Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Vacation

Back from a great vacation in the Redwoods....Kids back to school, wife back to work.....and I'm doing paperwork for the next five days! 





Sunday, November 9, 2014

Surprised my wife today with a self made card and a bottle of Pinot Gris to celebrate our 20th anniversary! Dozens of Elk this morning gathering around to witness our event. The sun is out! Dinner with her and the kids tonight to make this a perfect day.

Saturday, October 11, 2014

One of my last trips on the McKenzie today. Next week on the Clack. Just as the weather is clearing up I'm looking back on a fantastic summer of guiding and meeting all you wonderful people....a vacation is awaiting me since I didn't have one last year I really look forward heading out to the Redwoods with wife and kids!

Monday, June 30, 2014

Ballet & Jazz

Last week was our kids recital at the Newmark Theater in Portland. Cedric is doing ballet and Isabelle is doing jazz dance. All kudos' go out to the organizer of this great event the West side Dance Academy in Tigard. Especially their staff, teachers/instructors and volunteers deserve a round of applause making this to the highlight of the year. it is awesome to see and watch these talented performers on stage.

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Louisiana style Crawfish

Last Sunday we were invited to a friends house for a genuine crawfish boil. And what a treat it was. Besides the Louisiana cuisine there was plenty of other dishes to munch from. If you grabbed crawfish that was too spicy for you a cold home made hazelnut brown beer from one of the guests could came to the rescue. The occasion? Our friends son Nick graduated from high school and is going to make his way from Portland to Eugene to continue his education. As an already excellent (fly-)fisherman he will orient himself into outdoor programs to fulfill his wish to enjoy working for the Fish and Wildlife department. We wish Nick al the best to get there and since this will be only a 35 miles drive from Eugene we hope to see him at the McKenzie River Inn more often to cast out a fly.


Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Marketing

Here we are in the swing of things, this week a tv ad regarding the wine tasting event on July12th and 13th will air on KWVT / KSLM / KPWC 17 - Willamette Valley Television
27 - Retro TV Oregon and
37 - Azteca Oregon
Further we have ad space in two newspapers, the East County Gazette in the Portland area and Westside newspaper in Salem and appeared in the Portland Guide and Oregon Symphony booklet during our own Chris Botti concert early May.
At the moment I'm working at a e-mail campaign to finish off this round of marketing. As reported before, this years wine tasting is in collaboration with the Eagle Rock Lodge and McKenzie River Mountain resort and features three wineries each stationed at one of the venues. I think we are off to a great start of this summer having the wine tasting at the same time as the Oregon Lavender Festival, which is just around the corner. Cheers!


Sunday, June 1, 2014

The Move

In the last couple of days I've been helping a friend move to another house about a mile and a half from the old one. She's a single Mother of four and the oldest is a special needs boy. The new house is a great improvement over the previous dwelling. Since she is operating a daycare, as her only source of income, the layout and especially the back yard with deck greatly enhances her business. During the whole move it proves you'll never can get a big enough truck to transport your belongings. The 26 footer looks big empty, but it fills up easy.... again, again and again. I helped out with my 5x8 trailer and did nine loads and two loads with our friends van. I though moving from the Netherlands in 1995 was quite an undertaking?!?

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Bugs and falls

My friends Jacob and Geno were here for five days and it was good seeing them back again. Unfortunately they brought a bug with them keeping them in bed for several days occasionally soaking up some sun on the McKenzie River Inn patio. Still they were able to pay a visit at the Koosah and Sahalie falls to enjoy the fast amounts of water accumulated by the rainy days days before and alongside the trail between the falls. They visited the next day the Terwilliger hot springs and later that day Bert's Guide Service provided a scenic float in the McKenzie driftboat from Hamlin to Silver Creek boat landing, which was very much appreciated. Bert also cooked an Indonesian dinner for both to accompany the mutual exchanged stories and shared memories about band members in the several rock bands Jacob and Bert used to play in, the tennis matches, the developments in the old country, family matters and of course wine from our beloved Rolling Bay Winery. Because that is what make friends so important, ...forgotten stashed away events in your memory banks resurface and they put a smile on your face especially when you say: "O yeah, now I remember, ...I almost forgot about it!"
Hopefully Jacob and Geno will make it back the the McKenzie River Inn soon, with loads of other subjects and memories and ...without that bug!

Friday, May 9, 2014

For cast: Showers with Friends

River is rising fast with these showers! I have my friends Jacob and Geno over for five days. They are from Santa Rosa California and for Geno it is the first visit to the McKenzie River Inn. Hopefully in the next couple of days I can free up some time to show them around and do a trip on the McKenzie, either in the driftboat or raft.
Still have good vibes about my trip to Seattle and Rolling Bay Winery on Bainbridge Island last weekend. Was also impressed by the restoration of the railway station in Seattle, What a great job!


Thursday, May 1, 2014

Wooden Boats and Kings Day!

What a great weekend it was. As it has been for the last eight years the 9th edition of the Wooden Boat Festival was a excellent occasion the meet again with colleagues, friends, neighbors. Once more it was difficult to go around and take a look at all the boats displayed since I bumped again and again into someone I haven't talked to for some time or even years. The kids had a great time going around and eat a burger or catching up with everyone. Isabelle was able to stop by the Cascade Family FlyFishers and tied a couple of flies (I see a business opportunity here).
Sunday morning we took off to Portland for the celebration of the first Dutch Kings Day. A three hour event full with Dutch food, like raw haring (my favorite), french fries (the Dutch way) Indonesian Saté (pork or chicken on a thin skewer marinated in spices and herbs) Dutch pancakes and even Dutch beer. April ended really well!



Friday, April 25, 2014

Kids and the wooden boat festival

Have the kids dressing up in extra clothes so they can assist me in getting my driftboat ready for tomorrows Wooden Boat Festival at the Eagle Rock Lodge. With the rainy conditions lately the boat has become pretty dirty.... also have to see what the film crew is up too. By the way, admission is free, and it starts at 10 AM and you will have a chance to see a variety of drift boats from oldies (like mine) to pieces of art. Don't miss out! ...and if you see me wandering around ...please say hello, it's Christmas for a fishing guide tomorrow!

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Thursday

It's off to Costco to get supplies. In the meantime we are awaiting a film crew whom going to measure up our facilities to shoot a commercial. The things we do for ....

Monday, April 21, 2014

Easter

Hope you all had a great Easter weekend! Above al the kids had a great time gathering eggs and are gorging themselves on the sweets. We also have been working on the next event, a wine tasting weekend on July 12/13 in conjuncture with the Lavender festival. This year we have three resorts lined up with varying wineries to invite guests to visit the McKenzie valley region. Together with the McKenzie River Mountain Resort and the Eagle Rock Lodge we open our doors to introduce visitors to our spots on the river with a splendor of wines, accompanied with delicious, hearty apetizers, arisan food and hors d’oeuvre. Bert has been working hard on advertisement to let people know, especially in the Portland area, what they have in their back yard, since we're often surprised when we hear that many Oregonians never visit the McKenzie Valley before, while living most of their lives in this great State. Of course this doesn't mean we will leave our neighbors, friends and colleagues out of a visit and occasion to taste a deep red Cabernet and marinated, spicy buffalo wings. We want everybody to have a good time! So, don't pass our doors and put July 12/13 in your agenda's! Cheers!



Tuesday, April 15, 2014

The water heater....

The water heater in the kitchen of the Lodge is replaced. It took a disassembling of the frame and countertop to get to it and a tight fit to get the new one in. But its a good thing since we are anticipating replacement of the dishwasher for an commercial one pretty soon. 
Had an interesting conversation with a guest this morning who suggested to build a pergola on the waterfront patio. He must have read my mind although this will go on the back burner. To many other upgrades and replacements going on.......where is that jar for donations..?

Friday, April 4, 2014

Art design and water heater

Gee, now it is back to graphic design for advertisement for the upcoming Northwest Sportsman magazine and shows for Bert's Guide Service and the Tokatee golf course ad and course ad which also features the McKenzie River Inn. The art guidelines are different for both, so there is work to be done in the design department.
Ellie called me this morning that the water heater in the kitchen might be on it's last legs. It is a good thing we are contemplating to overhaul the kitchen for possible commercial use if we could convert to a small restaurant.....or is this wishful thinking?

Monday, March 31, 2014

It was the butler?

It really feels like a Monday today. Started off with answering e-mails and messages from people who were not able to attend last Saturdays Murder Mystery. After that it was time to spend on social media and working together with Travel Lane County on a Sweepstakes special called McKenzie River Getaway. Then allocating time to do repairs and maintenance and projects. Now at tea-time things are shaping up for this spring and summer with booking trips for fly fishing and rafting. Earl Grey is still one of my favorites!

What a great outcome we had Saturday at our first Murder Mystery, Hubertina really shines! We needed at least eight attendees and ended up with twice as much, Thank you all for coming and for your positive regards. I had a lot of fun meeting all of you and filming this event. If I find some time for editing I'll post it on the web!

Oh, ...for the ones who couldn't get to the who done it part....it was the butler..........I think!

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Spots?

We still have a few spots open for the Murder Mystery this coming Saturday.....so....what are you waiting for?

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Paraphernalia

Oh my, Hubertina's creative mind has been working overtime. What I see here stacked in my living room is an enormous pile of paraphernalia to be used in next weeks Murder Mystery. I'm all excited helping her setting up when we get closer to the 29th. After all spring break is actually meant for kids, but not for kids only!

Monday, March 10, 2014

Murder at the Inn

       Hosted by Hubertina     
Murder Mystery with dinner
March 29th


Murder at the  Inn


Who is dead?
We will re enact what happened those last days between the 2 sisters at the Historic Inn and try to find the truth. Do the dead relatives harbor any clues? We will investigate. What are the voices or noises at night?

Is there something sinister about the new innkeeper? Was the secret passed on to her? What did she find in the fireplace when she re opened the Inn? 

Actors/Actresses

Joe Devenshire
Ellie Vanderbuilt
Annalisa Devore
Bert Deshirt

Arrive Friday afternoon and get acquainted with our extra guests.
Check out early clues. 
Mystery starts at 2PM Sat includes dinner for 35.00 per person.
This is the day fee.
Overnight lodging is season rate per night, double occupancy


Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Brides on Broadway

This event in downtown Eugene introducing aspiring wedding couples to vendors and venue's was attended by Bert representing the McKenzie River Inn. Beautiful sunny weather outside and a great atmosphere inside. I was asked many questions mainly by brides and/or their Moms who sometimes were very surprised (weddings at the McKenzie river must be very expensive) to hear how affordable a wedding venue at the McKenzie river as ours can be, especially when comparing it to other venue's in the Eugene area. 
I noticed that many wedding couples are often not enough informed about what we have to offer and the great value we are. Understanding that we help to plan their wedding through all the steps from the introduction to the place and to the clean up after the wedding was an eyeopener for many young couples. How about connecting wedding couples to other vendors for their special needs, like helicopter flights to and from the venue, arriving in a guided McKenzie Driftboat, wine tasting events, to name a few. I also presented a picture how I would be involved in their wedding for about 40 to 45 hours on average. Next to preparing the site, marketing, attending shows like this one in Eugene, ordering flowers etc. and aside of other employees putting in their time, it creates a better perspective for them of what is involved to create lifetime memories and make your wedding a memorable one. All in all I made many attendees aware of the endless possibilities and had them leave the show with a handful of brochures and a smile on their face.


Monday, February 24, 2014

Valentine's Day Dinner

Last weekend we celebrated Valentines Day with dinner. Hubertina and Ellie prepared the dining room in the Lodge with special decorations and ambience. These are some of the reviews guests left: "Very special, intimate and lovely. “This place is a dream away from home. We will be back. The Atrium room was romantic and perfect. Thank you for the serenity and the delicious homemade breakfast.” Our guest staying in the West Room were celebrating their anniversary and loved the intimacy of the dinner and the beautiful decorations. Keep looking out for our March event hosted by Hubertina.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Floating down the McKenzie river in Oregon

Great January weather, an astonishing 52 degrees! Okay it was 22 degrees when I came up this morning and I slept in until 7.30 AM! Yesterday a really nice fishing trip on the lower part, below the Leaburg dam, with water levels below average, but great hatches of aquatic insects as the Blue Winged, Midges, Little Brown Stonefly. Had two wonderful clients from Veneta on board, one celebrating his 40 birthday, congrats Walt! Besides of a handful of serious bites the fishing was slow ...but the weather and scenery and great company made up for it. This is a very enjoyable way to get out on the water in the death of winter and experience the McKenzie with no crowds and plenty of wildlife as we watched a river otter foraging along the riverbank and several Osprey and even a few trouts jumping out of the water.  2013 was a very good season for bertsguideservice.com and 2014 made a great start for another.