Wet, windy and cold

My drive to work this a.m.  was wet, windy and cold – 39 degrees worth of cold. Thank goodness I was in my toasty car and not walking. I was nearly blown over when I got out of the car and trekked across the parking lot into the building where I work.

            The howling wind woke us several times during the night. A quick check of the forecast  by Steve this morning showed the winds were 24 miles per hour. I think they were higher, but that’s just me.

A friend posted on her Facebook page that on their way home from the gym a tree was down on their road. They had to drag all the branches and the tree out of the driveway just to make it back to the house.



Outside the Heathman Lodge



This nasty weather makes me wish I were at The Heathman Lodge, one of our favorite places to stay. The fabulous lodge is only 45 minutes away. It is next to a freeway and a shopping mall, but surrounded by trees, so when the leaves have fully come out, you don’t see the freeway or hear the noise of cars barreling down it.

The lodge was built from woods of the Northwest forests and basalt from the ancient volcanic flows of the Columbia River Gorge. It was designed to express the “beauty and spirit of the Pacific Northwest,” bringing the splendor of the outdoors to the city, according to its website.

 And it’s true!

One step into the lobby and you feel as if you’ve been transported  to a ski lodge on a mountain top. The ambience is fabulous! The paintings, carvings, textiles and sculptures are gorgeous.



Whenever we can afford to, we like to spend a night or two at the lodge and enjoy the amenities. Well, most of them, that is. We say we will slip into the pool and spa or check out the health and fitness center, but because the room is so comfortable, we wind up in the room for hours at a time listening to music, reading, sitting on the private deck, enjoying the jetted tub and the electric fireplace, ordering room service.



One of the suites



We certainly enjoy drinks by the fireplace with soft piano music in the background or when it’s sunny and warm, sitting by the outdoor koi pond.

Of course there is world-class dining in the Hudson’s  Bar and Grill. Award-winning chef Ray Delgado designed the menu chock full of Northwest cuisine.

Close your eyes and imagine eating a Pepper Crusted New York Steak with red potatoes, Brussels sprouts and a brandy cream sauce. Or  the Angel Hair Pasta and Prawns cooked in garlic, red chilies, fennel, white wine, butter and lemon. Or the Hudson’s Meatloaf with forest mushrooms, horseradish mashed potatoes and charred carrots. Oh, and I can’t forget the Northwest Seafood Stew with salmon, clams, mussels, prawns and scallops in a tomato fennel broth. Oh my!

Breads and pastries are baked fresh daily in the open kitchen so the aromas permeate your nose and make your mouth water.



Fireplace in the lobby



Check out the website at www.heathmanlodge.com for complete breakfast, lunch and dinner menus along with the Hudson’s Hour special menu from 4 to 6 p.m. daily which includes Sauteed Mussels and a Tillamook White Cheddar Burger among other offerings. And don’t forget to try one of the microbrews, wines or cocktails.

Whether you just stop in for a bite to eat, a cold beverage or spend the night, you won’t be disappointed.