Personally, New Years’ Eve isn’t my favorite holiday. I think of doing taxes, of what I haven’t accomplished this year, what I need to accomplish next year… but every year, our guests jolly me into appreciating the holiday more than I would were we not innkeepers. After all, 2012 sounds more well-rounded than 2011. I like even numbers. THERE WILL BE FIREWORKS at the beach, in view from Boreas, on New Years Eve!! I almost forgot!
The Christmas tree is still fresh and lovely for some reason (Bill takes good care of the tree!) and we haven’t tired of the decorations so prettily placed by our decorating crew the first weekend in December. We had a great time decorating this year. This year was extra special with a sweet blend of family and beloved guests who are now family too. We are hoping that we fill up for New Years’ weekend. We are always filled up after Christmas but not this year! Groupon and Living Social may be the reason—people shopping for bargains. Frankly, for what Boreas offers, we are a bargain! But we’re offering the Carpe Diem, Walk-in Special rate starting today. $150 for luxury and pampering! Even the cottage is open this weekend.
Our guest list so far is a fun one and Odell will be here to help us dismantle the decorations if we can work around our desire to watch football…at Mark and Helen’s Lost Roo, of course! Go DUCKS! Everyone is invited to take DOWN the decorations with us and go to The Roo!
Fresh Dungeness Crabcakes and Champagne on Sunday morning, New Years’ Day, sounds pretty perfect for one of our FOUR courses, and Bill will do beautiful work on the crab cakes as always and I will bake pastries, whip up sauces and make the fruit entrée glow so that consuming all that vitamin C seems very sexy. Well…it is! But I hope that if it’s going to be cloudy this week end, that it is also stormy so we can feel comforted by the fireplaces. But I also hope that there is a break in the weather so we can go for a fresh walk to start the New Year. We have been fortunate with fine weather this fall.
Come stay with us this weekend at the prettiest inn on the Long Beach Peninsula—featherbeds, down comforters, fireplaces, fine and fancy breakfast fare, freshly baked brownies, and the incredibly-wonderful-almost-brand-new hot tub for two with a little aromatherapy—mint and eucylptus, to soften your skin. Boreas Bed & Breakfast Inn is posh but hip, fun, but mellow and very food-crazy with a great location on the beach in Long Beach Washington. Relaxation is the best way to start the next banner year—2012! Happy New Year!
Bill and I just returned from our brief weekly disappearing act to eat Serious Pizza at Cape Disappointment State Park in Ilwaco on the Long Beach, Washington Peninsula. First of all, this park is NOT a disappointment–it is our favorite Washington State Park. It was named “Cape Disappointment” because in 1788, Captain John Meares, a fur trader, was disappointed because this was not the opening to the river–and is, in fact, is located just north of the infamous Mouth of the Columbia River! Cape Disappointment is also home to the National Park housing Maya Lin’s “Confluence Project” honoring the Indian tribes Lewis and Clark encountered at the confluences of the rivers on their journey west. Captain Clark and 11 of the “Corps of Discovery” hiked all over the land that is now Cape Disappointment State Park and from McKenzie Head, saw their first panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean! Then they proceeded to hike north up the Peninsula, right across the property that is now Boreas Inn, located on the 1805 high water mark. So you get to sleep right on the Lewis and Clark Trail!
Of course, one of the most scenic parts of the Park are the two lighthouses, The North Head Lighthouse and the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse. The North Head is easily explored by parking in the lot and walking down to the lighthouse on a road alongside the rock face overlooking the Pacific Ocean and just north of Benson Beach. This is a place to linger. All day. The waves, huge in the winter but omnipresent, are hypnotic. The color of the water seems to change from blue to green to gray in a storm, but always a stunning contrast with the white tips of the peaks of the waves. Whale watching from the North Head is often rewarding. We look for the clumps of kelp offshore and occasionally see the spouts. The pelicans, eagles, many varieties of gulls, terns and a huge array of seabirds make this spot make for some of the best birdwatching in the West. Cape D lighthouse is a hike from the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center (in winter and anytime, the best view of the Mouth of the Columbia and the jetties), around Dead Man’s Cove. Our guests come from around the world to see these two lighthouses, within miles of Boreas!
I mentioned Serious Pizza! Well–seriously now, take the combination of a wood-fired pizza oven, burning cherry and apple, the “00 fino” flour imported from Italy, imported cheeses, meats from a great Seattle butcher chop and a location at Waikiki Beach at Cape D (as we call it), and you have not only the recipe for the best wood-fired pizza in Southwest Washington, but a spectacular setting near the amphitheater at Cape D State Park. With eagles flying overhead (perhaps looking hungrily at your pizza-or maybe at your dog) and osprey circling around with crows and gulls harrassing them, you have an experience you will never forget. Our favorite pizza is, you guessed it, “The Boreas”–the vegetarian pizza with garlic olive oil base, sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, olives and pepperoni. How special is it to have a pizza named after Boreas Inn? State Parks built Jim and Chi, the purveyors of this fine pizza, a permanent structure so that visitors to the park, including campers staying in the 240 campsites, can have pizza! We call ahead to avoid waiting perhaps an hour for the most memorable pizza. It’s truly Neopolitano–a thin delectable crust and just the right amount of cheese for a non-guilt producing light meal. They also have wood-fired oysters and mouth-watering wood-fired wings. Homemade ice cream and brownies….oh my! Watch for Jim and Chi’s Serious Pizza to come soon to the town of Long Beach!
I have attached a very fine video about Cape Disappointment State Park to this blog! It stars a few of our favorite State Park employees and some of the best scenery this area has to offer. The Park is located 10 minutes from Boreas Inn. We are soooo lucky to have Cape D State Park in our backyard. So come to Boreas Inn and we will direct you to our favorite park, Cape Disappointment! Enjoy the YouTube about Cape D.!
Bill and I take a lot of pictures of sunrises and sunsets wherever we happen to be. Bill is the sunrise and I’m the sunset specialist. He’s the more alert morning guy and I’m the evening person. We each think that the pics the other takes look a lot like the myriad of sunset and sunrise pics we’ve each taken, but to us they all look different and fascinating. So–this time of year at the beach is perfect for taking pictures–the light is beautiful, the rainbows sometimes are doubles and on the rare occasion, we have seen triples. We pull off the roads and whip out our cell phones if that’s all we have, and take pictures. We can’t help ourselves. From Boreas Inn decks and windows, if you have your camera ready, you can catch the eagles flying by and the marsh hawks cruising the dunes looking for prey. Wait for sundown, my favorite time and capture the beauty of the sun leaving for the day. At this time of year, the rebirth of my precious flowers in the (currently wild-looking) gardens , the wild weather and the promise of warmer days lift my spirits. Do you feel the same?
The Sky is on Fire!
Born in the Year of the Dragon, sometimes I see them in the clouds…
We’re almost out of the woods on the Pacific Ocean having spent the entire night up and high on adrenaline. No big waves seem to be coming and we have survived (we hope!) the aftermath of the most devastating earthquake Japan can remember. Our Tsunami Tspecial is a once in a lifetime (hopefully) event–$125 per night for all the goodies and we will supply the complementary Tsunami Tsauce (Mimosa’s)–or you can have your champagne straight up! Come celebrate the ocean, from a distance, and please say prayers for our Japanese friends who have endured and are continuing to endure the worst disaster in recent history. Take advantage of your exhausted innkeepers–come cheer us up!
We promise you a beautiful, lazy weekend at Boreas if you decide to visit us. We have room for you and would love to cook up a storm in the morning if it’s not stormy enough outside–and even if it is. Don’ t listen to the weather guys–they are usually wrong, unless they tell you it’s going to be wonderful–because sunshine, rain, wind…it’s always wonderful here. The fireplaces beckon and we’re offering our Walk-in Special at our romantic getaway by the sea. $150 a night including our “perfectly plated” 3 course or more breakfast (plus tax of course). We don’t want to be lonely–so come to Long Beach and we will fix you up with two fabulous dinners out at our fine dinner houses and promise you the most relaxing weekend with fireplaces blazing and our new hot tub beckoning. We hope to see you soon!
Winter months are the best for viewing the surf from your car at Cape D.
It’s blowing hard in Long Beach, Washington. The weather is stormy, cold and for awhile this afternoon, the snowflakes were waltzing in all directions with the wind gusts directing their ballet! It was a joyful dance. Now it’s much warmer, 36, and rainy with gusty winds up to 30 or so. We had a relaxing holiday season with mellow guests and fireplaces crackling. Now it’s calm and far too peaceful, except for the weather. So the inn is getting painted, a little at a time by Bill. This weekend is looking quieter than most MLK weekends are. Ask for our Walk-in Special if you are very last minute in making plans! We are ready for guests…and we hope that they come! We have a few rooms remaining for Valentine’s Day weekend, February 11,12 and President’s Day weekend 18, 19, 20. I have been blocking out rooms for the Kite Festival and we have two upstairs rooms open for the week of August 14-21. The Stargazer is open the 18,19,20 of August for a three night stay. I know it’s far from now…but as they say, I’m just sayin’…!
Blaine took this video last week and it’s so beautiful! It is whale-watching season and we’ve had some great days to look for the migrating gray whales, heading north to Alaska! When you come stay at Boreas Inn, we will set you up to eat dinner at Blaine and Cheri Walker’s 42nd Street Cafe. Unique dining, and the coziest, most romantic Bed and Breakfast in Washington State are yours for the asking! Come visit soon–the whales will be running up the coast for the next couple of months and the weather in the Columbia Pacific region is alternating between being warm and glorious and… not!
Wet Winter Plants in the Rain Forest
Event Date: Saturday, February 13, 2010
Start Time: 10 a.m. End Time: Noon Maximum: 15 people
Fee: Free to members of Friends of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge $10 per person for non-members.
Location: Willapa NWR Headquarters, 3888 State Route 101 (Hwy 101 near Milepost 24) Ilwaco, WA 98624
Event description: This is a wet winter walk in coastal temperate rain forest along Headquarters Creek at Willapa NWR Headquarters.
After a brief orientation indoors, we will walk along and over the creek, and through rain forest to look at plants that grow during the wet season. The focus will be on lichens, mosses and liverworts. We may find a few salamanders and frogs, too. This walk is less than a mile long, on a naturally surfaced trail, with moderate slopes in some sections.
This walk will not be canceled due to rain, but it will be canceled due to high wind, if winds above 40 mph arrive along the coast. If you do not receive a message or phone call canceling the walk by 7-8 a.m. on the day of the walk, then it has not been canceled.
Gear & Equipment: Rain gear, including boots, is required. Bring a hand lens or digital camera to see small plants more easily. This will be a good site to take close-up shots of many small plants.
The Friends of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge will be announcing details regarding their 3rd annual photo contest in April, 2010. The winning photos will be included in the 2011 Willapa National Wildlife Refuge calendar.
To sign up: contact Kathleen Sayce, ksayce@willapabay.org (preferred mode) or by phone, 360-665-5292. To register for this walk, you must leave an email address or phone number that you will be able to access the day of the hike, so that if the walk is canceled at the last minute, you can be contacted by 7 a.m. the morning of the walk.
We just had to let you know about this amazing event. Until you’ve seen indoor kite flying, you won’t believe your eyes. Stay at Boreas and attend this unique event on the SW Washington Coast in Long Beach, Washington. Dine at our unique restaurants featuring fine cuisine, sleep in the worlds’ most comfortable beds at Boreas and brunch on the dreamiest breakfast you’ve ever had! Boreas Inn was named in the 2010 “Best of the Discovery Coast” #1 “The Most Romantic Getaway”, #1 “Coziest B&B”, “Best Coffee” (#2) and “Best Omelette” (#3) We will make all of your arrangements for you!! Start the New Year right and be our guests! Here is the World Kite Museum’s latest newsletter! Note the kite-making event over Valentine’s Day weekend! It’s not too late to plan for next month!
Windless Kite Festival
January 16 & 17, 2010 A 2 Day Indoor Kite Flying Competition and Performances
Jerry Cannon is Mr. Cool in his yellow suit and kite. He has won competitions indoor and outdoor.
Looking for a winter weather entertainment? The Windless Kite Festival is an indoor kite flying show. It’s individuals, duos and more choreographed air routines to music.
Location
Long Beach School Gymnasium
Washington and 4th St South
Long Beach, WA 98631
Performance Times
Saturday January 16th 10am Demonstration Show
2pm Indoor Ballet Competition
Sunday January 17th 11am Indoor Hot Tricks & Performance Flying
The gym is open for participant practice, demonstrations, and indoor flying lessons Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 5pm except during Performance Times.
There’s always something to see.
Admission: Donation
Dick Curran generally flies single line kites indoors. This winged box performs when he pulls it up and with graceful glides to the music.
Lee Sedgwick flys a YFO, a single line kite of his creation. Lee is well known for skiing on frozen Lake Erie on kite power.
John Barresi, a kite pilot of 20 years, specializes in quad line kites. He is an instructor and innovator with the iQuad Team.
Scott Davis is the creator and director of this festival. He is also the instigator of the Hot Trick Shoot Out.
Penny Lingenfelter produces Dr. Suess’s Cat in the Hat using multiple flyers and folks from the audience. She also is known for her showstopper patriotic solos.
Other Kite Things to do that Weekend
Take an indoor flying lesson
Visit the Kite Museum and experience the thrill, art, science and world history of kiting plus make a kite.
Take time to view indoor flying films.
Join the jolly local and participant groups for the Italian Potluck, Raffle and Award Ceremony Evening. Admission is a dish to pass and something for the raffle.
Conor Doran, one of the new teenage winners, flys a Revolution.
Three Day Kite Making Exhibit
February 13, 14 & 15, 2010
A Unique Show of Modern Kite Making
It was the second weekend of May and we needed comic relief (apparently!). Some folks think we’re sort of picky about what we serve for breakfast at Boreas Bed and Breakfast Inn. This picture tells you everything! I told our guests that weekend about our dear guest, Tosh, who many years ago visited Boreas Inn with her husband for the International Kite Festival week. When confronted with the apparently, ominous, three-course breakfast we were about to serve her, she asked for cereal. (I’m certain that I looked surprised!) Always aiming to please our guests at whatever personal sacrifice, I had a box of Crispix cereal at our house, so I ran over and got it and served her a bowl of cereal with fresh raspberries. The next day, she got the Crispix and one course of our breakfast, and the third day, she tossed in the towel and denied herself the Crispix altogether and ate the entire breakfast with gusto and continued to enjoy the feasts for the balance of the week.
Hearing the story that fun weekend in May, guests Steve and Amy Hughes and returning guest Karen Carpenter(always with a mischievous glint in her eye) and her daughter, Lori Anne, teamed up to prank Bill and me the next morning. We arrived to cook breakfast and on everyone’s plate was a box of cereal. On our cooktop was a box of Crispix. I swear that our laughter woke everyone up that morning. (Not a bad way to wake up!) We have always said that on April Fools Day, we’re going to get a McDonald’s bag and fill it with goodies and serve it as a first course. But, again, we’re just too picky about what we serve for breakfast at Boreas Inn! The morning of the prank, I went to our house and guess what I had for breakfast! That little box of Crispix!
The Hughes and the Carpenters Prank Susie and Bill
