Tag Archives: scenic byways

Oregon Outback Scenic Byway

NASA tests spacesuits in Oregon, echoing 1960s race to space

NASA is testing spacesuits designed for a return to the moon at a number of rugged locations around Bend, John Day and Crater Lake.

Apollo astronauts trained and tested their spacesuits in Oregon during the 1960s because the natural volcanic landscape closely resembles the moon.

Big Obsidian Flow is the youngest lava flow in Oregon

Oregon Space Exploration Test Sites

A crew of about 10 people came to Oregon to test the new suits at some of those same sites, which includes Lava Butte, the Big Obsidian Lava Flow, Fort Rock and Hole in the Ground along the Outback Scenic Byway and the Yapoah Lava Flow at McKenzie Pass.

They also visited a number of new sites including Pumice Slope at Crater Lake National Park, the Painted Hills at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument along the Journey through Time Scenic Byway, the Skylight Cave and Little Nash Crater.

The reason Starlight Cave was chosen as a test site is because, for the first time ever, NASA is testing spacesuits designed specifically for caves exploration.

The suits are being designed to display GPS maps, show heart rates, respond to voice commands and assist with detailed image sampling. Exactly what you’d expect from a 21st century spacesuit.

Oregon has 29 designated Scenic Byways!

So, get in the car, take some pics, and reignite your soul. Quick note: please check for travel alerts, as well as the road and weather conditions. This free guide to Oregon scenic byways might come in really handy too.

Train for a space mission? Tread the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, where astronauts have trained to walk on the moon! This byway has more than 500-miles of volcanic highlights and, of course, many waterfalls. Stay at Prospect Historic Hotel-Motel & Dinner House.

Outdoor Activities

The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is a treasure of Earth’s history that covers the past 55 million years of time since the Dinosaurs died out and mammals took over the world.

http://

Visit the Painted Hills: distinguished by varied stripes of red, tan, orange, and black, this area preserves a sequence of past climate change.

Click here to have a FREE limited edition map on The Oregon Trail of Waterfalls mailed to your home, while supplies last. Or click here to see the map now online.

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: With guidance from the Oregon Health Authority, Oregon will again require masks in some outdoor public spaces and all indoor public spaces, that includes the inns of the Oregon B&B Guild. This measure is intended to slow the spread of the COVID-19 delta variant and went into effect Friday, Aug. 13. 

Let’s all be respectful and safe and follow the guidance of the CDC. Our inns will continue to do 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.

Elkhorn Scenic Byway

The Elkhorn Scenic Byway ‘packs plenty of sights into a 106-mile loop through the mountains west of Baker City, long the lucrative hunting grounds of the Plateau Indian tribes and, later, where miners came to seek their fortunes. The true treasures are the Elkhorn Mountains and Baker Valley themselves, rich in beauty and history.’ Travel Oregon

The byway passes through farmlands along the Powder River before climbing up into a beautiful area of mountain lakes and outdoor adventure. The fall foliage starting here around October is absolutely gorgeous.

Miners and Farmers

Around 1900, thousands of miners chiseled and dredged millions in gold from the Elkhorn Mountains and Powder River to Sumpter. The massive Sumpter Valley Dredge still floats here, and has been recently restored. The dredge left much of the rocky footprint that you’ll see on your trek along Highway 7, and is an important link to Oregon’s pioneering past and development. It is one of the largest and most accessible gold dredges in the U.S.

Ghost towns of Oregon

The town of Granite was also big during the gold-rush, and many buildings here, now abandoned, remind us of a once flourishing place in Oregon. John Cabell operated the La Bellevue Mine in Cabell City.  All that remains of the settlement is the cemetery, which houses the graves of Fred and Johanna Cabell and their 8-year-old daughter, as well as a few abandoned buildings and mining equipment.

There is plenty to do on this road trip: hiking, biking, picnicking and oh, so many photo ops. We’re heading out this way next month to do some quality assurance inspections on Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild inns. We’ll drive the Journey Through Time Scenic Byway to Wilson Ranches Retreat, then explore the Ghost Towns on the Elkhorn Scenic Byway before heading up to the Bronze Antler Bed and Breakfast in Joseph Oregon,

Oregon has 29 designated Scenic Byways! So, get in the car, take some pics, and reignite your soul. Quick note: please check for travel alerts, as well as the road and weather conditions. This free guide to Oregon scenic byways might come in really handy too.

You’re going to need road snacks for sure.

Oregon food trails and several Oregon food loops serve local fare with scenery on every side included for you keep you full. And Food Pods, popping up across the state. All the growers and crafters along these trails are committed to sustainable practices and supporting the agricultural legacy of their regions. So, go ahead — eat your heart out!

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: With guidance from the Oregon Health Authority, Oregon will again require masks in some outdoor public spaces and all indoor public spaces, that includes the inns of the Oregon B&B Guild. This measure is intended to slow the spread of the COVID-19 delta variant and went into effect Friday, Aug. 13. 

Let’s all be respectful and safe and follow the guidance of the CDC. Our inns will continue to do 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.

Say farewell to summer in extraordinary Eastern Oregon. Plan your end of summer escape that includes a stay at the Wilson Ranches Retreat, authentic Eastern Oregon Ranch.

Pioneer hospitality and an authentic ranch vacation await you at Wilson Ranches Retreat Bed & Breakfast providing exceptional lodging in central Oregon. Immerse yourself in a peaceful ranch environment rich in history and love on a 9,000 acre working cattle and hay ranch in the beautiful Butte Creek Valley, three miles west of the small town of Fossil, Oregon.

Travel the Journey Through Time Scenic Byway to Wilson Ranches Retreat and the abundant activities that await

Ranch Activities

Saddle up for a ride into the high desert hills, join in a cattle drive, hike, walk, or just plain mosey along while soaking breathtaking views and big-sky horizons in all directions. Enjoy a couple of hours in the saddle for spectacular views of the Columbia River Plateau, John Day Basin, and the Cascade Mountain Range.

Central Oregon Dude Ranch

Hike on one of the many game and cattle trails through the high desert hills surrounding Wilson Ranches Retreat. Explore miles of unique geology, flora, fauna and awe-inspiring viewpoints.

Flora and Fauna: The juniper and sage-covered high desert hills are magnificent for riding, birding, hiking, and photography. Wildflowers of lupine, mariposa lilies, Indian paintbrush and many more begin painting the range in late spring. Wilson Ranches is teeming with wildlife: Mule deer, pronghorn, elk, coyotes, badgers, squirrels, beaver, and birds of prey. Soak up nature and be replenished.

Birding: Wilson Ranches Retreat is nestled in the Butte Creek Valley and is home to Upland game birds (Chukar, Quail, and Hungarian Partridge) and birds of prey (Red-tailed Hawks, Golden Eagles, Bald Eagles, and Great Horned Owls).

Hunting: Upland game birds (Chukar, Quail, and Hungarian Partridge) hunting is available exclusively to Wilson Ranches Retreat guests from October through January.

Outdoor Activities

Explore the Natural wonders of the John Day River Territory

http://

The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is a treasure of Earth’s history that covers the past 55 million years of time since the Dinosaurs died out and mammals took over the world.

Visit the Painted Hills: distinguished by varied stripes of red, tan, orange, and black, this area preserves a sequence of past climate change.

The John Day River is noted as a United States Wild and Scenic River and an Oregon Scenic Waterway and runs through the most geologically interesting country around.

For more than 50 years, people have been collecting remarkably preserved and beautiful fossils from an area behind Wheeler High School in Fossil, Oregon.

Museums and Cultural Activities

With plenty of cultural activities and museums in Oregon, there are many great ways to celebrate the heritage of the John Day River Territory! Visit museums with exhibits that tell the story of ancient fossil beds and display Native American artifacts dating back thousands of years.

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: With guidance from the Oregon Health Authority, Oregon will again require masks in some outdoor public spaces and all indoor public spaces, that includes the inns of the Oregon B&B Guild. This measure is intended to slow the spread of the COVID-19 delta variant and went into effect Friday, Aug. 13. 

Let’s all be respectful and safe and follow the guidance of the CDC. Our inns will continue to do 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.

Oregon Outback Scenic Byway

Oregon Outback Scenic Byway ~ A View into Oregon’s Past and Dynamic High Desert Scenery

Oregon Outback Scenic BywayWe recently spent a few weeks in Taos visiting our daughter. A long road trip that brought us back into Oregon from Nevada onto one of Oregon’s 26 Scenic Byways, Oregon Outback Scenic Byway.  This byway takes you through a slice of the Great Basin, an isolated diverse landscape, where lush green forests of the Oregon Cascades are replaced by sagebrush and stunning rock formations.

See striking evidence of mysterious rock formations left behind by volcanoes at Fort Rock. The Abert Rim is a 30-mile-long fault escarpment, one of the nation’s longest and most continuous fault escarpment that rises more than 2,000 feet above the Byway.

Take a few minutes to stop at Picture Rock Pass, named for ancient Indian petroglyph-decorated rocks that are within walking distance of the highway.  I discovered these while seeking Geocache GC18MWG ‘Between Basins’.  Yes, I am a cacher and, as everywhere in Oregon, there are plenty for you to hunt for. Don’t miss Lakeview Geyser Earthcache GC23CK7, the Old Perpetual Geyser.

Picture Rock Pass offers panoramic views of the lakes and forests. Stunning Winter Rim divides forest and desert and as the Geocache ‘Between Basins’ suggests, ancient lake basins.  The Paisley Caves, discovered in the cliffs above the Great Basin, have revealed fossils and evidence of human habitation as long as 14,000 years ago.

We also took advantage of a soak in the mineral baths of Summer Lake Hot Springs.  You won’t want to miss that.

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: Things are looking up. The CDC has updated mask wearing protocol and some inns may still be requiring masks to be worn in some situations. Please check with individual B&Bs to inquire about their specific policies. 

Let’s all be respectful and safe and follow the guidance of our individual counties, inns and businesses. Our inns will continue to do 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.

Journey Through Time

Journey Through Time Scenic Byway; An Oregon Scenic Byway

Journey Through Time Scenic Byway ‘reveals tales of pioneers, towns boomed and busted, and creatures that wandered this terrain million Journey Through Timeof years ago. The Journey Through Time Scenic Byway stretches 266 miles through north central to eastern Oregon. Beginning in the community of Biggs and ending in Baker City, this Byway meanders through ghost towns and small farming communities that bring the Old West to Life.

‘The ‘Wild and Scenic’ John Day River, North America’s second longest un-dammed river, parallels much of the route, offering excellent rafting, fishing, and camping. Geology buffs, and anyone who’s curious about fossils, will take great pleasure in the interpretive trails at the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. The monument is made up of three units, one of which is the Painted Hills, recently labeled one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon. Thanks to Travel Oregon for sharing this information.

You might consider bringing the bikes and trade out 4 wheels for two. The Old West Scenic Bikeway is a rugged piece of the Old West that you can check out, offering different terrains and scenery, from rushing rivers to hot springs to fossil beds and some attention-getting climbs.

Wilson Ranches Retreat in Fossil, Oregon, a member of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild provides the perfect accommodations when traveling the Journey Through Time Scenic Byway. The Ranch offers up true Oregon hospitality and an Old West Experience.

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: Things are looking up. The CDC has lifted the mask mandate and Oregon will be following this guidance, which applies to fully vaccinated individuals. That means Oregonians and our guests who are fully vaccinated no longer need to wear masks or social distance in most public spaces.

Let’s all be respectful and safe. While it’s almost safe enough to climb aboard that travel train it’s still a little scary but we’re ready when you are! Our inns will continue to do 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.

North Oregon Coast Birding

“The northern coast of Oregon stretches from the mouth of the historic Columbia River south to fog-shrouded Cascade Head, an area of broad tidal estuaries and rugged headlands that flank stretches of North Oregon Coast Birdingsandy beaches.”  This from the North Coast map of the Oregon Coast Birding Trail. From Astoria, to Seaside, the town of Tillamook, to Lincoln City. Close to 375 species of birds have been recorded on the Northern Oregon Coast and quite a few Oregon Bed and Breakfasts are awaiting your arrival.

Start your Oregon coast adventure in Astoria, Oregon, overlooking the mighty Columbia River. Astoria’s historic downtown is minutes from the floodplains and open wetlands of the lower Columbia River ecosystem.

The Necanicum Estuary is one of the best sites on the north coast to watch shorebirds during migration. The Pacific Coast Scenic Byway winds through flooded pasture, river frontage and estuaries surrounding Tillamook Bay Estuaries, bays, plentiful river systems, coastal rainforests and an extensive watershed ecosystem offers unmatched bird watching opportunities.

Heading down the coast toward Lincoln City is the Cascade Head Nature Preserve where spectacular sitka spruce forests end with views of the Salmon River Estuary. Roosevelt elk graze the open grasslands that are habitat for the endangered Oregon Silverspot Butterfly.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast inns on the Oregon Coast welcome you. You can certainly inn hop from Cannon Beach to Port Orford and stay at member inns along the way. Take your pick, grab your binoculars and be prepared to be dazzled by the abundance of wildlife and spectacular scenery on the Oregon 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: Things are looking up. The CDC has lifted the mask mandate for fully vaccinated individuals and while Oregon is following this guidance, some inns may still be requiring masks to be worn in some situations. Please check with individual B&Bs to inquire about their specific policies. Each Oregon county, depending on its vaccination and case numbers, are also adjusting their regulations accordingly. 

Let’s all be respectful and safe and follow the guidance of our individual counties, inns and businesses. While it’s almost safe enough to climb aboard that travel train it’s still a little scary but we’re ready when you are! Our inns will continue to do 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.

Thyme and Tide

Thyme and Tide Bed and Breakfast in Oceanside, Oregon

Thyme and TideThyme and Tide Bed and Breakfast provides a relaxing and romantic getaway in beautiful Oceanside, Oregon.  Nestled between Cape Lookout and Cape Meares set out to explore the scenic Three Capes Scenic Drive. Fall asleep to the sound of the surf and wake up to a delicious hot and hearty breakfast.  Pacific Ocean Beaches are but a mile away.

The two third floor guest suites at Thyme and Tide have been designed with your comfort in mind, each with large private bathrooms, queen beds with memory foam mattresses and fine linens.  Amenities include free WiFi and parking.

A small upstairs common area exclusively for guests offers travel information, books, games, microwave popcorn, a coffeemaker, and a refrigerator stocked with complimentary Tillamook ice cream.  Freshly baked treats are available in the late afternoon/evening.

So much to do near Thyme and Tide Bed and Breakfast in Oceanside:

  • beachcombing, tide pools, clamming, whale watching, bonfires
  • biking, hiking, waterfalls and forests
  • kayaks, canoes, horses
  • lighthouse, museums, wine tasting, brewpubs
  • the list goes on and on

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: Things are looking up. The CDC has lifted the mask mandate and Oregon will be following this guidance, which applies to fully vaccinated individuals. That means Oregonians and our guests who are fully vaccinated no longer need to wear masks or social distance in most public spaces.

Let’s all be respectful and safe. While it’s almost safe enough to climb aboard that travel train it’s still a little scary but we’re ready when you are! Our inns will continue to do 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.

wonderful hikes on the oregon coast

5 Comments
The Pacific Coast Scenic Byway; ‘Wind, Waves and a Long, Winding Road.

Member inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild are inspected regularly, assuring travelers of consistently high standards in a variety of Bed & Breakfast accommodations. So when inspection notices came due for our inns on the Oregon Coast this innkeeper volunteered. Because who doesn’t like a road trip down the Oregon Coast and an opportunity to visit our wonderful innkeepers and their beautiful inns?

I’ll be traveling the route this week from Cannon Beach to Port Orford and will try to blog a bit of our journey, in between exploring the coast and visiting the inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild.

The Pacific Coast Scenic Byway - An Oregon Scenic Byway ‘This Byway offers many natural wonders. Visit between November and June to watch the storms come in or to scan the horizon to catch a glimpse of migrating gray whales.  Several rock formations are home to large colonies of seals and sea lions, and shorebirds abound in the countless estuaries. And then there’s the wind-sculpted dunes, marshes, lush agricultural valleys and majestic rainforests.’  The Oregon Coast: one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon.  Thanks to Travel Oregon for sharing this information.

Designated the Oregon Coast Electric Byway, you can make the trip along all 363 miles of the beautiful Oregon Coast and charge your EV along the way.

Yes, it’s possible to drive the entire Pacific Coast Scenic Byway in a single day. But why would you when you have 6 member inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild from Cannon Beach to Port Orford?  Take a few days and enjoy the ride.

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: We all may be a little rusty, and a little leery, on planning trips just yet. While it’s almost safe enough to climb aboard that travel train, we’re ready when you are! Our inns have been proactively doing everything in our power to keep you safe and welcome you back. Not sure if your favorite inn is open? Give them a call as they just might be.

2 Comments
The Rogue – Umpqua Scenic Byway in the Southern Oregon Cascades

Oregon has more designated scenic byways and tour routes than any other state. The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is the only State B&B Association and a welcoming inn awaits you as you travel the backroads. Thanks Travel Oregon for sharing this information, inspiring our traveling spirits.

‘Two Raging Rivers Run Through It.  More commonly know as the ‘highway of waterfalls’, we hiked to and found 7 on our recent trip, the Rogue – Umpqua Scenic Byway ascends from I-5 into the southern Cascades, tracking two of Oregon’s most storied rivers.’ From Gold Hill on the Rogue River in Southern Oregon or from Roseburg on the Umpqua River 85 miles north you’re only moments from enjoying this spectacular route. Follow the “Wild and Scenic” Umpqua and Rogue rivers through enchanting recreation areas in the heart of the southern Cascades.

Prospect Historic Hotel and Dinner House is Crater Lake’s closest full service town and would be a perfect spot to refuel the body and soul while exploring Crater Lake and the Rogue – Umpqua Scenic Byway. Built in 1888 as a stagecoach stop half-way between the Rogue Valley and Crater Lake, this Nationally Registered Historic Hotel has been restored to all of its glory. After a hearty breakfast set off to enjoy this breathtaking tour through the thickly forested southern Cascades.

Just outside of Roseburg, Oregon, nestled in the Umpqua Valley wine country, the Brenner Suite is a private luxurious “green” bungalow at the historic C.H. Bailey House, tastefully furnished with full amenities, luxurious linens, complimentary local wine and beer, breakfast, and fresh flowers. The suite includes a kitchen, living room with gas fireplace, walk-in closet, private bath with walk-in shower, and a variety of outdoor seating with restful views.

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. Whether you choose to travel the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway north or south, there’s an Oregon Bed and Breakfast for your start/stop lodging option.

Hospitality Update: Oregon is one of the top states where it looks like social distancing is working. Our inns have been proactively doing everything in our power to keep you safe, welcome you back, when you’re ready to travel again. Not sure if your favorite inn is open? Give them a call as they just might be.

wonderful hikes on the oregon coast

1 Comment
The Pacific Coast Scenic Byway

The Pacific Coast Scenic Byway; ‘Wind, Waves and a Long, Winding Road. Yes, it’s possible to drive the entire Pacific Coast Scenic Byway in a single day. But it’s also pointless. Because you wouldn’t have time to experience any of the breathtaking viewpoints, stunning state parks and quaint coastal towns.

‘This Byway offers many natural wonders. Visit between November and June to watch the storms come in or to scan the horizon to catch a glimpse of migrating gray whales. Several rock formations are home to large colonies of seals and sea lions, and shorebirds abound in the countless estuaries. And then there’s the wind-sculpted dunes, marshes, lush agricultural valleys and majestic rainforests.’ The Oregon Coast: one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon. Thanks to Travel Oregon for sharing this information.

Yes, it’s possible to drive the entire Pacific Coast Scenic Byway in a single day.  But why would you when you have 8 member inns of the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild from Cannon Beach to Gold Beach? Take a few days and enjoy the ride.

Oregon is embracing electric vehicles (EVs) with such enthusiasm we are creating Electric Byways across the state. The Oregon Coast Electric Byway allows you drive all 363 miles of the beautiful Oregon Coast and charge your EV along the way.

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: Oregon is one of the top states where it looks like social distancing is working. Our inns have been proactively doing everything in our power to keep you safe, welcome you back, as travel restrictions are being lifted. Not sure if your favorite inn is open? Give them a call as they just might be.