consists of six Legs; Alpine ski, nordic ski, mountain bike, road bike, road run, boating (kayak/canoe/SUP) and a 500 meter sprint to the finish line after boating. Saturday, May 30, 2015.  Open to individuals and teams. No better time of the year for this opportunity than the late springtime.

The innkeepers of the Columbia River Gorge Bed and Breakfast Association are eager to share their favorite spots and events for adventure and exploration in the Hood River Valley, Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area, Mt Adams and Mt Hood.

 

Second Saturday at WAAAM ~ Countdown on Events and Activities in the Columbia Gorge

February 20th, 2015 by Gorge Lodging

Jenny at WAAAMThe Second Saturday of each month The WAAAM Air & Auto Museum opens the doors to roll out and run some of its antique airplanes and cars. Visitors watch airplane operations up close and may get to ride in old cars too. Open 9-5. Activities 10-2. Lunch 11-1. Free parking. WAAAM is located three miles from downtown Hood River and 16 miles from the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast.

WAAAM has one of the largest collections of still-flying antique aeroplanes and still-driving antique automobiles in the country.  The items on display at this museum are not only full of history, they’re full of LIFE!

The innkeepers of the Columbia River Gorge Bed and Breakfast Association are eager to share their favorite spots and events for adventure and exploration in the Hood River Valley, Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area, Mt Adams and Mt Hood.

Geocaching the Columbia River Gorge and Surrounding National Forests

February 20th, 2015 by Gorge Lodging

‘Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people, from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment.  Geocaching.com is the headquarters for the activity”

Did you know that Geocaching started in Oregon?  A little history lesson, the full version can be read on the Geocaching.com history page from where I’ve gotten this information.

“Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment.  Geocaching.com is the headquarters for the activity”  On this site you can read the history of Geocaching.

* On May 2, 2000, at approximately midnight, eastern savings time, the great blue switch* controlling selective availability was pressed. Twenty-four satellites around the globe processed their new orders, and instantly the accuracy of GPS technology improved tenfold. Tens of thousands of GPS receivers around the world had an instant upgrade. Now, anyone could “precisely pinpoint their location or the location of items (such as game) left behind for later recovery.” How right they were.

* On May 3 a GPS enthusiast, Dave Ulmer, computer consultant, wanted to test the accuracy by hiding a navigational target in the woods. He called the idea the “Great American GPS Stash Hunt” and posted it in an internet GPS users’ group. The idea was simple: Hide a container out in the woods and note the coordinates with a GPS unit.  On May 3rd he placed his own container, a black bucket, in the woods near Beavercreek, Oregon, near Portland.

* Within three days, two different readers read about his stash on the Internet, used their own GPS receivers to find the container, and shared their experiences online.  Like many new and innovative ideas on the Internet, the concept spread quickly – but this one required leaving your computer to participate.

* Within the first month, Mike Teague, the first person to find Ulmer’s stash, began gathering the online posts of coordinates around the world and documenting them on his personal home page. The “GPS Stash Hunt” mailing list was created to discuss the emerging activity.

* Geocaching.com was released to the stash-hunting community on September 2, 2000. At the time the site was launched there were 75 known caches in the world.  There are now over 1.5 million caches around the world, in only 12 years.’

This is certainly the condensed version.  Visit Geocaching.com history for the full story.  I checked to see if the Original Cache was still available, but alas, it has been archived and the Un-Original Stash placed in it’s honor.  The links will take you to their listing on Geocaching.com but if you are not logged in I’m not sure if you will be able to view.

Geocaching is Eco Friendly Travel at it’s best.  Choose a member inn of the Columbia River Gorge Bed and Breakfast Association for your home base when Caching the Gorge

Fruit Friday at the Fruit Company ~ Things to do in the Columbia River Area

February 19th, 2015 by Gorge Lodging

9As much as I hate to admit it I think Spring is coming.  Might already be here. The reason I say this is because we’ve had a very warm springlike first couple of months of 2015.  Oh, it could still snow but I might as well accept it, I really like winter, and move on.

Every Friday of the Month The Fruit Company sets aside fruit that doesn’t make it into their high quality Gift Boxes.  This fruit is most of the time higher quality than you would find in the local grocers.  It just doesn’t meet the standard for what The Fruit Company calls ‘gift grade and is sold at reduced costs.  First come, first serve basis while supplies last.  No phone orders or preorders and orders cannot be shipped.  Good excuse to take a ride up into the scenic Hood River Valley

We get phone inquiries all the time that sound like this: We’re thinking about coming to The Gorge but was wondering, is there anything to do in the area?”  Well.  That list is pretty long.  I can almost guarantee something for every one.  And I will attempt to grab them all in these blog posts.

»