The Hood River Fruit Loop
The Fruit Loop is more than just a colorful, sugary breakfast cereal; it is a glorious scenic drive through lush lavender fields, enticing wineries, and rolling orchards. Oregon’s Fruit Loop is about an hour from Portland and even closer to our Columbia River Gorge Cabins. Drive it or cycle it, and eat and drink your way from one stop to the next.
Bring home a delicious cherry pie from The Fruit Loop
Fruit has been grown along the Fruit Loop since the mid 1800s, and many of the farmers run farms that have been in their families for generations. They are friendly and generous with their land – visitors are encouraged to walk through orchards and pick their own fruit. And truly, there is nothing quite like the taste of freshly picked fruit, be it cherry, apple, or pear.
Many fruit stands line the Fruit Loop, so if you aren’t in the mood to pick your own, you may still enjoy freshly picked fruit. Indeed, snacks are abundant on the Fruit Loop – especially the healthful kind. Of course, if you prefer to ingest your fruit slathered on toast (jam) or with a scoop of ice cream (pie), you’ll find these options on the loop, too. There are a wide assortment of locally made preserves at the Apple Valley Country Store, where you can also lunch on barbecued chicken, ribs, or pulled pork. Be sure to complete the meal with a sinfully good Huckleberry ice cream shake.
As has happened elsewhere in the country, many farms in the Columbia River Gorge now grow grapes. Folks who travel the Hood River Fruit Loop will find quite a few excellent Oregon wineries:
- Wy’East Vineyards
- Mt. Hood Winery
- Pleasant Valley Winery (certified organic)
- Hood River Vineyards
- The Gorge White House
- Cathedral Ridge Winery
At the end of the day, you will want to do nothing more than return to our luxurious Hood River Lodging with arms full of locally produced wine and fruit. You’ll probably also want a loaf of freshly baked bread (available several places on the loop), jam, and a pie. Touring the Fruit Loop is hungry work, so sit back, admire the view, and enjoy a healthy, locally grown, feast.
Consider staying in one of our Hood River Cabins during the following Fruit Loop Festivals:
- Hood River County Fruit Loop Wine Celebration: June 18-19, 2011.
- Hood River County Fruit Loop Cherry Celebration: July 16-17, 2011.
- Lavender Festivals at various local Lavender Farms: July 9-10, July 16-17, 2011.
- Hood River County Fair; July 27-30, 2011.
- Apple Valley’s Huckleberry Jam & Country BBQ; August 13-14, 2011.
More information about the Fruit Loop is available at the Hood River Fruit Loop.
Tags: Columbia River Gorge wineries, Hood River County Fair, Hood River Fruit Loop, Hood River lodging, lavender, lavender festivals, Oregon Wine, The Fruit Loop, u-pick fruit, wine tasting
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