June 26, 2013

Sunny Valley, Oregon: Grave Creek Covered Bridge; things to do

Grave Creek Covered Bridge in Sunny Valley, Oregon

Sunny Valley, Oregon

It is claimed that the sun always shines in this beautiful valley. 

Grave Creek Covered Bridge  

14 mi. N of Grants Pass, (at exit 71).

This is one of the few covered bridges in Southern Oregon and is the only one that can be viewed from Highway 5 anywhere along the route.  Though Grave Creek Covered Bridge is closed to cars, you can walk across.  It was here, with puffy white cottonwood floating lazily in the air around me, that I chatted with several fellow Californians who shared a road-war story regarding some Oregonians they crossed paths with who disliked Californians.  Unfortunately, pockets of this prejudice still exist, but fortunately, they are becoming more rare.




More things to do along Oregon's Highway 5.


image c2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

June 24, 2013

McMinnville, Oregon: McMenamins Hotel Oregon + UFO Festival; hotel review + things to do

310 NE Evans St., 503.472.8427.  42 rooms.  Some shared baths.  

Dating from 1905, this 4-story main street hotel is in the center of this small town’s action.  Beds at McMenamins Hotel Oregon are covered in chenille, and antique armoires serve as closets. 

Dining options include the cozy McMenamins Pub on first floor, with two pool tables; the subterranean bistro-style Cellar Bar; and the open-air Rooftop Bar with a breathtaking 360-degree view of the region.

UFO Festival

Held here annually in May.  Admission to most events is free.  Some of the most famous UFO images ever taken were captured here, in this usually tranquil town.  In 1950, farmers Evelyn and Paul Trent’s photos created a frenzy, and the national news media started referring to McMinnville as "Saucerville."



More things to do in Oregon's Willamette Valley.

More things to do along Highway 5 in Oregon.


image c2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

June 21, 2013

Turner, Oregon: Enchanted Forest, things to do

8462 Enchanted Way SE, 7 mi. S of Salem, (503) 371-4242.  Hours vary.  $10.50, 62+ & 3-12 $9.50; ride ticket 95c/each. 

Built from the ground up by one family, the Enchanted Forest land of fantasy features gingerbread architecture and a forest filled with nursery rhyme and fairy tale settings.  A sheltered dirt trail leads through the forest setting to Alice's Wonderland, where visitors enter through a rabbit hole and exit through a maze; on to the Crooked House, where it is difficult to stand upright; and then on to the Old Lady's Shoe for a fast ride on a long, bumpy slide.  For a small additional charge, visitors may tour a haunted house and ride on bobsleds.  During the summer, live performances of fairy tales occur regularly in an outdoor theater located at the end of a fragrant wood-chip path.



More things to do in Oregon's Willamette Valley.

More things to do along Highway 5 in Oregon.


image courtesy of attraction


June 19, 2013

Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Mexico: Grand Velas Riviera Maya; hotel review + restaurant review

U.S. 877-418-2963, Mexico 01-800-831-1165.  491 suites.  All-inclusive.  8 restaurants; 24-hour room service and minibars are included. 

Located on a property encompassing 80 acres of protected mangroves, jungle, and cenotes (natural freshwater wells), this impressive resort features a long white sand beach.  With three separate and self-contained hotel areas, accommodation options are diverse—choose an exotic garden suite, an ocean-view suite, or an oceanfront suite with private plunge pool.    

guest room view at Grand Velas Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
guest room view at Grand Velas Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen, Mexico


The main cafeteria restaurant offers a large variety of delicious options, including chilaquiles for breakfast.  The don’t-miss special restaurant is Frida.  Named for Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, this sleek spot offers Mexican fine-dining in a contemporary setting. The menu is upscale and fussy—perhaps a grilled flank fillet with roasted cactus leaves and a chipotle chili pepper stuffed with cheese, or duck tacos with anise and mole poblano.  Frida also offers a margarita menu, and a roving mixologist visits every table with a top-shelf tequila trolley. 

mural at Frida restaurant at Grand Velas Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
mural at Frida restaurant at Grand Velas Riviera Maya
in Playa del Carmen, Mexico



More things to do in the Riviera Maya.

More ideas for exploring Canada and Mexico.


images c2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers


June 17, 2013

Eugene, Oregon: Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House; things to do

Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House  

303 Willamette St., at 3rd/Pearl sts., 541-484-0808.  Tu-F 10am-1pm, Sat-Sun 1-4pm.  $6, kids $3. 


Just a short walk down a woodsy road, the historical Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House is open for tours.  Built in 1888, when the railroad arrived and the town’s population began to boom, it sits at the base of a butte covered with pine and cedar trees and is Eugene’s only Queen Anne revival-style house.  It is built from local northwest woods and features 12-foot ceilings and embellished hardware throughout.  One past owner grew up in the nearby Campbell House.  Fund-raising seasonal high teas are scheduled for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Christmas and include live music and a tour of the house.  Hiking or driving on up to the top of Skinner Butte Park affords a panoramic view of the city. 





image courtesy of attraction

June 14, 2013

Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Mexico: Fairmont Mayakoba; hotel review

(800) 441-1414.  401 rooms; most are casitas; 34 on beach.  5 freshwater pools; 4 restaurants; full-service spa; 18-hole golf course; powdery white beach. 

beach at Fairmont Mayakoba in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
beach at Fairmont Mayakoba in Playa del Carmen, Mexico


Mayas believe that if you lead a good life, you will become a crystal.  Be careful or you might turn into one here.  Canal boats and golf carts transport guests through the 47-acre Fairmont Mayakoba jungle resort.  All rooms are beautifully decorated and have deep soaking tubs and private terraces.  The spectacular clean-lined spa has a signature coconut-orange fragrance, sells a line of mineral make-up that doesn’t melt, and provides a fitness room with ergonomic Italian equipment. 

It’s a good idea to take time to observe the colonies of rare stingless Melipona bees, and I’m glad I didn’t miss a beer tasting (this is the only Riviera Maya hotel that offers this).  I had the pleasure of experiencing a beer tasting/food pairing led by Luis Garces, a certified beer server (as a sommelier is to wine) from Veracruz who speaks flawless English.  We tasted Calavera brand beers distinguished by a skull logo and produced in Mexico state near Mexico City.  Made for Mexicans by Mexicans, only the hops are imported.  My favorite was a Dubbel that originally, long ago, was made by monks in abbeys.  The brew is dark, tastes of prunes and chocolate, and was deliciously paired with a blue-corn sope stuffed with pork and plum sauce.

beer tasting at Fairmont Mayakoba in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
beer tasting at Fairmont Mayakoba in Playa del Carmen, Mexico



More things to do in the Riviera Maya.

More ideas for exploring Canada and Mexico.


images c2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 


June 12, 2013

Munich, Germany: Rischart Cafe am Marienplatz; restaurant review

Marienplatz 18, 089/231 700 310. 

In addition to this popular location, the Rischart Cafe am Marienplatz bakery has branches all over town and at the train station.  Inexpensive and delicious sandwiches and pastries are the big draw.  Informal seating is available both inside and out on the plaza, but many people take it away. 



More things to do in Munich.


image courtesy of cafe

June 10, 2013

Cottage Grove, Oregon: Village Green Resort; hotel review

725 Row River Rd., 800-343-7666, 541-942-2491.  70 rooms.  Full breakfast.  Heated pool & hot tub open year-round.  Pets ok in some rooms. 

Located just off of I-5, this gem of a motel features old-time one-story wings that vaguely resemble barns, and it boasts the added convenience to car travelers of a parking space right in front of your room.  At the Village Green Resort, loving attention is given to 14 acres of gardens by a master gardener and four assistants.  Accented with garden art and water features, a labyrinth, and a miniature covered bridge, the garden includes a Widow’s Walk with dark purple/black flowers.  A large enclosed pool and hot tub area is landscaped like a “palm prairie,” with bananas and tropical plants. 

My deluxe room had a nicely coordinated dĂ©cor that included a handmade pillow crewel-embroidered with flowers and bees and a bed with an ivy print dust ruffle and fluffy light green comforter.  My favorite thing about my room was the private patio and garden.  A complimentary full buffet breakfast is served in the restaurant, which operates just off the lobby and has plenty of comfy booths.  An accomplished chef makes dinner there also a worthwhile option, and an adjacent lounge presents free live entertainment every evening. 

Chimney swifts nest in an old chimney on the property from March until late summer, returning at dusk and forming a swirling spiral as they descend into a tall, narrow chimney.  It sounds almost as exciting as watching Mexican free-tailed bats fly out of the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin at dusk, but it didn’t happen the night I patiently waited.  The hotel staff was surprised to hear it didn’t happen--guess we’ll just have to return ourselves and give it one more try.  Gardening workshops, plant sales, and tours are scheduled.



June 7, 2013

Introduction to Zurich, Switzerland


Introduction to Zurich, Switzerland


This year marks the 10th anniversary of San Francisco and ZĂ¼rich being sister cities, and ZĂ¼rich invites everyone to come visit and help them celebrate.  ZĂ¼rich offers two thousand years of history and culture, plus culinary delights in open-air restaurants (my favorite is the Bauschanzli beer garden where you select and cook your own sausages).  The locals jump in the Lake ZĂ¼rich water for a swim during their lunch break, then go back to work.  You can join them, but you won't have to go back to work.  Or you can bike along the River Limmat.  Right now you can participate in the Zurich Getaway contest to win a trip for two from SF to Zurich on fabulous SWISS International Air Lines (this is the airline that has a special place in my heart for handing out delicious Swiss milk chocolate as a snack!).  Sightseeing and three nights in a five-star hotel included.  Check it out. 


More ideas for exploring Europe

image courtesy of Zurich Tourism

June 5, 2013

Eugene, Oregon: The Campbell House Inn; hotel review

252 Pearl St., (800) 264-2519, (541) 343-1119. 

Prime lodging is provided at The Campbell House Inn by one of the poshest B&B’s I’ve ever had the pleaseure of spending the night in.  Situated on an incline in the historic Skinner’s Butte district, just above the town’s recently renovated old-fashioned train station, the house has gables galore and is surrounded by lush gardens.  Built in 1892, it opened as a B&B in 1993. 

Guests can stay in either the main house or in a more private carriage house.  Both venues offer rooms richly-decorated with sumptuous fabrics.  My cozy room in the carriage house featured a busy decor with gorgeous yellow floral fabric set against dark rusty-red walls—a very feminine yet masculine atmosphere.  It was appointed with a high bed requiring a stool to reach and had every convenience, including a switch to flip for music. 

The 5th Street Public Market and the downtown Hult Center for the Performing Arts are within easy walking distance, and a riverside jogging-bike path is minutes away.  All this plus an included afternoon tea in the inn’s cozy parlor (think chocolate chip cookies and a large selection of teas) and a full breakfast, too.  Teas celebrating Secretary’s Day and Mother’s Day are usually scheduled in April and May and require reservations.  In December, carolers in period dress greet guests arriving for holiday teas scheduled throughout the month.  These three-course Victorian-style teas feature frozen mousse, scones, sandwiches, tiny desserts, and chocolate treats.



More tea times around the world.



image courtesy of inn

June 3, 2013

Rice Hill/Oakland, Oregon: K & R Drive Inn; restaurant review

201 John Long Rd., on W side of freeway, in Oakland, about 40 miles south of Eugene, (541) 849-2570.

The Umpqua Valley is famous for its well-fed cows delivering rich, rich milk that is known to make the best ice cream.  And the best place to enjoy that local ice cream is at the K & R Drive Inn, where the area’s famous Umpqua ice cream comes in 35 flavors.  It is definitely one of life’s best simple pleasures.  A one-scoop baby cone goes for $2.50, a small 6- to 7-ounce two-scoop cone for $3.50, and a large 16-ounce six-scoop cone for $6.50.  Hamburgers and fries are also available.  Unfortunately, no restrooms are provided and seating is outside only.



More things to do in Eugene, Oregon.

More things to do along Oregon's Highway 5.



image courtesy of restaurant

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