Foodie: A person that spends a keen amount of attention and energy on knowing the ingredients of food, the proper preparation of food, and finds great enjoyment in top-notch ingredients and exemplary preparation. Urban Dictionary

Innkeepers are foodies.  I know, most people don’t think of breakfast as a culinary experience.  In fact, most renowned chefs would never darken the door of a kitchen before 10:00am.  Breakfast is eggs and cheese and milk…sausage, and muffins or scones.  Breakfast is the realm of pastry chefs and short order cooks.                                                    If you believe that, then you have never had breakfast at an inn or bnb.                                                                                                                                             Innkeepers are absolutely obsessed with breakfast.  They buy cookbooks and watch the Food Network to learn how to make the fluffiest eggs or the perfect scone.  They cook, bake, poach and saute and serve up gourmet breakfasts to friends and soon to be friends a like.  They take a simple recipe, scour the local farmers market for fresh organic ingredients and then they lovingly create a dish that would impress even the most discerning food snob.  They study vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, sugar free, no dairy recipes the same way a stock broker would study the Wall Street Journal.                        How d0 I know this?  Some of my best friends are innkeepers…and since I love food, especially good food, this works really well for me!  Sit in the room and have coffee with a couple of innkeepers and after the initial pleasantries, things like “How is business? Did you buy a new commercial dishwasher?  How do you get your sheets so soft?”  the discussion turns to food.   Recipes are shared. Ingredients are analyzed and stories are told.

A typical afternoon goes something like this…

“My guests just LOVE my poached pears!  They are organic.  I add just a touch of fresh squeezed orange juice, you know.”

“Seriously, you use orange juice? Try splitting one vanilla bean and using just a touch of cinnamon, but make sure it is Korintje cassia.”

“Well, I found the best organic greek yogurt.  Just add a little lavender honey from that great little farm in Sequim and top it with some organic berries from the Skagit valley.”

“Does anyone else add a drop of truffle oil to their veggie scramble?  The scent wafting from the kitchen is delightful and it certainly enhances the flavor of the organic veggies and blends well with the goats cheese.”

“My Bosch Grain Mill broke and I actually had to BUY wheat flour…can you imagine.  They simply can’t ship me a new one soon enough.”

These are people who know food, love food and believe in sharing that love with their guests.                                                                                                                                              Here are just a few examples.                                                                                                            Try the versatile Fruit Pasta Salad from The Shepherd’s Inn in Volcano Country within easy driving distance of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams and Mt. St Helens.                                   Start your day with Eggs Florentine featured at The Blue Goose Inn in located in charming Coupeville or relax in Aberdeen at The Harbor View Inn and enjoy their specialty,Apple Cinnamon Tart Souffle.

Need more?  Just visit our website to learn how to create a breakfast fit for a king…or a guest.

So next time you consider a getaway, visit a BnB.  Not only do they have comfy beds, soft, elegant, sheets and friendly innkeepers, they also serve a breakfast perfect for the foodie in all of us.

Book you next getaway today and discover Washington, one delicious breakfast and one delightful inn at a time.

When people think of visiting Washington state they think of Seattle, Pike Place Market, the San Juan Islands, Mt. Rainier…a long list of places to visit on the west side of the Cascades.  They also think of fog, rain, mist, umbrellas and raincoats.   After traveling all over Washington state, I want to give you 10 good reasons to visit the “other” side of Washington and spend some time in sunny, friendly Spokane.

1.  Bike the Centennial Trail.  Spokane has numerous bike trails in varying degrees of difficulty.  Get outdoors in the sunshine and enjoy a ride.

2.  Golf in Spokane.  Beautiful courses abound and it is sunny there!

3.  Enjoy sunset at beautiful Riverfront Park…sunny means sunset!

4.  Shop Spokane.  There are lots of wonderful shops located in pleasant, walkable and sunny downtown.  Visit one of their local shopping malls if you need to get out of the sun.

5.  Take the breathtaking Spokane Falls Sky Ride on a sunny Spokane day.

6.  Visit Gonzaga University and attend a football or basketball game.  Sports are more fun in the sun.

7.  Enjoy fine food in one of many Spokane restaurants and ask for a patio table…in the sun.

8.  Stay at Waverly Place Bed and Breakfast, an historic home located in the Corbin Park Historic District of Spokane.  Walk the tree lined streets, shaded from the sun.

9.  Spend the night at the 1908 Marianna Stoltz House Bed and Breakfast, an historic home just a few sunny blocks from Gonzaga and surrounded by century old shade trees.

10. Sleep peacefully at the E.J. Roberts Mansion, a 23 room bed and breakfast and historic treasure, located within easy walking distance of downtown, reminiscent of turn of the century sunny Spokane.

Remember, Washington is beautiful and diverse.   Check out  life on the “other” side of the state and discover sunny Washington, one inn at a time.

People return year after year to the Long Beach Peninsula for the Wild Mushroom Festival.  I have heard about the giant, exotic mushrooms that can be found literally in someones back yard.  I have met trained mushroom foragers who know just where to find the local delicacy.  I have seen pictures of  strange and beautiful mushrooms with even stranger names like Lobster, Porcini, Chanterelles or Canary.  I have even seen a mushroom bigger then your hand, but nothing compares to the flavor of these culinary giants.  Now is the time to visit the Long Beach Peninsula and savor the local bounty…..beautiful and flavorful mushrooms abound.  Throughout the month of October and into early November there are a variety of events showcasing mushrooms paired with local seafood and world class Washington wines.  The peninsula has a number of delightful restaurants and some very accomplished chefs, so now is the time to take a trip to the coast and pay homage to a culinary delight, the wild mushroom.

When choosing a place to stay, go local and choose a bed and breakfast.   The innkeepers have  a wealth of information about the area, events, restaurants and yes….they know mushrooms.  Enjoy the personal service, warm atmosphere and of course the sumptuous breakfast.  Innkeepers are locals who want to show you the very best of their home and community.

There are several great bed and breakfasts located on the Long Beach peninsula.

The historic Shelburne Inn located in Seaview is know for knowlegable hosts, gourmet dining and elegant breakfasts that include local seafood and yes…..mushrooms.

China Beach Retreat located in Illwaco offers a romantic getaway with a spectacular water view.

Make romantic memories amidst beautiful gardens at the peaceful  Doveshire Bed and Breakfast in Ocean Park.

Settle into the George Johnson House a beautiful 1913 Craftsman style home just a short walk from the beach.

Enjoy the view of Willapa Bay while dining on a breakfast of  local oysters, crab and smoked salmon at the charming Charles Nelson House.

Finally, relax at Boreas Bed and Breakfast in Long Beach with stunning views of the ocean, private hot tub and 3 course gourmet breakfasts.

So you have a once a year culinary event, a variety of great restaurants and six great places to stay.

Now is the time to discover the mushroom and discover Washington….one inn at a time.

There are a number of reasons to visit Walla Walla.  Whitman College,  a small private liberal arts institution draws talented students from all over the United States, so perhaps you will find yourself there as a parent.  My daughter and I traveled there when she was school shopping and we had a delightful time.  We strolled amid the tree lined streets and neighborhoods to Main Street where we found warm welcoming coffee shops and delightful restaurants.

Now, several years later, I visit a new Walla Walla.  Although the town has retained all of the charm of a small college town it has added grapes.  Lots and lots of grapes!  Walla Walla has over 75 wineries and more than 30 vineyards at it’s doorstep.  Now parents come to visit their students and stay to travel through premier Washington wine country.  Wine tours, wine tastings and of course, wine dinners abound.

This select wine region of Washington stretches from Walla Walla up through the tri-cities area and into Yakima.  In fact, I started my last trip amidst the grape vines and apple orchards of the Yakima Valley detouring into Grandview and then wound through southern Washington to Walla Walla.  The entire route was dotted with wineries and vineyards rolling over the hillsides.

Although you could choose a standard motel rooms along the way, my choice is always a bed and breakfast.  The ambience, the personal service, the thoughtful amenities and of course the sumptuous breakfasts make my trip more than a simple wine tour, they make it an experience!  Consider visiting The Orchard Inn in Yakima where you wake up amidst the apple orchards and the fruit at breakfast was picked that morning.  Visit the Cozy Rose in Grandview a beautiful bed and breakfast located withing easy driving distance of 40+ wineries and several microbreweries.  Almost to Walla Walla you will find The Cameo Heights Mansion.  Here you can savor the incredible view while relaxing in the in ground pool or steamy hot tub.  Finally, in Walla Walla you have two choices for the perfect getaway.  The Maxwell House, a friendly and traditional bed and breakfast  is located within easy walking distance of the college and local restaurants or you can visit The Inn at Blackberry Creek and relax in English country elegance close to everything that the wine country has to offer.

So why haven’t you left yet?  Its time to discover Washington and the Washington wine country, one inn at a time.

In the Evergreen state we like to embrace living green. Eco friendly living can be many things, but should always include being a good environmental steward, sustainability and reducing your carbon footprint. Members of the Washington Bed and Breakfast Guild have made the commitment to live green and provide eco friendly lodging for all guests. Every green inn has an individual personality that is represented in their green activities. You will discover a whole new level of recycling, composting, organic gardening, water conservation, energy saving appliances, environmentally friendly soaps and shampoos. When you sit down to your multi-course breakfast you can enjoy the free-range eggs and organic produce from the local farmer and the herbs grown in the innkeepers garden. Relax during your stay at any green Washington bed and breakfast.  Checkout the Washington Bed and Breakfast Guild member who won the Green Leaf award for environmental stewardship, Hillside House in Friday Harbor. If you drive green, make a reservation at the Blue Goose Inn in Coupeville, where hybrid vehicles enjoy special treatment. Discover Washington the Evergreen state…One Inn at a Time.

The kids are finally back in school. No more sandy sneakers, wet beach towels, sunscreen, bug repellant and campfire marshmallows stuck in your hair. It’s time for you to sit back and relax. Grab a few of your girlfriends and pick the perfect bed and breakfast to pamper you, while you catch up on sleep and girlfriend time. Head to the coast to walk on the beach or enjoy the splendor of a beautiful garden. Wine tasting in Wine Country is always a favorite. After all the running around this summer you may want to sit back and enjoy the view and maybe an old movie. Delicious food is always the highlight of any girlfriend getaway and a Washington Bed and Breakfast will always provide a high quality, multi-course breakfast–and they do the dishes! Your innkeeper will be delighted to tell you all the best restaurants in the area and of course the best places to shop. It’s time to enjoy some “me” time, so call your girlfriends and escape to a Washington Bed and Breakfast. Members of the Washington Bed and Breakfast Guild are independently inspected and approved to assure each guest receives the highest standard of hospitality and cleanliness.

As natives of Washington we love summer but we don’t always enjoy the heat. Escape the heat and relax at a local bed and breakfast. Washington state has so much to offer with a weekend trip to the Islands, Coast, Mountains, City, Peninsula or east to wine country. Cool off with some air conditioning or cool ocean breezes. Enjoy a stroll in the garden and take in all the summer beauty. The best way for me to relax is with a cool drink, fresh baked cookie and a book curled up on the front porch. Eating well and relaxing are the perfect refresher after a long week. Plan your next weekend at a Washington Bed and Breakfast. All members of the Washington Bed and Breakfast Guild are independently inspected and approved to assure guests will receive the highest level of cleanliness and hospitality. Discover Washington…One Inn At A Time.

It’s that time of year again and you don’t have a bed for Aunt Martha  and Cousin Herb had to sleep in the coat closet last year. Take away your stress and plan your family reunion at a Washington Bed and Breakfast. Washington Bed and Breakfast Guild innkeepers will look after Aunt Martha with a comfy king-size bed and Cousin Herb can have a room to himself. Everyone will be delighted with a hearty multi-course breakfast and no dirty dishes to clean-up. Play board games in the common room and go for a walk on the beach in the afternoon or take your sister antiquing. Go through Grandma’s old photo albums in the sun room with some tea and cookies and play charades in the backyard. WBBG innkeepers can help you plan the perfect family reunion with outdoor excursions and time to enjoy each other. The best part will be laughing, remembering and relaxing. Find the picture perfect bed and breakfast at wbbg.com.

Does your Dad like to fish, kayak, hike, bike? He can do all of this and more when he stays at any of Washington’s top-rated Bed and Breakfasts. Innkeepers from the Washington Bed and Breakfast Guild will help Dad find his little piece of heaven whether it’s on the water or in the woods. While Dad’s on his adventure you can be assured that he will also be well taken care of with a comfortable bed, clean room and delicious hearty  breakfast. You can also tell Dad–no limits on the cookie jar! Let Dad choose his adventure desitination with a WBBG Gift Certificate. All Washington Bed and Breakfast Guild member inns are independently inspected and approved to meet the highest levels of hospitality and cleanliness.

The bride and groom have said their “I do’s”, cut cake, smiled for pictures and danced the night away. After all the fun and celebration they are ready to rest, relax and revel in their new Mr. and Mrs. titles. They need a place where they can escape from the world, be romantic, live in luxury, be completely pampered and eat deliciously fresh food made with love. Washington state offers many bed and breakfasts that provide the perfect setting for a romantic getaway. A bed and breakfast stay includes an innkeeper who can help plan the perfect escape, whether it’s hiking, biking, kayaking, walks on the beach or mountain trails, snuggling by the fire, antiquing, watching old movies, fine dining or wine tasting. Washington Bed and Breakfast Guild innkeeper knows how to customize the perfect getaway. A romantic getaway would not be complete without a two-person tub, king-size bed, plush linens, bath salts, flowers and handcrafted chocolates. Wrap up the gift of romance with a bow when you purchase a Washington Bed and Breakfast Guild gift certificate. WBBG gift certificates can be purchased in any demonination and are accepted at all WBBG member inns. All WBBG member inns are independently inspected and approved to provide an exceptional experience. Purchase the perfect wedding gift at www.wbbg.com.