I love this time of year in my “back yard.”   The trees in the Hudson Valley are not yet at peak but each day brings more color.   Farm markets have an abundance of local produce and you can pick your own apples and pumpkins at orchards and farms along the Hudson River.  Enjoy the many valley wineries that are open to visitors, including the country’s oldest vineyard.  The first commercial winery in the Hudson Valley, Jacques Brothers Winery, was established in 1837 for the production of altar wines. Renamed Brotherhood in 1885, the Washingtonville winery is the nation’s oldest continuously operated winery.

There is much to do in the valley but this coming weekend is the official opening of the Walkway Over the Hudson.    A former railroad bridge built 121 years ago has been renovated into a pedestrian and bike bridge that spans 6,700 feet across the Hudson.   The view is spectacular.  

While visiting the valley be sure to take advantage of the fine area restaurants as well as the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park.   Reservations are suggested for most CIA restaurants but the Apple Pie Café is a walk in.    

As for lodging in the area, there is a wonderful and varied selection of bed and breakfasts.  

From the moment Conchita Nolet greeted us at the front door of the St. Mary’s Inn B&B we knew we had made the right choice for our stay in Colorado Springs.   She was warm, gracious and welcoming.   Her husband Zeno joined us shortly after and his charming personality only confirmed our first impression.  Located just a few blocks from the center of the city in a lovely residential area, the inn is convenient to the restaurants and shops along the main streets.  The large, well-lit off street parking area is nicely landscaped and attractive.      

The St. Mary’s Inn is an elegant Victorian mansion with beautifully furnished rooms that accent the period of the house itself.  While the antique and reproduction pieces give the visitor a sense of the period, amenities are modern and well done as not to take too much from the theme of the inn.  While Zeno oversaw the renovations, Conchita was responsible for the decorating and has taken great care to ensure the rooms each have luxurious linens, comfy mattresses and pillows.   We stayed in the Aspen Suite, which was attractive and appealing to both men and women.  The granite tile bathroom with its double basins was equally appealing.  When we returned to the inn later that evening we found the bed turned down, truffles on the pillow and a lovely hand-written welcome note from our hosts - a nice touch.

After giving us a tour of the inn we settled in with the other guests in the living room to enjoy cool drinks, snacks and cookies, which are available all day.   Zeno and Conchita are very sociable and used the time to make dinner recommendations as well as getting to know their  guests.  We all enjoyed sharing information about our travels and those guests who had been at the inn for several days or were returning had us anticipating breakfast the following morning.

After recommendations from our hosts as well as other guests, Conchita called and made reservations for us at the Bistro de Pinto.   A small continental restaurant with just about ten tables that is chef owned.   Dinner was outstanding and we sent compliments to Chef Mike Pinto who graciously came out to the table to thank us.  The soup du jour was wild mushroom that made us wish we ordered a bowl in place of a cup.    The rack of lamb with fingerling potatoes, my choice, and my husband’s flat iron steak, special of the evening, were cooked perfectly.   We almost passed on dessert but when offered the mango mousse pie we decided to share.   A decision we regret only because we each could have  had our own slice.  It was light and full of flavor with pieces of mango in the mousse. Yummy    

After dinner we decided to drive to the Garden of the Gods as the visitor center is open later during the summer.    We stopped at the first viewpoint, which has vistas of the city as well as the amazing rock formations, and spent so much time that the sun started to set so we decided to return the following day.   This is a spot that is not to be missed.

In addition to visiting the Garden of the Gods, you must head up to Pike’s Peak,  either by car or via the cog railway.  The authentic Anasazi cliff dwellings in Manitou Springs is another amazing site.  Click Here for more information on attractions in Colorado Springs and Pike’s Peak County.    I also suggest a visit to U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, which houses a Hall of Fame Rotunda in addition to a sculpture garden and a 12’ tall Olympic Ring wall.

We opted for the later breakfast seating but were welcomed at the table when we arrived early to get a cup of coffee.  Zeno started us off with juice and a glazed baked grapefruit.  The entrée of the day was Conchita’s signature dish, stuffed French toast with a homemade orange sauce on the side.   No butter or maple syrup needed.   It was beautifully presented and garnished with fresh fruits and sliced almonds.  Scrumptious!  A platter of breakfast sausage was also passed around the table family style.

While we were disappointed that due to prior commitments we were unable to extend our stay, the up side is the incentive is now there to return.   There is more we want to see and do in the area in addition to spending more time at the St. Mary’s Inn.  As we were leaving there was an exchange of e-mail addresses with other guests so we could keep in touch and perhaps return at the same time.    Conchita and Zeno are wonderful people; they provide outstanding service as well as being perfect hosts that bring their guests together. 

In New England, the pineapple is recognized as the symbol of hospitality.   In New Mexico, the ristras, or arrangements of dried chili peppers, have the same meaning.   When you arrive at the Adobe & Pines Inn B&B in Taos you will find two of these symbols of welcome hanging by the doorway at the inn’s main entrance on the Grand Portal.

           
 
Also welcoming you are innkeepers Katherine and Louis Costabel and their staff.  As the third owners of the inn they continue to work on enhancing the property while keeping the integrity of the preserved 1832 adobe hacienda.  The inn’s web site is a wealth of historic information and so interesting it makes a great read.  The property itself is beautiful, with additional adobe buildings that also house guest accommodations.                               

There is variety in the choice of rooms but all rooms are air-conditioned and have private baths, wood-burning fireplaces (wood is supplied at no charge), coffee/tea service, cable TV and DVD/VCR players. Suites have whirlpool tubs and one has a private sauna.  The lawn and courtyard are inviting, as is the hammock where you can swing or just laze about listening to the sounds of nature and the nearby steam or acequia that flows through the property.
  

                               
Taos is beautiful and the plazas are wonderful for strolling, shopping and dining; visit the galleries, museums and enjoy the architecture that is New Mexico.   I love the colors of New Mexico and one of my favorite sightings was the rooftop pictured below.
  

We arrived in Taos late morning and knew it was too early to check in but we called to see if we could get a recommendation for lunch.    Paul, the assistant innkeeper/concierge/all around nice guy, suggested the Dragonfly Café and Bakery  and what was originally planned to be a light bite turned into a full mid-day meal.   The charming courtyard setting and the tempting menu persuaded us to settle in.   My husband ordered the lunch special, a brisket sandwich served with a salad.  The roast had been braised in a red chili sauce and the sandwich so large it had to be eaten with a knife and fork.   I had skewered beef served with bruschetta and the best eggplant caponata.  We were very pleased with our decisions and both dishes were excellent.    
                 

Since lunch was so expansive, after spending the day exploring the galleries and shops, we opted just to have Sangria, chips with salsa and guacamole and a salad on the upstairs deck at Olgavie’s overlooking Taos Plaza.   We watched the sun set while we lingered over our wine.   A nice way to end the day.

Breakfast at the inn is served in the glass walled dining area overlooking the courtyard.  Coffee was out early and tables were set for two or four guests.    While Louis was busy in the kitchen whipping up the day’s delight, Katherine was filling cups, pouring juice, chatting with guests and giving directions and tips for the day’s activities.   She brought us a plate of goodies that included a variety of miniature scones, chocolate muffin tops and a fruit Danish, all made by Louis.   Note:  the photo was taken after we indulged.  Katherine then served us Louis’ secret recipe pancakes with warm maple syrup and sausage, which not only were delicious but also required a picture be taken.  The presentation was artistic and Louis painstaking cut all the fruit including small berries.   
      

After the last guest was served, Louis joined Katherine and their guests.   They are both so personable and have such great knowledge of the area which they enjoy sharing with their guests.  The outdoor adventures beckon and many of the guests were interested in kayaking, rafting, hiking and biking.   Our hosts were able to provide information to all.  We were interested in the Rio Grande Gorge and Louis directed us to the bridge.  650 feet above the Rio Grande - it’s the second highest bridge of its construction in the country.   Louis was right, it was spectacular even if I didn’t walk over it!  

Charming innkeepers and fantastic breakfasts enhance this historic property.  It’s easy to see why guests rave about the Adobe and Pines B&B.

Owners Cynthia and Stephen Malkowski purchased the inn a couple of years ago and did an amazing restoration of the property and the French chateau.   Their goal was to have an eco-friendly retreat and serve meals that were “healthy but still exciting and flavorable.”   They have met their goal.

Afternoon wine, cheese and little bites are served in the living room and the setting is perfect for guests to mingle and get to know one another.   Dinner is available to guests and the intimate dining room offers guests tables for two or more, if desired.   Both common areas are beautifully decorated.  Guests also have access to a second story porch with comfortable seating that faces the ocean in addition to seating in the garden areas surrounding the inn. 

Our guest room was the contemporary and spacious two-story Owner’s Suite with its magnificent views and fabulous bath, shower and dressing rooms.  The suite also had a private deck.

We opted for dinner at the inn that evening and we were not disappointed.   The Bistro Menu gave us seven options for starters that included soup, salads and dishes that could just be light simple suppers.  There were three entrees and three desserts.   We shared a Tomato and Onion Salad with Asparagus as an appetizer. I then enjoyed the Manila clams steamed in a sunchoke and corn broth while my husband had one of his favorite dishes, roasted pork tenderloin.  He particularly enjoyed the sides of braised cabbage and organic greens and the mustard roasted potatoes.  A hearty yet healthy offering.  For dessert we shared the poached pear cake and the Oregon berry cafluti.   So good!  

The inn has a fantastic staff, all very professional, personable and harmonious.   They work very well together and share the same goals for Arch Cape as Cynthia and Stephen.  They have a phenomenal chef and he and my husband spent quite some time talking after dinner.   Chef Jonathan Hoffman is a 27 year old culinary trained chef who grows his own herbs, hand picks berries and personally purchases his ingredients from local organic gardeners and farms. 

Breakfast the following morning started with slices of oranges and grapefruit, with a sprinkle of dried cranberries and a simple syrup enhanced by a clear vanilla paste made from vanilla beans  The entree which you think would have been a salmon benedict here in the northwest was a shrimp jambalaya benedict with a perfect poached egg on top and roasted potatoes with peppers and okra.   It was such a diverse dish but after tasting we declared it excellent.  

Our third course was a little breakfast dessert of sweet polenta flavored with lavender and garnished with salal berries that Chef Jonathan had gathered.   He is so innovative and I would like to mention that he has been invited to cook at the James Beard house this month.

After breakfast you can take the short walk across the road down to Cannon Beach 

or head north to the lovely town of Seaside and Ecola State Park, which is what we did.   We wanted to get a better view of the “Haystack,” one of the more well known sea stacks along the coast. 

Our charming hosts were more then helpful in planning our stay on the Oregon coast.  We followed their suggestions and they were right on each time.   Cynthia, Stephen and their wonderful staff made our first visit to the Northwest a wonderful experience and we look forward to returning.

On our recent trip up the Pacific coast and while exploring the magnificent Redwood National Park, we stopped overnight in the Victorian village of Ferndale   One of the most photographed buildings in town is the beautiful Gingerbread Mansion. The house and gardens are a photographer’s delight.   Our stay was just as delightful.

Since we arrived late in the day we missed their lovely afternoon tea social, although tea, coffee, and cookies were still available for us to enjoy.  On the weekends, a more extensive formal tea is set out. Robert gave us a tour and we noted that the usual Victorian settees and love seats had been replaced with comfortable upholstered sofas and chairs.  Robert informed us that they want guests to be comfortable and enjoy the common rooms.

We stayed in the Gingerbread Suite with its matching claw foot soaking tubs, queen bed and a private patio overlooking the gardens.  I liked that we had an assortment of magazines in the room and fresh flowers.

Robert and Julie, along with Vince and Sue, share the innkeeping duties.   Robert and Julie were there in the evening when we arrived and gave us some dining tips.   Their favorite “date” place in town was the historic Hotel Ivanhoe’s dining room, with great history plus good and plentiful food.

While many of the shops had closed (to my husband’s relief) we were still able to enjoy the beautiful architecture on Ferndale’s Main Street as well as many of private homes on the surrounding streets.

After a relaxing evening and good night’s sleep, we awoke to a wonderful breakfast.   The tables in the dining room were beautifully set with china, crystal stemware, fresh flowers and Carnival glass service. 

The sideboard held bowls of fruit, granola and yogurt.   Vince started us with Sue’s freshly baked blackberry muffin, followed by a baked apple with raisins and walnuts.        Our entrée was a delicious bacon quiche. 

Whether you hike, bike or kayak you will enjoy the coast; the drive through the Avenue of the Giants is not to be missed.   The inn has bikes and kayaks available for use by guests and your hosts will be happy to help you plan your day.   Enjoy the Gingerbread Mansion, Ferndale and all the area has to offer.

    For details on Ferndale’s other B&Bs, please click here.