Congratulations Daragh & Leanne!

Our first Sandlake Country Inn proposal of 2010!

Having a long distance relationship is difficult, but Daragh & Leanne are making it work. We first met this lovely couple at the end of December 2009 when they stayed in the Starlight Suite. They tell us that after a few years apart, they were able to reconnect and during their stay in the Starlight Suite, they decided that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.

We are so priviledged to play a small part in their engagement. To make their engagement "official", they decided that another stay at our B&B for the official proposal and exchanging of engagement rings was in order.

This time they stayed in the Cottage where Daragh proposed to Leanne, and of course the answer was YES!























We want to wish Daragh and Leanne many years of happiness and of course are looking forward to seeing those wedding pictures!

Big Possibilities in 2010

I want to introduce you to this wonderful organization. North Coast Land Conservancy (NCLC) has been working since 1986 as a land trust with citizens, agencies and municipalities to preserve some of the most precious and sensitive land along the north Oregon coast. NCLC has more than 25 fee title (owned by NCLC) conservation lands, totaling over 680 acres are preserved in perpetuity. They also hold conservation easements on more than 349 acres.

We are very excited to have been in close communication with Neal Main who is the Conservation Director for NCLC, due to their interest in acquiring sensitive wetlands near Sandlake Country Inn. If the acquisition goes through, the land will be protected in perpetuity.

In 2009 North Coast Land Conservancy closed on four conservation properties totaling more than 250 acres that will be protected forever. These areas ranged from a 1.5-acre tidal marsh along the Necanicum River in Seaside—one of the last remaining undisturbed marshes on the Necanicum—to an 80-acre Sitka spruce forest in Nehalem Bay. Seventy acres of estuarine wetland forest, 100 acres of coastal prairie, and more than a mile of beachfront dunes and forests were added to the network of conservation and natural resource lands this year.

With all of our support, North Coast Land Conservancy can continue to protect some of the most sensitive areas of our wonderful and diverse coast. With your end-of-year gift, North Coast Land Conservancy will be poised to accomplish more in 2010 and will continue to take stewardship of these natural lands very seriously.

Sun & Fun in December!

Who says winter on the coast is stormy? I took this picture today at Haystack Rock in Pacific City. We've had chilly nights, but the days have been filled with sun and blue skies.

Pack a jacket and come to the coast to explore our amazing coast without the crowds of summer. Whale migration has begun and it's the perfect weather to hike to the tip of Cape Lookout, Cape Meares or Cape Kiwanda to whale watch.

Not only is it whale migration time, but the birds are traveling too. A multitude of geese, blue herons and many more. Are you interested in bird watching? Check out this Oregon Coast Birding Trail Checklist

All Oregon beaches are public and most allow you to drive on them. Don't even try it without a 4 wheel drive vehicle. Even with 4 wheel drive you can get yourself in trouble. Such was the scene this afternoon on the beach at Cape Kiwanda.



















Here's the sign inviting you to park/drive on the beach...notice there's no warning sign!



















Looks like fun, right?



















Check out how deep those back tires are. Yup, they're stuck! Tide is coming in too. Sure hope someone is able to pull them out in time! DOH!!!

Oregon Coast Bed and Breakfast Celebrates Oregon's Bounty

Here at Sandlake Country Inn you can experience Oregon's Bounty in many ways. All you have to do is look out your window of your suite or take a walk. Don't be surprised if you see deer, beaver, a multitude of birds and amazing beauty. Take a walk on the nearby beaches and the bounty of beauty will astound you.

As part of our commitment to being "green", we purchase local and regional foods and products when possible. For an example, our exceptionally comfortable Englander Eurotop beds are made in Oregon, we use our local Tillamook Cheese for all our cooking and we buy only Pacific Seafood smoked salmon for our Togetherness Baskets. That's just a fraction of what we do to not only promote green practices, but we feel it's very important to help promote our local economy and businesses.

In our historic farmhouse which was built in 1894, the original homesteader was the very first cranberry grower in Oregon! His name was W.C. King and he became known as "The Cranberry King". His original property here was approximately 250 acres and so he had plenty of room to grow his cranberries. To harvest the berries, he would block the creeks (there are 2 on our property) which would flood the fields. The cranberries float to the top of the water and then are harvested. The areas around us now are mostly dairy farms, but there still are a few Ocean Spray cranberry growers left.

This time of year fresh produce is a bit limited, but Oregon is fortunate to have fresh cranberries, apples and pears. When you stay with us, you will have an amazing 4 course breakfast delivered to your door each morning. The menu changes every morning, but you always will get some kind of fruit course. One of our guest's favorite this time of year is my Apple Cranberry Crisp. Sometime I will also add fresh pears with the apples.

To help celebrate Oregon's Bounty, I thought I would share this favorite recipe with you! Better yet, come and stay at our Oregon Coast Bed and Breakfast and I'll make for you. No dishes to wash up!

Apple Cranberry Crisp

1 12 Oz Packages Fresh or Frozen Cranberries
4 Cups Chopped Apples (or a combo of apples and pears)
2 Tbl. Butter, cut up
1 1/4 Cups Sugar
3/4 Cup Chopped Walnuts (or Oregon Hazelnuts)
2 Eggs
3/4 Cup Butter, melted
1 Cup Sugar
3/4 Cup Flour
Whipped Cream or Ice Cream

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease bottom of 13x9 baking dish. Toss berries & apples in dish. Dot cranberry mixture with butter. Sprinkle evenly with the 1 1/4 cup sugar and nuts. In bowl, whisk eggs, melted butter, 1 cup sugar and flour. Pour over top of berry mixture. Bake 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Top with whipped cream. Serves 8

Whale Watching Spoken Here

Winter Watch Week Dec. 26, 2009 - Jan. 1, 2010

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department each year sponsors the Whale Watching Spoken Here program. The program places trained volunteers at 28 great whale-watching sites from 10 a.m.-
1 p.m. during the winter and spring watch weeks.

We are fortunate here at Sandlake Country Inn to have 3 locations close by! The Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint, Cape Lookout Trail and Cape Kiwanda.

The whales that we see here on the Oregon Coast are the Eastern Pacific Gray Whales. This population of whales move between Alaska and California each year. This is over 12,000 miles, making it one of the longest migrations known for any mammal. They all move north in the summer to feed in the cold and productive waters, and then south in the winter to the warmer waters off California to breed. They can grow to over 50 feet, weigh as much as 36 tons, and live for over 50 years. At this time of year, the whales are on their way southward to breed in Baja California. They travel both night and day and average about 80 miles per day!

A population of about 2,000 Gray Whales stay along the Oregon coast throughout the summer, not making the farther trip to Alaska waters. This means that all year around you have a pretty good chance of a whale sighting.

When looking for your Oregon Coast Lodging to view the whale migration, staying and the Sandlake Country Inn Bed and Breakfast is a great choice! We are located just minutes from amazing viewing locations. Enjoy whale watching, storm watching and the amazing Oregon Coast beaches nearby. When you're ready to return to your room, suite or cottage, you can warm up with a luxurious bubble bath, sit in front of your fireplace and relax with your loved one. In the morning, stay in your comfortable warm robe we provide for you and your hot beverages and a sumptuous 4 course hot breakfast with be delivered to your door!

Click here to check our room availability and book online at Sandlake Country Inn

Perfect Beach Weather

The winds are blowing in from the east and providing us with amazing warm weather to enjoy our Oregon Coast beaches. It was in the 80s today!

Here at Sandlake Country Inn bed and breakfast, we are fortunate to have one of only two major estuaries designated as a "natural" estuary by the state of Oregon. The Sandlake Estuary is only about a mile from us. If you've never been there, it sometimes can seem like you're on another planet. Check out our interactive map where you'll be able to click on the satellite option to see our location and the estuary.

It seems that every time we take a walk out there, the landscape changes. When the tide is high, it very much looks like a lake. When the tide is low, it's a whole other world. Enjoy exploring this area and very often you will be wondering where all the people are. There is an abundance of wildlife. Last time we were there we looked up and a magnificent bald eagle was perched high on a tree. Take time to walk the soft sandy beach around the dune and out to the ocean's surf. On a day like today, be sure to bring your sunscreen!

click here to view a video of Sandlake Estuary from Oregonwaters.org and see the beauty for yourself.

Our location is perfectly situated to explore not only the estuary, but just a 10 minute drive will take you to one of the most beautiful hikes on the Oregon Coast. The Cape trail at Cape Lookout is a 2 1/2 mile (5 miles round trip) incredible hike with breathtaking views of both the north and south of the cape. The trail ends at the tip of Cape Lookout and it's definitely worth the effort.

The whale migration season is in full swing in December and if the weather is good, Cape Lookout trail will be a perfect location to see them.

Come and enjoy our beautiful weather at our Oregon Coast Bed and Breakfast to experience this amazing coastline without the tourist traps. If you appreciate being away from the noise and hustle and bustle of the city, give us a try. It's a nature lover's paradise along the 3 Capes Scenic Route.

North Coast Seafood Festival

North Coast Seafood Festival

Enjoy Ethnic And Regional Entrees Featuring Gourmet Seafood And Vegetarian Selections at the North Coast Seafood Festival October 3 & 4.

The event is held indoors at the Tillamook County Fairgrounds.

Enjoy the sea's bounty while listening to music from around the world. You can find out more at their website North Coast Seafood Festival

Keep in mind that it's a small community event, but if you're in the area, check it out!