Fun and games for all at Creekside Inn and Resort in Guerneville

Spring is here and the flowers are in bloom.   The rain should  stop tomorrow, the sun will come out  and we have availability this weekend.  http://www.creeksideinn.com

Farmers’ Markets are opening.  Give special attention to “Eating our way through farmers’ market bounty” which was a recent  article in the local Santa Rosa Press Democrat .

Give us a call or an email and ask for Lynn  and I will make you a deal for the weekend of the 8th and 9th of May in one of our new Nature’s Suites.

Here on the Wildside of the Wine Country on the Russian River, we’ve had some rain and everything is in bloom.   The Press Democrat just ran a story called   “Five Undiscovered Spring Hikes” .  Some of the wild Iris at the coast have begun to bloom.  In April the drive out Coleman Valley Road from Occidental to the Coast should be through beautiful hills enhanced with the blue of the blooming wild iris.  If you have never seen it before then try to get here for it this year. 

Let us know you saw this here and stay any 2 nights through this April 18th for the price of  just 1 night. 

It’s important to keep up with family and friends! Who knows when you might need a spare room for you, your spouse and the seven critters (kids, ferrets or alligators) to crash in for the next six months, a perfect kidney match or someone to borrow money from?  If you are thinking of getting a close or extended group together, Creekside Inn & Resort is becoming Reunion Central. We think it’s the combination of great location in the Redwoods and on the river, great prices and great reunion planning services through our concierge.  We have had reunion weddings, family reunions, class reunions, military reunions, girl friend reunions, guy reunions – and we are open to more. If you have people you would like to reconnect with for fun or possible ulterior motives here’s what we offer: 

•     Accommodations for up to 90 people (okay, this is using every available bed and futon and there will be some close togetherness but a good chance to get that hair strand for DNA testing

•        Great prices. For example: 
  •     Book 7 nights - the two-day weekend is free (No limitations!)
  •        Book the whole inn and depending on the time of year, we can work with you on rates (But, not June through mid-Oct.)
•     All but our inn rooms come with fully-equipped kitchens so it is easy to share expenses by cooking memorable favorites and eat communally potluck style or the famous taco truck featured in Gourmet magazine will come by and groups can order separately or all on one bill.
•     Concierge to help plan and book recreation in the area including kayaking, canoeing, horseback riding, fishing, hiking, picnicking, wine tasting, tours, caterers (licensed and Lynn approved can use our large commercial kitchen) Pee Wee golf, etc. Recreation for all ages, activity levels and interests are nearby. 
•     Inn amenities include: Swimming pool, WiFi, close to the river beach, family games, use of common area, picnic tables, BBQ grills

Tickets are on sale ONLY until the coming Friday for the Russian River Wine Road’s 17^th Annual Winter Wineland event on January 17 & 18. At Creekside Inn & Resort, in honor of this great wine celebration we are offering the third night, of a stay of two nights are longer, absolutely free. Stay with us two night and receive your third night at no charge! Approximately 100 wineries are participating this year in the two days of wine tasting throughout the Russian River Valley. Each day from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. participants get a chance to meet winemakers, taste limited production wines and sample new releases and library wines. Some of the wineries will offer food pairings and others will have tours. The ticket price includes wine tasting at all of the participating wineries for the weekend: $40 for the whole weekend,  $30 for Sunday Only and $10 for designated drivers. Tickets are available at www.wineroad.com.  Some of the interesting offerings at the wineries are: Armida Winery on Westside Road is having their annual Tailgate Party. They will be tossing the pigskin around while firing up the grills and deep frying Willie Bird turkeys and  watching the play-off games in the tasting room. At Carol Shelton Wines in Santa Rosa they are doing a food and wine paring of smoked hangar steak from Elmo’s Steakhouse in addition to the eclectic music of Ray Garcia on acoustic guitar. DeLoach Vineyards in Santa Rosa is celebrating Russian heritage with wines paired with Chef Cyndicy Coudray’s hearty winter soup (made using ingredients from their organic garden) and Russian music. Foppiano Vineyards there will be music and “Italian soul food” prepared with their Petite Sirah. At the Graton Ridge Cellars they are having a “Wild West Saloon Days” theme including Russian River Roulette. At Korbel Champagne Cellars the chef is preparing a special champagne and food pairings for the event. Saturday visitors can enjoy a mimosa from 10:30 to 11 a.m. They are offering tours through their historic Champagne Cellars and History Museum and special discounts are available through Monday. At  Peterson Winery in Healdsburg, they are doing a live barrel making demonstration with Yann Guigan, lead cooper at Barrel Builders of St. Helena. At Suncé Winery in Santa Rosa they will be serving fresh salmon cakes atop arugula drizzled with Louie tapenade paired with their wines. There will be homemade brownies and a chance to play the Mystery Wines Contest and win prizes. This is just a few of the interesting events happening that weekend.  At Creekside, we are very much believers in the “locavore” movement:  eating a diet consisting of food harvested within a 100-mile radius. We are fortunate to have so many great food producers and restaurants that embrace using organic locally produced foods. When you come to visit, ask us for a Farm Trails map so you can explore some of these wonderful farms and restaurants. Wonderful Winter Wineland and the Locavore Movement Flourishes Tickets are on sale ONLY until the coming Friday for the Russian River Wine Road’s 17th Annual Winter Wineland event on January 17 & 18. At Creekside Inn & Resort, in honor of this great wine celebration we are offering the third night, of a stay of two nights are longer, absolutely free. Stay with us two night and receive your third night at no charge! Approximately 100 wineries are participating this year in the two days of wine tasting throughout the Russian River Valley. Each day from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. participants get a chance to meet winemakers, taste limited production wines and sample new releases and library wines. Some of the wineries will offer food pairings and others will have tours. The ticket price includes wine tasting at all of the participating wineries for the weekend: $40 for the whole weekend, $30 for Sunday Only and $10 for designated drivers. Tickets are available at www.wineroad.com. Some of the interesting offerings at the wineries are: Armida Winery on Westside Road is having their annual Tailgate Party. They will be tossing the pigskin around while firing up the grills and deep frying Willie Bird turkeys and watching the play-off games in the tasting room. At Carol Shelton Wines in Santa Rosa they are doing a food and wine paring of smoked hangar steak from Elmo’s Steakhouse in addition to the eclectic music of Ray Garcia on acoustic guitar. DeLoach Vineyards in Santa Rosa is celebrating Russian heritage with wines paired with Chef Cyndicy Coudray’s hearty winter soup (made using ingredients from their organic garden) and Russian music. Foppiano Vineyards there will be music and “Italian soul food” prepared with their Petite Sirah. At the Graton Ridge Cellars they are having a “Wild West Saloon Days” theme including Russian River Roulette. At Korbel Champagne Cellars the chef is preparing a special champagne and food pairings for the event. Saturday visitors can enjoy a mimosa from 10:30 to 11 a.m. They are offering tours through their historic Champagne Cellars and History Museum and special discounts are available through Monday. At Peterson Winery in Healdsburg, they are doing a live barrel making demonstration with Yann Guigan, lead cooper at Barrel Builders of St. Helena. At Suncé Winery in Santa Rosa they will be serving fresh salmon cakes atop arugula drizzled with Louie tapenade paired with their wines. There will be homemade brownies and a chance to play the Mystery Wines Contest and win prizes. This is just a few of the interesting events happening that weekend. At Creekside, we are very much believers in the “locavore” movement: eating a diet consisting of food harvested within a 100-mile radius. We are fortunate to have so many great food producers and restaurants that embrace using organic locally produced foods. When you come to visit, ask us for a Farm Trails map so you can explore some of these wonderful farms and restaurants.

Most people think of New England when they think of beautiful fall colors, but West Sonoma County has plenty of fall colors on display. Where in New England the colors change mostly on the trees, here it is the grape vines as well that turn lovely combinations of gold, orange, plum and brown.  Check out the article in the local paper by clicking  on this link http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20081112/NEWS/811120278/1349?Title=Who_needs_New_England_ 

Some of our favorite fall drives:

·        River Road out to the coast at Jenner (you follow the Russian River) bucolic pictures of cows and sheep on the hills and peeks of the Russian River in between our glorious redwoods

·        Westside Road past wineries and vineyards in full fall color to lunch in Healdsburg

·        Bohemian Highway is a wonderful 10-mile drive through towering redwoods, gorgeous pastures, rocky ravines, and three charming towns Freestone, Occidental and Monte Rio.

Wineries having Open Houses Thanksgiving Weekend:

·        Paradise Ridge is offering wine for sale and holiday snacks.

·        Acorn Winery will have festive snacks and wine tasting.

·        Alexander Valley Wineries are seven wineries open after Thanksgiving for a Holiday Party. Visit Fieldstone, Hanna, Alexander Valley Vineyards, Johnson’s Alexander Valley, Sausal, White Oak, and Stryker Sonoma for award winning wines, discounts, and festive fare. Visit all wineries for a chance to win a gift basket. Fee: $5.00 per person, includes a glass

·        Kendall-Jackson Holiday Open House 
Holiday, Celebration: Reception, Wine Tasting and Hors d’oeuvres. Art show and sale. Taste limited release wines, tour the gardens, and shop for holiday gifts. 


·        Thanksgiving Celebration at Pedroncelli
Holiday will have great wines, holiday cheer and snacks.

·        Dry Creek Vineyards’ Holiday Open House
Holiday Celebration has become a local favorite during the long holiday weekend as guests enjoy tasty tidbits paired with an outstanding array of single vineyard wines and live music.

We hope you will have a pleasant Thanksgiving wherever you are,

Lynn

      On the Russian River and in a cottage high up in the redwoods, with views of nature through the treetops, can you think of a better way to create a new Thanksgiving holiday tradition? Think of lying in bed with a lovely fire burning in the your bedroom fireplace and out your window a view of trees.  After a leisurely breakfast on your private balcony, you spend the day foraging for your Thanksgiving menu from some of the best of the local suppliers. Farms, bakeries and artisans that supply what they grow to the best restaurants in Napa, Sonoma and San Francisco surround us. For example, there is Willie Bird Turkeys, a family-owned business who has been raising fresh free-range turkeys for more than 75 years. (www.williebird.com). Gourmet bakeries, organic vegetables, artisan cheese and chocolate makers, organic meat and seafood suppliers and, of course, a number of fabulous wineries are all within driving distance. We will be happy to provide you with a list of how to create your own gourmet dinner by visiting local suppliers and sampling the wares.  Much rather spend the day, visiting a couple of wineries, taking a walk in the redwoods, and having an in-cottage massage? But want to enjoy the privacy of eating in your cottage and just cooking the turkey or tofurky? The local Safeway has a number of side-dishes already prepared from pumpkin soup to mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. For a higher-end option ZaZu restaurant & farm, the Zagat, Wine Spectator and Food Channel darlings, are just up the road (http://www.zazurestaurant.com/). On the gourmet side-dish menu this year are a number of choices including: bacon wrapped dates with harissa; maple and browned butter yams; quinoa and squash stuffing with pine nuts and currants or gingerbread stuffing with squash, apples, celery and shallots. For dessert, they are preparing pumpkin gelato pie with gingersnap crust and caramel sauce (they make all their own gelato in the Italian way) or Laura Chenel goat cheesecake with a brown sugar crust. Orders for their side-dishes must be in by November 19^th! We will be happy to send you the whole list of what they are offering.   We also have a number of restaurants in the area, offering full Thanksgiving dinners with several different price points. Our favorite for creativity, fabulous fresh ingredients and ambiance is Mosaic Restaurant. Information on their menu and their reservation system is available at (www.mosaiceats.com/reservations.htm). Another good option for Thanksgiving is Applewood Restaurant. Their menu this year includes: celery root soup with white truffle crema and cinnamon porcini; oven roasted turkey served with apple sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, garnet yam sofrito, gravy and cranberry relish; and pumpkin crème brule with vanilla marshmallows and brown butter shortbread. They have other menu choices available as well. The price is $65.00 per person and beverages, tax and gratuity are additional. Reservations are available at 800.555.8509. The Village Inn Restaurant in Monte Rio is offering a menu for $53.00 per adult and $30 per child eleven and under plus tax and gratuity. Their menu includes a choice of three starters, four entrees and two desserts. Some of the menu choices are fresh roasted young turkey with a cornbread Italian sausage, nut, caramelized apples and onion stuffing, natural pan gravy and cranberry compote. All their entrees are served with Yukon gold mashed potatoes, maple chunk sweet potatoes, fresh green beans almandine and warm dinner rolls. Reservations are available at 800.303.2303.  Check back next week when we have information available on Christmas Tree Farms and wineries and other attractions open on Thanksgiving Day.      

Book a stay of three nights from November 1 to November 31 and we will give you the fourth night free! We are at the end of all our renovations and November is a perfect time to come and stay with us in one of our new eco-friendly cottages or new birdhouse rooms. All the rooms have been raised high into the redwoods and many have private balconies sitting up among the trees.
The weather is still gorgeous. The days have been sunny with mild breezes and no humidity. The temperatures during the days are in the 80s. The nights cool down to the low 50s or high 40s. All of these are Fahrenheit temperatures of course. The 10-day forecast at weather.com shows more of the same fabulous weather. The day temperatures right now are better than some summers we have seen.
Need another reason to come visit us in November? On the 15th, Joan Baez is going to be at the nearby Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. 2008 marks her 50th anniversary as a performer. Here is a link to her MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/joanbaez. Reservations are available at 707.546.3600 and http://wellsfargocenterarts.org/

 This is one of the best times to come to the Russian River. The days are still warm and there is the scent of all sorts of lovely harvest fragrances in the air. The nights are cool and crisp. The leaves on the grapevines and the trees are lovely shades of gold, orange and brown. Things have slowed to a leisurely pace after the hectic rush of summer and a great event to experience is <b> The 10^th Annual Food and Wine Affair “Tasting Along the Wine Road”  The event is Saturday and Sunday, November 1 & 2, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are 73 Wineries participating this year. What makes this event different then other wine events is the emphasis on food and wine pairings and the very reasonable price to taste the wines and enjoy some fabulous food. The wineries all seem to compete to impress with their food selections chosen to offset their great wines. The event map helps you decide what food and wine you would like to sample in the Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys. This is also a less crowded event then some of the others. It’s one of our favorites. Ticket prices: $60 Weekend; $40 Sunday Only. For more information and to purchase tickets www.WineRoad.com Want to enjoy a fun and adult Halloween then the Russian River is the place to be. The mostly-gay but very straight-friendly Russian River Resort (RRR) has “The Haunted Resort” on October 25 from 7 p.m. to midnight as a benefit for Food for Thought. From Friday, October 31 to November 2, there is a weekend of Halloween fun. Friday night is the RRR Halloween Party with Spookeoke with DJ JfX from 8 to 11 p.m. and Scary-okke with Country Dan from 11 p.m. to closing. On Saturday night, November 1, it’s the Guerneville Progressive Costume Contest from RRR to the Rainbow Cattle Company and then to Yamagata and back to the Triple R for a Drag Show by Charlie Horse. On Sunday, it’s the Costumed Pet Parade with all the darling pets parading through the town. You will never experience another Halloween weekend anything like it.  The best place to stay, of course, for both events is right here at Creekside in one of our remolded cottages or in the inn if you want to enjoy one of Mark’s fabulous breakfasts.

This Saturday the Russian River Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will host an adult bingo game. The beneficiary is the Russian River Childcare and the theme is appropriately “Milk and Cookies” For more information see http://www.rrsisters.org.

We have a collection of beautiful antique and vintage glassware and china, some silver flatware and vintage furniture. Some are furnishings we are no longer using, others are inherited pieces from a mother and grandmother. All are priced to sell and will be insured and packed carefully and shipped to you.

In addition to these treasures, we also have the work of talented artists and crafts people, some local, in our inventory.

Should you want to know what is cooking at Creekside and other Bed and Breakfast Inns, we are selling cookbooks.

To visit the rest of the click here.

Or click here to just start shopping.