The Mountain Ash, shown here on the left, has a lovely warm coppery glow

Archive for the ‘Fall Happenings’ Category

What a difference a couple of weeks make ~ Fall Spectacular

Saturday, October 15th, 2011

I drove into Hood River a couple weeks back and the Fall Foliage was OK.  Even our guests were a little disappointed with the late peak.  But yesterday when I drove into town, well, what a difference a couple of weeks make.  Our spring was a couple weeks late so I guess it’s expected that [...]

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Fall Foliage in the Columbia Gorge and the Mt Hood National Forest

Thursday, October 13th, 2011

Columbia River Gorge was noted as the third best spot in a recent foliage destination list, right behind Aspen and the Catskills!!   But we’ve known about the foliage show for a long time.  Add the colors of the Mt Hood National Forest and the acres and acres of fruit trees and you will be in awe [...]

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HoneyCrisp Harvest Festival at Kiyokawa Orchards

Tuesday, October 4th, 2011

The renowned HoneyCrisp apple is ripe and ready to take home!  I picked up some this afternoon at Kiyokawa Family Orchards, just a mile and a half from the Old Parkdale Inn.  This distinctive apple is incredibly crisp with a sweet, tangy flesh that lends itself with equal satisfaction to fresh and baked delicacies.  We’ve had [...]

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Easy Pickin’s in the Hood River Valley

Monday, October 3rd, 2011

I visited a farmer yesterday evening to pick up what might be my last flat of Blueberries.  While I was there she shared with me a box of Starkcrimson pears and Gravenstein and Akane apples.  I’ll set out large bowls of apples for our guests and use the blueberries and pears for breakfast treats.  I [...]

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Geocaching in the Hood River Valley and the Mt Hood National Forest

Saturday, October 1st, 2011

There are over 50 Geocaches within 10-15 miles of the Old Parkdale Inn.  Our guests this week found three within walking distance of our inn!  Someone has ‘placed’ about 10 right here in Parkdale! “Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea [...]

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Farm to Fork in the Hood River Valley

Thursday, April 28th, 2011

Farm to Fork’s founders have created a traveling farm-to-table restaurant, local food fundraiser, andcommunity celebration rolled into one. Each dinner is set at the farm where much of the food on the menu was produced, and proceeds benefit food-focused non-profits. Farm to Fork’s mission is to connect guests to local sources of produce, meat, seafood [...]

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Tilly Jane/Polallie Ridge Loop Trail

Saturday, March 26th, 2011

Last week our guests snowshoed this!  Pretty amazing feat.  I’ve hiked this trail in the Summer when the wildflowers are profuse and the alpine meadows are cool with great views of Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Rainier.  Numerous Huckleberry bushes, beargrass and wildflowers grow along this trail in late summer.  Some old growth is [...]

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Tamanawas Falls in the Mt Hood National Forest

Friday, February 4th, 2011

Tamanawas Falls, in the Mt Hood National Forest, is one of my favorite hikes and one I send my guests on quite often.  The trailhead is about 7 miles from the Old Parkdale Inn.  This is an great hike year-round.  This 100 foot high, 40 foot wide waterfall is easily accessed by hiking an moderate/strenuous two [...]

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Holiday Shopping and Gift Wrapping Getaway

Tuesday, November 16th, 2010

Enjoy a relaxing getaway while getting a jump on your holiday shopping.  A perfect time for girlfriends, guys and couples looking for a little R&R before the hectic Holiday events.  Pick up your holiday pies and wines. There are many unique shops and boutiques in Hood River and the surrounding area.  Begin your holiday shopping with a getaway at the Old [...]

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First Snow ~ Care to Predict When it Will Happen?

Saturday, November 6th, 2010

We could get our first snow any day now.  And I am really looking forward to it.  Although I do hope it waits about another week or two so we can get all the leaves off the trees and piled in the back gardens. When do you think we will get our first measurable snowfall?  [...]

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