American Goldfinch

We sure do!  Our gardens are a flurry of avian activity!  Sparrows, finches, blackbirds, chickadees…the list goes on.  Our most colorful visitors so far this spring have been the Evening Grosbeaks.  They are a beautiful bird, don’t you think?  And we have had at least 50 feeding regularly at our many feeding stations.

The gardens of the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast have been recognized as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Foundation.  That is we provide feed, water, shelter and nesting provisions for the many species of birds that visit our gardens.  One day last spring in just about a half hours time I identified 21 species of birds!  I invite you to come sit in a secluded nook of our garden and watch the activities!

Dine at Sakura Ridge Farm and Ridge, high above the Hood River Valley

All rooms at Sakura Ridge have been reserved.  We suggest visiting www.gorgelodging, the website for the Columbia Gorge/Hood River Bed and Breakfast Association, for additional lodging options

~ Tickets on sale now, $70.  Contact events@phelpscreekvineyards.com/541-285-8754

Miles and miles of XC ski and snow shoe trails in the National Forests surrounding the Columbia River Gorge.

I had a phone inquiry the other day: “We’re thinking about coming and visiting the Columbia River Gorge but was wondering, is there anything to do in the area?”

Really?  Well, let me tell you, one experience at a time.

For us there is nothing better than a hike in our adjacent National Forests, fresh snow, no wind, fresh tracks.  If it’s snowing, it’s even better.  The forests surrounding Mt Adams, in Washington, and Mt Hood, in Oregon, have miles and miles of trails to explore.

The innkeepers of the Columbia River Gorge Bed and Breakfast Association will send you off in the right directions

DO NOT PASS SNOWPLOWS ON THE RIGHT
DUH!

A couple years back someone tacked this added message below the warning sign that really states the obvious.  Be prepared when exploring Oregon during the winter months.  And don’t always rely on that GPS.  Many forest roads, while beautiful alternatives from the main highways and freeways during the snow free months, are not maintained during the winter.

Travelers should be aware that even a few inches of snow can obscure icy roads and soft shoulders where vehicles can become stuck.  Winter storms can trigger unexpected rock slides, and falling limbs and trees; they can quickly change driving conditions on forest roads from passable to impassable in a matter of minutes.

Keys to safe winter driving: Plan for the unexpected.  Keep in mind that cell phones may not work in remote areas.  Check the latest road and weather conditions at TripCheck.com or dial 511 before heading out.  Always tell someone where you’re going and stick to that plan.   Carry an emergency kit in your vehicle.  Travelers should be prepared to spend long periods of time in the car.  Blankets or sleeping bags, warm clothes, a snow shovel, water, food and other necessities are recommended as part of a complete vehicle emergency kit.  Always fuel up at the beginning of the trip.

Weather can change quickly, particularly in higher elevations. Good snow tires, a 4-wheel drive vehicle, and chains are advised or often required, when driving in winter conditions.  As a general rule, always adjust your speed to current conditions and drive at speeds that allow you to stop in half of the visible road distance ahead of you.

Helpful information about planning a trip to a national forest during the winter months can be found on the Know Before You Go webpage at go.usa.gov/Cmq.

ODOT and the County Maintenance Crews do an amazing job keeping our Highways and Interstates passable.  They plow, they de-ice and sand but it is our job to use a little common sense, stay on roads maintained during the winter months, and drive cautiously to make sure we reach our destination safely.

Apple Dumplings at the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast

Old Parkdale Inn Apple Dumpling ~ 4 servings

For the Sauce: bring 1 cup water, 2/3 cup sugar, 2 tbsp butter, 1/4 tsp cinnamon to a boil and let simmer while you prepare the apples.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Apple stuffing:  Brown sugar, craisins, cinnamon. I make a large batch of this, maybe a couple of cups at a time, and keep leftovers in plastic zip lock bag in frig.  Prepare Puff Pastry: thaw sheet and cut into quarters

Peel and core your apples and fill with brown sugar stuffing then gently wrap puff pastry around apple.  Don’t worry if the dough doesn’t completely enclose around the apples.  Place the dumplings in a buttered pan and pour the sauce over the dumplings and around the sides of the pan. Bake for 40 minutes until golden brown. Serve hot with extra sauce drizzled over the top.

Three Sleeps Vineyard Bed and Breakfast

Camped on the banks of the Columbia River in Mosier, Lewis and Clark asked the Native Americans how far they were from the Big Water, the Pacific Ocean.  Their answer, ‘Three Sleeps’.

Three Sleeps Vineyard B&B sits high in the hills above the Columbia River Gorge.  The vineyard is the source of Dominio IV’s Tempranillo, Syrah and Viognier grapes and is farmed organically and biodynamically.  The B&B has two spacious room, both with their own private entrance, bath and cozy seating area. Start each day with a hardy breakfast, take a vineyard tour and relax on your private patio where you can enjoy the view of the vineyard, Mosier’s world famous cherry orchards and the night quiet.

‘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

3 c fresh rhubarb, cut in 1-inch pieces
2 c fresh strawberries
sweeten with agave nectar (or one c sugar)
1/3 c cornstarch

Cook the strawberries and rhubarb for about 5 minutes.  Combine the sweetener of your choice with the cornstarch and add to fruit.  Cook until bubbly and thick.  Set aside to cool

3 c flour
1 c sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1 c butter

1 c buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tsp almond extract

Combine dry ingredients.  Cut in butter until the mixture resembles fine  crumbs.  Beat wet ingredients together and add to flour mix, stirring just to moisten.  Spread half the batter in a greased 9x13x2 inch baking pan.  Spread the cooled rhubarb filling over this and spoon the remaining batter in small portions on top of the filling.

Make a topping by combining

3/4 c sugar, 2 cup flour, cut in 1/4 cup butter and then add 1/4 cup flaked coconut

Sprinkle over the coffee cake batter, bake at 350 degree oven for 40-45 minutes.  The innkeepers of the
Columbia River Gorge/Hood River B&B Association truely enjoy turning your vacation into a culinary vacation.  Coffee anyone?

Where can you ski in the morning and windsurf into the afternoon and evening?  And it’s blossom time in the Hood River Valley.  Take the Fruit Loop, a 35 driving tour through the valley’s orchards, forests and quiet communities.  Stroll the quaint shops, breweries, and wine tasting rooms in downtown Hood River before dinner in one of many fine dining rooms. The innkeepers of the Columbia River Gorge/Hood River B&B Association will provide unique accommodations, a superb Northwest Culinary experience, and tips on where to dine and explore.

Not only will this event celebrate the Gorge, it will give back as well. Proceeds go to the Rotary Club of Hood River Scholarship Program, funding scholarships to area youth for higher education.

Create memories and plan to stay the weekend at an inn of the Columbia River Gorge Bed and Breakfast Association some just minutes from the WAAAM Museum where this event is being held.