Tag Archives: geotourism

Northwest Mural Fest

NORTHWEST MURALFEST IN THE DALLES is finally here
August 24 – 28 in The Dalles Oregon

Once a year, hundreds of Walldogs volunteer and travel on their own time and dimes to gather in one lucky town or city to paint multiple murals and old-fashioned wall advertisements. After being postposed for 2 years because of the pandemic, the Northwest MuralFest is finally here. This five-day mural painting event is to be held in The Dalles, OR, August 24 – 28, 2022. During the festival, 15 new historical murals will be created in the downtown area.

Residents, volunteers and the business community worked on the festival creation in collaboration with the Walldogs, a group of mural painters that has come together in different towns all over the USA since 1993 to paint historic murals.

Oregon Mural Trail – The Dalles Oregon

The videos of Travel Oregon’s Oregon, Only Slightly Exaggerated reveal whimsical scenes of enchanting forests, vineyards, rivers, mountains and more, and share with you that magical feeling of being in Oregon.

Now the captivating artwork is coming to the real world, proudly hand-painted on walls in Oregon where the illustrations represent the destinations. Let the Oregon Mural Trail inspire you to get outside and experience the wonders of each community. Take photos of the murals and use the hashtag #OregonIsMagic in social posts to share the love. And while you’re there, visit the landmarks and businesses that make these towns just so magical.

National Plan for Vacation Day

The featured mural was dedicated in The Dalles,Oregon. A historic city on the sunny eastern end of the Columbia River Gorge, The Dalles is fortunate to have easy access to rivers, hiking trails and scenic drives.

Lodging options in the Columbia River Gorge, the inns of the Mt Hood and The Gorge region

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.

Hospitality Update: Our inns are following COVID-19 protocol guidance from the Oregon Health Authority. Oregon’s statewide mask requirement for indoor public places was lifted on March 12.

After mask guidelines are lifted:

● Some businesses may choose to still require masks.

● Some people may choose to still wear a mask.

We have all struggled through COVID-19 and could use a little kindness. Please be respectful of local businesses and their workers and most importantly kind to yourself.

Youngberg Hill Event Center

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“Our event and wedding season has typically ended in October, and April and October events were always subject to weather,” said Wayne Bailey. “Our Event Center allows our guests worry-free, year-round access to everything Youngberg Hill has to offer.”

Youngberg Hill Event Center complements the existing structures of Youngberg Hill Vineyards and Inn. Located on a gorgeous hilltop setting outside of McMinnville, the expansive, All-Weather Event Center will allow for year-round wine events, weddings, concerts and more.

The handsome 3,600 square-foot building on the lawn behind the inn overlooks the vineyards and valley. With a seating capacity of 200 guests, the building is enclosed and protected from the elements and takes advantage of the magnificent natural setting by way of eight glass rolling garage door-type openings that open up to the views while providing full shelter when inclement weather arrives.

The expansive Event Center has a poured and polished concrete floor and a ceiling trimmed with parquet fir strips. Bright white walls provide the perfect backdrops for wedding decorations and photography. The eight glass garage doors offer views from three sides of the building, let in tons of natural light, and open quickly to seamlessly integrate the outdoors. Siding on the outside of the building mimics the stained cedar siding of the nine-room, lodge-style inn.

A patio added approximately 900 square feet of poured and stamped concrete flooring and existing restrooms on the property are tucked into a hillside behind the new building and reached via covered walkway. The event site includes a catering kitchen, an outdoor wine-tasting bar and a circular concrete pad, all back-dropped by astonishing views of vineyards, farmlands and wooded hills.

Bookings for the Youngberg Event Center will be handled by Nicolette Bailey at 503-472-2727, or by emailing info@youngberghill.com.

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.

Hospitality Update: Our inns are following COVID-19 protocol guidance from the Oregon Health Authority. Oregon’s statewide mask requirement for indoor public places was lifted on March 12.

After mask guidelines are lifted:

● Some businesses may choose to still require masks.

● Some people may choose to still wear a mask.

We have all struggled through COVID-19 and could use a little kindness. Please be respectful of local businesses and their workers and most importantly kind to yourself.

Oregon’s Magnificent Dark Skies

Oregon’s Magnificent Dark Skies

Oregon has some of the largest expanses of magnificent dark skies in the US. There are few experiences as humbling as staring into the cosmos. But while most of the stars above our cities and towns are obscured by the light we emit, it’s easy enough in Oregon to drive off into darkness to discover their greater beauty.

Amateur astronomers have long gathered to celebrate Oregon’s magnificent skies. Founded in 1987, the annual Oregon Star Party (OSP), attracts up to 1,000 stargazers to the Ochoco National Forest 45 miles east of Prineville. OSP is considered to have the darkest skies of any major star party in the contiguous United States. Update: 2022 Event has been cancelled.

Oregon DARK SKY TOURISM DESTINATIONS

Planetariums: Kendall Planetarium at OMSI (Portland), Chemeketa Community College Planetarium (Hayesville), Eugene Science Center Planetarium, Mt. Hood Community College Planetarium Sky Theater (Gresham)
Willamette Valley Bed and Breakfast

Public Observatories: Pine Mt. Observatory (La Pine), Oregon Observatory (Sunriver), Haggart Observatory (Clackamas), Worthy Hopservatory (Bend), Carlton Observatory (Carlton).
Carlton Bed and Breakfasts

International Dark-Sky Association’s (IDA) Certified Dark Sky Places: Prineville Reservoir State Park (Dark Sky Park), Sunriver Resort (Development of Distinction)

Space-Themed Attractions/Museums: Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum (McMinnville), OMSI (Portland), and Eugene Solar System Trail where you can bike, run, walk, or skate along a 4.5-mile section (9 miles round trip) of paved path along the Willamette River discovering a scaled model of the sun and planets. Then you can visit Earth’s closest star, Proxima Centauri, and its exoplanet, Proxima b, located at the Eugene Science Center.
Willamette Valley Bed and Breakfast

OMSI Star Party in the Vineyard

Explore the stars among the vines for our 8th annual OMSI star party at Stoller Family Estate in Dayton, Oregon. After the sun sets, OMSI staff will have telescopes set up for attendees to survey the night sky. Bring a lawn chair and a blanket to get cozy for a stunning night amongst the stars!

Cloud Cap Inn listed on Dark Sky Finder

Cloud Cap Inn is located at 6,000 feet elevation on the rouged northeast side of Mount Hood, and is listed on Dark Sky Finder. The air is exceptionally clear because of the altitude. There’s a light dome from Portland to the west, but the rest of the sky is very dark, with great views of Hood to the south.
Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast

The John Day Fossil Beds happen to lie under some of the darkest skies in the state, which you can experience from Wilson Ranches Retreat outside of Fossil, Oregon. You could even pull out a lounge chair and gaze right from their lawns and fields.

Meteor Showers, Eclipses, Quasars and More

Dark-sky adventures are about more than stars. If you time it right, you can also witness meteor showers, lunar and solar eclipses, and planetary conjunctions (also called alignments), which occur when two or more planets appear to be very close together in the sky.

Milky Way at night over Crater Lake National Park
The Milky Way over Crater Lake (Klamath County), courtesy of Jeremy M. White of the National Park Service

Prospect Hotel is the closest Historic Hotel Bed and Breakfast Inn, Dinner House and Motel to Crater Lake National Park

Perseids: In 2022, the peak mornings for the Perseid meteor shower, August 11 and 12, will feature meteors under moonlight. The Perseids are the most popular meteor shower as they peak on warm August nights as seen from the northern hemisphere. The Perseids are active from July 14 to September 1In 2021 and will next peak on the Aug 11-12, 2022 night. On this night, the moon will be 100% full. The Perseids tend to be bright, so we expect a good percentage to overcome the moonlit glare, as many as 50 meteors in an hour.

Orionids: The Orionids will next peak on the Oct 20-21, 2022 night. On this night, the moon will be 21% full. The Orionids sometimes produce bright fireballs, which may be able to overcome the moonlit glare

Geminids: The Geminids occur every year from about December 13 – 14. On a dark night, you can often catch 50 or more meteors per hour in a dark, moonless sky. But this year, a waxing gibbous moon will obtrude on the show for much of the night, before setting several hours before dawn.

Ursids: Die-hard meteor watchers in the Northern Hemisphere watch for Ursid meteors about a week after the Geminids. The Ursids will next peak on the Dec 21-22, 2022 night. On this night, the moon will be 3% full. The Ursids meteor shower usually peaks around the winter soltice. At its peak, observers may be able to view as many as 10 meteors in an hour.

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.

Hospitality Update: Our inns are following COVID-19 protocol guidance from the Oregon Health Authority. Oregon’s statewide mask requirement for indoor public places was lifted on March 12.

After mask guidelines are lifted:

● Some businesses may choose to still require masks.

● Some people may choose to still wear a mask.

We have all struggled through COVID-19 and could use a little kindness. Please be respectful of local businesses and their workers and most importantly kind to yourself.

Carlton Crush

Carlton Crush Puts the Focus, and the Feet, on Oregon Wine

‘Carlton Crush Harvest Festival has become one of the signature wine events in the north Willamette Valley. The 2022 Crush is scheduled for September 10th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features an array of exciting activities for young and old.

‘Watch as teams stomp on grapes, or sign up if you’re adventurous! The winning team will receive special prizes. The Carlton Business Association (CBA) sponsors the Grape Stomp Competition with teams of four people each. “Grapes are stomped in bare feet, in a half-barrel, with each team member stomping for one minute apiece.”  Visit Carlton Crush on the web and follow it on Facebook for updated posts.

‘Visitors and town folk not stomping can visit the Artists’ Market, listen to live music and enjoy food from Main Street restaurants or vendor booths. All events are held in the Upper Park or downtown Carlton.

2022 CRUSH HARVEST FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Many Selections of Local Wines & Craft Beer

Festival Food Options & On Main Street in Downtown Carlton Artist’s Market Booths: Art, Crafts, & Specialty Products

11:00 AM Sign-Up: Kids’ Grape Stomp Competition (Ages 6-12)

Artists’ Market, Food & Beverage Vendors – Open for Business

11:15 AM Kids’s Grape Stomp Competition 

12:00 PM Team Grape Stomp Competition – Initial Heats

Dunk tank is open

2: 15 PM Team Grape Stomp Competition – SEMI-FINALS

2:45 pm Team Grape Stomp Competition – GRAND FINALE

3:00 PM Live Music – TBA
5:00 PM Festival Closes

Event proceeds benefit local Yamhill-Carlton area charities and causes.

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.

Hospitality Update: Our inns are following COVID-19 protocol guidance from the Oregon Health Authority. Oregon’s statewide mask requirement for indoor public places was lifted on March 12. Although some businesses may choose to require masks. And some people may choose to still wear a mask.

We have all struggled through COVID-19 and could use a little kindness. Please be respectful of local businesses and their workers and most importantly be kind to yourself. Our inns are doing everything in our power to keep you safe. Not sure if your favorite inn is open? Give them a call as they probably are.

The Oregon Mural Trail – Ontario Oregon

The featured mural is in Ontario’s Red Apple Mall. At Oregon’s eastern edge and in a different time zone, Ontario is the gateway to desert beauty, stunning river canyons and towering mountain ranges. Any time of year, this little town is a great sunny destination and basecamp to outdoor adventures at the Owyhee Canyonlands, Lake Owyhee, Pillars of Rome and more. Make time for Four Rivers Cultural Center and Museum, which honors the area’s cultural heritage, Native American, Basque, European, Hispanic and Japanese.

The videos of Travel Oregon’s Oregon, Only Slightly Exaggerated reveal whimsical scenes of enchanting forests, vineyards, rivers, mountains and more, and share with you that magical feeling of being in Oregon.

Now the captivating artwork is coming to the real world, proudly hand-painted on walls in Oregon where the illustrations represent the destinations. Let the Oregon Mural Trail inspire you to get outside and experience the wonders of each community.  Take photos of the murals and use the hashtag #OregonIsMagic in social posts to share the love.  And while you’re there, visit the landmarks and businesses that make these towns just so magical.

There are several Oregon Trail Sites sights in this eastern corner of Oregon. The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center offers living history demonstrations, interpretive programs, exhibits, multi-media presentations, special events, and more than four miles of interpretive trails. From the top of Flagstaff Hill you can still see the trail running out across the plains.

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.

Hospitality Update: Our inns are following COVID-19 protocol guidance from the Oregon Health Authority. Oregon’s statewide mask requirement for indoor public places was lifted on March 12.

After mask guidelines are lifted:

● Some businesses may choose to still require masks.

● Some people may choose to still wear a mask.

We have all struggled through COVID-19 and could use a little kindness. Please be respectful of local businesses and their workers and most importantly kind to yourself.

bookdirect

Book Direct at an Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member inn. Book Direct is a trending thing we can all embrace and benefit from.

Book Direct at an Oregon Bed and Breakfast and you will enjoy many perks and amenities that you would not have access to when booking through a travel agency. Not to mention, you will almost always pay less!

More than a hashtag

We believe that the #BookDirect message is more than just an annual hashtag and is a crucial one we should be spreading every single day. On ‘Guest Education Day’ our goal is to explain the mutual benefits for both guests and hosts.

As small business owners our innkeepers truly appreciate your direct bookings. This not only allows you a more specialized experience as you interact directly with us, you also benefit the local economy

Book Direct

When booking direct:

  • You’re most always guaranteed the lowest pricing available. ‘An OTA (online travel agent) may be able to influence the price to get you to book but there is little they can do to improve your stay.’ Support your local businesses and #bookdirect! You save on your getaway, receive personalized service and the business saves on steep commissions – it’s a win win
  • The truth is, these booking sites charge at least 15% of each booking to the small business owner and sometimes charge you a ‘service fee’. The independent innkeeper really appreciates it when you book directly with them through their website
  • You work directly with the property in case of changes, delays, or cancellations
  • You typically will not have to pay additional booking, change, or cancellation fees.
  • You will enjoy exclusive benefits and can take advantage of special deals, amenities, and packages
  • Managers and homeowners know the properties and the area better than anyone and can better match travelers to homes and help plan a better vacation experience.Book Direct

How can you, the traveler Join the Movement and make sure you’re always booking direct?

  • Always verify you are on the inn’s, or bed and breakfast’s website before you book.
  • When in doubt, call the Inn directly for assistance.
  • Be careful using the blue Book a Room button in Google. It NEVER goes directly to the the inn’s website. It ALWAYS goes to an online travel agency such as Booking.com or Expedia, or one of their downstream booking partners.

We invite you to read our online reviews. And then we encourage you to go directly to our websites and Book Direct: for all the right reasons

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.

Hospitality Update: Our inns are following COVID-19 protocol guidance from the Oregon Health Authority. Oregon’s statewide mask requirement for indoor public places was lifted on March 12.

After mask guidelines are lifted:

● Some businesses may choose to still require masks.

● Some people may choose to still wear a mask.

We have all struggled through COVID-19 and could use a little kindness. Please be respectful of local businesses and their workers and most importantly kind to yourself.

The Clock is Ticking on these Deals

Roseburg is Magic on the Oregon Mural Trail

Roseburg is MagicThe Umpqua Valley’s largest city, Roseburg, is an inviting destination for arts and culture and off jumping-off point for adventures. The Wild and Scenic North Umpqua River is just minutes away, where fly fishers cast lines. Along the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway, known as a highway of waterfalls, visitors can encounter more than 15 dazzling cascades.

Take a downtown walking tour to learn about the historic Applegate Trail and the 1959 Roseburg Blast. The Douglas County Museum illuminates thousands of years of natural and cultural history. For another glimpse into the past, visit the nearby covered bridges nearby. Foodies will love the eateries in Roseburg and the valley’s long winemaking tradition dating back more than a century. Major Oregon attractions are an easy drive away as is iconic Crater Lake National Park. At the end of a full day rest beneath the great spreading crown of the Courthouse Elm, an Oregon Heritage Tree.

C.H. Bailey House is nestled in Southern Oregon’s Umpqua Valley wine country. It’s Brenner Suite is a private luxurious “green” bungalow with a kitchen, queen-sized bed with luxurious linens, bathroom with walk-in shower, living room with gas fireplace, walk-in closet. Complimentary local wine and beer, and breakfast is included in the ADA accessible suite.

The captivating artwork of the Oregon Mural Trail are proudly hand-painted on walls in Oregon where the illustrations represent the destinations. Let the Oregon Mural Trail inspire you to get outside and experience the wonders of each community. Take photos of the murals and use the hashtag #OregonIsMagic in social posts to share the love.

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.

Hospitality Update: Our inns are following COVID-19 protocol guidance from the Oregon Health Authority. Oregon’s statewide mask requirement for indoor public places was lifted on March 12.

After mask guidelines are lifted:

● Some businesses may choose to still require masks.

● Some people may choose to still wear a mask.

We have all struggled through COVID-19 and could use a little kindness. Please be respectful of local businesses and their workers and most importantly kind to yourself.

Prineville is Magic

Prineville is Magic on the Oregon Mural Trail

Prineville is MagicCentral Oregon’s oldest city, Prineville, is the gateway to the Ochoco National Forest and its half-million acres of wooded foothills, lakes and rivers. Hike, bike, fish and camp as you learn about the geographic wonders and historical content of this area. Play golf year-round at Meadow Lakes Golf Course and go boating at Prineville Reservoir State Park. Prineville has the unofficial title of Rockhound Capital of the U.S. thanks to the variety of precious gemstones found in this part of Oregon. Pick up a Rockhound Map at the Prineville Chamber of Commerce.

Prineville is home to scenic cycling paths, and ambitious road riders opt for the 37-mile Crooked River Scenic Bikeway. A walking tour of downtown leads to A.R. Bowman Museum, featuring 700+ Oregon history books, and thirst-quenching stops at Crooked River Brewing and Ochoco Brewing.

Stop off in Historic Prineville on your way to Wilson Ranches Retreat in Central Oregon.

The Oregon Mural Trail

The captivating artwork of the Oregon Mural Trail are proudly hand-painted on walls in Oregon where the illustrations represent the destinations. Let the Oregon Mural Trail inspire you to get outside and experience the wonders of each community. Take photos of the murals and use the hashtag #OregonIsMagic in social posts to share the love.

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.

Hospitality Update: Our inns are following COVID-19 protocol guidance from the Oregon Health Authority. Oregon’s statewide mask requirement for indoor public places was lifted on March 12.

After mask guidelines are lifted:

● Some businesses may choose to still require masks.

● Some people may choose to still wear a mask.

We have all struggled through COVID-19 and could use a little kindness. Please be respectful of local businesses and their workers and most importantly kind to yourself.

Oregon Mural Trail

Tree-lined streets Forest Grove Oregon and the Oregon Mural Trail

The videos of Travel Oregon’s Oregon, Only Slightly Exaggerated reveal whimsical scenes of enchanting forests, vineyards, rivers, mountains and share with you that magical feeling of being in Oregon.

Oregon Mural TrailThe captivating artwork is proudly hand-painted on walls in Oregon where the illustrations represent the destinations. Let the Oregon Mural Trail inspire you to get outside and experience the wonders of each community. Take photos of the murals and use the hashtag #OregonIsMagic in social posts to share the love. While in Forest Grove visit the landmarks and businesses that make our small Oregon towns just so magical.

Tucked into the Tualatin Valley not far from Portland, Forest Grove lives up to its name with tree-lined streets that are home to Oregon’s largest sequoia tree at the historic Hinman House. The city is just minutes from the area’s award-winning wineries and an impressive collection of breweries, distilleries and cideries.

The Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway spins through town and past vineyards and dairy farms before joining the Banks-Vernonia State Trail further north. From an Oregon Bed and Breakfast in the Willamette Valley check out this lovely mural, explore Oregon’s wine country, the Tillamook Forest and Oregon’s North Coast.

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.

Hospitality Update: Our inns are following COVID-19 protocol guidance from the Oregon Health Authority. Oregon’s statewide mask requirement for indoor public places was lifted on March 12.

After mask guidelines are lifted:

● Some businesses may choose to still require masks.

● Some people may choose to still wear a mask.

We have all struggled through COVID-19 and could use a little kindness. Please be respectful of local businesses and their workers and most importantly kind to yourself.

Four County Point in the Tillamook State Forest

Four County PointWe all know the another Four Corners in America that is a big-time tourist destination. That would be the only place where four state boundaries meet: Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.

In Oregon, our Four County Point in the Tillamook State Forest notes the meeting of Clatsop, Columbia, Washington and Tillamook counties. A stone sunk into the Coast Range forest, not far off U.S. 26, marks the only place in Oregon where four county points meet.

Hike the Four County Point Trail

Four County Point is located on US Highway 26 and we invite you to take a moderate 1 mile hike hike through a Douglas Fir Forest on your way to the Oregon Coast from a Willamette Valley or Portland bed and breakfast. Or a reversed trip: from a Coast bed and breakfast inland.

Bonus: for those searching geocaches – 4 – Corners Oregon geocache GCAD7A

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.

Hospitality Update: Our inns are following COVID-19 protocol guidance from the Oregon Health Authority. Oregon’s statewide mask requirement for indoor public places was lifted on March 12.

After mask guidelines are lifted:

● Some businesses may choose to still require masks.

● Some people may choose to still wear a mask.

We recognize that there will be mixed feelings about this change. We have all struggled through COVID-19 and could use a little kindness. Please be respectful of a person’s individual decision to wear a mask or not, and most importantly kind to yourself.

Our inns are doing everything in our power to keep you safe. Not sure if your favorite inn  is open? Give them a call as they just might be.