The Old Parkdale Inn
Tamanawas Falls in the Mt Hood National Forest 1 Apr 2013, 6:00 am
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 mile trail.
In the winter it can be snowshoed or XC skied. In the spring and early summer, as the snows begins to melt on Mt Hood and Cold Springs Creek is running high, that’s when you’ll see the full power of the falls. The Creek runs pretty full year round which makes this an ideal destination to cool off on a hot summer afternoon. The fall foliage on warm autumn days is stunning. For birdwatchers the trailhead footbridge is the midpoint of a 8-mile stretch of the East Fork of the Hood River hosting nesting Harlequin Ducks. A riparian habitat and mature mixed-conifer forest surrounds the trail to the falls.
The trail follows Cold Spring Creek upstream from where it empties into the East Fork of the Hood River and is shaded by Douglas Fir, Cedar and a variety of deciduous trees and shrubs. Keep your eyes open for signs of beaver about a half mile from the trailhead.
No Hidden Fees at the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast 29 Mar 2013, 7:51 am
I recently read an article about the increase of the add-on fees hotels, and some motels, are assessing and I was shocked! Towels, nightshirts, hot water, horse stables, even if you don’t have a horse!! One hotel was even assessing a charge every time you used the elevator. Oh, dear, what is this world coming to and why don’t more folks look to bed and breakfasts as a choice for lodging?
Early check in fees: No early check in or check out fees here. We can’t always guarantee early check-ins by we do our best to accommodate
In Room Beverage Fees: Are you kidding? Fresh coffee is ready at 6:30am at the Old Parkdale Inn and you hold the bottomless cup. And our wetbar, complete with an insta-hot, is available 24/7 with a varied selection of coffees, teas, chocolates. No mini-bar fees.
Internet Fees? Free WiFi connection throughout the inns and gardens at the Old Parkdale Inn.
We also include all lodging taxes, 9% in Hood River County, in our room rate.
Along with a long list of amenities, let’s not forget the ”breakfast” that is factored into your room rate. And in Oregon this means slow food. Ingredients from the local farmers markets or our weekly delivered CSA box, or fresh from my garden are used to create a multi course culinary experience you’ll be treated to every morning. I love acting as concierge – making recommendations for local places to shop, eat, and enjoy – as well as dinner reservations. It’s just something that we as innkeepers do for our guests. Did I mention free parking B&Bs are a better way to stay for the business traveler as well as a great vacation getaway. Check into the Old Parkdale Inn, make yourself a cup of your favorite beverage, have a biscotti or a sip of the fruit liquer we set out and relax. I don’t know why anyone would put up with the hotel extra charges if they had a choice to stay at a small inn with personal service and truly FREE amenities.
Ski, Surf, Sip and Sleep 27 Mar 2013, 7:36 am
Where can you ski in the morning and windsurf in the afternoon? Here near the Hood River Valley, of course. We are only 19 miles from Mt Hood Meadows Ski Resort which will continue operation through May, weekends only. There’s always Timberline Ski Area, where skiing on the Palmer Glacier is available year round.
After a morning of skiing, check back into your room, change gears and head 15 miles north to the Columbia River Gorge to surf with help from the famous Gorge Winds. Or visit the many wineries on the Fruit Loop in the Hood River Valley. After a day on The River head back up to the Old Parkdale Inn, for dinner at Apple Valley BBQ or Solera Brew Pub. After a very full day, relax in the comfort of your spacious rooms or enjoy the evening near the pond and fire pit.
Got Birds? Plenty here at our backyard feeders and throughout the Hood River Valley 25 Mar 2013, 5:00 am
We sure do! Our gardens are a flurry of avian activity! Sparrows, finches, blackbirds, chickadees…the list goes on. Our most colorful visitors so far this spring have been the Evening Grosbeaks. They are a beautiful bird, don’t you think? And we have had at least 50 feeding regularly at our many feeding stations.
The gardens of the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast have been recognized as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Foundation. That is we provide feed, water, shelter and nesting provisions for the many species of birds that visit our gardens. One day last spring in just about a half hours time I identified 21 species of birds! I invite you to come sit in a secluded nook of our garden and watch the activities!
Lodging Gift Vouchers Make Thoughtful Unique Gifts 12 Feb 2013, 6:16 am
There’s a few holidays coming up where one ponders what to gift a deserving and special person. Valentine’s Day, Mothers’ Day, Fathers’ Day, a Wedding or Graduation. A Birthday. Sometimes you don’t even need a special event to gift a unique experience at a member inn of an Oregon Bed and Breakfast.
Lodging Gift Vouchers make great gifts and you can purchase them from the comfort of your own home! You place your order any time of day, securely online and the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild does the rest. The Old Parkdale Inn accepts these Lodging Gift Vouchers from the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild or the recipient of your thoughtful gift can redeem them at any one of the Guild’s 80 unique bed and breakfasts in every region of Oregon.
There’s still spring snow adventures to be had up here in the Hood River Valley or perhaps the recipient of your gift can choose a summer getaway to the Oregon Coast or Eastern Oregon. There are wineries to be visited in the Willamette Valley or maybe they’ll choose an urban stay in a Portland Bed and Breakfast. It’s their choice and your gift will get them started on a memorable getaway .
The Snow Will Go On As We Dream of Spring 12 Feb 2013, 3:11 am
Spring skiing, and snowshoeing and cross-country are all going to be awesome! Mt Hood will be buried in a deep blanket of white well into April. If you like storm skiing this weekend will be to your liking as another storm rolls in over the weekend. Visit the Old Parkdale Inn website and book your room or give us a call and we’ll be glad to take your reservation request over the phone.
When is your spring break? The Old Parkdale Inn is only 19 miles from Mt Hood Meadows and 35 miles from Timberline and we have discount lift tickets for both ski areas. And did you know that Timberline Ski Area has the only summer skiing in North America? Let us be your Mt Hood destination lodging choice for spring skiing.
Ah, But Spring. Yes, it is not too far away, according to Punxsutawney Phil it should arrive right on time. And as the snow thaws and the weather warms up your opportunities for even more outdoor adventures increase. What to do? What to do?
What to Do? The List Goes On! 1 Feb 2013, 6:19 am
I had a phone inquiry the other day: “We’re thinking about coming and staying at your lovely B&B but was wondering, is there anything to do in the area?”
Really? Well, let me tell you, one experience at a time.
For us there is nothing better than a hike in the Mt Hood National Forest, fresh snow, no wind, fresh tracks. If it’s snowing, it’s even better.
The Mt Hood National Forest is about 5 miles from the Old Parkdale Inn. Plenty of snowparks, trails, and our favorite, forest roads to explore. A couple of weeks ago a single gal spent three days with us, put her XC (cross-country) skies on right outside our door, and headed out through town, around the soccer field and out into the orchards.
The Nordic Center at the Cooper Spur Mt Resort is 10 miles from the Old Parkdale Inn and provides 6.5 kilometers of trails which are groomed for skating and traditional striding. Separate snowshoe trails are also available for winter outdoor enthusiasts.
We go up Laurance Lake Rd. It’s 4 miles to the lake and the road continues on for a few more miles and there are many side roads to explore. You might meet another couple of local folks, and usually their dogs. No crowds, just you, the forest and occasional wildlife, certainly lots of tracks. We’ll start your day with hot coffee and a hearty breakfast and be here when you return, with the fire burning and a warm beverage.
Snowshoe, Cross Country, and Downhill ~ All Near the Old Parkdale Inn 2 Jan 2013, 7:00 am
My favorite is snowshoe. Never really did too much downhill as a child and now I don’t like to fall down as much and speed is not a necessity! So we snowshoe. For us there is nothing better than a hike in the Mt Hood National Forest, fresh snow, no wind, fresh tracks. If it’s snowing, it’s even better.
The Mt Hood National Forest is about 5 miles from the Old Parkdale Inn. Plenty of snowparks, trails, and our favorite, forest roads to explore. A couple of weeks ago a single gal spent three days with us, put her XC (cross-country) skies on right outside our door, and headed out through town, around the soccer field and out into the orchards.
The Nordic Center at the Cooper Spur Mt Resort is 10 miles from the Old Parkdale Inn and provides 6.5 kilometers of trails which are groomed for skating and traditional striding. Separate snowshoe trails are also available for winter outdoor enthusiasts.
We go up Laurance Lake Rd. It’s 4 miles to the lake and the road continues on for a few more miles and there are many side roads to explore. You might meet another couple of local folks, and usually their dogs. No crowds, just you, the forest and occasional wildlife, certainly lots of tracks. We’ll start your day with hot coffee and a hearty breakfast and be here when you return, with the fire burning and a warm beverage.
And Then There Were Two Innkeepers 20 Dec 2012, 7:33 am
For those of you who have been our guest at the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast you’ve heard me talk about my other half. My husband of 39 and a half years, Steve. Steve has been a pipeline welder for over 35 years, welding the pipelines that move our nations natural gas, petroleum, steam. You’ve heard me say he is gone for months at a time, sometimes only home for two or three days between jobs. If you’re at the inn during those rare days you may have even met him. And I know some of you probably wonder if he really does exist. Is he just a figment of her lonely imagination? Well, I’m here to say that he is real and that on Saturday, December 22, 2012, he will be retiring from the profession that he has so enjoyed and he’s coming home to work along side me as an innkeeper!
We are both so excited for this new chapter in our lives but a little apprehensive at the same time. He will be home, all the time! In a space that I have created over the last 10 years. We will definitely need to adjust but are so looking forward to having time together. Time to take long walks in the Mt Hood National Forest or just around quiet Parkdale. Time to travel the world or simply explore parts of Oregon we haven’t seen. Time to spend with our kids and a new grand baby.
Yes, 2013 is going to be a great year. And we hope you’ll be able to visit us and meet Steve. He’s a good man and I know you’ll like him.
Stay at the Old Parkdale Inn and Ski with Discount Passes 10 Dec 2012, 7:08 pm
At Mt Hood Meadows Ski Resort traditional Lift tickets have been replaced by new RFID gates and passes
The Old Parkdale Inn partners with both Mt Hood Meadows and Timberline Ski Areas. Our overnight guests can take advantage of discount lift ticket pricing. Below you’ll find this year’s pricing for destination lodging lift tickets:
At Mt Hood Meadows Ski Resort traditional Lift tickets have been replaced by new RFID gates and passes while providing more convenience and accurate vertical feet tracking. And as has been the case for the last 10 years the Old Parkdale Inn will be a lodging partner with MHM. Our overnight guests can purchase RFID cards directly from us and receive discounts. Mt Hood Meadows Ski Resort is only 19 miles from the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast.
Peak & Off-Peak Pricing: Adult Peak Days: $70 (normally $89 at the ski resort)
Adult Off-Peak Days: $50 (normally $74 at the ski resort)
Juniors (age 7 – 14) and Seniors (age 65+): $40 (normally $46 at the ski resort)
Peak days December 26-31, 2012 and Saturdays and Sundays in January and February, 2013. All other days are off-peak.
Timberline Ski Area is only about 34 miles from the Old Parkdale Inn.
$42 for Adult ~ 18-64 (regular $60)
$34 Youth/Sr ~ 7–17 & 65-70 (regular $40)
Under 7 and over 70 SKI FREE
Each of our three guest rooms have in-room boot and glove driers. We have equipment storage and coat racks by the wood stove in our common room. Early breakfasts, or if you choose, breakfast to go, for those of you who want first tracks! Hot beverages available 24-7.
Both resorts are open and early season conditions apply. Always check resort web sites for ski conditions. If Timberline’s upper level chairs are running that is for advanced skiers and riders only. Once they get a good snow pack for lower mountain runs it will open things up for intermediate and beginners.
