Fall

Ooh Fall, ...the colors are incredible with many sunny days a beautiful sight along the McKenzie river. We just returned from our vacation in Northern  California with absolutely astonishing sunny weather. The splendor of the Redwoods with all it's autumn colors. You can't ask for more. Shall we clean up all those leaves or let them on the floor until after Thanksgiving?

October??

Yeah, we all have that feeling.... October?? What happened? Did this summer fall short, ... was it not so hot or is an Indian summer on it's way? Either way, the kids are back in school and the salmon are spawning. It must be that fall is around the corner. Yes, July was colder and more wet than June and business was slow, but here came August. Some of the highlights: - the Reppert/Weinberg bi-annual family reunion took place with even more participants then before, but even that week with Bocce ball, rafting, golf and great food was over before we knew it. Came September. Sure we had a great rafting adventure with a group of people from the Leatherman company from Portland which was awesome, because I met again with James Schmidt and his family and I hooked up with some great people, Tanya and Tim Moomey, relatively new guides on the river, from TnT White Water Rafting and what a blast we had going through Martin Rapids four times in succession.
So here we are, August and September made up for July regarding over night bookings and October is just a couple of days shy from changing the calendar.

Earlier this week I heard on the radio, I 'm sure it was on OPB, that scientists discovered 'new' sub-atomic particles that can travel faster than light. Although this need to be verified by the scientific community it would make a big impact since it would throw over Einstein's theory that nothing can travel faster than light and therefore time travel is not possible. But if this is true and scientifically established and those particles are faster than light, ....well, ...can we than go back to June 2011?  For I just loved this summer with all its weather idiosyncrasies and those many guests we saw coming back to our spot on the river and all those rafting and fishing trips I have been doing with so many people, young and less young, familiar and new!

Water safety

If there is one thing I enjoyed tremendously this week it has been doing a presentation at the Cooper Mountain school in Beaverton, Oregon for third graders. Divided into two groups of about 75 students each I had a captivated audience so open minded and inquisitive about the use of lifejackets this summer during water activities. It makes me rethink the language to use when composing questions. In an answer to one of my questions:- "What kind of bodies of water do we know?" I've got a small dissertation about this kids body and how it was made out of this precious water. 

It also made me realize that the teachers, who are dedicating their time and efforts, have to use a language that third graders understand all the time. 
Anyhow it was a blast. With the help of my laptop connected to the overhead projector I was able to show pictures and text to emphasize the importance of wearing a life jacket and how important it is to tighten the bottom strap of the jacket and/or having an extra strap attached to the jacket looped between the legs. I threw in a little science by using statistics to show these little fellows the odds of an accident when not wearing one. As an river guide/outfitter I hope it all contribute to a great summer while spending time on beaches, lakes and rivers wearing lifejackets in safe manner.

Many people are thinking this spring in the Pacific North West has been cold and wet. I don't blame them, yes, ...but there have been years that set a record and I don't think this was one of them. Actually I would say this spring made our garden incredible lush and green and full of colors of blooming flowers. The rhododendrons , azalea's, lilacs, snowballs are so voluminous and big and with so many flowers it looks like our yard is on fire.

With weddings coming up next week and summer we called in some help us to get the whole property to look at it's best. Ellie, my innkeeper and sister in law, has made together with Yvette and my wife a tremendous effort to get all the flowerbeds, pathways, sitting area's, trails etc. ready, and it looks fantastic. There's still work to be done, but for now the blend of the manicured and natural area's make this Bed and Breakfast stand out in it's own way.

Last weekend it was gorgeous weather and guests enjoyed the property sitting in lounge chairs watching the river flow by and by walking the river trail that starts at the waterfront. With fresh wood chips on top it will take you into the forest and meanders towards the entrance bypassing many indigenous plants and trees. There's even an old trunk covered with lichens (see picture below: a combination of a fungus and algae) some of them in bloom. It is beautiful and the McKenzie River Inn is shaping up for summer.

Now here is a thought. March and April 2011 is the month to start your McKenzie River Inn savings account. Stay for “ two nights in March & April and we'll deposit a $100 credit in your account for any return visit. When you stay with us in March and/or April and return again for any two night stay during 2011, even in the summer, you'll have a $100 credit waiting for you. It's like getting paid to enjoy yourself. There is limited space available for this special offer, so make your reservations soon."

As Christmas is approaching we also have to get things ready for after the Holidays. The big walnut tree that lines the drive way across the log cabin begs for a trim. Many 'runners' go vertical up from the main branches forming quite a load, especially with snow. Boat, fishing- and rafting gear needs to be cleaned and stored and here and there replaced, painted or otherwise maintained. Did I mentioned carpet? We can't replace it all at one time, but I really need take out the one that is an eyesore (actually for my eye's) for some time now and bring in some new colors and higher quality. Those are just a few things that comes to my mind knowing that this month of December makes me read an extra book and pull out that nice bottle of wine that is waiting in the cellar and ready to be opened, and sit in front of the fireplace and know we are going to lift these chores over the Holidays. Sounds like a very good new years resolution to me!!...Happy Holidays!

A great Summer!

We are in full swing and so is the summer weather. Guests are appreciating the blue sunny skies and green lawns and orchard that we have been watering religiously. The annual BBQ (last Saturday of June) brought us many guests and visitors and we had the pleasure to have Alphonse, wine maker and owner of Rolling Bay Winery, (www.rollingbaywinery.com) doing the honors of serving a variety of award winning wines (his Manitou Red won several gold medals this year) to our guests.
For our musical needs Bert played light and sang acoustic songs along side with Jacob (Jaap) on flute. It turned out to be another successful combination. Guests raved about the wines and appreciated the musicians efforts to please everyone with original and known songs. Local Howard Pinnock at 104 years of age, enjoyed a fishing trip with William and the festivities and delicous food prepared by Hubertina and Ellie. Cedric dressed up in his outfit of his ballet recital and Isabelle looked gorgeous in her Flamenco dress Jacob brought over from Spain where he lives.

Next day family and friends could enjoy rafting and a drift-boat float on the fabulous McKenzie river.
We also had the pleasure of having Berts niece Odette, who's living in Berlin, Germany, over. Her husband Ben had to be in Portland for a work shop and spend some time at the McKenzie River Inn. A great way of seeing each other again after such a long time. The introduction to the magnificent Koosah and Sahalie waterfalls as much as the lava fields and the town of Sister was one of the highlights of their stay with us.
Together with seeing many returning guests again we already experience another excellent season.