Tag Archives: willamette Valley

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.

The captivating artwork has come 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.

You’ll be charmed by nature and outdoor adventure in Oakridge, Oregon.  Nestled in a thickly forested Willamette Valley wonderland at the western foot of the Cascades and dubbed the “Mountain Bike Capital of the Northwest,” Oakridge has hundreds of miles of singletrack trails, many of which start and end in the city. There are also trails for hiking and horseback riding, plus excellent trout fishing for anglers. East of town, a short hike leads to Salt Creek Falls, Oregon’s second highest single-drop waterfall.  The bright red Office Covered Bridge is an iconic landmark.

A few weeks back we set out on a road trip, seeking waterfalls, geocaches, covered bridges and this mural, all along Hwy 58 outside of Eugene.  There are 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.  Only got to roadside waterfalls and geocaches but did find the 6 covered bridges on our way to Oakridge, including the Office Covered Bridge mentioned.  You could easily explore this area from C’est La Vie Bed and Breakfast in Eugene as your home base. Take a couple of days to discover all this lush part of Oregon has to offer.

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.

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.

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.

MaMere's Guest House

MaMere’s Guest House in the Heart of Oregon’s Wine Country

MaMere’s Guest House is located in the heart of wine county, and is the perfect place to call home while you explore the surrounding wineries or visiting Western Oregon University.  The property is on the National Register of Historic Places and is only a block from WOU and Monmouth’s Main Street.

MaMere’s Guest House is charming, unique and colorful inside and out! 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 Bed and Breakfast Guest House.  From the Inn tour local vineyards, visit the coast, or just relax and enjoy a glass of wine amongst the beautiful flowers, while listening to music from the Monmouth Amphitheater in Main Street Park.

MaMere’s Guest House provides an unforgettable breakfast each morning. Taking advantage of Oregon’s Bountiful Central Valley, MaMere’s breakfast often include fresh fruits, baked treats, and savory home cooked meals. Offering everything from homemade waffles, and bacon to delicious quiche. Experience the delight, as you wake up to slow roasted coffee, and a specially prepared meal.

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.

A'Tuscan Estate

Erin Clark Gilchrist has a long history in the hospitality industry and invites you to experience her warm and inviting A’ Tuscan Estate Bed & Breakfast in McMinnville, Oregon.

Erin is originally from Indiana and received her Bachelor’s degree in Restaurant and Hotel Management from Purdue University. She has been in hospitality her entire career and fell in love with the Willamette Valley.  She has two adult children

Erin continues the gracious hospitality for which A’Tuscan Estate Bed & Breakfast is well known.

A’Tuscan Estate Bed & Breakfast is located just five blocks from McMinnville charming historic downtown. You will find a lively downtown in western Willamette Valley.  Stroll through unique shops, art galleries and neighborly architecture then stop and experience wine tasting, incredible farm to table restaurants and real-deal Oregon breweries.

Six guest rooms include private ensuite baths, TV, complimentary WiFi, robes, hairdryers and irons; two of our accommodations include private kitchens to accommodate longer stays.  In warm weather months, soak up the sun on our patios, porches and gardens.

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.