First Hand Experience

DIANE: If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you'll remember that we've arranged for Annette to do a summer internship with us. Annette is an aspiring innkeeper and is spending June, July and August learning the ins and outs of what it takes to be an innkeeper. Hoping to have her own bed and breakfast, Annette is getting first-hand experience and has jumped in with both feet!

I thought it would be interesting for our guests and other aspiring innkeepers to hear first-hand from Annette about her experiences here. Periodically we'll have Annette log in here to share her thoughts. Here now is Annette to tell you about her first 3 weeks with us!

ANNETTE:

Hi Aspiring Inn Keeper,

Many years ago, our family discovered the American B&B on the California Coast. We knew the European kind of B&B, which is a bit simpler. The California B&B we stayed at was beautifully decorated in Early American style, comfortable, had excellent food and our kids were thrilled. This was the beginning...

More recently, a change in my life cycles brought me back to the idea of owning a B&B . I know, many of you think, "Oh what fun!" I have news for you, think very hard about it, study and prepare as much as you can, and think again. It is in the same category as having a baby. You cannot easily give up a B&B because it becomes your baby; and it takes a lot more time, effort and work than you think, like a baby.

Diane and Ron have given me the opportunity to shadow them in their B&B and have even given me some freedom to prepare food on my own. (Yes, I got licensed by the state.) Learning the ins and outs of turning a suite in the most efficient way was a challenge for me and the paper work took time to get used to also.

But, after three weeks, I feel like I have learned a great deal. I still have almost 6 weeks to go and learn more...

Annette

The World Famous Pig-n-Ford Races

Pig n what???? Yup you read it right. It's the World Famous Pig-n-Ford races right here at the Tillamook County Fair. Ron and I really enjoy going to the Tillamook County Fair each year. It's a slice of Americana which is so rare these days.

The highlight of the fair are the preliminary heats as well as the finals of the Pig-n-Ford race. These Model T Fords aren’t buffed and shined, they’re built for speed. And carrying small pigs. Their souped-up jalopies are the stallions in the World Famous Pig-N-Ford Races, the highlight of the annual Tillamook County Fair. Aug. 6 through Aug. 9th, people from all over the state will converge on this pastureland to enjoy horse racing, talent shows, country music stars, 4-H exhibits and carnival rides. For many, it’s all just a warm-up to the Pig-N-Ford, in which competitors grab 20-pound pigs from a pen, crank up their Model T’s, jump in and race around the track, with dust, gears and laughter flying.
This crowd-favorite event has been featured on Good Morning America and KATU’s Spirit of the Northwest, and in publications like National Geographic. But the standing-room-only crowds are just part of the allure.

If the Pig-n-Ford races aren't exciting enough, hang on to your hats, because the final Saturday night has the demolition derby. Ok, so I was only able to sit through half of it! Not my cup of tea, but hey, I just couldn't sit on that hard bench for another minute. Here's a hint.....bring a stadium cushion!!!

Did You Miss the Starlight Parade?

If so, never fear, there's another parade happening soon.

The 2008 June Dairy Parade, with the theme “Hooked on Tillamook” is scheduled for Saturday, June 28 at 10:30 am in downtown Tillamook. This year marks the 51st Anniversary of the Parade which is considered to the second largest parade in Oregon, averaging about 150 entries per year.

Starting at 6:00pm, it's the Tillamook County Rodeo.


The Northwest's Finest Cowboys & Cowgirls!

Bareback Riding Steer Wrestling Bull Riding Team Roping Wild Cow Milking

Saddle Bronc Riding Barrel Racing Calf Roping Breakaway Roping $500 added purse

Coffee Anyone?

Here at Sandlake Country Inn, we take coffee seriously! Ron has been roasting our blend of coffee for about 3 years now. He uses a blend of Bolivian & Columbian peaberry. The beans are organic, AAA & free trade! Even our home roast decaf is chemical free using the Swiss water system.

Enjoy Ron's home roast which we deliver to your door before breakfast, and for the rest of your day if you ever want a great cup of coffee, just help yourself to our 24 hour beverage table. There we have a Flavia beverage system with a variety of coffees. We also have a large variety of Stash Teas which are a local Oregon company.

Whenever possible we purchase products made in Oregon. Not only does it help stimulate our state's economy, but it's a great way to lower our carbon footprint. The least distance a product has to travel the better it is for the environment.