Wallowa Lake Hotel

New Year Celebration in Joseph Oregon

Tuesday, December 20, 2011 by Heather Tyreman

BC and the Mos'ly Blues Band from their recent gig at Stewart Jones Designs in Joseph, OR

Still looking for where to go for New Year's Eve? If you're not into the big city excitement and crazy parties, then how about a trip to Northeastern Oregon? The Bronze Antler Bed and Breakfast still has three rooms available for ringing in 2012 (sorry, the Mirror Lake Suite's been taken).

What to do? On New Year's Eve, BC & The Mos'ly Blues Band will play at the Joseph Community Center--WALKING DISTANCE from our Joseph bed and breakfast. The evening's sponsored by the Wallowa County Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Plenty of heavy hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, great music--and all for a good cause too. Things are pretty casual around Wallowa County. Dress for the New Year's Eve party ranges from cocktail attire to hiking boots so don't feel you have to drag your fancy duds all the way across Oregon for one night (unless you'd like to, of course).

Top it off with a late breakfast on New Year's Day, glorious Wallowa Mountain scenery and 2012 is looking brighter all the time!

Give us a call at 541-432-0230 or book via the button to the right of this blog post. You won't find Joseph Oregon hotels out here (there aren't any) but a night or two at the Bronze Antler might be just the ticket!

More customer service than a Wallowa Lake hotel

Saturday, November 26, 2011 by Heather Tyreman

Delightful photo of duct tape courtesy of Tillerman at the Proper Course blog

Here at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast we make it a point to go out of our way with customer service. I was recently reminded when glancing through the journal in the Chief Joseph Mountain Room. (Each guestroom has its own room journal where guests often leave comments, poetry, sketches, etc., from their stay here near Wallowa Lake.)

An entry from September 2011:

Heather & Bill -- You are such great hosts that the Bronze Antler has sky-rocketed to the top of our all-time B&Bs. . .and that's not just because Heather climbed under our car to tape up a piece of material under the hood.

As I recall, the guests were all spiffy and ready to go out to a fine dinner at Calderas. As they started to pull away from the parking area, I heard a scraping noise coming through the open kitchen window. Bill wasn't quite sure what was going on as I grabbed the duct tape (one always keeps a roll handy in Wallowa County) and headed out the door. Turns out the guests had somewhere in their travels torn loose a piece of skirting under the front bumper and it was dragging in the gravel (and on the street). On my back, under the car with the duct tape and a few minutes later they were on their way!

Maybe they would've had the same kind of service from a Wallowa Lake hotel. We like to pride ourselves on taking the best care that we can of our bed and breakfast guests--even if it means crawling around in the gravel with duct tape!

Nez Perce Art in the Wallowa on October 1, 2011

Wednesday, September 7, 2011 by Heather Tyreman

Nez Perce Art Show and American Indian Art Show near Joseph Oregon

We're already getting into fall in Eastern Oregon which means it's time for the 15th Annual Nez Perce Art in the Wallowa. The 2011 event gets underway with the art show and auction from noon to 4 pm at the Wallowa Lake Lodge (the historic Wallowa Lake hotel), followed by dinner and a program at 6 pm in the hotel's dining room. The show & auction are free to the public and the dinner & program are $45 per person.

As in many years, artwork by Native American artist George Flett will be available at auction along with other outstanding Native American artists. Flett's ledger art is the subject of this year's poster (above). The original artwork for this poster will be auctioned off at this year's event.

Bill & I always make it a point to go. The food is always excellent, the programs vary each year, and the cause is definitely worth supporting. This year's dinner includes fresh salmon, locally grown buffalo and garden favorites, huckleberry cheese cake, and a no-host bar featuring regional wine. Add the entertainment and off you go!

Native American performing artists this year are the top two hand drum contest winners from the 2011 Tamkaliks Celebration. Francis Dionne of Boise, Idaho, and Chris Shorty of Pendleton, Oregon, will entertain dinner guests with drumming and singing.

The Wallowa Lake Lodge is about a 10 minute drive away from the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast. We still have two vacancies for Saturday night. If you'd like to attend, contact us promptly for your room reservation and we'll secure dinner tickets for you. The dinner tickets sell out quickly so please don't procrastinate.

Labor Day Weekend 2011 last minute availability

Friday, September 2, 2011 by Heather Tyreman

Eastern Oregon getaway on Labor Day Weekend

Okay, Mr. or Ms. Procrastinator, here's your chance to make it up. We have last minute availability for Friday through Sunday nights, September 2, 3 & 4, 2011, in the Mirror Lake Suite here at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast in Joseph Oregon.

This isn't just any old guestroom. If you're thinking "romantic getaway Oregon" or perhaps "Wallowa Lake hotel" then you'll definitely want to follow the link and check out this room.

And since it's so last minute, we'll offer a 10% discount with a complimentary bottle of bubbly for a minimum two-night stay. Be sure to mention that you read this blog post to qualify.

Enjoy the Wallowa Mountains, take in the Juniper Jam all-day concert festivalon Saturday, visit the local galleries on Joseph Oregon Main Street, or just stay in the suite for the 110-gallon jetted tub, the steam shower and the 47" flat screen with movies. It's up to you.

Call us (it's too late to book online) at toll-free 866-520-9769 or local 541-432-0230. You'll definitely accrue some "get out of the doghouse free" points if you bring your honey here for a surprise visit.

Wallowa Lake and the Wallowa Mountain Country from Joe's Point of View

Wednesday, August 31, 2011 by Heather Tyreman

Here's a wonderful video of stills shot by one of our favorite Wallowa County photographers, Joe Whittle. Just bumped into this today and couldn't wait to share it through our blog. Joe really captures the spirit of what it's like to be here in this Eastern Oregon wonderland. Worth the view--and the music's good too.

Even autumn and winter can be a great time for vacationing in the Wallowas. When you're looking for the Wallowa Lake hotel, don't forget to look about 5 miles down the road in Joseph Oregon. You'll find restaurants, shops, a fly shop and other places you might need in the off-season. And a little bit more convenient. Oh, and you'll find us too here at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast.

Want to know more about Joe Whittle and his photography? Check out his blog at http://www.windinglightadventures.blogspot.com/ You'll find the back story to some of the images included in the video. Me, I'm going to watch the video again. . .

Labor Day Weekend in Northeastern Oregon

Tuesday, August 9, 2011 by Heather Tyreman

It's nearly time for Labor Day Weekend and the last hurrah of summer. If you're thinking about a Joseph Oregon vacation, now is the time to plan if you'd still like to take advantage of the widest availability of things to see and do at Wallowa Lake and Joseph Oregon.

Vali's Alpine Restaurant at Wallowa Lake Oregon is open for dinner from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend from Wednesday through Saturday

Vali's Alpine Restaurant closes after Sunday of Labor Day Weekend. If you haven't had the chance yet to have dinner with Maggie and Michael and Dionne then you'd best book your reservation soon! They offer only one entree choice per night, with only two seatings (5 pm and 7 pm and by reservation only) and they do not accept credit cards. Don't let these restrictions deter you from one of the finest meals and restaurant atmospheres in Wallowa County.

You'll find their menu and more information at their website.

We do have bed and breakfast guests that book their dinner reservations with Vali's first and then look for their Wallowa Lake lodging--call them at 541-432-5691 to reserve your table on the night of your choosing.

The Wallowa Lake Marina shuts down for the season around mid-September so you'll have a little extra time to take out a motorboat, kayak, paddle boat or canoe. And the Marina Store has all the things that fishing people need plus great tips from Gina and her staff.

And the Wallowa Lake Tramway is scheduled to close around the first weekend of October 2011. They're especially busy over Labor Day Weekend--if you plan to ride the tram, you might consider the two-day pass that allows for two opportunities to soak in the view. Landscape photography is always better at the ends of the day rather than at noon. With a two-day pass, you can plan to be the first up the tram one day and last up the tram on the next.

Regardless of what you choose to do over Labor Day Weekend, if you're looking for a Wallowa Lake hotel or some Joseph Oregon hotels, we hope you'll consider our bed and breakfast. With dedicated air-conditioning and an attached private bathroom for each guest room and plenty of amenities, we think your Labor Day Weekend vacation in Eastern Oregon will be all the richer for staying at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast. Thanks!

Educational Vacation in the Homeland of the Chief Joseph Band of the Nez Perce

Saturday, June 25, 2011 by Heather Tyreman

Nez Perce Homeland Project and Tamkaliks Site near Wallowa Oregon

There's the lovely Travel Guide to Oregon Indian Country, a beautiful travel guide put together by Travel Oregon and the nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon. But here in the Wallowa Country, we think that one tribe is missing from this publication. The Nez Perce tribe is a federally recognized tribe in Idaho but not Oregon. Yet, there is much Nez Perce history and influence in this northeastern corner of the state.

The Chief Joseph Band of the Nez Perce call this area home. Visit here in Wallowa County, especially during summer, and you can learn a lot more about the Nez Perce.

The Wallowa Band Nez Perce Trail Interpretive Center, located in Wallowa, is open weekdays in summer. Hours are Monday through Friday (except Thursday) 11 am to 4 pm. On Thursday, hours are noon to 4 pm. Or you can give them a call at 541-886-3101 to schedule an appointment.

The next to last full weekend in July marks the Tamkaliks celebration--a homecoming of Nez Perce. Dancing, feasting, meeting people--it's great fun and full of pageantry.

October 1, 2011, will be the 15th Annual Nez Perce Art in the Wallowa event held at the Wallowa Lake Lodge (Wallowa Lake hotel). If you can't make it during the summer, plan your Joseph Oregon vacation for late September/early October and take part in this wonderful event.

A very interesting video narrated by Joe McCormack is available here. This eight-minute video talks about the Nez Perce in today's Wallowa County. Take the time to watch it and learn more about this important tribe in Oregon.

And if you're looking for an educational Joseph Oregon vacation, start with this website. Then plan your stay with us at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast--we're happy to direct you to local places of Nez Perce significance.

A getaway for parents of young children

Friday, April 29, 2011 by Heather Tyreman

Relax a little and read a book in the Mirror Lake Suite at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast in Joseph, OR. A perfect getaway for parents of young children.

We all know the look--dragging, dark circles under the eyes, somewhat sleep deprived--parents of young children sometimes need a break. Thank goodness for two things: Grandparents and the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast!

We recently hosted a Pacific NW couple who were conveniently able to drop off the kiddos with the doting grandparents. They made their way to Eastern Oregon without a specific destination or reservation, perhaps thinking they'd find some Joseph Oregon hotels or maybe a Wallowa Lake hotel, but instead they found us.

A quote from the room journal:

What a great overnight getaway for parents of young children! Not only did we escape children waking in the night (and early AM)--we were completely pampered! Thank you, Heather--sorry to miss you, Bill!--for a lovely stay and delicious breakfast. We are so glad we stopped to inquire--we will definitely be back! Best wishes to you both as you continue to share such a fun profession! Many thanks-- J&E, Spokane, WA

Hmmm. . .I wonder whether the grandparents will be looking for a respite anytime soon?

Wineries near Joseph Oregon

Wednesday, April 6, 2011 by Heather Tyreman

You don't really think about vineyards and wineries near Wallowa Lake or Joseph Oregon. We're at 4,200 feet of elevation with a short growing season (USDA Zone 5), so there isn't much happening with grape growing up here.

But this week we hosted Tim & Lori Kennedy, owners of Don Carlo Vineyard in Milton-Freewater at our Joseph bed and breakfast. Milton-Freewater is less than two hours drive from Joseph on the way to Walla Walla, Washington. I'd always thought of Walla Walla as a big wine area, but it turns out that Milton-Freewater is becoming one too! Tim explained there are currently eleven vineyards in and around Milton-Freewater producing wines and hard cider. If this area grows like Walla Walla, undoubtedly there will be more.

Tim and Lori are sending us some maps to the wineries, fruit stands and other agritourism sites of Milton-Freewater. We look forward to giving them to our bed and breakfast guests heading north towards Walla Walla Washington. It could be that Bill & I need to plan a little getaway ourselves and replenish our bed & breakfast wine cellar!

They didn't stay at a Wallowa Lake hotel--they stayed at our little Eastern Oregon bed and breakfast--and what a treat for us. Education about more Eastern Oregon places to experience!

Joseph Oregon for Thanksgiving?

Saturday, November 20, 2010 by Inside the Bronze Antler

How about Joseph Oregon for Thanksgiving? Here at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast we're planning a Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings on Thursday afternoon. Featured will be heirloom turkeys from Hidden Springs Farm here in our own Wallowa County.

There are four seats left at the dinner table and two rooms available at the inn. You have your choice of the Chief Joseph Mountain Room or the Mirror Lake Suite. Both have stunning south-facing views towards snow-covered Chief Joseph Mountain and the Eagle Cap Wilderness. With our recent snowfall and winter-like temperatures, you'll get a taste of winter in the Wallowas ahead of schedule.

We haven't set a price yet for dinner but it will be reasonable. Pacific Northwest wines are available in our cellar or bring your own (and no corkage fee).

Plus, you'll be positioned for starting your holiday shopping on Friday with Jingle through Joseph events at various downtown Joseph Oregon shops and boutiques!

Skip the Joseph Oregon hotels (there aren't any anyway) and stay with us at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast.

October Surprise! 10% off rooms at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast

Saturday, September 25, 2010 by Heather Tyreman

Looking for a romantic getaway Oregon style? In honor of our wonderful summer season and the great autumn weather, we are offering all rooms at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast at a 10% discount for the month of October 2010.

You can look for a Wallowa Lake hotel or for the Joseph Oregon hotels, but you'll find a very comfortable stay at our Joseph Oregon bed and breakfast.

And take a look at our new bocce court in the north yard before the snow flies!

Bocce Court at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast in Joseph Oregon

Oregon Mountain Cruise Car Show in Joseph--and We Have A Room!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010 by Heather Tyreman

Aerial view of Joseph Oregon during the Oregon Mountain Cruise Car Show

Will wonders never cease--the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast now has availability for the Oregon Mountain Cruise car show in Joseph Oregon--June 11-12, 2010.

And we have no one on the waiting list. The Chief Joseph Mountain Room can be yours--two night minimum. Too bad the fellow that called a few days ago didn't want to be on a waiting list. We'd be calling him tonight!

If you're still looking for the Wallowa Lake hotel or the Joseph Oregon hotels look no further. The Bronze Antler B&B is two blocks walking distance to the Show and Shine on Main Street.

Give us a call or click on the links at right to make your reservation today!

Planning your wedding in Joseph Oregon? Planning your wedding at Wallowa Lake?

Wednesday, March 17, 2010 by Heather Tyreman

Thinking about planning your wedding in Joseph Oregon? We recently hosted a couple that were doing just that--planning their wedding. They came with the idea that they wanted to be married here in Wallowa County during March, but that was about as far as they'd planned.

A Wedding on top of Mount Howard near Wallowa Lake with the Eagle Cap Wildnerness

They hoped to be married near Wallowa Lake on top of Mt Howard. A lot of people hold their weddings up there at 8,000' with the glorious Eagle Cap Wilderness in the background. A lot of people do during the summer, that is. Everyone rides up on the Wallowa Lake Tramway to the top of Mount Howard. The Wallowa Mountains form a fabulous backdrop for such a wonderful event.

Since she skis and he snowboards, they had visions of swooshing in to their wedding location with their immediate families waiting for them. What they didn't plan on was the fact that the Wallowa Lake Tramway doesn't open until Memorial Day Weekend. This time of year the tram is closed and it's VERY cold up there on the top of Mount Howard!

Enter the innkeeper who knows a bit about wedding locations in Wallowa County. Since they were planning a small wedding with just immediate family they didn't need a large place, and they wanted to be outdoors. And in March--when the weather in Northeastern Oregon could be a sunny 65 degrees or snowing in the mid-20s.

We discussed various possibilities: Salt Creek Summit snow-park, shores of Wallowa Lake near the Wallowa Lake Lodge (the only Wallowa Lake hotel, but mainly closed in the winter and early Spring). . .

"How about a barn wedding?" You can be outdoors or indoors (depending on the weather). You can drive to the wedding location (you're not dependent on the Wallowa Lake Tramway to get you there). You'll be close to support facilities (like heat, changing areas and bathrooms).

So, we sent them off to look at our favorite barn wedding venue about 10 minutes away from our Wallowa Lake lodging out on Prairie Creek. Nancy and Don allow couples access to their lovely barn in exchange for donations to the nonprofit organizations they support. Our betrothed couple returned later that day, flush with excitement over their wedding location. Nancy and Don were very gracious and showed them both the barn and the granary, a smaller building with doors that open out onto the Wallowa Mountains view. Perfect!

And to top it off, Don will officiate at their wedding!

If you're looking for a wedding location near Wallowa Lake or Joseph Oregon, be sure to consult with the local innkeepers. Our couple arrived with a concept and left with a plan. We'll be seeing them again in March when they arrive a day early to check on last minute details. And if you'd like to talk with Nancy or Don about their barn, give us a call here at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast and we'll be happy to put you in touch with them.

Signs of Spring in Joseph Oregon and Wallowa County: Calderas Restaurant Announces 2010 Hours

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 by Heather Tyreman

Calderas in Joseph Oregon is one of our favorite places to eat. We send many of our bed and breakfast guests to Calderas for dinner because we know they will come back satisfied.

We know it's getting on to Spring in Wallowa County when some of the restaurants come out of their winter hibernation and announce their new operating hours. Calderas, one of our favorite Joseph Oregon restaurants, will open starting March 18, 2010.

(Calderas was open for a packed house on Valentine's Day. All four couples staying at the Bronze Antler Bed and Breakfast on February 14th enjoyed a romantic getaway Oregon style dinner at Calderas. Yum!)

Nancy Lincoln informed us that Calderas will be open:

March 18th to May 18th, Thursday through Saturday, 10 am to 9 pm
May 19th to September 13th, Wednesday through Sunday, 10 am to 10 pm

And Calderas is more than just fantastic food. Nancy and her son are both glass artists. You'll find their pieces for sale at Calderas, along with antiques, jewelry and other gifts. Dinner this year features tapas (small plates) along with classic cocktails, desserts, wine and expresso. And during the day you'll find sweets and savory pastries.

When you're wandering the Internet looking for a Wallowa Lake hotel or Joseph Oregon hotels (as some of our guests tell us they use these terms when they start their searches), hopefully you'll bump into other aspects of Joseph Oregon like Calderas and the Bronze Antler Bed and Breakfast!

Wallowa Avalanche Center and Wallowa Mountain Snow Conditions

Wednesday, February 3, 2010 by Heather Tyreman

If you're looking for snow conditions in the Wallowa Mountains then look no further than the new Wallowa Avalanche Center. This nonprofit organization of local folks fills an important gap of knowledge--there's no official avalanche advisory, forecast or prediction that covers the Wallowa Mountains of Northeastern Oregon. But the Wallowa Avalanche Center staff and its qualified contributors provide their own observations so you, the winter outdoor adventure person, can make you own decisions about safe travel in the Wallowa Mountains.

And there's a treasure trove of information on this website. You can learn about current snow conditions and see some excellent photography of the Wallowa Mountains. Information about upcoming Avalanche Awareness courses. Local weather conditions. And there's a public forum.

Aneroid Basic Ski Conditions by Julian PB as posted on the Wallowa Avalanche Center website January 31, 2010

On Sunday, Jan 31st, "Julian" posted a report of conditions at Aneroid Lake (above Wallowa Lake):

"We skied into Aneroid on Saturday and found some great snow conditions. We hiked up the service road to the diversion dam which is very icy under a thin layer of snow. I used some light-weight running shoe crampons on by ski boots and that seemed to help a lot! We were able to put our skis on at about 5500 feet elevation, about a 1/2 mile or so below the bridge. Our skin track from last week was still visible, though it didn't look as if anyone else had used it. The trail above the dam has good snow cover, except for a couple of spots where it crosses a small side creek. You will have to navigate over a couple of down trees as well, but they don't present any major problems. Above about 6600 feet the trail snow coverage is great along the trail. Although temperatures have reached the low 40's during the day at the SNOTEL, we did not see any significant crusting action. In the meadow below Aneroid Lake we measured snow depths in several places and found numbers ranging from 90 to 150 cm. From the meadow we climbed south easterly up the ridge that sits just to the east of the lake. We climbed up to about 7800 feet and dug a snow pit where the total depth was about 165 cm. Keith will report more on the the snow pit information later in the week, but suffice it to say, there was nothing too startling to report! The profile was consistent with what we have been seeing elsewhere."

(Don't confuse a Snotel with a Hotel as there's definitely a difference!)

Now and then we have winter guests here at our Eastern Oregon bed and breakfast who are looking for some outdoor activity: backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling. Information from the Wallowa Avalanche Center is a wonderful resource even if you're not going to pack in for an overnight stay in the Wallowa Mountains.

If you're planning a winter Eastern Oregon vacation, check out the Wallowa Avalanche Center's website in addition to calling us!

Our Joseph bed and breakfast turns 200 (blog posts)

Friday, January 29, 2010 by Heather Tyreman

We've been steadily blogging about the Bronze Antler Bed and Breakfast since November 2008. I stopped to count the number of posts recently and we're now at 212 posts!

If you search this blog (see the Search This Blog field at the right?) --->
you'll find information about subjects like:

Joseph Oregon and what to do in Joseph Oregon
Wallowa Lake and what to do at Wallowa Lake
Joseph Oregon and Wallowa County events
Planning an Eastern Oregon Vacation
Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, Highway 39 and Hells Canyon Lodging
Recipes from our Joseph Oregon bed and breakfast
Guest rooms at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast
Planning a romantic getaway Oregon style at our B&B

You can also click on the various "Categories" (again, to the right on the template) and move right into specific areas like Joseph Oregon Hotels (there aren't any, but we'll tell you about it).

Or you can just wander through the blog and learn probably more about us, our bed and breakfast, and Joseph Oregon than you thought you'd ever know!

Madigan, Bill, Joanna, Elizabeth, Tiffany and I hope you enjoy reading our blog. If you have some suggestions about what we can do to improve it, you know we're all ears!

Things to Do near Wallowa Lake in the Winter: Relax!

Thursday, January 21, 2010 by Heather Tyreman

Wallowa Lake in winter Photo courtesy of Wallowa Lake Resort

What can you do near Wallowa Lake in the winter? How about relax a little? There's really no Wallowa Lake hotel (the lodge is closed for much of the winter), but just 6 miles away is Joseph Oregon and the Bronze Antler Bed and Breakfast.

And we love our wintertime guests! The pace is slower. Any couple booking a reservation at our Joseph Oregon lodging is bound to be the only couple in the house (besides us, of couse). Lots of privacy. Bubble bath refilled daily. Lots of attention from the innkeepers (if that's what you want). Winter rates (lower rates than our high season summer rates for sure).

The solitude of Wallowa Lake in winter is beautiful too. No crowds. Wildlife--bald eagles and hawks starting to think about nesting. Shaggy winter coats on the deer. Snow on the Wallowa Mountains surrounding Wallowa Lake. If you're in the mood, there are hiking trails that are passable with hiking boots (and maybe snow shoes). If you're not, walk along the shore of Wallowa Lake and observe daylight on the ice flows. And if you're really nuts, jump into Wallowa Lake for your own polar bear swim!

Shops, galleries and restaurants are open in Joseph Oregon and happy to see you. It's a different experience being here in winter. And you have a cozy, comfy room with down comforters and pillows awaiting you. Shuck your outdoor clothes for our Bronze Antler signature spa robe and slippers. Make it your own wintertime Joseph Oregon vacation. It's a great time to be here!

Wallowa Lake and Colonial Williamsburg?

Wednesday, January 13, 2010 by Heather Tyreman

Aerial view of the Governor's Palace at Colonial Williamsburg Virginia from website

Wallowa Lake and Colonial Williamsburg? Eastern Oregon and Virginia? Isn't that that place to go to learn about America's early history? Is there a connection? I wouldn't have thought so. However, the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum in Williamsburg, VA, holds a piece of art depicting Wallowa Lake.

From the museum's future events webpage:

The Art of Steve Harley

This exhibition showcases the life and work of Steve Harley (1863-1947) who traveled to the Pacific Northwest and was inspired by such places as Wallowa Lake, Wind River and Mount Hood. His paintings capture the natural beauty of the places in stunning color. Only five paintings survive, all of which are owned by the museum and will be shown in the exhibition along with sketches and photographs. February 13, 2010 through December 2011.

I was fortunate enough to find an image on the Colonial Williamsburg website showing the Steve Harley painting of Wallowa Lake. How fascinating! Looking at this image, Harley might've been standing atop the East Moraine and peering back along the West Fork Wallowa River towards the Lakes Basin. When was he here? No idea. Can't find information about him anywhere.

Probably long before there was any Wallowa Lake hotel (or any other Wallowa Lake lodging, for that matter). . .perhaps even when the Chief Joseph Band of the Nez Perce spent their summers along the shores of Wallowa Lake. Hard to say.

Should anyone reading this post visit Colonial Williamsburg between February 13, 2010 and December 2011, take the time to visit the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum and please let us know how the exhibition went--and a little more about this artist who spent time at Wallowa Lake!

Nez Perce Art in the Wallowa in Joseph Oregon: September 12, 2009

Saturday, August 15, 2009 by Heather Tyreman

Nez Perce Art in the Wallowas from the Wallowa Band Nez Perce

It's time again for the Nez Perce Art in the Wallowa celebration. The 13th annual event will be held Saturday, September 12, 2009, in Joseph Oregon and at Wallowa Lake.

This is a wonderful art show, reception and auction featuring Nez Perce Indian artists and tribal artists of the Columbia River Plateau.

The event starts with an art show, reception, silent and oral auction from noon to 4 p.m. at the Wallowa Lake Lodge (the historic Wallowa Lake hotel). This event is free and open to the public.

At 6 p.m. in the Joseph Community Center is the evening dinner theater. Bill & I attend this dinner as often as we can. The meal includes fresh salmon, locally raised buffalo, fresh local salads and side dishes, and the perennial favorite: huckleberry cheesecake! Terminal Gravity Brewing and regional wine will be featured at the no-host bar.

Once dinner is over the entertainment begins. This year's honored guest is Pat Courtney Gold, a Wasco native basketmaker specializing in art influenced by her Wasco ancestors. According to the Wallowa Band Nez Perce website, Pat will speak about the rich heritage of cultural and financial commerce up and down the Columbia River, and how the native people's relationship to the land provided the first environmentally friendly model of commerce.

The Craft in America website also presents a very interesting video with Pat Courtney Gold explaining her art.

The Bronze Antler Bed and Breakfast is already sold out for Saturday night, September 12th, but we hope you'll consider attending this wonderful annual event! You can find additional Joseph Oregon lodging or Wallowa Lake lodging at the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce website

Nora The Piano Cat

Friday, July 31, 2009 by Inside the Bronze Antler

Madigan sends:

I have to take a break from my observing literacy program at our bed and breakfast to comment about Nora The Piano Cat. I'm truly impressed by this cat's command of the keyboard. And the composer is so clever to capture her enthusiasm for her instrument.

Gee, if they got a piano for me, we might be able to turn this place into a Wallowa Lake hotel with me in the lobby on the keyboard. . .I could serenade the guests in the afternoon when they first arrive on their Eastern Oregon vacation, or mebbe after coming in from a Wallowa Mountains hike. The possibilities are endless. Nora The Piano Cat is such an inspiration--and a fine keyboardist to boot!