Category : Central Oregon

The Central Oregon Waiting Game

As I look longingly out the window I imagine a warm sunny day, with marshmallow clouds slowly drifting across the azure sky.  Then the phone rings and I am snapped back to the reality of a  gray sky and a cloud-shrouded butte.

Black Butte (Photo courtesy of Jim Williams Photography)

Welcome to springtime in Central Oregon; a time when Mother Nature has a bout of schizophrenia. Even though we expect it, it’s never easy.  The weather can be a frustrating proposition as our desires switch from wanting to ski at every opportunity to tuning up our golf game or our bikes.

This is the time of year where you must have three seasons of clothing and sports gear in your closet. On a perfect spring day you can achieve any combination of activities: get in 9 holes of incredible mountain golf at Big Meadow (when it opens) and then ski a half-day up at Hoodoo; or you could golf then ride your bike on the more than 18 miles of meandering bike paths at the Ranch; or golf, ski, bike and then head to the spa.

Lucky for us, there is an activity that isn’t weather dependent – Easter Brunch.

Ahhhh, brunch buffets.  William Pearson  ponders the wonderfulness of buffets in his 1965 novel The Muses of Ruin. He refers to the buffet as “the eighth wonder of the world.” He goes on to say, “How many times you go through the line is a private matter between you and your capacity, and then between your capacity and the chef’s evil eye.”

Yum! Cheese Display

The Easter Brunch at the Lodge Restaurant is exquisite. Executive Sous Chef Adam Kapela puts his creative touch on each dish.  Try the truffle potato salad with roasted mushrooms, or the Ranch benedict with Parisian ham and Pepper Vodka and herb hollandaise.  You won’t want to miss his special Herb crusted Beef Prime Rib with black pepper horseradish cream and Brandy grain mustard Jus.

Easter is April 24, so don’t wait too long to make a reservation for the whole family (kids 4 years and under are free). Call 866.901.9261 for more information.

See ya around the Ranch!

Katie

Thanksgiving – An Authentic American Holiday

There are many things we can truly call American, but one of my favorites is the Thanksgiving Holiday.  It isn’t centered around commercialism, but around food and family.    Did you know that there is actually a law that says when Thanksgiving is? In 1941 the US Congress passed a law officially establishing the celebration of Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November.

Another truly American tradition is the pardoning of the Thanksgiving turkey.  Since 1947 the National Turkey Federation has presented the President of the United States with one (and in recent years – two) live turkey(s) in a ceremony known as the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation. The live turkeys are pardoned and live out the rest of their days on a farm or, since 2005, sent to either Disneyland in California or Walt Disney World in Florida, where they serve as the honorary grand marshals of Disney’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. While it is commonly believed that this pardoning tradition began with President Harry Truman in 1947, the Truman Library has been unable to find any evidence for this. The earliest Thanksgiving Presidential Pardon on record is with President George H. W. Bush in 1989.

Amazing Autumn at Black Butte Ranch

There is a tradition here at Black Butte Ranch and it’s one that makes my mouth water just thinking about it. That is the Thanksgiving Day Buffet.  It is resplendent with all the traditional trimmings, but with a few delicious additions such as herb crusted prime rib and maple cheesecake with roasted pumpkin seeds.  What could be better that enjoying our sumptuous buffet with all the fuss and muss and slaving over a hot stove.  You could actually enjoy time with your family, playing in the snow (I hope) or strolling down to the lodge for a cup of hot cocoa or spiced cider and enjoying the warmth of the Lodge fire-pit.

We here at Black Butte Ranch would like to wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

See ya around the Ranch!

Katie

Fall at the Ranch

Fall is the time at the Ranch where Aspen groves change to stunning yellow and the pace slows. You can enjoy an afternoon engulfed by the spectacular colors of Central Oregon or relax by a fire and look at the mountain vistas.

Fall is also a time for many activities at Black Butte Ranch, as we prepare for snow and the winter that is right around the corner.  Make a weekend escape to the Ranch on October 2 from 11a-3p for our annual Oktoberfest Celebration at the Lodge.  We will have a classic polka band, central Oregon beers and authentic German food, sure to warm your body and tantalize your tastebuds.

Looking for a romantic fall escape the following weekend?  Join us for a one night weekend escape and wine dinner…for only $200 your can enjoy a 4 course wine dinner Saturday evening, truffles and sparkling wine upon arrival, 1 night in a Lodge Room at Black Butte Ranch, 10% Discount on all Spa Services during Stay.  Chef Dean Ecker’s culinary team has crafted a outstanding fine dining menu paired with wines.  For a full detail on the dinner, click here.

Once in a Blue Moon

Blue Moon

A rare “Blue Moon” will preside over New Year’s Eve tomorrow.  This rare occurrence will not happen again until 2028.  A blue moon is essentially a second full moon in a month.  While that in itself is not rare, having it occur on December 31 is.  the name “Blue Moon” is sort of a mistake that came about after a writer for Sky & Telescope magazine in 1946 misinterpreted the Maine Farmer’s Almanac and labeled a blue moon as the second full moon in  a month.  They later corrected the error, but the name stuck.  So in the midst of all your festivities of the evening, if we have a clear night, be sure to look up and gaze on the “Blue Moon”.

Snow, Beloved Snow

What is it about snow that is so fascinating?  When I see snow I get excited like a little kid itching to go play in it; make snow angels and a snowman.    In the high desert here in Central Oregon, snow is a welcome marker of winter.  It jump starts that nesting instinct to light the home fires, make some hot cocoa and yet you still want to pull on your snow boots, down jacket , hat and gloves and frolic in the wonderful substance.  I’m extremely lucky in that I have a big picture window in my office from which I can spy Black Butte and whatever weather event is happening at the Ranch.

With Hoodoo Ski Area so close to the Ranch it offers guests and residents many winter activities.  The hill has runs for beginner to advanced, and the back country area, which is not groomed, offers an amazing powder experience.  Both Black Butte Ranch and Hoodoo cater to families – which is why we are their preferred lodging partner.  Hoodoo also offers the Autobahn Sled Hill.  If you’ve never been you simply must take the kids or grandkids there – it is a blast!  Another great activity is to rent snowshoes from the Glaze Meadow Rec Center – Equipment Rental shop at the Ranch and snowshoe around the Ranch or on various trails in the forest.  Winter is a great time to experience the Ranch and the surrounding Sisters area. Come Play with us!

The Origin of Fire (In the Pit)

At first there was no fire and the world was cold. People could not enjoy the great outdoors after the sun went down. They never knew the joy of sipping a warm beverage while sitting around a glowing hearth. Their eyes didn’t reflect the dancing flames, their fingers were frozen and they were without a warm shelter (because they didn’t know about the Ranch’s awesome family vacation packages).

Then one day the fire pit was created and there was a new-found warmth around the Lodge.  People could come and sip a warm peppermint mocha and  be comforted by the glow of the crackling fire before  going back to relax in their cozy Black Butte Ranch vacation rental. They were overjoyed to learn that they had so many trails to explore, vistas to view and fun to have.  All because there was fire in the pit.

View from the fire pit at the Lodge

Cheers!

Katie

Great Benefit Ride – Providence Bridge Pedal

Hey there all you cyclists -My husband and I recently rode in the 2009 Providence Bridge Pedal which a portion of the proceeds benefit the Providence Heart and Vascular Institute as well as the Bicycle Transportation Alliance. You could chose between a 6, 8, or 11-Bridge ride. We chose the 11-Bridge ride which takes you across every bridge in Portland (including the Sellwood and St. John’s bridges). This picture is the beginning of the 11-Bridge ride. It was estimated that there was a total of 20,000 participants this year.

It is an amazing ride through many different areas of Portland. The route takes you through industrial areas, idyllic neighborhoods, the University of Portland and as you cross several of the bridges (yes, they do close the freeway- how cool is that!) there is the opportunity to take photos and drink in the vistas.

I hope that someday you may get to ride it. Not only is it fun for adults, but it is a great ride for families (especially the 6-Bridge Ride, very easy). But as always it is great to get back to Central Oregon.

Cheers!
Katie

Cycling in Central Oregon

If you are a cyclist then you probably already know that Central Oregon has some of the best cycling ( both road and mountain bike) around. My husband and I recently attended the Cascade Cycling Classic Criterium in Bend and it was an awesome display of strategy and skill. They had several different levels of racing from women’s amateur and pro to men’s amateur and pro (even former Tour de France rider Floyd Landis was there – photo courtesy of Jim Williams). It was a very hot afternoon and I certainly did not envy those men and women having to give it their all that day. The coolest thing about all of this is that it says Central Oregon is a great place to cycle. The week after the Cascade Cycling Classic, Bend hosted the USA National Road Cycling Championships. Wow, what a follow up.

If you are staying here at the Ranch or are planning a visit this summer or fall, don’t forget that we have 18 miles of bike paths (great for all levels of riders, even the wee ones). If you didn’t bring your bike, just head out to Glaze Meadow Recreation Center and see Eric to rent an amazing Marin comfort bike for touring the Ranch( we even have an on- site bike repair shop). For the more adventurous ones Eric can guide you to some of the best mountain bike trails in the area. Click here for a pdf of the Ranch bike path map. You just never know what you might see along the way.

See ya around the Ranch!

Katie

Golf.com Article on CO Golf

It’s pretty cool when you get free publicity as we did in the Golf.com’s article about golf in Central Oregon (well, ok it actually says Bend, but covers Sunriver Resort all the way to Black Butte Ranch). Check out their review of the Big Meadow course atBBR http://www.golf.com/golf/courses_travel/article/0,28136,1908504,00.html. The author wrote”In truth, this is exactly the kind or course you want to play on the first day of your vacation, unlike its sisters track Glaze Meadow, which calls for bow-anarrow accuracy.” Ok, you can play Glaze on your second day of vacation.

The Infamous StringDusters Are Coming

I am so excited that on July 17, 2009 the Infamous stringDusters will play a benefit concert for the Sisters Americana Project here at the Ranch! If you want to check them out go to http://www.thestringdusters.com/ or click on their link under My Favorite Links. They play bluegrass music and are very playful and fun. Thanks to Brad Tisdel and his crew for thinking of the Ranch as a cool venue and to Scott Huntsman our general manager for saying yes! This is the first in a series of “Live at the Ranch” concerts, so stay tuned to see who else is coming our way.

Cheers!
Katie