Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Rain, rain, go away, come again some other day.  Or not.  When you visit Gold Beach on the Oregon coast, you need to have a ‘go-with-the-flow’ type of attitude.  The owners of Tu Tu Tun Lodge have that type of attitude, and yet, they offer a very professional service and some winter bargains, too.

Tu Tu Tun Lodge, Gold Beach, Oregon

 The rainy season has arrived in Gold Beach, Oregon. Some people enjoy the rain. The Rogue River jet boats need the rain as much as the salmon need it to replenish the rivers and streams. I think of the rainy season as a time for bargains and cheap room pricing.

“My favorite thing to do in the winter is do nothing,” laughs Owner Laurie Van Zante of Tu Tu Tun Lodge. “Get your woodburing fireplace going, grab a glass of Oregon pinot and you’re good to go.”

Tu Tu Tun Lodge Summer, 2008

I was at the Tu Tu Tun Lodge in Gold Beach on a hot, sweltering May day in 2008. The staff was serving lemonade and iced tea by the bucketful and apologizing for the lack of air conditioning at the lodge. Normally, the breeze off the Rogue River cools the lodge down naturally. Reflecting back on my summer visit, it’s hard to remember the reliefI felt when the captain on Jerry’s Rogue River Jet Boat did a 360 on the river and sprayed us with refreshing river water.

Gillespie Riffle Room With a View

Gillespie Riffle Room, Tu Tu Tun Lodge, Gold Beach, Oregon

 I stayed in the Gillespie Riffle room with a view looking on to the Rogue. Of course, all of the 16 rooms feature a river view, some with a fireplace and outdoor soaking tub. Van Zante says the Moon Soakers, filled with fresh spring water, are great to sit in rain or shine.

“Tu Tu Tun is the place to be If you want to let down and let go,” notes Van Zante.

Food, Glorious Food

My parents had discovered this family-owned lodge back in the 1970’s. They remember it as having great, local food and wonderful popovers. I will also remember Tu Tu Tun for the food. Chef Justin Wills plans to offer winemaker dinners at the lodge. The family is considering offering cooking classes, so check back on the lodging blog for future updates.

Winter Room Rate Bargains

Wine and nibbles at Tu Tu Tun Lodge, Gold Beach, Oregon

Winter room rates are, indeed, a bargain. The Gillespie Riffle room rents for $287 in summer season, while it can be had for as little as $135 in the winter. While the temperatures may not be high, you can create a little heat during the evening wine and hors d’ oeuvre hour. The staff will be happy to suggest local dining options in nearby Gold Beach.

Reservation: (800) 864-6357

Update: Van Zante says to check back in January for cooking class news.

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Tu-Tu-Tun Lodge in summer

The rainy season has arrived in Gold Beach, Oregon.  Some people enjoy the rain.  The Rogue River jet boats need the rain as much as the salmon need it to replenish the rivers and streams.  I think of the rainy season as a time for bargains and cheap room pricing.

“My favorite thing to do in the winter is do nothing,” laughs Owner Laurie Van Zante of Tu Tu Tun Lodge.  “Get your woodburing fireplace going, grab a glass of Oregon pinot and you’re good to go.”

Tu Tu Tun Lodge Summer, 2008

I was at the Tu Tu Tun Lodge in Gold Beach on a hot, sweltering May day in 2008.  The staff was serving lemonade and iced tea by the bucketful and apologizing for the lack of air conditioning at the lodge.  Normally, the breeze off the Rogue River cools the lodge down naturally.  Reflecting back on my summer visit, it’s hard to remember the relief I felt when the captain on Jerry’s Rogue River Jet Boat did a 360 on the river and sprayed us with refreshing river water.

Gillespie Riffle Room With a View

Gillespie Riffle Room

I stayed in the Gillespie Riffle room with a view looking on to the Rogue.  Of course, all of the 16 rooms feature a river view, some with a fireplace and outdoor soaking tub.  Van Zante says the Moon Soakers, filled with fresh spring water, are great to sit in rain or shine.

“Tu Tu Tun is the place to be If you want to let down and let go,” notes Van Zante.

Food, Glorious Food

My parents had discovered this family-owned lodge back in the 1970′s.  They remember it as having great, local food and wonderful popovers.  I will also remember Tu Tu Tun for the food.  Chef Justin Wills plans to offer winemaker dinners at the lodge.  The family is considering offering cooking classes, so check back on the lodging blog for future updates.

Winter Room Rate Bargains

Wine and Nibbles

Winter room rates are, indeed, a bargain.  The Gillespie Riffle room rents for $287 in summer season, while it can be had for as little as $135 in the winter. While the temperatures may not be high, you can create a little heat during the evening wine and hors d’ oeuvre hour.  The staff will be happy to suggest local dining options in nearby Gold Beach.

Reservation: (800) 864-6357

Photos by Nancy D. Brown, taken in May 2008.

Winchester Inn

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

From one family to another, an Oregon tradition began in the 1980′s for Laura and Ernie Winslow. The Lafayette, California couple discovered the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Ashland’s Winchester Country Inn. 

“Ernie and I like the tradition of going back to a certain place,” reflects Laura Winslow.  They also enjoy the Winchester’s convenient location to downtown and the many theaters.

The Winslows have been returning to the Inn since 1980 and now travel with their grandchildren to Ashland.  “We’ve enjoyed the relationship with the Gibb family,” Laura Winslow notes.

The former schoolteacher met innkeepers Laurie and Michael Gibb when their children were small.  “I think we’ve stayed in every room,” Laura says.  “Our favorite rooms are the Garden Room and the Courtyard Suite.  The Gibbs provide us such wonderful service.”

“We’ve been privileged to have some of the same guests for 25 years,” reflects Laura Gibb.  “We came to Ashland at a particular time when we were the eight B&B and now there are over 80.”

I was fortunate to have stayed at the Winchester Inn for a night on May 16, 2008.  I stayed in the Courtyard Suite, and like the Winslow family, I was welcomed into the Gibb family home.  While the Gibb’s don’t actually live on property, they are very visible at the Inn.  Michael Gibb greeted me at check-in, son Drew offered some menu selections at the evening dinner and Laura stopped by at breakfast to touch base with me and graciously chatted with other guests in the morning.

General Manager Drew Gibb seems well suited to take over the Inn when his parents decide to taper off their innkeeper duties.  He recommended the wild salmon with blueberry corn salsa for a dinner selection.  The fish dish, prepared by Chef Shane Hardin, was bursting with flavor.

“We are absolutely thrilled with what he does.  Fun, non-traditional, haute cuisine.  We want to offer something that is fine dining, but won’t break the bank,” adds Drew.

If you are still undecided about your holiday plans and are looking for a unique experience, consider the Winchester Inn’s Dickens Feast, December 17-19, 2008.  The Winchester offers a three-hour, six course dinner based on an old English feast.  Singers dressed in period costume entertain, as well as a visit from jolly ol’ Saint Nick.

Rates: From $185-$280 with special packages available

For more information: (800) 972-4991