Wednesday, March 24, 2010

A horse, of course.


So you own a horse. That is a lot of responsibility. Feeding every day and cleaning stalls, it takes it's toll. We here at The Craftsman B&B think you need a vacation, and bring your horse with you. That's right, you and your human friends can stay at the B&B and your horses will be well taken care of at our local Horse Hotel.

Just a few minutes from Pacific City, our still tiny town, is the Horse Hotel. You can ride on the beach and many of the forested trails in the area, drop off your steed, check in, hit the town and do it all over again. Knowing your horse will be well taken care of and not stuck in it's trailer while you do your own thing.

Just let us know you plan on traveling with your horse and we can connect you with the Horse Hotel.

Bob Straub State Park is a great spot to horse around. They have a great parking/ staging area and a trail on the sand spit that separates Nestucca Bay from the Pacific Ocean. Ride down to the bar where the Nestucca enters the ocean and see the salmon swimming up and the seals and sea lions feasting and sun bathing.

We know you dream of riding on the beach. You haven't because it's too far for a day trip. Now, you don't have a reason not to, giddy up!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Biking to the Beach

As most Oregon bicyclists know, Pacific City is the destination of the Reach The Beach ride held every May. The rides vary in length by where you start, but they all end here, in our still tiny beach town. I'm in no way trying to promote that you stay here after riding in the Reach The Beach event. I have had the same group here since we opened, they have a standing reservation.

I am suggesting you ride over on an alternate route from the Reach the Beach ride. This route is one of the 10 best bike rides in the state. Nestucca River Road.

Get your bike and gear an hop on the, bike friendly, West Side MAX to the Hillsboro station. Head south through rolling farmland and vineyards to Carlton. Here is where you turn west along Meadow Lake Road into the Coast Range. After a good climb to the summit, it's all downhill to Highway 101 at Beaver. Head north just a bit to Sandlake Road, which you can follow all the way to Pacific City and The Craftsman B&B. Click here for a map. A few miles of Nestucca River Road are unpaved, though the gravel is generally well-packed and suitable for road bikes.

So you made it, now how are you going to get home? Well, last year some guests rode back, but if that's too much for you, you can take the bus. The Wave has bike racks on all bus's, pick it up in Pacific City, change in Tillamook and get off at the Hilsboro MAX, or downtown Portland.

What an awesome green way to travel! Stay 2 nights and we discount to room when you arrive on 2 wheels.