Posts Tagged ‘lodging’

Don’t Pass Snowplows on the Right! DUH!

January 4th, 2022 by Gorge Lodging

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.

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.

Seven Oaks Bed and Breakfast is only minutes from Downtown Hood River

October 11th, 2019 by Gorge Lodging

Seven Oaks Bed and BreakfastSeven Oaks Bed & Breakfast features two elegant bedrooms with private baths, plus a separate studio cottage with full bath and kitchenette for two. Additional rooms available with shared bath option. Beautiful and spacious dining and living areas serve as communal gathering spots while quiet reading rooms and nooks provide privacy and quiet.

The front porch offers a view of Mt. Hood and a shaded place to hang out on the porch swing. The rear deck is a sunny garden retreat with expansive views of the different garden areas.

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.

Apple Dumplings at the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast

October 11th, 2019 by Gorge Lodging

The last of the summer peaches went into a cobbler and I made a trip up to Kiyokawa Farms for fall apples and pears from the Hood River Valley Orchard.  The Apple Dumpling is a guest favorite and I look forward to making it for you in the months to come.

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.

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.

Punch Bowl Falls ~ Waterfall Wednesday

June 13th, 2018 by Gorge Lodging

Punch Bowl Falls in one of Oregon’s Seven Wonders, the Columbia River Gorge

Punch Bowl FallsPunch Bowl Falls is one of the most photographed falls in the Columbia River Gorge, maybe even the Pacific Northwest.  But you’ll need to get your hiking boots on and trek in about a mile and a half along the Eagle Creek Trail.  Constructed in 1915 with pick axes and shovels, the cliffs have been blasted out so that the trail could bypass several deep canyons.   The entire Eagle Creek trail is 14 miles long with a minimum of 6 waterfalls along the way.

Chasing Waterfalls and Waterfall Wednesday. With 77 waterfalls on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge alone, we’ve set out to find them all plus those in the nearby Mt Hood National Forest, Washington and beyond. And when we do we’ll share our finds with you, our guests, so you too can set out to Chase Waterfalls.

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.

Breweries in Hood River and the Valley Above

March 4th, 2018 by Gorge Lodging

BreweriesInTheGorgeLogoWhat might you be doing this St. Patrick’s Day? Beer is serious business in the Gorge.  So serious that 12 Breweries in the Columbia River Gorge have united to create Breweries in the Gorge

Immigrants began to move into Oregon Territory in the 1840’s.  German brewer Henry Saxer arrived in 1852, tasted the clear, soft water and recognized the prime hop and grain potential.  He, along with fellow immigrant Henry Weinhard, began brewing and the rest is history.

Fact from Oregon Craft Beer Oregon had 234 brewing facilities operated by 194 brewing companies in 72 cities across Oregon.  Let’s focus on the brews in Hood River and the Valley above

Please ask your innkeeper their location so as to pre-arrange a designated driver if needed

Double Mountain  – Spacious brewpub serving up innovative beers, grub including awesome brick-oven pizzas & regular live music

Full Sail Brewery – Built in an abandoned cannery that had laid derelict for 15 years, Full Sail Brewing began brewing circa 1988.  Brewing three core brews along with a variety of seasonal and ever changing small batch beers

Big Horse Brew PubBrewery & restaurant with deck & views of the Columbia River Gorge serving pub grub and hand crafted brews

Pfriem Family Brewers Influenced by the great brewers of Belgium, but unmistakably true to their homegrown roots in the Pacific Northwest

Solera Brewery ~ Built in the historic Valley Theater Building the backyard beer garden offers a spectacular view of Mt Hood.  Right across the street and a few doors down from the Old Parkdale Inn

Stay tuned for information on SoLog Summer Fest 2018, happening in August in Parkdale’s Clear Creek Station.

Be sure to explore the world of craft beer and fine brew pubs.  And don’t forget the annual Hops Fest, last Saturday in September

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.

Ski Mt Hood this Spring Break

February 18th, 2018 by Gorge Lodging

Ski Mt Hood this spring break.  Have your scones and ski too.
Ski Mt Hood

Stay, Play and Ski in Hood River, Oregon

Spring skiing on Mt Hood is going to be awesome at least through May.  More snow is on the way this weekend and Mt Hood Meadows Ski Resort offers discounted lift tickets to guests staying at participating Hood River area lodging properties. Many of the Columbia River Gorge Bed and Breakfast Association inns welcome our destination guests who can purchase their discount lift tickets directly from our innkeepers.  The cost of these tickets are only $49 for adults and $30 for juniors ages 7-14.  The experienced skier can purchase a multiple day pass as can the beginner for $99.  Make sure you ask if they are a Ski Destination Program participant.  Book your room and leave the rest to us.  We will get you settled in for a comfortable nights sleep, serve fresh coffee and a hearty breakfast in the morning, issue your discount lift ticket and point you in the direction of Mt Hood Meadows Ski Resort, 34 miles from the town of Hood River and only 19 miles from Mt. Hood/Parkdale.

Why stay in a Columbia River Gorge hotel when you can stay at an Hood River Bed and Breakfast, have your scones and lift tickets, too!

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.

Gorge View Bed and Breakfast Hood River

February 6th, 2018 by Gorge Lodging

Gorge View Bed and Breakfast in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, Hood River Oregon

Gorge ViewVisit Gorge View Bed and Breakfast and enjoy the oversized wrap-around front porch which provides panoramic views of the Columbia river and snowcapped Mt. Adams.  Your hosts are avid windsurfers and hikers and can provide tips on the local activities and up to the minute wind and sports reports.

After an in house prepared breakfast of Dutch Babies, signature Huevos Gorge View or Blueberry pancakes
walk downtown to the many shops, restaurants, wine bars and brew pubs of Hood River.  Gorge View supports local farmers and strive to use fresh Gorge Grown ingredients in all the serve.

Gorge View has 4 well appointed rooms with a variety of configurations for families or single occupancy.

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.

Ski Mount Hood

January 11th, 2018 by Gorge Lodging

Skiing Mt. Hood is easy. Participating inns offer specials to stay play and ski

Details for Mt Hood Meadows Ski Resort: Tickets – Guests purchase their lift tickets directly from their host for just $64 for adults.  These are all day tickets, from open to close, including night ski when running.  While there are no block out dates, minimum stays or other restrictions, the lift tickets have to be used within the same dates as the guest lodging visit. One lift ticket per guest per night’s stay.

Details for Timberline Lodge Ski Area Tickets – Guests purchase their lift ticket vouchers directly from their host at a cost of $57 for adults.  While there are no block out dates, minimum stays or other restrictions, the lift tickets vouchers are to be used within the same dates as the guest lodging visit. One lift ticket per guest per night’s stay.

Extra Day to Geocache in the Columbia River Gorge

February 4th, 2016 by Gorge Lodging

GeocachingWhat excites a geocachers more than a First to Find? Having an extra day to find a FTF.  Once every 4 years an extra day is added to the month of February. And we all know what that means: an Extra 24 hours to Geocache!

Celebrate with two new geocaching souvenirs.  The first souvenir can only be earned on February 29 by attending a geocaching event, one happening that morning in Hood River.  The other souvenir can be earned all weekend long (February 27-29) by getting outside and finding a geocache.

The screenshot shows caches in the Upper Hood River Valley, where our inn, Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast is located.  The star signifies the cache we placed on our property GC4FH6G Parkdale Travel Bug Inn.

“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

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.

Little Multnomah Falls and Waterfall Wednesday

November 11th, 2015 by Gorge Lodging

Little Multnomah Falls is just upstream from its bigger, and slightly more famous, sibling Multnomah Falls but stunning in its simple beauty.

Multnomah Creek traverses a flat shelf to create 15 foot Little Multnomah Falls, seen from the viewing platform above Multnomah Falls, before leveling off and plunging over the basalt edge into the Columbia River Gorge.  Travel upstream and chase 3 more waterfalls.  Make the 6 mile loop and discover 7 waterfalls total.

And thus start a series of blog posts, Chasing Waterfalls and Waterfall Wednesday.  According to Wiki there are at least 238 waterfalls in Oregon!  I’m guessing even more than that.  Wouldn’t it be grand to witness the beauty of every one of them?  With 77 waterfalls on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge alone, we’ve set out to find them all plus those in the nearby Mt Hood National Forest, Washington and beyond. And when we do we’ll share our finds with you, our guests, so you too can set out to Chase Waterfalls.

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.

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