Tillamook County Quilt Trail

Looking for a way to see inland Tillamook County? More than just looking at all the cows? We all know the main draw around here is the beach. We suggest you also adventure out on the Tillamook County Quilt Trail.

So here is how the trail got started: identify historic barns and other buildings in Tillamook County, enhance with a large painted wooden quilt block, share the history of the dairy farms and quilts through a self-guided tour for visitors and celebrate our Rural Heritage.

This idea, first voiced by Marti Rhea, has become a reality through a coalition of local citizens and organizations: the Farm Bureau, Tillamook County Dairy Women, Latimer Quilt & Textile Center, Tillamook Area Chamber of Commerce, the 4-H Leaders Association, the Fair Board and the Tillamook County Historical Society. Together, they put the plan into action.

The first Quilt Block Trail on the West Coast, Phase I was central Tillamook County. For Phases II and III the hope is to expand the Quilt Trail to North and South Tillamook County, that's where The Craftsman B&B is located. Phase I of the project began on January 4, 2009 and the goal was to have quilt blocks in place by the opening day of the Tillamook County Fair in August of 2009. Well they pulled it off! Twelve blocks are in place. Stop by the Chamber of Commerce, next to the Tillamook Cheese Factory, for a copy of the Quilt Trail brochure, which provides not only the route, but a history of the farms showcasing a quilt block. I'll be taking this tour soon and will post some pictures of the adventure.

This project captures a unique heritage, by combining the art of quilting and the rich history of the dairy and agricultural presence in this community. Most of the quilt block patterns come from “Patterns for an Oregon Quilt,” a book available at the Latimer Quilt & Textile Center and itself derived from a book by Eula M. Long. Many of the patterns were designed exclusively for Oregon.

When you're done with the tour, stop in at The Latimer Quilt and Textile Center is located at 2105 Wilson River Loop Road, Tillamook, OR 97141, also close to the Cheese Factory. www.latimerquiltandtextile.com

The Tillamook County Fair

This year it's August 5th - 8th. That's this weekend! This years theme is "WHERE PIGS FLY." The fair board chose this theme because the Tillamook County Pig-N-Ford Association will be celebrating the 85th Anniversary of performing their World Famous Pig-N-Ford Races during the fair.

The 2009 Tillamook County Fair is said to be one of the best County Fairs in the state, if not in the nation because it is so unique and offers so much for visitors to enjoy. See all of the 4-H/FFA exhibits that Tillamook County residents have prepared for the fair. The dairy cow judging is a lot of fun. They describe the animaals in dairymens terms that are a hoot. Pari-Mutuel Horse Racing for you gambling types and what is a fair without a Demolition Derby.


Here at The Craftsman B&B, we love motorsports, we think the highlight of the fair is experiencing the excitement of the Pig-N-Ford Races, that pigs really can fly. This is something everyone will need to watch the Pig-N-Ford Races themselves to see "WHERE PIGS FLY". Come on down this weekend a see for yourselves.

W5

W5, that would be Walla Walla, Washington Wine Weekend.  Mike and Laura left me at home last weekend.  They went to Walla Walla for wine tasting with friends.  They rented a house south of town with 5 other couples.  This was there first visit to the AVA and enjoyed it a lot.  They set a record pace, 12 people may have slowed them down a bit but the visited 13 wineries.

One nice thing Mike liked about the area is that some wineries have taken up shop in the downtown area.  It makes it easy for the taster to sample with out driving miles to each winery.  They only visited 2 wineries down town, but the idea is great.  It supports other retailers in a down town area by having tasters walking through the town, not just driving through.

All in all Mike and Laura purchased about 4 cases of wine.  This is Cabernet Sauvignon country.  They got wine that is not distributed, that is, not sold anywhere but the winery.  Many of the wineries have limited the production, they are not growing the business.  They keep the production the same year after year.  This saves them in having to buy fruit form others and insures they sell out every season.  With that, demand has also increased.  Many wineries in the Walla Walla Valley have pre-sold the wine, year after year.  If you have ever been wine tasting, you will notice how wineries like to sign you up for their wine club.  That way they can ship you wine every season and make you a long time customer.  Some wineries in this region have filled their club lists, the only way to get the wine is to be on that list.  Now, because the lists are full, you are required to buy a certain amount of wine every release, let's say it's one case.  If you don't buy the case you are off the list.  Mike and Laura have friends who are on closed lists.  They buy the wine and sell it off to friends.  Mike and Laura are on a wait list for a few wineries.  If current list members don't buy, they move up the list.

All of it will be for their personal cellar as the cellar for The Craftsman B&B is local wine found within a few hours of Pacific City.  This is for our guests that are traveling from around the country, they want local wine.

All this may sound crazy.  Required to buy a certain amount, waiting lists and all.  But once you have tried the wine and like to go out for date night dinners, bringing your own wine and paying a corkage fee saves you hundreds of dollars.  It's also nice to explore different areas of the country searching for that perfect "whatever" you are into.  It gives your travel a purpose, a destination.  Just like people come to Pacific City on the Oregon Coast and our B&B, they want to relax, hike, fish and explore our beaches and forests.  We love it here and Mike and Laura also love to travel and experience food and wine from other regions.

What to do.

As a reader of this blog, you know by know that I like to tell you about what is going on in and around my home at The Craftsman B&B in Pacific City.  Well, I'm not the only one.  Here at the B&B, we get the Oregon Coast Today delivered to us every week.  I help Mike put them in all the guest rooms.  They have stories about what is happening every week up and down the Coast.  So, I must admit, I do get some ideas of what to do as far as events go from OCT.

So to make your trip planning easier, OCT is blogging about the top 5 things to do every weekend on the Coast.  You can read The Price of Foam blog here.

Mike met Dave Price a few years ago and has had the paper delivered every Thursday.  Sometimes Dave or his wife Niki will deliver it to.  Just in time for the weekend guests.  The paper is published in "downtown" Otis, smaller than Pacific City, and was the Best Design winner in 2008 by the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association.  They also took home second and third in photography and second place in Target Audience.  Overall a great paper and nice people running it.

When ever we are at a local event, we see one of them there too.  Taking pictures and learning about the events.  They really support the coast businesses and tourism.  Check out their dining guide as well.

So the next time you are planning a trip to the coast, I suggest you stay with me, here at the B&B, we will have a copy of Oregon Coast Today in your room.  Pick one up all over the coast or check them out online.  One of my jobs is to make sure you have a great stay, same for Oregon Coast Today.

Booze for Boobs!

I know, Booze for Boobs, but read on.  I wrote about breast cancer awareness here.  I just wanted to remind you that tomorrow, Friday is the big party at Twist Wine Company.  From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Twist will donate 100% of their proceeds to the breast cancer fund.

Twist will be pouring the wines from Basket Case, Shy Wines and Reversal.  Several beers will be on tap as well.  Live music, disco ball and the "pole" at the end of the bar will keep the mood festive.  Pick out some vintage vinyl to spin before the live music starts.

You can find Twist just west of the 4-way stop in Pacific City.  6425 Pacific Avenue, Unit B.  2 blocks from my home at The Craftsman B&B.  Call them with questions at 503-965-NUTS.

We hope to see you there, but if you can't make it, Twist is donating 10% of sales for the whole month of October to Breast Cancer.

Come see me at the party, I'll be the blue dog with the pink shirt.

Block Party

Last night we had our first Winter storm.  Nothing to extreme, but winds around 25 mph and gusting to 50 mph.  The wind was from the South, which is true for the Winter.  Summer wind is from the North.

So last week we had a lot of fog / marine layer due to the heat in the valley.  This week, so far has been overcast and waiting for the heart of the storm.

A 3 day event is what it looks like all we are getting.  It's clearing up and should be nice by the weekend.

So, this weekend...  I can hardly wait.  We are going to have a block party.  The Carlton's, Justin, Laura and Mike are hosting.  We are starting a bit late so the locals working in restaurants can make the event.  Come join us if you can, right in front of The Craftsman B&B in Pacific City, Oregon