Working Farm Bed and Breakfasts: Northwest

By Teresa Opdycke

The northwest region of the United States conjures up images of Seattle and the space needle, of the Pacific Ocean lapping at the cool shores of Washington and Oregon, but it’s much more than the coast.  Wine, fruit, vegetables, livestock, and all manner of rural activities create a tapestry of life beyond the coastal communities and urban sprawl.  Follow a path to a slower pace of life at two country bed & breakfasts in the northwest.    

ABBEY ROAD FARM BED & BREAKFAST
http://www.abbeyroadfarm.com
10501 NE Abbey Road    Carlton, Oregon    (503) 852-6278

A charming 82 acre farm that rests comfortably among the rolling hills of Yamhill County Oregon, Abbey Road Farm Bed & Breakfast lures you to its door with the promise of tranquility and a chance to refresh your mind, body, and soul.  A love of all things made from goat’s milk brought about the decision to raise dairy goats.  Add Queen Anne’s cherries and a bed & breakfast into the mix and a diversified farm was born. 

A truly one-of-a-kind experience staying at the Abbey Road Farm Bed & Breakfast awaits you.  Your room may be in a barn or one of two silo suites; a truly innovative use of farm structures no longer needed for their original purpose.  Each room, though similar, affords the occupants spectacular views of the undulating hills and valleys, abundant vineyards and azure skies.  You’ll find a basket of Abbey Road Farm goat milk lotions and soaps in each room. After the sunrises to wake the day healthy breakfast fare is served either inside near the fireplace or outdoors, if you wish, when the beautiful weather lures you to the great outdoors. 

The owners would love it if you’d help them out in the barn with chores before the discovery of vineyards and wine tasting takes you off and away for the day.  When evening settles in, you’ll find a restful night at the Abbey Road Farm Bed & Breakfast where the soft sounds of goats may be the only thing you hear until sunrise.

CEDAR MOUNTAIN FARM
http://www.cedarmountainfarm.com/index.html
25249 N Hatch Road    Athol, Idaho    (866) 683-0572

Al and Daryl Kyle, the owners of Cedar Mountain Farm and Bed & Breakfast welcome guests with open arms and country hospitality.  A 440-acre working farm in north Idaho, the property holds log cabins and a log home that the couple built.  Together, they raise cattle, horses, goats, dogs, and cats among panoramic views of Turkey Mountain. 

When you visit the picturesque farm you’re more than welcome to grab a hoe and help weed the garden.  Cuddle a kitten, play with the dogs, or assist with chores.  Surrounded by natural beauty the activities pursued by guests include hiking, biking, hunting, bird-watching, skiing in the winter, and so much more.  Take a turn on the tire swing for a brief return to the days of childhood when touching a blue sky never seemed impossible.  In the morning settle down to a country breakfast of traditional farm fare with choices of bacon, sausage, or ham with fresh eggs.  Try the sour dough pancakes for a syrupy treat or freshly baked yeasty treats. 

Whether the goal is a quiet getaway to the country or to fly hell-bent-for-leather down Screaming Alley on skis, Cedar Mountain Farm Bed & Breakfast will please you and release you from the daily rigors of life, at least for a short while.       

Mission Creek Ranch Bed & Breakfast
http://www.missioncreekbandb.com/index.htm
10 Mission Creek Road    Livingston, Montana    (406)222-8290

Third generation ranchers, the folks at Mission Creek Ranch Bed & Breakfast raise registered black Angus cattle and bask in the natural beauty of living in “big sky country” Montana.  They’ve developed a unique niche in the world of bed & breakfasts by offering fly fishermen the chance of a lifetime: to fish on their own private Mission Creek Pond.  The Yellow River and the Mission Creek, both rich in natural beauty are alternatives for spending a day artfully casting and catching brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout. 

At the end of the day make your way to Western style decorated rooms to rest until a ranch style breakfast served in the dining area fills you up.  You may want to join in ranch activities.  Depending on the season participating in calving, branding, or making hay on a hot day allows visitors to experience ranch life first hand.  The ever present snow-capped peaks of the Absaroka Mountains remind you of the awesome splendor of unsullied nature. 

What a grand vacation it is to have the opportunity to make simple choices. Be as busy as the farmers and ranches at each of these bed & breakfasts or choose to sit back and let the cares of the city or life melt away as you daydream in an idyllic setting. Be comforted at the end of the day with the simple charm of a country quilt pulled up to the chin or a toasty fire burning in a fireplace.  Rise with the crowing of a cock or sleep in just a little a later than usual.  Each bed & breakfast has one goal in mind: to make your experience on their ranch or farm a memorable one. 

Bed and Breakfasts in the Midwest
Bed and Breakfasts in the Northeast
Bed and Breakfasts in the Southeast
Bed and Breakfasts in the Southwest

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