Early Spring Comes the to the Run...

Hi Ho From the Icicle Valley!



I just had to post a quick note to fill you in on current conditions. If you can make a break to the Icicle Valley and Run of the River anytime soon...do so. It is magical!



Snow is receding quickly. We have cool temps, but very sunny days. The bikes are out, the low hikes are opening up to some green hills and glacial lillies.



If you want to linger in winter, the snowshoes are still ready for a tromp in the upper Icicle Canyon.



The west facing decks are perfect for afternoon cookies and a fresh cup of coffee. Letting the sun collect, while you sway to the easy rhythm of the refuge is the perfect way to end the day in the Valley.



For birding, the Evening Grossbeaks are back in packs! Perhaps misnamed, they appear on the feeders in groups every morning. While you are feasting inside, they are outside chirping, feeding and flitting about. Quite a scene!

Winter fun at the Run...

Wow...what a winter in the Icicle Valley and Run of the River Inn and Refuge. We are now past the prime season for heavy snows, but we got our accummulation when it counted. And what an accummulation it was. We go back 22 years at the inn and only the winter of 95-96 rivaled this one. That was the last millenium!

Along with the snow, we have had cooler than normal temperatures so skiing, snowshoeing, sleigh rides and snowmobiling have been perfect.

Now though, we are turning a corner to late winter. Days are getting longer and sunnier. Nights are clear and are star-filled. Songbirds are coming back. The joy of the first spring call the Chickadee and the red winged blackbird is a treat. Spring is fast approaching in the Valley. The birds tell us so.

With spring, we are running the Spring Break promotion. See details online to take advantage of this once a year opportunity. We hope it works for you! It should amazing to see the runoff this spring from the decks!

December 19th, 2007

Happy Holidays everybody! We hope you are doing great. This is our first blog entry for Run of the River Inn and Refuge. It comes, coincidentally, on the anniversary of our inception 21 years ago this month.

What we liked about running a small inn way back in the Reagan era was that we could run it out of a little plastic box with 3 X 5 file cards for recording guest stays, and a primitive calendar to record minimal data.

The inn back then was a far cry from what guests now experience. And a few guests have histories at the inn going back twenty plus years. We celebrate them for moving along with us!

Well...I tell Karen, "We still run the inn out of a little plastic box." Only today, of course, the little box is hooked up to 110 power, wi-fi and the internet.

Thanks to all the folks who have made the journey with us and we look forward to welcoming new guests to the adventure of Run of the River Inn and Refuge.

Current Report: WOW...do we have snow! Only record setting winter of 1998-99 comes close to the current snow levels we have at the inn. Guests are ecstatic...the good guys shoveling are having second thoughts and it is pre-Solstice! See the above image for a visual!

The scene in the refuge and up to the Cascades is wintery and tranquil with snow blanketing a peaceful vista. Yesterday at breakfast is seemed as if we were serving guests in a snow globe recently shaken. Pretty magical, making a deep impression on guests.

Northwest Backroads Update: Grant and the crew were here recently to do a piece on Ravenwood Lodge! You will be able to see their impression of Ravenwood for the first time Saturday, December 22nd on KING 5. Periodically throught the holidays the episode will repeat. Enjoy!