Luxury Joseph Oregon Car Show Lodging

Friday, May 10, 2013 by Heather Tyreman

Still looking for a luxury lodging option during the Joseph Oregon Car Show?  The local car show, also known as the Oregon Mountain Cruise, celebrates 25 years of classic cars on June 7 and 8, 2013.  And have we got the lodging for you!

The Mirror Lake Suite, our romantic getaway Oregon lodging right here in Joseph, is still available.  This room competes against finer regional hotels in terms of style and amenities. And better yet, it's located one block away from downtown Joseph so you can walk back and forth to the car show throughout the Show'n'Shine and to the Saturday night dance at the Joseph Oregon Community Center.

Features include:

  • Private entrance leading directly to the parking area. And you can see your beauty through the suite's windows framed against the Wallowa Mountains.
  • Light, airy bedroom with 14.5' vaulted ceiling with plenty of spaciousness.
  • Private attached bathroom full of spa-style fixtures.  Steam shower (with its own chromatherapy lights and radio), combination Japanese-designed Toto Neorest toilet/bidet, and a very sanitary pipeless jetted Sanijet tub to melt away the hours spent strolling the car show in downtown Joseph.
  • Dedicated air conditioning (need we say more?)
  • Flat screen TV with attached Blu-ray DVD for watching your favorite movies (bring your own or watch ours).
  • Wi-Fi access throughout the bed and breakfast.

On top of all that, all the common amenities and services we offer our guests. And, the Oregon Mountain Cruise entrants line up their cars early Saturday morning right in front of our bed and breakfast on South Main Street so you can quickly get into the proper order for the Show'n'Shine parking.

Were you looking for " Joseph Oregon hotels " or " Wallowa Lake hotel " when trying to figure out where to stay?  We've got you covered.  It's our last available room for the car show weekend.  Take advantage quickly before it's gone.  AAA members receive 10% off too!

 

2013 Oregon Mountain Cruise Car Show in Joseph Oregon Turns Silver

Sunday, April 21, 2013 by Heather Tyreman

This year the Oregon Mountain Cruise celebrates its 25th anniversary.  And here at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast we've just confirmed that we still have three rooms open (lucky procrastinators--now's your chance).

If you need any persuading as to why you should choose our Joseph Oregon lodging, here are a few good reasons:

1.  Our lodging provides hotel quality accomodations walking distance to the car show (only one block from downtown Joseph Oregon).

2.  You can spiffy up your car right here in our parking area on Saturday morning right before you pull into the lineup (which takes place right in front of our bed & breakfast right here on Main Street).  Hose provided.

3.  As of today, April 21st,, you have your choice of three lovely rooms:  the Mirror Lake Suite is our luxurious alternative to a Wallowa Lake hotel or any Joseph Oregon hotels.  We've been told it's right up there with the penthouse suite at the Coeur d'Alene Resort.  The Chief Joseph Mounntain Room offers a broad view of the mountains to the south.  For the budget conscious, the Sawtooth Mountain Room  offers superb views of the Wallowa Mountains and the largest bathroom on the second floor.  All of our rooms have their own attached private bath (no sharing and no going out in the hall to find the bathroom), plus air conditioning.

4.  AAA member?  As a AAA-rated three-diamond property, we offer a 10% discount on room rates to card carrying AAA members.

5. Extra bonus:  If you stay with us in 2013, then you have first priority for the 2014 car show weekend.

Don't wait to make your reservation for the nights of June 7 & 8, 2013.  And if you're coming with a car club, tell your club members so you can all enjoy the convenience of our in town location!

 

Amenity Provided: Free and Secure Wireless Internet at our Joseph Bed and Breakfast

Tuesday, February 19, 2013 by Inside the Bronze Antler

Wireless Internet Access at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast in Joseph, OR, is provided by Eastern Oregon Networks, Inc (EONI)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.

 

2012: Is the road from Joseph to Halfway Oregon open?

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 by Heather Tyreman

Photo of bikers along the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway courtesy of HellsCanyonByway.comIt always amazes me how much people rely on our little Hells Canyon lodging for information about the road between Joseph Oregon and Halfway Oregon.  Everytime I look at the Google Analytics for the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast blog, I can see how often blog posts about this subject are searched for and read.  Forget the "Joseph Oregon hotels" or the "Wallowa Lake hotel" search--seems like everyone wants to know if the road is open!!!

So, here's what's going on in 2012 for Forest Road 39 (aka Wallowa Mountain Loop Road, aka FR39, aka Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, aka the road from Joseph to Halfway).  As of this week, the road is unofficially open--this information from the USDA Forest Service Visitor Center here in Joseph Oregon.  

You might have to get out and move a few rocks, perhaps drive around a downed tree from last winter's snow--you drive it "at your own risk" since the Forest Service hasn't been able to maintain the road yet.

But it's a sign of spring!  Lots of rain moving through the area and the temperatures are warm enough for snow to melt, so be careful out there.  Not much cell service along Forest Road 39 (and definitely no gas stations) so plan accordingly!  Let people know where you go if you decide to drive this route

And we'll see ya here on the Joseph Oregon end of the road!

Backcountry Ski in the Wallowas of Eastern Oregon

Monday, March 26, 2012 by Heather Tyreman

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.

Bridal Show Like A Pro in Northeastern Oregon

Tuesday, March 20, 2012 by Heather Tyreman

Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers at the NE Oregon Bridal Show in LaGrande  OregonBill & I spent St Patrick's Day this year at the Northeast Oregon Bridal Show in LaGrande, Oregon.  What a fun event--it's our second year participating.

Everyone was there.  Vendors with bridal party attire, wedding rings, DJs, wedding cakes, fine chocolates, even turtle doves!  Our booth showcased our romantic getaway Oregon style with two computer screens displaying images of our Joseph Oregon lodging.  Bill wore one of his Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast dress shirts.  I decided to dress up for the event in some sillky PJs, fuzzy slippers, and a stylish Bronze Antler B&B spa robe.  Needless to say I was the envy of the vendors!

We talked with quite a few brides, their friends and relatives.  And some other vendors too.  We love the opportunity to showcase our property.  And bed and breakfast lodging makes great sense for wedding planning.  We've hosted quite a few couples on their wedding night or on their honeymoon, as well as relatives and wedding guests..

If you're planning a NE Oregon wedding we'd love to talk with you about how our bed and breakfast might work into your plans.  We're not a Wallowa Lake hotel or a Joseph Oregon hotel but still have plenty to offer.  

 

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, ORStill 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 blogHere 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 WeekendOkay, 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 SaturdayVali'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

Don Carlo Vineyard in Milton-Freewater Oregon produces merlot, cabernet sauvignon and an estate chardonnayYou 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 ShowWill 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 WildnernessThey 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!