Maryhill is at the top of our list, as it is one of the most scenic winery properties in the Gorge. Located on the Washington side of the Columbia River, Maryhill is perched high on a bluff with unobstructed views. Voted 2009 Washington Winery of the Year, there’s something for everyone. Aside from providing one of the best scenic views, Maryhill offers a seemingly endless list of summer and spring activities, including outdoor concerts, art exhibits, and fabulous meals. There is never a shortage of things to do and see.

Our next stop is Waving Tree, which sits just below the famed Stone Hedge Memorial along the Columbia River.  Their location offers one of the longest growing seasons in eastern Washington. Aside from having fantastic wines, this winery also offers a plethora of activities, including an open-to-the-public Fall Harvest. Join the fun and pick your own grapes!

Further east sits Cascade Cliffs Vineyards and Winery. Offering primarily reds, Cascade Cliffs specializes in the classic Piedmont varietals (Barbera, Dolcetto, andNebbiolo) of northwest Italy, as well as popular French varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. Their philosophy is simple: a profound respect and honor for our natural surroundings will produce equally profound wines.

The company here is refreshing and relaxing, and the information is substantial. This winery has been noted for its excellence in numerous publications and periodicals. Make sure to catch this vineyard’s annual Summer Solstice party.

Columbia Gorge wine growers are an elite group of grounded individuals who make it their priority to ensure your tasting and dining experience exceeds your expectations. This dedication to service is consistent among our guests’ experience, and for this we proudly salute these small business owners and enjoy referring their venues and serving their wines in our cabins.

Maryhill winery is at the top of our list as it is one of the most scenic properties throughout the Gorge. Located on the Washington side Maryhill sits on a bluff just over the Columbia River. Voted 2009 Washington Winery of the year this fabulous location offers a little something for everyone.

Aside from having some of the best scenic views this winery is also home to unlimited summer and spring activities, concerts and dinners. There is never a shortage of things to do and see at this location.

Our next stop is Waving Tree, which is located just below the famed Stone hedged memorial, amidst the sprawling Columbia River also in the community of Maryhill Washington. Their location takes advantage of one of the longest growing seasons in Eastern Washington. Aside from having fantastic wine this winery also caters to a plethora of activities and at the end of the season opens its vineyards up for locals to pick a satchel of grapes for themselves.

Further east sits Cascade Cliffs Vinyards and Winery. Offering primarily red wines, Cascade Cliffs specializes in the classic Piedmont varietals (Barbera, Dolcetto, and Nebbiolo) of northwest Italy, as well as popular French varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. There philosophy is simple: a profound respect and honor for our natural surroundings will produce equally profound wines.

The company here is refreshing and relaxing and the information is substantial. This winery has been noted for its excellence in numerous publications and periodicals. Make sure to catch this vineyards Summer Solstice party March 20, 2010.

The Columbia gorge wine growers are a very elite group of grounded and humble individuals who make it their priority to see that you experience the ultimate in wine and dinning during your visit to their properties. This being the highlight of most of our guests experiences we proudly salute theses small business owners in what they do and enjoy referring their venues and serving their wines time and time again.

While staying in the Columbia River Gorge it is important to know exactly what you cannot afford to miss. These Scenic gorge areas are our home and we are proud to share them with the exploring tourists of the world.

We want to tell you a few of our absolute top five favorite hikes that are available nearly all year round.

Strawberry Island

#5 on our list of must do hikes is located about 12 miles west of Carson Ridge. Now I want you to keep in mind these top five are based on the amazing natural wonders that lie at the end of the trail.

Strawberry Island is located in North Bonneville Wa and although it would not seem like much from the entrance point of view the exquisite trails around this now landlocked island lead to some amazing views. Once Hamilton Island, Strawberry Island received its name from Lewis & Clark who traveled through in 1805, stating that the island was “Covered with grass interspersed with Strawberry vines”.

The Island itself has trails made out of the natural grass and wild flowers. Your choices range from a short quarter mile jaunt straight for the river or a 3-mile radius option walking you through timbers and bush. The highlight of course is when you land right above the waters of the Gorge. Taking a seat on a bench looking onto a very nostalgic setting almost like a painting. To the South you have the cascades so close it is as if you can reach out and touch them and to the north you have views of Beacon Rock and Hamilton Mountain.

This hike is especially great for a family and or pets. It is a quiet relaxing trail and depending on the path you take it is easy to moderate in its inclines. The Sunsets at this location is my main reason for making it # 5 on my list of Fantastic Hikes as they are beyond reality.

Beacon Rock

#4 is a historical must do when spending time in the Columbia River Gorge. Beacon Rock is the second largest monolith in the world, and it is the eroded core of an old volcanic neck. The 848-foot high spire is composed of light colored vesicular Andesite, and is steeply featured on all sides. The trail itself is more of a cement walkway crossing 27 bridges and contains 47 switchbacks in its mile distance. Like Strawberry Island, which can be viewed from the summit your views are spectacular as this hike ends with a 360 degree view of the west end of the Columbia River Gorge.

Beacon Rock is located in the Beacon Rock state park so is extremely outfitted with everything you would need for a perfect picnic afternoon. The park in itself also contains various hikes up and down the river as well as biking and fishing options. This is a great hike for any level as the grounds are extremely functional and you can go at your own pace. I have seen couples in there 80’s and families with multiple children and strollers taking this Columbia Gorge adventure.

Larch Mountain

#3 on my list is a very unique experience, which ends with a 360 degree view of “The Ring of Fire”. That’s right a ring of 5 volcanoes (Rainier, Adams, St Helens, Hood and Jefferson) that make their home here in the Pacific Northwest. Now there are two methods that will take you to this ultimately jaw dropping location.

The Difficult path is the complete Larch Mountain Trail, which heads off at Multnomah Falls Lodge. This trail is a five hour, 4000 foot exhausting climb through old growth forests, past multiple waterfalls and various viewpoints of the Gorge. It is a total of 14.4 miles round trip with your most crowded area being at Multnomah Falls itself.

Personally the highlight of this trail is the summit that leads you to Sherrard Point (viewing the Ring of Fire). For the hiker looking for a nice brisk walk or hike through the old growth and natural settings without the grueling 14 miles this is the perfect option. From Corbett Oregon you would simply drive up Larch Mountain Rd and Park in the designated parking area and hike the 0.3 miles to the view.

Eagle Creek

#2 is a path to a canyon full of waterfalls and forest settings. This is one of the most exquisite paths, passing half a dozen waterfalls. At the end of the 4.3 mile hike you reach a 30 foot Punchbowl Falls.

Due to the fact the trail was blasted out of basalt Cliffs I would not suggest children as there are some extremely rigid areas that do not accommodate railings for the hikers convenience.

Falls Creek Falls

#1 and one of the most amazing natural wonders, this trail ends at a waterfall you think only could be imagined. During the Summer months the area around this waterfall has colors so green you have to see it to believe it. The mist meets you as you walk to the ledge to see the massive amounts of water plummeting to the creek base.

This trail can be taken two ways as there is a lower falls and an upper falls. Of course the upper falls trail leads you to the summit of the falls and allows you to look over as the massive water races to the bottom. This trail is moderate in difficulty and is a total of 4 miles through massive old growth. This trail progressively gets steeper as you reach for the top of the falls however there is a lot of history along which is clearly defined by the Gifford Pinchot’s information stations.

The other choice to this trail is the lighter 1.7 mile hike to the base of the falls. This does incline as you reach the falls however 70% of the trail runs along the creek and also sets you in magnificent old growth and historical spots not seen by the other trail to the summit.

These scenic wonders are just the tip of the barrel of the beauty available here in the Columbia River Gorge. Most of these hikes can also be biked on and in some cases horse back riding. Complementing the fantastic beauty is the expansive history that each location gives you. From ancient Indians to Lewis & Clark your not just getting a workout, you are getting an unforgettable experience.

The Columbia River Gorge has some of the best Washington Lodging available and with the 2010 Winter Olympics just around the corner you cannot turn your head if traveling through Washington to Canada for the Event.

The Columbia River Gorge is home to a year around Recreational Mecca. Winter, Spring or Summer there is never a shortage of activities and scenery to indulge in. The Pacific Northwest is stocked full of hiking trails, biking trails, and numerous recreational areas on both water and land.

While planning your cross-country trip you should be contemplating Washington Lodging. Along side unlimited recreational activities there is a slew of lodging choices. From romantic cabins to luxury accommodations, inns to hotels the choices are endless. Traveling with pets? We at Carson Ridge offer pet friendly cabins as well as other resources for your furry companions.

Your Washington State travel options are ever growing. Following Highway 14 or Interstate 84 into our beautiful area is an activity in itself as the views of the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River will have you breathless at the very least.

Keep us in mind on your way to the winter games as the Pacific Northwest home of the Pacific Crest Trail is full of unlimited wonders of the natural world and full of more hospitality then you could ever imagine . . .

Luxurious getaways are our business and with this comes that added excitement of romance packages for your special romantic getaway. Being a romantic inn, our packages include self-indulgences such as couples in room massages from our spa, novelty & romance items such as, lotions, candles and lingerie, champagne, flower options and much more.

We can set up your ultimate romantic weekend by also offering romantic dinner options, local intimate locations and numerous romantic ideas all wrapped up in your own romantic itinerary.

With this said, have you started planning your valentines weekend? Our valentine’s weekend as well as our valentine’s month is jammed packed with romantic deals and romance options for your perfect romantic escape.

For the month of February Carson Ridge Private Luxury Cabins is offering complimentary wine tasting every evening and an upgrade to our best available cabin. We understand that not everyone can getaway for a little weekend romance on valentines weekend thus why we are offering this special all month long.

Also keep in mind there is still time to celebrate in January, which our amazing offer of $150 a night. Let us help you to escape from this winter weather to the coziness of a romantic cabin. Keep in mind all cabins are available for this price on a first come, first served basis.

So keep in mind that Valentines weekend is just around the corner and we are here to offer you the absolute in luxury, romance and relaxation. Make your reservations now at 509-427-7777 or toll free at 877-816-7908.

Mind you, if you are a follower of this piece you are aware of the daily updates on our Face Book page and Twitter site and how I feel, as well as where we are on both these subjects.

At any rate, our year in review has ultimately been a manifestation of hard work and conquered goals. The true spirit of being able to have and hold what you dream could not be any more apparent then through the pure determination and understanding that Pete, Latisha and the Staff here at Carson Ridge affirm each and every day.

There are the golden rules in life, some of which are placed to hold you in a certain light and others placed to let your light out. The shining light that our property has built up and beamed this past year is apparent everywhere. Behind this fence, you enter into a state of “ahhhhh…”. A state of relaxation, rejuvenation.

This year we’ve opened our doors to our community, as well. Giving an option of personal growth, relaxation, and ultimate personal experience through our yoga classes and Reiki sessions, as well as Thai Massage. Although we have merely broken the surface, the concrete platform that has been established is bound to build up great things for our neighbors and friends.

We are about to embark on the biggest and best year yet. With the completion of our new additions and the addition of new life, we are excited to invite you to our retreat. If only for a walk-around, we invite you in to take a look around and see for yourself the magic and mystery of our beautiful property.

To a successful 2010!

NM

–Woodrow Wilson—

The Sanctuary has now opened at Carson Ridge and with it comes a since of refreshment for our local community and Guests. The dynamic has changed at our quint B&B from a getaway location to place of of peace and solitude. A refuge if you will, that mends the soul without even knowing that you are being mended or needed mending.

With our first week behind us we can only be thrilled to be off to a great start. . The Sanctuary as mentioned in our publications, was created to be a gathering place for community to love, to laugh and to heal. Everyone should be allowed the life they dream of, and a place to feel joy and bliss.

Our Yoga, Meditation and healing classes come in different forms. For instance tonight we will envelope ourselves in Hatha-Anusara. Hatha a gentle yoga that emphasizes posture alignment enhancing muscle tone, flexibility and a peaceful mind while Anusara brings in a specific system of alignment principles as well as a creative, heart centered practice. This provides both a physical challenge and an inspiration to awaken you to the potential of your spiritual purpose.

A fantastic point to make also is that Yoga right now at the Sanctuary is open to all levels. If you have never been to a Yoga class then this is the perfect time for you to step in and feel what it is all about. The classes are small and intimate and you can receive more of the one on one that you may need. Also keep in mind that our bodys are quickly adaptable and will learn faster then your mind feels it should be allowed, no matter weight or body type.

Your body will thank you by quickly shedding those excess pounds, clearing all those negative thoughts from your head and heart and allowing you to breath a little easier and more efficient.

We welcome all to be a guest of the Sanctuary. Take a moment for yourself just an hour and little to relax, refresh and rejuvenate your mind, body and soul.

Tell next time ~ NM

With high expectations, Carson Ridge welcomes 2010 as a year of New Ventures.

After practicing yoga for five years, Latisha realized it was no longer enough for her to just practice: she wanted to share the amazing knowledge she’d personally benefited from. “Everyone should be allowed to live the life they dream of, to be free of pain and stress, to feel complete joy and bliss,” she said.

From her desire to impact others, “The Sanctuary” was borne; a magical gathering place for community to love, to laugh, to heal, to let go, to find connection, acceptance, awareness, presence, and compassion for all, and for all to find the unconditional enjoyment of the human experience that comes from remembering who we really are through yoga. Pranayama Meditation, Hatha Anusara style, and Yin are being offered and are open to the public. Space is limited, so please call to register for a session.

In addition to The Sanctuary, we’ve officially broken ground on 3 new luxury cabins! The holes are dug and the foundations are being structured as I write. The amenities will be top notch, the comfort undeniable, and the luxury impeccable. More square footage, vaulted ceilings, 2-person jacuzzi tubs, 2-person walk-in showers, and amazing views are just a few of the perks.

During this season of gratitude, thank you. Thank you, Carson; thank you, Guests. We genuinely appreciate your continued business and support as we continue to raise our bar for your comfort and well-being.

Until next time.

I want to take a moment and give a special Thank You to Pete and Latisha for being an outstanding team and giving me such a great place to work. They are truly amazing people in all their accomplishments, as well as in their hearts. They have amazing families that they’ve shared with me, as well as great friends that I’ve gotten to meet this past year. Aside from being part of such a beautiful property at Carson Ridge, I have another family and I am thankful for it every day!

Thank you…

…to our Blog and Face Book fans for following us.

…to all our guests. Whether you stayed one night or continue to return again and again, we could not do this without you!

…to all of the Chambers of Commerce and Associations who continually send people our way and talk so highly of us to visitors passing through. Your support and kind words are greatly appreciated.

Natasha Mathany