FUN-travel: 2nd 2015 Road Trip – Bend To Grants Pass, Oregon To Home!
September 29, 2015 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: 2nd 2015 Road Trip – Bend To Grants Pass, Oregon To Home!
Mike’s Back Yard
- After a decent breakfast at the Hampton Inn we hit the road. Our route to Grant’s Pass took
Me & My Granddog Max
us over the mountain past Crater Lake. It would have been great to have a chance to see it without snow but the thick smoked sky from the wild fires had rendered it with extremely poor visibility.
- We spent the next two days with our son Mike (and granddog Max) at his secluded hilltop home surrounded by lush forests. It was delightful!
- We headed for home with planned stops to pick up our “wine club” selections. (You can’t drink those darn shipping charges.) Lodi was our first stop at Oak Ridge. We were really lucky as the wine maker was having a tasting and let us join in!
- It was our first time staying at the Bella Vino B & B. They offer four rooms, all suites, in this lovely home right downtown. We had the whole place to ourselves which was divine. The back yard is lush and inviting just like the B & B is. When we arrived the owner offered us a bottle of red or white wine with cheese and crackers. Full breakfast in the morning included fresh fruit, yogurt, eggs, meat and a variety of breads. Bonus – good hot strong coffee!
Smoke Filled Mountain View
FUN-food – Pietro’s Italian Restaurant was recommended by the people at Oak Ridge Winery and it was lovely. The outside patio is expansive with beautiful raised-bed gardens that grow their fruit trees, vegetables, and herbs. The portions are really large and the wine list pretty good.
- From Lodi we headed to Paso Robles with a stop at Clavo and then on to Talley in Arroyo Grande to pick up more wine club selections.
Bella Vino Backyard
FUN-food – Embers in Arroyo Grande is the hip, hop, happening place. It’s not just a restaurant, it’s an event! You need to get there early or there’s a long wait and for good reason. We arrived just before 6 pm and got the last table in the bar by the hostess desk. Great spot for “entertainment” as you get to see everything going on from the kitchen to the bar. Food was excellent (we had a pizza and salad) and our server Jill wonderful. The menu changes every month. We’ll definitely be back the next time we’re in town.
Our Room
Trip FUN-fact – We drove a total of 3105 miles and spent $502 for gas. And it was great not having to deal with airports!
FUN-travel: 2nd 2015 Road Trip – Stanley, Idaho to Bend, Oregon
September 25, 2015 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: 2nd 2015 Road Trip – Stanley, Idaho to Bend, Oregon
- We headed out of Stanley after fueling up with a big hot cup of java from Peaks & Perks. While I don’t like long drives the only place to stop would have been Burns. And after getting there I was sure glad we kept going to Bend! The best place in Burns – the Safeway! We stocked up and made it to Bend by 4:00.
Old Mill District
- This Hampton Inn was the best so far and Joe at the front desk was extremely helpful. He suggested we have dinner Anthony’s and even gave us a coupon for a free appetizer! It was just a short walk across the river to the Old Mill District. We sat on the outside patio taking in the setting sun and the full moon rising on the river’s edge.
FUN-food – We took Joe’s recommendation on the Crab Cakes (free and most expensive) and had the Bleu Cheese salad accompanied with the fresh Salmon entrée. And of course, a nice bottle of wine!
Anthony’s Patio
- The following morning we met up with our friends Mary and Tom from Portland and spent the day exploring Bend. The downtown is really cute and after checking out where to eat opted for sitting in the bar/lounge of Pine Tavern. Our bonus – on weekends Happy Hour starts at noon!
- After a nice stroll and some window shopping we headed back to the Old Mill District to Deschutes Brewery. We had hoped to get a reservation for a tour but they were all full. Not all bad, as they give you four sample tastings at no charge.
Mary & Me
- Dinner was at the highly acclaimed Greg’s Grill. They offer a pretty diverse American menu and the food and service were good.
FUN-fact – We got a nice big “blue moon” when this July had two full ones.
Our Blue Moon