Spring fever

After months of sunny weather we allow the rain to fill up the river and form snow caps on the mountains to ensure required water levels for the summer season. River rafting and fly-fishing are just around the corner and yes, we've been out there already and did some great training runs on the upper McKenzie. A special thanks to my mock-clients Theresa, Dick, Nadine andRon to warm me up for this upcoming season.

At the McKenzie River Inn we have been upgrading our wireless high speed internet for better accessibility and

of course higher speeds. Especially for our business guests it is a must to have a broadband connection that meets the highest demands for internet access. Our internet service provider ensured us designated server space an routing to it, so drop outs should be a thing of the past.

The McKenzie River Inn hosted for the fourth year the 28th annual Public Interest Environmental Law Conference with more participants than ever before and our lodge, as well our cabins were jam-packed with people, drawing in representatives as far as from the Dakota's. Over the years I have been reporting about this event and have to say that we keep learning more and more about the perspective of the first Americans. It is obvious that the complexity of environmental issue's and the necessity to find solutions for it's problems (as well for the economic, social and ecological situations) a matter is for all of us, and needless to say, to be dealt with and overcome.

The added value for all participants of this conference is the force or feeling that unites people in general and especially within the realm of common emotion and/or interest. Clearly at the end of the conference there was a bond of understanding between all of us, as a (growing) group.

As I'm out and about, guests and other people will often ask me if the bed and breakfast business has slowed down due to the recession. You know with the recession our country is in, my expectation was that people wouldn't to be traveling as much, I was wrong. I can happily reply that business hasn't been bad. Yes, it slowed down mid-October last year as it always does and we didn't get that Indian summer we wished for. So who are these people that can afford and keep traveling? This is my take on it. There are still the events in the area that attract certain guests--events that people look forward to or plan for year after year. But, in between the events, what reasons do people find to travel? I think that recession or no-recession, people work hard and need a vacation. Those people are usually resourceful and taking vacations closer to home. Some guests come from as close as an hour's drive, some come from the Portland area or Roseburg or coast to get a peak at our historic lodge and to experience the bed and breakfast hospitality. Guests may not be traveling as far to get away, but they still can feel rested, relaxed and "vacationed" by checking into a bed and breakfast or one of our cabins.

Low cost and free activities in Eugene or here in the McKenzie Valley enhance their get-a-way so once here guests do not need to spend a lot of money to have fun. Some bring their mountain bikes and ride our beautiful and free McKenzie River Trail or experience hiking in our Willamette National Forest. Others take great pleasure in a soak in the Terwilliger Hot Spring or spent a few hours floating the McKenzie river in a drift boat. For lunch and dinner, the McKenzie Valley has a wide variety of restaurants to choose from so dining out does not have to be expensive.

The recession has not been to bad for the bed and breakfast business in general. For us it's actually great to see people stretching their imaginations to come up with ways to vacation without emptying their wallets. So, if you've been thinking of spring flowers and the sme

ll of a cup of steaming hot coffee and a peach cobbler, you might consider a drive to the McKenzie river and if you there stay in a room or cabin at the McKenzie River Inn. I have to get back to work ....for you.

Winter in Lane County

After the Artic cold spell in November we are experiencing a total different weather pattern in January with temperatures hovering around the low and mid-fifties for almost two weeks now. Some of our Indian Plum and rose bushes have new leaves on their branches and with a little concern for what still has to come I watch this young fresh green. Blooming purple forest violets, beat the prim roses with their colorful display on the front lawn at the river and it's hard to believe we have snow in the forecast tomorrow night January 22nd. Hmm, ....isn't that Hubertina's birthday?

Earlier this week I was able to work on my drift boat that was in need of some TLC. With these temperatures urethane and epoxy cures within normal dry times what makes me getting ahead of the fishing season which start this weekend when we are fishing for Steelhead below the Leaburg dam. Checking gear, tackle and material has been high on the priority list and the push for completing this task becomes a lot easier with this unusual 'warm' weather.

We also start our preparations for the upcoming 28th annual Public Interest Environmental Law Conference at the end of February. After a very successful conference in 2009 we are looking at an even higher attendance this year resulting in a five day event instead of the three days in previous years. As one of the international 13 indigenous Grandmothers (www.grandmotherscouncil.com) Agnes Pilgrim (oldest living member of the Eastern Oregon Takelma tribe) confirmed her presence as well as Art George, Benny Mills, Joe Brown, Joe Cross and Calvin Hecocta (member of the Numa tribe near Beatty, Oregon). This all will be topped of with a traditional fish bake at the McKenzie River Inn Bed & Breakfast and Cabins.
A good start of a new year. Hope you too will do well in 2010.

Annual BBQ and Wine Tasting

For our 10th annual BBQ and Wine tasting we wanted to do something different. So we had Alphonse (www.rollingbaywinery.com) doing the honors of serving a variety of wines to our guests. For our musical needs Bert played light acoustic songs along side with Rachel on cello. It turned out to be quite successful. Guests raved about the wines and appreciated the musicians efforts to please everyone. Isabelle's (Hubertina's and Bert's daughter) birthday was celebrated with a sing along birthday song and in return Isabelle sang, shy but not overwhelmed, "Midnight Sun" into the microphone accompanied by guitar and cello. You have to start somewhere!

Next day family and friends could enjoy rafting and a driftboat float. We put in at Hamlin boat ramp to float down to the McKenzie River Inn. The weather was outstanding and the kids loved the excitement.

This weekend also means the spin-off for the summer season and it turned out July as one of the busiest months of the year. Two weeks in July we welcomed back the Weinberg/Reppert reunion and what a great week that was. From Bacchi Ball to Badminton tournaments, from rafting to hiking, this family is able to cram in quite some activities in a week stay. If you work, or start working, in the hospitality business and read this blog, I can tell you right now that guests like these are one of the highlights of being in this business. We are grateful to have them coming back every other year and to share our spot on the McKenzie river with them. With the help and exchange of pictures (thanks Jill!) we can look back on other great and successful summer.

Nice weather and a spring garden

Nice weather and a beautiful spring garden have drawn many guests to our spot on the McKenzie river these first five Months. January and February gave us many sunny day's to bridge the change of seasons from winter into spring. After the first week May was warm and gave us the stunning view on the blooming Azalea's, Camellia's and Rhododendrons.

We are very content with having so many returning guests. Some are coming back every year, others several times a year and other guests return after they stayed with us at the McKenzie River Inn years ago. The connection and contacts we have with our guests is for us unique and is one of the reasons we appreciate being in the hospitality industry. It also means we can rely on a strong following even if this industry is hit hard by the economic decline and accommodation reports are showing 50 to 54% less bookings. So, thank you all for coming back to our spot in the Cascade mountains, it means a lot to us and are always looking forward to your stay with us.

This year we welcome back the Weinberg/Reppert family who have their biannual reunion week in July. We are all excited to see you playing Bacchi ball again in our orchard and having fun going down the river rafting with us. We love to show you the improvements we have made to our facilities and above all the new paint-job.

In the meantime we prepare for our annual BBQ and wine tasting. This year Bert will perform acoustic songs along side with Rachel Barton-Russell on cello and vocals and the latest news is that Hubertina's and Ellie's brother Alphonse will do the honor of introducing a variety of wines. Alphonse is a winemaker for over twenty years and recently opened his own winery with partner David Verwolf on Bainbridge Island called "Rolling Bay Winery". His dedication has lead him to several award winning wines over the last four years. He still follow

classes in wine making to achieve that edge that is needed to make outstanding wines. For guests at the McKenzie River Inn having a taste of the several kinds of fermented grapes is complementary on the days we are having wine tasting and till so far we received raving comments about the Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.

Alphonse told me the other day that his blend of Pinot Gris and Chardonnay left him with quite some satisfied customers and the "Pinonnay", as I call it, sold out pretty quick. I'm looking forward to our tenth annual BBQ and to see colleagues, guests, friends and family again.

The river levels are dropping as we speak and this will tremendously improve the (fly-) fishing over the coming weeks. So wade out to cast out a line, or climb in my boat and start fishing. Life is good!

Environmental Law Conference

It was a warm welcome again for our guests for the Environmental Law Conference. Some arrived early, others came in a day later, but everybody was counted for. It was heartwarming to have Agnes Baker Pilgrim and her daughter Nadine amongst them for the third consecutive year. As one of the international 13 indigenous Grandmothers (www.grandmotherscouncil.com) Agnes Pilgrim enlightens the world with her teachings and stories and her visions for our Planet. As a member of this council of extraordinary women and oldest living member of the Eastern Oregon Takelma tribe she travels the world to give her views and provides her wisdom regarding the healing of our injured planet. She also gives her input about ending war and poverty when she speaks with spiritual leaders as his holiness Pope Benedict XVI or his holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. 

With a mid-day session lead by William Blair from Infraspect (www.infraspect.com) many topics of the conference were reviewed and discussed among the participating guests. Although we have seen different scenarios in the last three years it always boils down to the impact of the environmental implications of the destruction, pollution and the vast changing of the ancestral lands of the indigenous people and the hurt that is felt because of it. Although we learn more about the perspective of the first Americans it is obvious that environmental issue's and our quest to find solutions for the economic, social and ecological problems are approached from a Western point of view. Here at the McKenzie River Inn it became clear that not bringing their perspective to the program would be an other missed opportunity to enrich the lawmaking process that would give the indigenous people a reflected voice and a hard fought recognition of how they have to deal with the protection of their communities from the above mentioned environmental changes. After all, shared strategies, scientific research and legal input from the many different parties and angles, would more effectively promote environmental protection. 

Thanks to the generous salmon contribution from Tim Hermach of the Native Forest Council, we all enjoyed each others company during a dinner on Saturday prepared by Ellie, William and myself. After dinner and around a crackling fire we talked on a lighter note, laughed at jokes and looked back to the 2009 Environmental Law Conference with the knowledge to have learned from each other experiences facing similar environmental challenges to come to more successful environmental policies. As for the McKenzie River Inn, we can not be more thankful for the wonderful guests we could share our place on the McKenzie river with. Hope to see you all back next year.

Sun and snow

What a great winter it has been, and just when you think it is over it rears it's snowy head. 

A more than usual snowfall in December created a beautiful scenery, snow covered hills, ripe on the tree's, tracks of the local wildlife and birds foraging for food on the feeders. Cedric and Isabelle enjoyed the sledding when we took them up on the mountain for a couple of days and found many other families enjoying the snow and hills. 

Although highway 126 was drive able all the way up to our entrance we had a plow coming in to clean our driveway so guests, who were spending Christmas at the McKenzie 

River Inn, had easy access to their rooms and cabins.  

January counted for many sunny day's here at the McKenzie as well the first week of February. It certainly gave us the opportunity to clean up the fallen branches and an apple tree that fell over in our orchard after it couldn't bare the snow load. Guests staying in the cabins always seem to find an array of activities to do in the wintertime. From skiing at Hoodoo to visiting the falls and hiking the trails or fishing for Steelhead. One of our guests stayed with us last summer and as a birdwatcher (he counted over a hundred different species on our property) hiked the logging trails and returned with some great and sometimes stunning pictures of the local wildlife in this winter wonderland.

This time of year also means allocating time for projects. From upgrading the facilities to remodeling, like the bathroom of one of the cabins. We also start our preparations for the upcoming 27th annual Public Interest Environmental Law Conference at the end of February. We are thrilled to be chosen again as the location for facilitating this event. After a very successful conference in 2008 we expect the return of familiar and also new faces and rumors are that a traditional fish bake might be part of this three day event at the McKenzie River Inn Bed & Breakfast and Cabins.

Apple cider and plum jam

Laborday weekend we pressed 62 gallons (237 liters) of apple juice. Day's before, Bert, Maya and Cameron picked the fruit from the tree's and placed the top filled cans under the carport next to the apple press and tables for processing. It was a very nice, partly clouded day with a temperature hovering around 78 degrees. After Bert picked up the press in Eugene we started pressing at 10 AM and found ourselves cleaning up around 8 PM. Several of our guests made their way to the canopy that day for a taste of fresh organic juice or to give a hand with the press by loading the apples in the hopper or to crush the fruit with the manually operated press. Many topics past for great conversation especially when Mike (tennis teammate of Bert) and his wife joined the action. After making breakfast and routing the cleaning ladies to the cabins and rooms Ellie joined the fun in the afternoon. Bert returned the cider press the next day.

The following weekend Hubertina and Ellie (with the help of Cedric and Isabelle) made jams and sauces from the fruit of orchard. The kitchen transferred from a decent looking cooking facility into a sticky and sweet fruit smelling bubbly damp canning factory and avoidance was the key word if you did not participate. The end result was another year supply of preserved fruit that was nicely displayed with the dried fruit on the table in the dining room of the lodge. When we open a jar this winter it will remind us of the hard labor everyone put in these two weekends of September. We are sure our guests will appreciate the taste of a blend of five different kinds of plum on a Belgium hazelnut waffle or English muffin or the with blueberries and cinnamon topped off pears as an opener for breakfast.