Travel Inn Journal » things to do http://blog.wbbg.com Events, News, Ideas and Tips for Bed & Breakfast Travel in Washington State Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:01:57 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 10 Reasons to Visit Spokane or How to Have Fun on the “Other” Side of Washington http://blog.wbbg.com/10-reasons-to-visit-spokane-or-how-to-have-fun-on-the-other-side-of-washington/ http://blog.wbbg.com/10-reasons-to-visit-spokane-or-how-to-have-fun-on-the-other-side-of-washington/#comments Fri, 08 Oct 2010 12:58:01 +0000 Jill Britt http://blog.wbbg.com/?p=272 Continue reading →]]>

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.

]]> http://blog.wbbg.com/10-reasons-to-visit-spokane-or-how-to-have-fun-on-the-other-side-of-washington/feed/ 1 Girlfriends Getaway is a Great Escape http://blog.wbbg.com/girlfriends-getaway-is-a-great-escape/ http://blog.wbbg.com/girlfriends-getaway-is-a-great-escape/#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:24:23 +0000 Crystal Harrison http://blog.wbbg.com/?p=244 Continue reading →]]>

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.

]]> http://blog.wbbg.com/girlfriends-getaway-is-a-great-escape/feed/ 0 Beat the heat at a Washington Bed and Breakfast http://blog.wbbg.com/beat-the-heat-at-a-washington-bed-and-breakfast/ http://blog.wbbg.com/beat-the-heat-at-a-washington-bed-and-breakfast/#comments Mon, 02 Aug 2010 20:08:14 +0000 Crystal Harrison http://blog.wbbg.com/?p=241 Continue reading →]]>

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.

]]> http://blog.wbbg.com/beat-the-heat-at-a-washington-bed-and-breakfast/feed/ 0 Give your Dad a Father’s Day adventure http://blog.wbbg.com/give-your-dad-a-fathers-day-gift-of-peace-and-quiet/ http://blog.wbbg.com/give-your-dad-a-fathers-day-gift-of-peace-and-quiet/#comments Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:21:09 +0000 Crystal Harrison http://blog.wbbg.com/?p=209 Continue reading →]]>

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.

]]> http://blog.wbbg.com/give-your-dad-a-fathers-day-gift-of-peace-and-quiet/feed/ 0 The Queen of Cookies http://blog.wbbg.com/the-queen-of-cookies/ http://blog.wbbg.com/the-queen-of-cookies/#comments Fri, 09 Apr 2010 00:36:35 +0000 Nathan Allan http://blog.wbbg.com/?p=187 Continue reading →]]>

It seems to appear that we have a challenger for the title of “Queen of Cookies” in our ranks. Barbara Knudson at the Inn at Blackberry Creek, in Walla Walla,  is on a mission to share just about every conceivable cookie recipe. Over at her blog she is journaling about the cookies and providing mouth-watering photos.

With spring now with us Walla Walla makes a great destination. Book your Bed and Breakfast early for the Spring release weekend (happening the end of April 2010), where you can sample and buy some of the best wines of the region. Even if you miss out on this weekend, Walla Walla makes a great getaway for a short or long vacation. Tour wineries, hike or bike the town. Sample the many top class restaurants. Just remember those cookies of Barbara’s just might be addictive!

]]> http://blog.wbbg.com/the-queen-of-cookies/feed/ 0 Gift Certificates for the best Washington bed and breakfasts http://blog.wbbg.com/gift-certificates-for-the-best-washington-bed-and-breakfasts/ http://blog.wbbg.com/gift-certificates-for-the-best-washington-bed-and-breakfasts/#comments Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:38:11 +0000 Crystal Harrison http://blog.wbbg.com/?p=64 Continue reading →]]>

Finding the perfect gift can be challenging for anyone. My favorite gift is a getaway that allows me to choose my own experience, creating memories along the way. Do I want to play outdoors, go shopping or snuggle by the fire? I want to do all of these things and I always want to eat well.   A Washington Bed and Breakfast Guild gift certificate can be used at any member inn across the state of Washington. All WBBG member inns are independently inspected and approved to guarantee quality lodging, service and hospitality.  Find your perfect gift at wbbg.com.

]]> http://blog.wbbg.com/gift-certificates-for-the-best-washington-bed-and-breakfasts/feed/ 0 North Cascades Documentary http://blog.wbbg.com/north-cascades-documentary/ http://blog.wbbg.com/north-cascades-documentary/#comments Sat, 16 Jan 2010 17:53:36 +0000 Nathan Allan http://blog.wbbg.com/?p=76 Continue reading →]]>

From PBS station KTCS9 is a great documentary that shows the beauty of the North Cascades region.

The Washington Bed and Breakfast Guild has many members in this region including;

  • Autumn Pond Bed & Breakfast
  • Gaylord House Bed & Breakfast
  • Cashmere Mountain Bed & Breakfast
  • Enchanted River Inn
  • Beecher Hill House
  • Pine River Ranch
  • Arlington’s River Rock Inn
  • Cottonwood Shores B&B
  • The Country Cedar Inn
  • Bosch Garten Bed & Breakfast
  • The Wild Iris Inn
  • Deer Path Bed and Breakfast

To see more details on each of these North Cascades Bed and Breakfasts go to the directory listings.

]]> http://blog.wbbg.com/north-cascades-documentary/feed/ 0 A New Year’s Resolution http://blog.wbbg.com/a-new-year%e2%80%99s-resolution/ http://blog.wbbg.com/a-new-year%e2%80%99s-resolution/#comments Sat, 02 Jan 2010 13:24:20 +0000 Jill Britt http://blog.wbbg.com/a-new-year%e2%80%99s-resolution/ Continue reading →]]>

Resolve to do something for yourself this year.     Resolve to do something for your neighbor.
Six reasons why you should stay in a bed and breakfast in 2010

1. Have you always wanted to stay in a home on the water? How about on the islands? Maybe you want to wake up and take a walk in the snow or a stroll thru downtown Seattle. Staying in a bed and breakfast gives you the chance to live like a local and wake up with views you have only dreamed about.
2. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Wake up to steaming hot coffee, fluffy pancakes, omelets made from fresh eggs. Do you prefer all organic? How about vegetarian? Innkeepers DO think that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so sit back, relax and let them create the perfect morning meal. Yes, that is why it is called a bed and breakfast!
3. Be pampered. Many inns and bed and breakfasts include spa services, breakfast in your room, romantic candlelight dinners. Call and let the innkeeper help you plan the perfect getaway.
4. Support your local economy. Innkeepers are your neighbors….small businessman. They live local, buy local and support the local economy. They choose products grown in Washington. Get tips from them on where to buy fresh local cheeses, the best organic produce or soaps, chocolates….any number of things made just down the street!
5. Have your own personal concierge. No need to stay in a pricey, impersonal downtown hotel to receive help with reservations or tips on what to see and do. Ask your innkeeper. They will be happy to help you plan the perfect afternoon drive, direct you to the very best shopping or suggest their favorite restaurant. They live local and know local. You can’t find a better concierge.

6. Everyone deserves a vacation, even while watching their budget. There is no need to purchase expensive plane tickets, book rental cars or waste precious time in airports. Take a long weekend and hop in your car. The water, the mountains, wine country or Pike Place market are all just a short drive away.

2010 is the year to resolve to stay within your budget, take a vacation and support your local economy. 2010 is the year to travel through Washington State, one inn at a time!

]]> http://blog.wbbg.com/a-new-year%e2%80%99s-resolution/feed/ 0 Christmas, trains, snow and breakfast http://blog.wbbg.com/christmas-trains-snow-and-breakfast/ http://blog.wbbg.com/christmas-trains-snow-and-breakfast/#comments Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:37:15 +0000 Crystal Harrison http://blog.wbbg.com/?p=45 Continue reading →]]>

Christmas, trains, snow and breakfast are what make a trip to Leavenworth fun and unique. You can now take the train from Seattle to see this quaint German town in the heart of Washington. Experience Leavenworth’s Christmas tree lighting and unique gift shops, go back to your cozy bed and breakfast for some hot chocolate, sink into your comforter for a good night’s rest and wake to the delicious smells of an innkeeper’s breakfast. After breakfast enjoy some snow shoeing, cross-country skiing or sit by the fire and nap. Quality lodging in Levenworth can be found at these independently inspected and approved inns; Autumn Pond Bed and Breakfast, Beecher Hill Bed and Breakfast, Bosch Garten Bed and Breakfast, Cashmere Mountain Bed and Breakfast, Cottonwood Shores Bed and Breakfast, Enchanted River Inn, and Pine River Ranch. Find Leavenworth’s best bed and breakfasts, part of the Washington Bed and Breakfast Guild, at wbbg.com and search for Leavenworth.

]]> http://blog.wbbg.com/christmas-trains-snow-and-breakfast/feed/ 0 Traveling the Mountain to Sound Greenway to the “Other” Washington http://blog.wbbg.com/traveling-the-mountain-to-sound-greenway-to-the-%e2%80%9cother%e2%80%9d-washington/ http://blog.wbbg.com/traveling-the-mountain-to-sound-greenway-to-the-%e2%80%9cother%e2%80%9d-washington/#comments Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:49:27 +0000 Jill Britt http://blog.wbbg.com/traveling-the-mountain-to-sound-greenway-to-the-%e2%80%9cother%e2%80%9d-washington/ Continue reading →]]>
Today I am leaving Seattle and traveling to Washington wine country via the Mountain to Sound Greenway.  My travels will take me across  Interstate 90, over Snoqualmie  Pass to the ” other” Washington.  The drive is simply wonderful.   As you speed out of Seattle, the water of the sound firmly behind you see the Cascade Mountains looming in the distance.  Interstate 90 travels up through the dense evergreens.  Suddenly you are at the top, traveling over the pass.  This is actually a place for the outdoor enthusiast (someone I am NOT).  Here, high in the Cascades you can ski or hike…depending on the season.  Usually I stop at the summit for a quick bowl of steaming hot soup and just enjoy the crisp, clean air.  As you travel over the summit, you pass a large mountain top lake.  The lake, like the summit changes with the seasons, sometimes dark and shrouded in mist, other times frozen and snow covered, but often clear and clean, reflecting the bright blue sky.  It feels lonely up here, but there is incredible beauty in that loneliness…no matter what the time of year.   I could write about the beauty of the snowcapped Cascades endlessly, but now we are on to the Eastern slope of the Cascades.
Here we enter the “other” Washington.  Travel writers and tv shows project the endless beauty of Western Washington, the evergreen part of the Evergreen State.  If you stay west of the Cascades you will miss the diverse beauty this unique state offers.  From Interstate 90 I turn south and east on Interstate 82, traveling through a different Washington.  Here the evergreens give way to rolling golden foothills and scrub brush.  This area is as golden as the mountains are green!  A trip down this road reminds me of traveling on Interstate 17 from Phoenix to Flagstaff.  Although this is not high desert, it sure looks like it!   This is big sky country, blue and beautiful, seldom troubled by rain clouds.   As you wind down into the Yakima Valley, you are surprised by a large snow covered peak in the distance directly in front of you, and another, imposing snow covered mountain to your right.  WSDOT has posted helpful signs so you can appreciate the view.  Before you is Mount Adams and to the right is Mt. Rainier (much more about this peak in later blogs).  Tomorrow we will explore the Yakima Valley.  Join me as I travel Inn  Washington.

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