Eastern Oregon Vacation

Marcus Berg, owner & professional photographer at Unique Angles Photography, is returning to our Eastern Oregon bed and breakfast in early June to update our portfolio of high quality images.  Sure, we can always capture images on our digital camera or our smartphones and they'll look fine on the Facebook page, but it's also important for the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast to have high quality "dense" images for magazines and other print advertising.

We're excited to have Marcus out with us for a few days.  I know it'll be a lot of work.  A good photo shoot involves lots of preparation.  Beautiful flowers, a variety of props to dress up the guestrooms, a varied menu for food photography--and then there are things we can't quite control like great weather for exterior photos.  The last time Marcus was here, he & I were up before the dawn to capture images of the bocce court in the north perennial garden of our Wallowa Lake lodging.  Little did I know that watering the bocce court the night before meant I'd need to quickly spray down the rest of the gravel walkways at 5 am!

If you have a chance, take a look at our website photography and send us suggestions on which photos you think should be updated,  What images should we capture that aren't on the website?  What would best depict our romantic getaway Oregon style?  Send your ideas to info@bronzeantler.com and we'd love to incorporate your ideas.  

Wall Street Journal writer Tess Weaver recently wrote about ski mountaineering for the Wall Street Journal (published February 27, 2013), noting that skiing uphill is gaining in popularity around the United States and might even make the 2022 Winter Olympics.

You can find plenty of that kind of activity out here near Joseph Oregon.  And you won't have to worry about purchasing a lift ticket or competing with downhill resort skiers.  The Wallowa Mountains are a tucked away corner of Oregon with no organized ski resort (although the local hill, Ferguson Ridge, does attract a mainly local crowd) and plenty of backcountry skiing conditions.

We recently hosted a group of Portland Oregon skiers who used our Joseph Oregon lodging as their jumping off point for a multi-day ski trip.  They arrived late, but got a very good night's rest, a hearty breakfast, and time to shop for some local essentials before heading out to McCully Basin to build their snow cave for the next few nights of lodging.  There's nothing like a smoked "flat" chicken from our local grocer, Mt. Joseph Family Foods, at the end of a long day of uphill skiing!

If you do want to take on the rugged Wallowa Mountains, we suggest you spend some time with the Wallowa Avalanche Center's website and study the snow conditions.  As one person who commented on Tess Weaver's article said, "In Italy "sci alpinismo" as the sport is called here is widely practiced, but not on crowded downhill slopes! The biggest attraction is the opprtunity to enjoy pristine alpine scenery alone or with a few friends and be able to experience a more challenging deep powder snow descent off groomed trails. Understanding and managing avalanche risk is a key requirement to enjoy the sport safely. Mountaineering training is required and it is not advisable to just buy the equipment and take off no matter how good your athletic ability."  Definitely true here in the Wallowas as well.

One thing that separates the bed and breakfast community from many other lodging options (especially hotels) is free wireless internet. There is no additional daily charge at most bed and breakfasts for wireless internet. And certainly not here at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast!

Here at our Joseph Oregon lodging we just upgraded our internet service by making some changes to our existing infrastructure.  We did this to make our wireless internet service easier to access, faster, and to specifically address an issue raised by a guest in a review on TripAdvisor about our Eastern Oregon bed and breakfast.  The guest wrote:

[T]he WI-FI is too fussy. The coverage is spotty and the need to log on for each session is annoying. Also, there is insufficient capacity to watch the news or a movie. Since there is no TV at this location, better Internet access would be appreciated.

We originally installed a very secure login process to ensure that neither guests nor innkeepers would get hacked, nor would we be vulnerable to someone pulling up in our parking area, hopping on our wireless, and downloading inappropriate information.  But times have changed.   In response, we've now changed our security settings so that the guest uses one password one time only to cover all "sessions" here at our Wallowa Lake lodging.  The internal changes made to our signal routing have increased our download speed by about a factor of four.  And we are reevaluating the position of our router to maximize performance throughout the property (which is already very good inside the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast building). 

One thing about living in a very rural location is that internet access isn't the quite same as it is in more populated communities.  Could we have DSL?  Not currently.  Cable modem?  Not available.  And probably won't be in the foreseeable future.  Our internet signal is entirely wireless--including how it is delivered to and leaves the property.    We met the criticism head on and look forward to this guest returning (the guest also indicated that it wouldn't be the last visit to the Bronze Antler).  We want to demonstrate that we take constructive suggestions seriously.

 

This morning I took a same-day reservation from a Portland, Oregon-based birder who is coming out today on short notice to see a bird.  Apparently a Little Bunting was found here in Joseph Oregon over the past few days.  Looking at the ABA Birding News, it appears this Siberian bird has only been seen twice in the continental United States, both times in California.  What a great find right here in Eastern Oregon!  For a look at this bird, here's a nice photo from the Surfbirds website. For an image of this specific bird, here's a link to Trent Bray's birdlist (with photo) from January 29, 2013.

There is a lot of chatter (twitter, perhaps?) on the ABA website about people wanting to come to Joseph this weekend to look for the Little Bunting, which has been seen about 3 blocks from our Joseph bed and breakfast on neighborhood feeders. Some birds from Montana are even considering a trip.

If you do decide to make the trek to Joseph Oregon, allow us locals to offer a few suggestions:

1. Check the weather.  The forecast through the weekend is looking pretty good with highs in the 30s and lows in the teens.  Our favorite website (including webcams) is www.josephoregonweather.com
2. Check the roads.  And be sure to bring a vehicle with traction tires or carry chains!  Always a good idea in Northeastern Oregon in the winter.  The Oregon Department of Transportation website is www.tripcheck.com
3. If you plan to fly commercially, the closest airports are Lewiston, Idaho (LWS) about 2 hours away, or Pasco, Washington (PSC) about 3 hours away.  Some people have commented that the road south from Lewiston to Joseph is too bad to drive.  Many of us here would beg to differ.  Just take your time and don't plan to speed.  Parts of WA-129 and OR-3 are pretty twisty.  Slow down for the curves and you'll eventually get here.  Best to do in daylight hours.
4. If you need a place to stay, we do have some lodging still available here at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast.  Call us at 541-432-0230 or book online. You'll also find a motel here in town and another bed & breakfast.  Otherwise, plan to stay in Enterprise.  You can find more lodging options via the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce's website.

Of course, we keep our bird feeders full here outside out dining room window.  With any luck, that bird's going to expand its range a little and cross over Main Street to our location!

 

 

One of the really great things about owning a bed & breakfast in Joseph Oregon is meeting artists.  With so many artistic bronze foundries in the area plus drop dead gorgeous scenery, they like coming to Eastern Oregon to work. And we love it when they choose to stay at our Joseph bed and breakfast

This morning Patrick Blythe was at the breakfast table.  Patrick is a glass and (more recently) bronze sculptor, turning out beautiful abstract works from his solar-powered studio in the California desert.  What an engaging individual!  He enjoyed talking about his work and the other guests enjoyed hearing what he had to say and asking questions about how it's done.  I brought out the laptop so we could look at some of his large installations of glass or bronze.

The one shown here is "Harvest", a recently completed installation.  To really appreciate this work you need to move around it an enjoy it from all side (easily done at Patrick's website.)

We didn't hear much about what he's working on now (not surprising as artists like to keep that information to themselves until the work is finished).  But he did comment about the Joseph Oregon  foundry casting his work.  He said they're such nice, friendly people to work with over at Valley Bronze and they really know what they're doing. He loves coming up here with his abstracts and they don't give him a hard time because he doesn't do dogs and ducks (not even abstract ones).

Join us here at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast over morning coffee.  You'll never quite know who you're going to meet!  

Winter seems to be the time that many brides are planning their upcoming weddings.  We have a new venue available right here in Joseph Oregon: the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture.  This building is located right on Main Street at the north end of Joseph (on the way to Enterprise), about a 10 minute drive from Wallowa Lake.  

Yes, it has a lot of angles to the roof line, which makes for some interesting spaces inside.  Big wedding?  Go for the Gold Gallery on the main floor (seats up to 250) with catering kitchen conveniently located nearby.  Intimate wedding?  Consider the upstairs Loft with space for 20. The Center also features large bathrooms and other rooms suitable for changing clothes, and there's space in the basement for dancing too.

You can learn more about the facility by clicking here or by calling the Center Director, Lyn Craig, at 541-432-0505.

We hope you'll consider this new venue for your Eastern Oregon wedding.  And if you're looking for a romantic wedding night location, the Mirror Lake Suite here at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast has much of what you might be looking for--private entrance, spa-style bath, king-sized poster bed under a 14' vaulted ceiling and plenty of privacy.  Our other three guestrooms are far away from the Mirror Lake Suite, so you could even bring along your friends & family if you're so inclined.  Summer wedding weekends are starting to book so call us soon!

Back in March 2010 I wrote a blog post about planning your wedding in Joseph Oregon or at Wallowa Lake (you can read that post in full here.  It's amazing how many people have read that post!  Nancy's blue barn and the Wallowa Lake Tramway are still very nice locations for a Wallowa Couny Wedding and we've hosted guests who've participated in weddings in these venues..

Here's another great wedding venue that keeps a website with plenty of great photos and information for wedding planning out here in Eastern Oregon.  The Mt Joseph Ranch is located south of Joseph but on the west side of the west moraine of Wallowa Lake in an extremely picturesque setting.

From the website:

The Mt. Joseph Ranch provides majestic landscapes for your wedding. Whether you choose to have your wedding in a magnificent forest setting, the outdoor amphitheater, log mess hall, horse barn, in a grassy meadow or atop the moraine overlooking Wallowa Lake, the Ranch will provide the perfect setting for your wedding. The natural, serene setting of the guest ranch will create memories that will last a lifetime.

The website itself can be a little difficult to navigate (be sure to look at each area--the ranch, the barn, the event facilities--in order to get a complete picture. 

And another bonus is links to some of the photographers and caterers in the area who would be more than happy to help with your wedding!

Here at our Joseph Oregon bed and breakfast we're happy to help steer you toward the resources you might need for your wedding planning.  And we can provide lodging for your wedding guests, or perhaps for the bride and groom in our over-the-top Mirror Lake Suite.  Please feel free to contact us if we can help.

One thing guests here at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast often comment about is the attention to detail found at our Joseph Oregon lodging.  When you check in you'll find pretty much everything you'll need from high end toiletries, comfy spa robes and slippers, a blow dryer, magnifying make up mirror, corkscrew and hand-painted wine glasses, to more items we won't mention here (except for the rubber ducky and the bubble bath).

But the one thing you definitely will never find at our Eastern Oregon bed and breakfast is a Screaming Meanie.  In fact, I'd never even seen one of these obnoxious devices until today when a departing guest pulled one out of his luggage.  He works from home and consults with people internationally and therefore sometimes has to wake up at odd hours.  This device, he says, ensures he will. And he demonstrated it for me at the 120 dB level--think "smoke detector" and you're right up there with what this little box can do.

My only question was whether or not the thing will tolerate being thrown across the room into the wall.  Apparently it does, however, hitting the wall won't lower volume setting.  He told me it does have two quieter settings (including one close to the level of typical conversation) so perhaps it does have some redeeming features.

If you haven't seen one of these (or worse yet, heard one), I found an amusing little video displaying the power of the full-strength Screaming Meanie:

Like I said, you won't find one of these nasty little devices in our excellently appointed guestrooms. And if you choose to bring one with you on your Joseph Oregon vacation, please don't set it at full power!

Looking for something to do on New Year's Eve?  Here's a great feel good idea. . .

New Year's Eve in Wallowa County, Oregon, just got kicked up a notch. The Alibis will be performing New Year's Eve at the AAUW New Year's Eve fundraiser party!   For the 2012-2013 New Year the party's happening at the Elks Club in Enterprise, Oregon--only a 10 minute drive away from the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast.

Details are still unfolding, but there will be food, a cash bar and plenty of great dancing music.  The Wallowa Branch of the American Association of University Women uses this annual party to fund its programs, including scholarships offered to women wanting to go to college long after the high school graduate scholarship opportunities are past.

The Alibis Band plays rock and blues plus many original Americana songs.  Most songs are written by singer-songwriter Janis Carper or Jerry Smith.  You can listen to an MP3 clip of their music here. This band performs in many venues around Eastern Oregon and has quite a local following.

Want to dress up?  Dress down?  Anything goes in Eastern Oregon in the winter.  Just  wear your outside shoes from the car to the Elks Club door--probably too much snow & ice for those pretty stilletto shoes.

So, you get a stellar evening and support a good cause too!  We still have rooms available at our Joseph Oregon bed and breakfast.  Hope to hear from you soon!

We're wrapping up the Bronze Blues & Brews Festival 2012 here in Joseph Oregon.  Two sets of guests flew themselves & their spouses to Joseph State Airport (also knows as KJSY) in their private aircraft.  We were fortunate enough that one guest, Ken, took a short video on his phone of Chris making a picture perfect landing on Saturday morning before the festival started..  

Joseph State Airport was renovated within the last couple of years and has new paving on the taxiway and the parking skirt.  It's a short distance from Joseph Oregon and we provide complimentary transportation for our pilot bed & breakfast guests and their passengers.

I particularly like the eagle cry in the video right before Chris' plane comes into view.

If you're looking for Eastern Oregon lodging near a remote airport, our bed and breakfast might be a good one for you to consider.

Want to know where to find the best Joseph Oregon weather report?  It's the same one we use nearly every day here at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast and you'll find it at josephoregonweather.com  

Why is it so special?  Because you'll not only find the current weather and the five day forecast, but you'll also get two live webcam feeds that give you a view of what's happening to the south (looking toward Wallowa Lake and Chief Joseph Mountain) and to the west (looking farther away at the Wallowa Mountains).   The image here is an example of what you'll see in daylight hours in the summer.  Since the camera updates regularly even at night, if you're lucky you might even see the stars or the moon over the Wallowas.

And the site has all the really weather-techie stuff too.  Plus links to regional weather, river water levels, radar, satellite images, etc., as well as road conditions (important for winter driving).

If I were planning an Eastern Oregon vacation, I'd bookmark this site for conditions in Northeastern Oregon.  And if I already had my reservation made at this Joseph Oregon bed and breakfast, I'd consider adding the Joseph Oregon Weather Desktop Gadget to my computer so I can keep track of what's happening out there in the Wallowa Valley--a good excuse for a daydream about an upcoming trip!

Well, I'm not quite sure how you'd get your money back from these buffalo as the viewing is free--but aren't they the best buffalo you've ever seen?  Joseph Oregon resident Mark Lacey recently posted this gorgeous photo to his Facebook account and I couldn't help but share.  When you visit Wallowa County in Eastern Oregon in the spring you might just see buffalo up on "the North Highway" (aka Oregon Highway 3 north of Enterprise, Oregon).

It's quite a sight to see these buffalo that are part of the Stangel Buffalo Ranch.  And it is possible to sometimes get close enough to hear them snort at each other.  And yes, those really are the Wallowa Mountains in the background. 

Stay here at our Eastern Oregon bed and breakfast and we'll send you out on a buffalo excursion.  Or maybe for some birdwatching, or wildlife viewing, or who knows what!  We're well equipped with binoculars, detailed maps, hiking guides, etc., and advice to help you get the most out of your vacation.

It's been two years since Joachim Becker last visited our Hells Canyon lodging. Last time, the president of New York-based Zoho Music made us a gift of Zoho Music's upcoming release, Tribute to J.J. Cale.  And just like last time, Joachim's stay was too short!  We'd love for him to have the opportunity to drive the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway or take a run up to Hat Point for the incredible view.

But he did leave us with another parting gift.  Zoho Music's 100th CD release is Hendrik Meurkens and Gabriel Espinosa with Anat Cohen & Antonio Sanchez entitled "Celebrando".  Release in April 2012, this CD is fresh.  

From the liner notes: The CD gathers the leaders and seven splendid colleagues to investigate 10 succulent Brazilian jazz originals – with a “Yucatecan and “European twist,” say Gabriel and Hendrik – and one classic bolero, all designed to enchant.

Cross your fingers!  I think this one's headed for a Grammy Award.  At least it's award-winning here in our Eastern Oregon bed and breakfast kitchen.  The feel of this Portuguese/Spanish styling has me dancing through the dishes!

"Celebrando" is available throughout the US.  Pick up a copy and enjoy the sounds.  You'll be ready for that trip to Brazil in no time!

The Eagle Cap Excursion Train is up and running for the 2012 season.  Lots of changes this year, but one thing that hasn't changed is the Elgin Stampeders Train Robbery!

Where:  Train departs from Elgin, Oregon (North Eastern Oregon) and heads down into the roadless Grande Ronde River canyon.

When: Saturday, June 23, 2012

Why:  This annual train robbery draws attention to the Elgin Stampede PRCA Rodeo July 12-15, 2012.  The robbery unfolds like a movie with plenty of horses, excitement, laughs following their storyline.

How:  Book your reservation today through Alegre Travel at (800) 323-7330 or (541) 963-9000.  Don't delay as this event sells out quickly.

Robbers have done this heist once before--the train travels through remote, roadless area along the Grande Ronde and Wallowa Rivers, making it a perfect location to hold up the train and made a getaway before the sheriff arrives.

Once the robbers have made off with their loot and the train is safely back in the station, continue your Eastern Oregon vacation with a stay near Wallowa Lake at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast in Joseph Oregon.  No train robbers here but we do have our share of excitement.  See you in Eastern Oregon!

The last African Drumming session of the 2011-2012 winter season takes place at Lear's Irish Pub (I know it sounds a little corny--African Drums & Irish Pub) on Friday, April 13, 2012.  Starts at 7 pm.  A good time to get out and dance and shake off the last of the winter blues!

We take African drumming seriously out here in Eastern Oregon.  This group meets regularly and then performs on occasion at Lears.  A not to be missed event!

If you plan to drop in for the drumming you'll need somewhere to stay afterwards.  Of course we recommend our Eastern Oregon lodging just a 10 minute drive away from Enterprise in Joseph, OR. All three rooms and our over-the-top suite are still available for Friday night.  And no two-night minimum during April.  That means all you Eastern Oregon people living in nearby communities like LaGrande or Pendleton have the opportunity for a quick weekend getaway.  See ya soon!

The Wallowa Mountains are picture perfect for backcountry skiing. One of the local outfitters running trips is Wallowa Alpine Huts.  I just couldn't resist this video from their "WAH TV" channel on YouTube.  Fantastic conditions, great skiers--you'll notice no one is skiing in anyone else's tracks.  And where are the crowds?  None.

Early Spring is still time for great skiing.  If you need one more dose of a snowy Eastern Oregon vacation, check out Wallowa Alpine Huts, or check our other blog posts for information on skiing (use the search box at the right).

Lodging options?  You're not going to find any Joseph Oregon hotels or Wallowa Lake hotels, but the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast is ready to host you at the beginning or end of your backcountry ski trip.

Yeah, it's a gimmick, but so what?  Here's another reason to plan your Eastern Oregon vacation soon--the controlled hunt Beer Tag!  To fulfill the hunt, you'll need to visit four of the six (count 'em) microbreweries in Eastern Oregon by the end of April 2012.  

Who/where are they?

• Barley Brown Brew Pub (Baker City)
• Beer Valley Brewing Co (Ontario)
• Mt. Emily Ale House (LaGrande)
• Mutiny Brewing Co (Joseph)
• Terminal Gravity Brewing (Enterprise)
• The Prodigal Son Brewery & Pub (Pendleton)

If you're coming from Portland, you'll encounter 4 of the 6 easily on your way to Joseph Oregon.  If you're coming from Boise, you'll encounter 5 of the 6--and for the Idaho overachievers it's only a 45 minute detour from LaGrande to Pendleton to score the 6th one!  

We think this is an excellent opportunity for our bed and breakfast guests to return home from their Joseph Oregon vacation with fond memories as well as a completed "Adult Controlled Hunt BEER Tag" and a limited edition camoflage Eastern Oregon beer koozie.

Just think of the bragging rights you'll have with your friends.  Eastern Oregon is a lot farther than most would think of visiting for beer, but with great beers mixed with great scenery, it's definitely worth the drive.

A stay at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast in Joseph Oregon puts you in walking distance of Mutiny Brewing Company and a short drive to Terminal Gravity Brewing.  Give us a call at 541-432-0230 and we'll put you on the road to your beer tag today!

Here's another good reason to visit North Eastern Oregon in December: Jingle Thru Joseph is the signature event for Joseph OR holiday shopping and entertainment.

It all starts on Saturday, November 26th, with a Light Parade at 5 pm (well after sundown) on Main Street in Joseph Oregon.  All the entries are lighted--ranging from horses & wagons to the lady in the oversized martini glass encouraging holiday sobriety (you just never know what'll show up in the Light Parade).

Many of the stores on Main Street will feature late night shopping until 8 pm (hey, it is a rural town and besides you'd rather be out of the cold by 8 pm anyway).  A jewelry design studio  like Stewart Jones Designs and fun retail shops like Mad Mary and Company are bound to keep you entertained while you're shopping for unusual or unique gifts.

If you can't make it out for Thanksgiving weekend, there are more special event days planned throughout December including:

• Dec 3rd Sleigh Ride Saturday
• Dec 10th Sugar Plum Saturday
• Dec 16th & 17th Snowflake Weekend
• Dec 22nd Ho Ho Ho Thursday Men's Night Out
• Dec 24th Twas the Night Before Christmas Saturday

Whether you're planning a weekend, midweek or overnight getaway to Joseph Oregon or Wallowa Lake for Jingle Thru Joseph, the Bronze Antler Bed and Breakfast has plenty of lodging available from late November through December 2011 (and even New Year's Eve, but that's another blog post).  We're conveniently located at the edge of the town's commerical district.  Click on the Book Now! button at right and start planning your trip today!

If you're contemplating the crush of crowds at the local mall on the day after Thanksgiving, we have a better suggestion. . .spend Black Friday in Joseph Oregon!  There won't be the crush and the shopping opportunities are much better and very personable.

One of our favorite restaurants--Calderas--is also an art gallery and upscale gift shop.  For  Black Friday 2011, Calderas is hosting the "Eat & Shop Till You Drop" Event.  From 11 am to 8 pm on Friday, November 25th, Calderas will feature 15% off all scarves, clothing, stationery, cards, jewelry and pictures. 

If that's not enough, Holiday Happy Hour is 4 pm to 6 pm, with live music by American Idol nominee Jessie Borgerding & Craig Nichols from 5 pm to 8 pm.  And of course there are the luscious soups & salads for lunch and the scrumptious dinners. . .

Here at our Joseph Oregon lodging we still have three rooms available for the evening of Black Friday.  Start your holiday shopping with a civilized weekend in North Eastern Oregon.  And with three rooms you can bring along your girlfriends too!  You'll be supporting a host of small, independent businesses and coming away with perhaps some one-of-a-kind gifts.

This Joseph Oregon bed and breakfast provides complimentary transportation from/to the Joseph State Airport for our bed and breakfast guests.  It's been a little difficult since August 2011, however, since the airport's been closed for repairs.

According to Elane Dickenson of the Wallowa County Chieftain, it won't be much longer until the airport is open for business again.  The 5200' runway in the process of being paved and refurbishment of the taxiway and apron is not far behind.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony is tentatively scheduled for early October 2011.  And just in time for an autumn Eastern Oregon vacation by air!

You can keep up on the status of the work by checking in with AirNav.  I'll be interested to see how they write up the runway conditions once the maintenance is complete. 

Give us a call at (toll-free) 866-520-9769 to schedule an airport pickup and delivery to the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast.  But wait until the Joseph State Airport reopens please!