Tag Archives: accommodations

National Strawberries and Cream

National Strawberries and Cream Day is May 21

National Strawberries and Cream Day is May 21.  We think you’ll love this tasty French Toast

Strawberry Croissant French Toast

4 large day-old croissants
¾ c. milk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon cinnamon
2 Tablespoons butter
Powdered Sugar
Sweetened Whipped Cream
Fresh Strawberries

Slice croissants in half lengthwise.  Whisk together milk, eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon. Pour into a shallow dish.  Dip croissant halves into eggs mixture, coating well.

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add four croissant halves and cook about 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

Repeat procedure with remaining butter and croissant halves. Spoon strawberries between the layers and some on top. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, top with sweetened whipped cream if desired. Who wouldn’t want sweetened whipped cream and maybe a splash of maple syrup!

Oregon Berry Season has arrived and you’ll find many sweet berry dishes being served at the Inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

Silver Falls State Park

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I asked our innkeepers to reveal a favorite hike near them.  The innkeepers at Bella Collina Bed and Breakfast shared their’s which just so happens to be a favorite, must see, Oregon State Park to many.  Not just a trail: miles and miles of trails.

Silver Falls State Park, an lovely day trip from Bella Collina and the Willamette Valley, is the second largest state park in Oregon and only 20 miles southeast of Salem, our state capital with 9,000+ acres that includes more than 24 miles of walking trails, 14 miles of horse trails, and a 4-mile bike path. The 8.7-mile Trail of Ten Falls runs along the banks of Silver Creek and has 4 walk behind falls.

North Falls is the third tallest waterfall within Silver Falls State Park. North Silver Creek is channeled through a narrow crack in the basaltic bedrock, from which it thunders 136 feet to the bottom of the canyon.

The Trail of Ten Falls is a 8.7-mile loop that passes behind four of Silver Falls State Park’s waterfalls, but the massive recess behind North Falls is especially unique.  The undercut cliff extends back from the falls for at least 100 feet, and the ceiling runs anywhere from 20 to perhaps as much as 75 feet above the trail as it passes behind the falls.

You can Chase Waterfalls with us by subscribing to this blog, follow us on Pinterest, and on our Facebook Page.  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?  We’ve set out to find them all.  And when we do we’ll share our finds with you, our guests, so you too can set out to Chase Waterfalls.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

Historic Covered Bridges

Oregon has the largest collection of historic covered bridges in the western part of the United States, with over 50 covered spans. These timber bridges were often covered to protect them from the weather. Now, the remaining examples of this obsolete bridge construction technology, generally located in pastoral rural settings, provide one of the most significant tourist attractions in the state.  Allow the Innkeepers of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild to share local examples of Oregon History then take the road less traveled along Oregon’s Backroads.

** Can you guess which covered bridge is featured in the photo?  Answer at the end of this post.

Just last week we took a road trip for seek some of the 20 covered bridges in Lane County, a county that has the distinction of possessing more covered bridges than any other county west of the Mississippi.  Seventeen of these bridges are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  We started our journey in Eugene, Oregon and headed east on Hwy 58, finding 6 along this road.  You could easily do them all in one day using C’est La Vie Bed and Breakfast in Eugene as your home base. Take a couple of days to discover all Lane County has to offer.

The Innkeepers of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild invite you to explore our historic destinations.  The heyday of covered bridge building in Oregon occurred between 1905 and 1925 when there were an  estimated 450 covered bridges in the state.  By 1977, this number had dwindled to 56.  All but one of these historic bridges can be found west of the Cascade Range.  The Swalley Canal, Rock O’ The Range, Covered Bridge is just north of Bend.  The others can be found in the Willamette Valley and west toward the Oregon Coast near many inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.  Plan our next authentic Geotourism adventure along the backroads of Oregon.

The innkeepers of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild are ready to share Oregon, its environment, culture, and heritage with you.  Get to know our State like a local. Whether you’re looking for a quiet escape, a world class city experience, or a new spin on business travel,  you can be assured of combining gracious hospitality with ambiance when staying at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

** If you guessed Goodpasture Bridge on the McKenzie River you were correct

How do Oregon hops get into your beer?  Once known as the ‘Hops Capital of the World’ from the late 1890’s to the 1940’s, Independence, Oregon is located twelve miles southwest of Salem, on the west bank of the Willamette River.  You’ll still find acres of hops growing in the area.  Just a few miles south of Independence is the 42 acres Hop Farm for Rogue Brewery and the Rogue Farms Chatoe Tasting Room

Located in Monmouth Oregon, just across a city boundary from Independence MaMere’s Guest House is charming, unique and colorful inside and out!  The property is on the National Register of Historic Places and is perfectly placed with a very rich history. Built in 1891 as a boarding house for female students, it has since housed hundreds and continues to do so today in its present form as a B&B/Guest House.

The City of Independence is the third largest urban area in Polk County, Oregon.  The first group of wagon trains to arrive in Independence set out on the Oregon Trail from Missouri in May, 1844, arriving in Independence in June of 1845.

Discovered while researching for the post that Rogue Farms also has a barley and rye growing operations just over the ridge from us here in the Hood River Valley.  We share more on that after we check it out.

While in the area consider the Ale and Cider Trail.  Choose your designated drive.  Pick up your passport ($5) at any of the participating locations.  Collect a stamp from each brewery and cidery and redeem your passport at Travel Salem for a complimentary drinking vessel.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

Cornerstone

The Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway stands today as an Oregon Rails to Trails, stretching more than 50 miles, including the woodsy Banks-Vernonia State Trail

The Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway extends through friendly downtowns, fertile farmlands and peaceful natural areas. The bikeway stretches more than 50 miles, including a paved, 21-mile portion of the woodsy Banks-Vernonia State Trail capturing the best of the northern Willamette Valley. This section of the Scenic Bikeway stands today as Oregon’s rail-to-trail.

The Cornerstone B&B, in Beaverton, Oregon is built on the south side of Cooper Mountain at the gateway to wine country overlooking beautiful green pastures, orchards and vineyards and could be a great starting out point for your journey on the Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway.  In the warm summer evenings guests love to watch the crimson sunset from their rocking chairs on the large covered deck surrounding the house.  If you listen carefully you can hear the owls hooting in the twilight and watch over 20 species of birds coming for their last meal of the day at our feeders.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

National Buttermilk Biscuit

National Buttermilk Biscuit Day is May 14

National Buttermilk Biscuit Day is May 14 and the innkeeper at WildSpring Guest Habitat, a small eco-friendly resort with amazing Pacific Ocean views on Oregon’s south coast shares a guest favorite

Big Fluffy Biscuits:  Preheat oven to 475° and prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Mix together:
2 C flour
2 t baking powder
½ t baking soda
1 T (heaping) dark brown sugar
1 t salt
sprinkle cinnamon

Mix 1 cup cold buttermilk with 1 stick melted, unsweetened butter, stirring with a balloon whisk until butter clumps.  Let sit 5 minutes

Mix all ingredients, stirring just to moisten.

Use ¼  cup portion/ice cream scoop to drop biscuits on parchment paper. Sprinkle tops with white sugar.  Bake at 475° for 11 – 13 minutes.  The biscuits will will expand during cooking to be about 2 ½” diameter, and 1 ¼” high.

Peach Biscuit/Scones

Use the recipe above, with the following changes:  Add 1 can sliced peaches, drained well and chopped fine to the buttermilk/butter mixture

Fold into the flour mixture until well blended. (do not overmix)
Bake as directed above.

WildSpring Guest Habitat is a small, eco friendly resort in Port Orford and is the perfect location to use as your home base when visiting Oregon’s South Coast.   A member of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild, WildSpring Guest Habitat sits on 5 secluded acres and offers luxury accommodations in a naturally beautiful environment. Five elegant cabin suites built like small homes are filled with with art and antiques and sit in a secluded, peaceful forest surrounded by 100-foot trees.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

Belle Peppers

Belle Pepper’s Bed and Breakfast

Belle Pepper’s Bed and Breakfast, in the historic McCully Mansion, is surrounded by an acre of lawns and gardens and bordered by the Wallowa River, making the setting is as lovely as the home. The B&B is just one block from Joseph’s charming main street, placing you within easy walking distance of galleries, restaurants, and other local businesses.  Explore the year-round splendor of the trails and breathtaking Eagle Cap Wilderness, either on your own or with the expert care and leadership of our local wilderness guides.  Hiking, backpacking, winter sports, hunting and fishing, all are available in the area.

Four well appointed rooms await you at Belle Pepper’s B&B as well as a hearty breakfast using only the freshest ingredients.  Walk the grounds and visit the chickens that supply the eggs!

Belle Pepper’s Bed and Breakfast became the first bed and breakfast in Oregon to be recognized, in 2007, as a green lodging by Co-op America, which has since become Green America.  The innkeeper, Pepper, also helped to pioneer the green lodging program for the Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild, where we were among the first crop of green bed and breakfasts throughout Oregon.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

National Apple Pie Day

National Apple Pie Day is May 13

National Apple Pie Day doesn’t necessarily have to be celebrated with an apple pie, right.  Why not Apple Pie Cookies?  The innkeeper at the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast put a little spin on the classic apple pie and the results were amazing.  For quicker, easier assembly she used refrigerated pie crusts

Apple Pie Cookies

  • 6 green apples
  • 1 package refrigerated pie crust (2 crusts)
  • 5 ounces caramel sauce
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • Ground cinnamon

1) Preheat the oven to 350 Fahrenheit. Line a cookie sheet with parchment and non stick spray;  set aside.

2) Remove pie crusts from refrigerator so they warm up slightly. This will make them easier to work with.

3) Peel the skin off the green apples, compost.  Continue peeling so you have bunch of fleshy, white peels of apple in your bowl.

4) Dust work area with flour and slightly roll out crusts. From one pie crust, cut out circles for the cookies.  Cut the second pie crust into 1/2″ strips.

5) Place round pie crusts on cookie sheet. Spread a thin layer of caramel sauce on each cookie, followed by a pile of white apple peels. Using the 1/2” strips, create a tic-tac-toe lattice pattern over each cookie.

6) Beat egg in bowl and add sugar and nutmeg until well blended. Brush cookies with egg wash.

7) Sprinkle cookies with cinnamon.  Use more or less cinnamon depending on your preference.

8) Bake for 20 – 25 minutes, or until cookies are a golden brown. Remove from oven, allow to cool for 5 minutes, serve and enjoy!

The Old Parkdale Inn is located in the Upper Hood River Valley, a renowned growing region for pears and apples.   Located in the quaint town of Parkdale, Oregon with Oregon’s tallest peak, Mt. Hood, as a backdrop.  Outdoor adventure, farms, wineries and fine dining are nearby.  The complete privacy of the inn and the serene gardens are perfect for romantic and restful getaways.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

Willamette Stone

The Willamette Stone was a small stone obelisk originally installed by the Department of Interior in 1885

The Willamette Stone Heritage Site is located in the west hills of Portland, Oregon.  The surveys completed from this location promoted settlement of the Northwest and began the transfer of land from government ownership to private ownership.  The first marker, placed in 1851, a simple cedar stake, was replaced with a small stone obelisk in 1885.  In 1945 the property was purchased to preserve and protect the origin point of the land survey system for Oregon and Washington.  A stainless-steel marker, set into the original obelisk, was rededicated in 1988.  The Willamette Meridian is one of 37 principal meridians in the United States.  All land surveys and property descriptions in the states of Oregon and Washington are referenced at this point.  The Willamette meridian runs north-south, and the Willamette baseline runs east-west through the marker.

The Willamette Valley marks the end of the Oregon Trail and the history of that migration can be discovered at heritage sites, museums, and cemeteries across the region.  Known for its premium wines, craft breweries, cideries, meaderies and distilleries the Willamette Valley is also home to unique, one-of-a-kind Bed and Breakfasts awaiting your visit.

The innkeepers of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild are ready to share with you their version of Oregon Culinary Tourism and Geotourism.  Get to know our State like a local; stay with one of our nearly 100 hosts in any one of our many regions. Experience romantic getaways, historic treasures, and tucked away rustic retreats.  Whether your trip is for a quiet escape to a quaint rural or coastal town, taking in Oregon Geotourism, for a World Class City experience, or for a new spin on business travel, you can be assured of combining gracious hospitality with ambiance by staying at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

Bella Collina

Situated on a hillside with views of vineyards, farmlands, and the Coast Range, Bella Collina Bed and Breakfast offers an ideal venue for a romantic getaway, friends retreat, and wine tasting adventures.

The seven luxurious guest rooms at Bella Collina have been designed to maximize the pleasure of visiting the beautiful Willamette Valley.  Custom built with complete guests comfort and privacy in mind, as shown by features such as private decks, double-headed, tiled showers, heated tile floors, wet bar with sink and many more amenities.

Bella Collina Bed and Breakfast features a large great room with floor to ceiling glass and a large common deck that opens to the panoramic vistas.

Let Bella Collina be your home base when visiting over 100 wineries and tasting rooms in the Willamette Valley wine country.  Day trips from the inn could include the Oregon coast, beautiful Silver Falls State Park, Portland, Oregon, and the Columbia Gorge River.

The innkeepers of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild are ready to share Oregon, its environment, culture, and heritage with you.  Get to know our State like a local. Whether you’re looking for a quiet escape, a world class city experience, or a new spin on business travel,  you can be assured of combining gracious hospitality with ambiance when staying at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.