B&B 101, Chapter 2

So in the first Chapter of B&B 101, I, Oscar Meier, the spoiled innkeepers dog, wrote about the type of décor a B&B or Inn has. While that may be a deciding factor between a few B&B’s you may be looking at, the first reason is what the real estate people call the 3 rules of real estate. A yard to play in, a dog door for easy access to the yard and cool and warm spots to lay on at any time of the day. Oh wait, those are my 3 rules of real estate. All humans know this, Location.

You seek out B&B’s online because of the location you want to visit. The Craftsman B&B in Pacific City, Oregon is a great location specifically. We are on the Oregon Coast, ¼ mile from the Pacific Ocean. The beach is 5 miles long, Cape Kiwanda to the North and the Nestucca River to the South limit your travel. You can hike over the top of Cape Kiwanda and continue walking up the beach, depending on tide, all the way to Cape Lookout.

How close is the B&B to the things you want to do and see? The Craftsman B&B is in the heart of Pacific City. Located in a residential area, we are close enough to everything; you can park your car and walk anywhere you need to go. Check where the other lodging in the area is. Are you in a remote location where you have to drive wherever you want to go? Are they located on a busy street you would not want to walk on? Are they across the street from a popular attraction that would be noisy day and night? These are questions you should find answers to.


View Larger Map

Here at The Craftsman B&B we are in the center of our small town. Cape Kiwanda and The Pelican Brew Pub are 1-¼ miles from the B&B. The restaurants, galleries and shops are 1 to 3 blocks away. We are located on the South end of the Three Capes Scenic Drive. A great half-day trip if you drive it and a day if you stop and hike out to the end of all the Capes.

Pacific City is located half way between Lincoln City and Tillamook. You want to visit a more commercial feel to a beach town then a visit to Lincoln City is for you. Chinook Winds Casino is there too if you want to try your luck. Tillamook to the North is famous for it’s cheese factory and air museum. Both offer tours and lunch. The air museum is in a blimp hanger is the largest wooden structure. These are also great half-day trips and knowing you will be back to relax at The Craftsman B&B every night, grateful you chose a sleepy beach town to vacation in.

Guest photos

The main reason people come and stay at The Craftsman B&B is to see me.  Well that's what I think.  A lot of guests want to take pictures with me or of me.  I am a big dog, so fitting me and a person in the frame can be tough.

Last week we had professional photographers stay with us.  They were escaping the construction of new studio space.  Well of course, I got my picture taken as I was looking out the sliding door, one of my favorite spots.  

Then yesterday, I got an email with that picture.

So if you have pictures of "moi," as Miss Piggy would say, send them to me at oscar@craftsmanbb.com and I'll post them for all to see.

B&B 101, Chapter 1

Have you ever stayed in a Bed and Breakfast? As an Innkeepers dog, I am sort of the resident expert on getting people settled in. I have heard all sorts of questions. The topic of this blog, and over the next week or so, is for the first time B&B guest and others who are interested about tips and hints from a four legged perspective.

A lot of our guests choose bed & breakfasts because they are charming, cozy alternatives to impersonal hotels. First timers are often uncertain of what to expect on their first B&B stay. Here are some helpful hints to choose the right B&B for you:

Every B&B is unique, and this is what makes them special. Some are historic and others are modern, some are quaint and rustic and others are elegant and gourmet. Be sure you are selecting a B&B tailored to your taste & needs. If you like the Victorian style that is lacy, frilly bedrooms with floral prints and a canopy bed, that’s great. Will you find that at The Craftsman B&B?  NO!   We just say no to lace and dollies!

Our Craftsman Style house, built in 1921, was renovated in 2005 to return the character of the period and modernized the workings.  Classic Arts and Crafts elements were incorporated – from the Greene & Greene inspired cloud lift detail of the railings to wainscoting typical of a Gustav Stickley house. The structural integrity of the house has been respected, while adding the style of many of the period’s most respected designers, to make this craftsman house a special place. You will open the door to the 1920’s.

What is craftsman style?
The period started as a revolt of the ornate Victorian design, machine made decor and furniture. Returning to simple, clean and natural design. Celebrating the craftsmanship of hand–made furnishings and buildings, it was common for the architect not only to design a house, but also design the interior and furniture. At The Craftsman B&B, you won’t find lace or doilies – and men won’t be embarrassed to tell their buddies about their stay.

So choose your B&B wisely.  If your partner has always said they wouldn't stay in a B&B because there too lacy and frilly, you now have an alternative.

What's that noise?

Every now and then I hear a dull roar.  It gets louder and then it goes away.  People take notice sometimes and sometimes they don't.  In the Summer, around sunset I hear it a lot.  What could that noise be?  Well I figured it out.  Last year we had several guests through out the summer that arrived here with out a car.  If fact, Mike brought them here.  How is that possible?  Then I heard one of them told another guest that they flew an airplane to Pacific City.  Mike picked them up and drove them here.

An airplane.  That's the noise I've been hearing.  Then I discovered one of my favorite spots to "water the grass" is the end of a runway in the center of town.  "In the center of town there is a runway?"  I know, that is right before we cross the street to go to the hardware store.  Who would live a few blocks from an airstrip?  Everyone in Pacific City does.

The strange thing is, you never hear them land.  They coast in.  One time they flew right over our heads at the end of the runway and I didn't even notice.  So, if you have a plane or know someone who does, we'd love to have them stay with us at The Craftsman B&B.  You can fly in and Mike will pick you up at the North end of the airstrip.

Syrah the Cat

I love visitors to The Craftsman B&B.  There is one visitor, who comes by every day, that I'd like to get to know better.  Her name is Syrah, like the grape.  She lives across the street, but during the Summer, she is outside most of the day.  Last year she spent a lot of time in our driveway.  I could see her from my perch on the back porch.  She would lay in under the truck if it was hot or if she was stalking hummingbirds in the fuchsia bush.  Mostly she rested, the classic sun and dirt bath. You know, rolling around in the dirt, soaking up rays.  The dustier the better.

She has a lot of control when it comes to dogs.  My friends Sami and Abbey are mesmerized by her.  She walks through the house and they stand aside.  She allows them to be in the same room.  I like that kind of power in a cat.  I would like to be better friends with her.  Whenever I see her, I get so excited.  I run right up to her.  She, of course, hates that and runs away.  I like when she comes onto the front porch of The Craftsman B&B during the winter.  It's protected from the wind and rain and gets great afternoon light.  It's making me sleepy just thinking about a nap in the sun.

So yesterday, I come home from a walk and there she is, sitting in the flower bed of the B&B sign.  Just out of contact, but close enough for a sniff.  I let her be, she looked happy to have found a new spot.  She can see Abbey and Sami inside the house, showing off that she is free to roam the neighborhood.

Cats rule!  I mean to say, from my experience, I really like cats.  Oh, and I like dogs, and people too!

Hanging out at Twist Wine

It's Friday night.  I see food out on the kitchen counter for dinner but nobody is making dinner.  All the guests have checked in, why isn't anyone cooking.  I've had my dinner, at 5:00, remember?  Then Mike and Laura head out the door.  I guess they are going out.  One room comes back home and I welcome them. They are packing up, that's confusing and Mike shows up alone.  The guests have an emergency in Portland.  Mike checks them out and asks me if I would like to go for a ride, of course I do.  I hop in the back of the Touareg and we only go a block before we stop.

We are at Twist.  Our neighbors new tasting room and wine bar.  It's busy.  I settle in to a spot by the door, that way I can check on anyone new.  A lot of people from the Pelican are here.  Drinking beer, in a wine bar? What's up with that.  Turns out, they serve beer too.  Last night was the release of Chenin's brother, Vinnie Cilurzo, Brewmaster of the famous beer Pliny the Elder from Russian River Brewing in Santa Rosa California. 

Of course all the assistant brewers are drinking up.  I've never seen the head brewer, why is that?  Mike and Laura chat with everyone and say hi to most in Twist.  It is a small town we live in, they know most of the full time locals.  Justin, our neighbor one street back is checking our Willamette Week.  Mike and Laura tell the story of how they met, an ad in Willamette Week.  This is before online dating was invented.

The glasses are empty, Laura picks up some flowers Chenin brought back from the Farmers Market and we are back home.  I love hanging out at twist.

Got Surf?

As a spoiled beach dog there are a few things you may not know about me. I live at the beach and one of the many fears I have is water. I do not like to get my feet wet. I do have webbed feet and I am bred to swim during the hunt, but I had a traumatic childhood experience. I went to the Columbia River with my mom, Pearl and my dad, Kobe. They ran down the trail and into the water, I of course, followed them in. But I had never been in the water before, so diving in to a deep spot was not a good idea. I went under and when I came back to the surface my eyes were bugged out and I barley made it back to shore. "Never again," I said.

Walking on the beach I'm bound to come across a puddle in need to cross. I have gotten better at that and can do it now. When the surf is up and noisy on the beach, I won't go near the water. I dig into the sand and a 20 mule team couldn't budge me in the direction of the water.

Now being on top of the water is a totally radical experience. That's why I am looking forward to the Cape Kiwanda Longboard Contest.  It is next weekend, August 1st and 2nd, in Pacific City.  Bryan and Seven Surfboards is running the event.  Nine foot minimum boards.  Hey that's enough for me to ride on too.  Any one out there want to paddle a 100 pound dog in to the surf?

It's not to late... 

For more information please call 503-965-SURF or you may email bryan@sevensurfboards.com.

Anniversary

Today is a regular day in the life of a spoiled dog. I spent the morning sunning myself on the back porch, it gets great morning light this time of year. I was watching the steam rise off of the shed roof, it nearly put me back to sleep..... Oh, as I was saying, regular dog day, but special day for Mike and Laura.

Today is their 9th wedding anniversary. I remember it like it was 63 years ago, that's dog years. Family and friends form all over came for the party. I recall that not a lot of friends came to the church, they were asked to head straight to the party and get that started. The church was really small so mostly out-of-towners and family were there.

Mike and Laura have been exchanging anniversary gifts per the traditional, modern and alternative suggested gifts from where ever that list came from. I'd blame Hallmark, but they only make the cards. It's a fun tradition, Mike likes to stretch the item as far as he can. The first year was paper. Mike made a treasure map where each clue led Laura to a new spot in Portland. All the clues were stuffed in a Pinata. The 5th year is wood. Laura got Mike a Mackintosh style bed frame. It is now in the Mackintosh Room.

The gifts go from 1 - 15 years and then every five after that. I guess 16 might be trash cans, 17 could be a weed wacker, who know what they will do.

This year they were planning on going to Astoria for a night in a Guild B&B. But the B&B is busy in July so who knows what will happen. If they have no bookings on Sunday, they may go to Portland and have dinner at their favorite restaurant, El Gaucho. If they do, Sean and Chenin will have to take care of me. I can't be left with food laying out. If I see food, I must eat it all at once. Maybe I'll get a play date.

Biking across the country

Well my plan was to write about my life, to give you the insight of what it's like to be a spoiled innkeepers dog.  Today I've decided to tell you about the guests that stayed last night.

They are nearing the end of a trek.  But yesterday was a milestone event along their journey.  They put their feet in the Pacific Ocean.  They are traveling on the TransAmerica Trail.  You can read the story of the odyssey on their web site, two tired guys.  The wives followed along in the SUV to offer support and discover America on their own tour.

They checked in and after freshening up, gathered in the living room for some wine.  The days pictures were shown in a slide show and the travel blog was updated.  Yes, I made their website, I'm on day 61. They talked to Mike about the days jaunt and the entire expedition.  One guy was on his original tires, the other had only 2 flats for the entire trip. Mike talked to them about the house and where he found items and his ideas of refurbishing the house.

Then I heard a familiar sound, I hear it a lot.  This was confusing, because when I hear this sound, Mike is riding his motorcycle.  It was the sound of a Ducati, and Mike is right next to me.  Who was this other Ducati.  It was the nephew of one of our guests.  He rode down from the Seattle area to help welcome the bikers to the West Coast.

They all went to dinner at the Riverhouse, came back and went straight to bed.  This morning they were up early, had a few coffee's, breakfast and the guys were on their way North to Astoria, the end of the journey. The plan is 2 more days to get to Astoria.  They will ride as far as possible today and stay in Seaside the next 2 nights.  Plenty of time to finish the trip.

Dinner Time

I am the official meeter and greeter of The Craftsman B&B.  I have a schedule I need to keep track of.  I want to make sure I am ready for the guests to arrive.  The best way to keep a sharp mind is to eat at a regular schedule.  This is where it gets a little strange, for you schedule types.

I have my breakfast when ever Mike gets up and scoops it out for me.  I know, it's a bed and breakfast, shouldn't I get something fancy for breakfast?  No, I eat the same thing, twice a day, day after day.  So, as I was saying, Mike may get up at 6:30 or 7:00 when we have guests.  When we don't, it usually is about 8:00.  He's been know to sleep in late, so sometimes it's 11:00.  It really doesn't matter to me, because when Mike sleeps, I sleep.  When Mike gets up, I eat.

But when it comes time for dinner, it's 5:00.  Not 5:05 or 5:18.  I must eat my dinner at 5:00.  I will remind Mike starting at 4:45.  I will go stand by my bowl, this works for water any time of the day.  I will pace back and forth in front of him.  I will stand a foot away and stare at him.  It makes him look at his watch, but doesn't make him move.  I have to resort to begging for dinner, why won't he feed me, I'm hungry.  I raise my paw and tap his leg, feed me!  He says "it's not time."  How do I know it's not time, I don't have a watch. I do have a groan in my belly, it must be time.

Finally, I hear, "do you want your dinner?"  My ears perk up, head cocked to one side.  Mike heads for the pantry, I chase, full speed.  Food in the bowl.  It must finally be 5:00.

By 5:01, it's time for a nap.

Dogs Love Trucks

You may have heard this before, dogs love trucks. You may think you know, but take it from me, a dog, I'll tell you what it's all about.  Dogs do love trucks.  If we ride in the bed, we can stick our face into the wind on both sides as we go down the road. We don't like to be limited to the open window. At stop signs and lights, we can roam around and look at all the people in their cars, we always bring a smile to their faces, they know, we love trucks.

Here is a video of me in my truck.

It's the perfect truck for Pacific City.  It starts every time you need it to.  It's a little bit rusty.  It is growing moss on the drivers side, also the North side as it parks.  Mike has had this truck for ever.  Spring of 1998, thats 19 human years and 133 dog years.  The AC is dead so we don't drive to the Willamette Valley from May to November.  The sprayer for the windshield hasn't sprayed in years.  The truck has been washed less than 10 times in it's 19 year life, it's a work truck, you don't wash your wheelbarrow, do you?  It's got a little rust on the roof and that may get fixed this summer, we'll see about that though...

I only get to ride in the back of my truck around town.  If we go more than a few blocks, it sit up front.  I'm a little big for the seat so we don't go more than an hour away.  Mike really likes it.  He can haul sheets of plywood or dry wall with the tail gate up.  How many trucks today can do that?   Here's hoping I can go to the dump soon.

Dory Days 2008 Recap

I got to go to the Dory Days Parade. That's me, I stayed in the back of the truck, too many kids running around.

Well, as I told you yesterday we were taking the year off from entering the Parade. I was wrong. Mike got a phone call during breakfast. It was Derek and he said they were going to do the parade, as is. Funny thing about that, the graphics from last year are still on the boat. The dory won Best Undecorated Dory. Another Win, Whoo-Hoo!



We saw vintage cars, dorys and the best was the Shriners in their Jeeps. I saw other dogs and a crazy guy on a mini bike handing out candy to the kids and dog bones to dogs, like me. Oh, and he was green, what a weirdo. Turns out, he is a green home builder.  I didn't get a picture, UPDATE, here is a reader supplied picture.I was more interested in the cookies he was tossing. Just kidding about the weirdo comment, thanks for the cookies.

Dory Days 2008

This weekend is Dory Days in Pacific City Oregon, my home town.  Today is the parade that travels through the town.  In years past, I had to stay home during the parade.  Mike and Laura, with their friends the Inkens, have entered the Inkens' dory in the parade.  After years of second places in the float contest, last year was no holds barred.  Derek Inkens, the dory's captain and Mike decided to do a wrap on the boat.  The theme was "Salt Water Salute," so Derek wanted an American flag down the side of the boat.  He took some pictures and Mike designed a flag like graphic to fit the lines of the boat.  Well, it worked.  We won the contest.  So that leads us to this year.

I get to go to the parade!  After hearing about this years theme, "49 years and still a float," we all decided to take the year off.  Lame theme and a little burn out.  I'm so happy I get to go.  Because as we all know, dogs love trucks, Mike parked his truck on the parade route last night.  We are all going to sit in the back of the truck in lawn chairs, Deluxe White Trash Style.

The truck is parked in front of Twist Wine Company.  Our friends and neighbors, Sean and Chenin Carlton, opened this tasting room for their winery and 3 labels: Basket Case, Shy Wines and Reversal.  Visit them in store or online.  I'll have more on them later, a great place to hang out.  So we will be in the tasting room before and after the parade, Sean may need some help.  At least we will have the girls over for a play date today, again more on that later.

So Shriner's, Dory's, clown's lookout, here we come.

Time Honored Tradition

As with all the greats of the past, think presidents, dukes, queens and kings, I have been immortalized by having a portrait painted of me.  "That's unbelievable," you say?  It's true.  If you have ever been to The Craftsman B&B, you have seen the fantastic mural of South Tillamook County painted on the walls of the living room.  My portrait is one of many items hidden in this mural, it's not that hidden, I'm a hundred pound dog. You have to experience the mural in person, but if you want a peek, check out the tour of the dining room and you can see a bit through the entry way.  That's me laying on the rug in the living room.  A lot of thanks to the artist Jan York.

I Get Great Reviews

As an innkeeper's dog at The Craftsman B&B, I get to meet a lot of people.  They come and go, day after day.  I know when a guest is new.  I don't recognize their smell, walk or voice.  I will usually bark at new guests, see UPS Blog.  When guests check in, Mike and I escort them to their room.  I make sure the luggage passes inspection too.  From that point on, I know when they leave and when they return, no need to bark, we know each other.  I have met a few guests that don't like dogs.  That's OK, I leave them alone.  The guests that do like dogs, look out, I will come sit next to you or lean up against you.  I'm irresistible, you can't not pet me.  Of course, I want my rear petted the most, just above the hips.

Well now you know what my job is around the B&B.  Here are some travel web sites that guests have written great reviews about ME!

Check me out on TripAdvisor  and Bed and Breakfast.com.

The UPS Driver

Before I tell you a bit about our UPS Driver, there are some thing you should know about me:

1. I bark when I hear someone stomping their feet of the front porch stairs.
2. I bark when I hear the loud noises.
3. I bark when I hear the door bell.
4. I don't like it when people stick their face in the window of the front door.

OK, so know you know about me.  Here is why I don't like the UPS Driver.  He drives up our street and stops in front of the house.  He honks his horn a few times.  Did I mention the brakes squeak?  He stomps up the stairs and drops a box at the front door, thud.  He stick his face in the window of the front door and rings the bell, like 10 times in a row.

He knows now that I am harmless, but there was a time he would drop and run, not even making it to the door.  I like when Mike has to sign for a package, I get to sniff him and I get a cookie.

Next time I hear the horn, I'll bark.  I just want a cookie.

Cape Lookout Walk

I thought I'd start this off with telling you about a grand day I had the other day.  It started like any other at The Craftsman B&B.  I was woken up at 6:30 a.m. by the alarm clock. I didn't get up, I get up when Mike gets up. I walked around a bit and waited to hear my breakfast hit the bowl.  I was waiting for fresh water before starting.  A few seconds later, I was done and ready to take on the day.  I watched Mike start the muffins and set the table.  Breakfast was started and I waited for the guests.  Breakfast was served so I spent some time on the back deck while the guest ate, I'm not allowed in the dining room.  The guests packed up and were on their way.   I watched Mike clean the rooms and start the laundry.

What happened next was just the start of my special day.  I heard, "do you want to go for a ride?"  I ran to the door and waited for the leash.  Out we went and I got to sniff the front yard for just a bit before the tailgate to the Touareg opened up.  I hopped in and got my nose out the window.  I wondered where we were going, the vet, Portland?  I decided to lay down and enjoy the ride.   Fifteen minutes later and we stopped.   We stopped in the parking lot for Cape Lookout.  Mike was wearing a pack around his waist, was he going to carry treats for me, what was it that pack?  I got hooked up the the leash to my Gentle Leader, I walk better with it on.  It was chilly, foggy and a bit damp, but I'm a dog and all-weather.  We started down the trail and reached a fork.  One way was to the beach, the other, to the tip of the Cape, 2.4 miles.  I was hoping that was round trip, I am an older dog.  After a few minutes on this soft trail, I was up to temperature and going strong. My nose is telling me that I've never been on this trail before.  I've heard Mike tell his guests to walk it, but I'm making my mark, if you know what I mean.   Mike keeps stopping to look through this new black electronic thing he got from the UPS driver (more on him later).  It's still overcast with some sun breaks here and there.  I got some good sniffs in and found a lot of what Mike called "game trails."  Smelled more like deer, bear and squirrel to me.  As we got toward the center of the Cape, we got to the center of the rain forest.  I guess they call it that because it wasn't even raining and there was still water dropping from above.  The fog or marine layer in combination with all the trees makes for a drippy walk.  We got through some damp spots and the trail had some boardwalk segments too.  I used about half of them and walked through the muck the other half.  We had to watch our step the whole way.  There were lots of tree roots and rocks in the trail.  About one hour in to it and I think the 2.4 miles is one way.  Were still walking.  We encounter our first hiker coming the other way.  I sit and let them pass.  I am a big dog and know that not everybody likes big dogs, so I do my best to be a good walker and get out of their way.  We get to the edge of the Cape again and just like that, we are at the end.

There are a few groups standing at the end.  Talking with each other.  I have a rest and share a bottle of water with Mike.  Yes, I can drink out of a bottle.  We also share a granola and fruit bar.  Mike takes some pictures of the other hikers and we get our picture taken too, the only time I lay down the whole trip.

We head back down the trail, the overcast skies have cleared and it's 10 degrees warmer on the return trip.  A lot faster too even though we see a lot of people hiking in.  I, of course, sit for them all to pass.  We get back in the Touareg and head for home.  Once home, Mike gets me some fresh water and starts making cookies, that means more guests are headed my way.  I wonder what they will smell like?