Posts Tagged With: Lodging

Green Springs Inn is Blanketed in White

It's remained so cold that the trees are still weighed down with snow.

Temperatures have stubbornly remained low since our snow storm, causing Reg to forego his daily bike ride and making me think twice about my morning walk. The roads however, are mostly clear, so we decided to give the Subaru a little workout.

Our lunch destination, Green Springs Inn, is just twenty miles from home, but as we climbed above the valley we quickly entered another world.

Besides a handful of locals and a young man hoping to catch a ride to Klamath Falls, we were the only diners.

Mailboxes looked like igloos lined up along the road.

 

The Marionberry Pie was irresistible.

Oregon is known for its Marionberry, the most common type of blackberry produced in the state. Restaurants and farmers markets offer a variety of Marionberry jams and baked goods…if you're lucky enough to order before they sell out. Which brings me to the best part of our lunch (although the food was great too).

Reg wouldn't share dessert, so I had to order my own piece of pie…oh darn!

It was delicious and yes, I ate it all!

 

Categories: Ashland life | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Sun Mountain Lodge Shines

Who doesn’t like a good deal? We sure do, so when our friend Teri brought the Sun Mountain Lodge mid-week special to our attention, Reg grabbed the phone to reserve our room. What a beautiful spot…far more luxurious than our usual accommodations, but well worth the trip into northern Washington.

The grounds are beautifully landscaped with lots of outdoor seating to relax and enjoy the views.

My blue-eyed horse was named White Leg and Reg rode Billy.

 

Just down the hill from the lodge are stables where guests can saddle up for a breakfast ride, dinner ride or the simple hour and a half trail ride that we did.

The Sun Mountain Lodge is open year-round with plenty of activities for all ages, both inside and out. If you’re ever in the neighborhood it’s a must see!

 

Categories: Road Trips | Tags: , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Window Rock: A porthole to the sky

Window Rock is an eroded sandstone opening.

The Navajo Code Talkers played a critical role in World War Two.

Window Rock is the capital city of the Navajo Nation and also the name of this geologic wonder about a mile from town in Arizona near the New Mexico border. The Navajos have a nice park next to the rock that features a memorial to the Code Talkers of World War Two.

We booked a room for three nights in Santa Fe at the Luxx Boutique Hotel that advertises hip and stylish accommodations. We weren't sure what to think, but went for it for two reasons: It is a block from the downtown plaza and has very low rates, especially for the location.

We were pleasantly surprised by the room at the Luxx Hotel.

 

Categories: Road Trips | Tags: , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

23 beds in 35 days

After sleeping in 23 beds in 35 days, we are ready to go home.

There is just one problem: We sold our home and the bed with it.

We will have to make do, for now, with a rented condo in Ashland, Oregon. It will be home for the next three months and we are looking forward to staying in one place for awhile.

The trekking part of the journey took us to magical lands in the Highlands of Scotland. By car, we visited great friends in Scotland and England. By plane, we dropped in on our Camino buddies who showed us Denmark from the city to the country to the beachside resort.

We hope we get a chance to return our friends’ hospitality.

For now, we fly “home” with treasured memories.

 

We enjoyed a great breakfast at the Bridge of Orchy Hotel and cream tea (note the glob of clotted cream) at Glamis Castle in Scotland. The locals were welcoming and some, like these Danish guys, wanted a spot in the photo album.

Sometimes the trail led to seemingly endless Scottish wilderness. We traveled 1,400 miles in our Vauxhall rental, a GM car.

 

Categories: Scottish Highlands and beyond | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Avenue of the Giants

We found the most charming place to stay while visiting with friends in Southern Humboldt County.

In the past we've camped while visiting Southern Humboldt. When we woke up to rain this morning, we were glad to have a roof over our heads!

Miranda Gardens, located along California's beautiful Avenue of the Giants highway, offers something for everyone. There is a pool for hot Southern Humboldt summers, a playground for cooped up kids, soaring redwoods for relaxed afternoons, a continental breakfast featuring a simple but delicious array of breakfast foods…all this and more is available to you while enjoying the comfort of your own cozy cottage.

We stayed in a studio cottage that provided us with plenty of room to spread out. We had a wardrobe to hang our clothes, two comfy chairs, a fridge and coffee maker and a private patio complete with table and chairs to relax and breath in the fresh forest air. There are also larger cottages with bedrooms and kitchens for families or extended stays.

The Avenue Cafe, right across the street, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We gave it a try tonight and were both happy with our pasta choices.

 

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Yurts!

Oregon has the most beautiful campgrounds and we have some wonderful memories of past trips…so when Reg suggested we camp on this trip, I was tempted. Until I gave it some serious thought. Camping for us (even for one night) is never simple so in a desperate attempt to find a compromise for the nature vs. comfort battle, I found Yurts!

Our first Yurt was located on the north coast of Oregon at Cape Lookout State Park (center). The top left photo is our home for tonight, located just south of Newport, Oregon at South Beach State Park.

These ingenious little dwellings are located in many State Parks throughout Oregon (and other places in the country). We checked in and were handed a key…it was that simple! While we needed to bring sleeping bags, pillows and towels, we got a relatively comfortable bed (up off the ground), heat, electricity and use of the campground showers. Each yurt has a picnic table and a fire pit, so you won't miss the fun of toasting marshmallows.

Yurts might not be for everyone, but I think Reg and I agree that they offer us a relatively comfortable, and economical solution (we paid about $40 each night) for Road Trip accommodations.

 

Categories: Road Trips | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

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