Last Minute, Late Summer Specials in Mt Hood Vacation Rentals

It’s Not Too Late to Save on Summer Travel by Reserving a Mt Hood Vacation Rental: Mt Hood Vacation Rentals Offers a Varied Selection of Last-Minute Accommodations for Less

Welches, Oregon (August 1, 2011) – For trips planned during the late summer months, savvy travelers are looking at every way they can stretch the family budget to maximize enjoyment without sacrificing comfort while building life-long memories.

The Villages of Mt Hood (Brightwood, Welches, Zigzag, Rhododendron and Government Camp) are within a 1-2 hour drive from the Portland metro area and just 4 hours from the Seattle area. Guests traveling from the California Bay Area can drive to Mt Hood in one day. Many area visitors are saving on the rising costs of airfare by hitting the road. Lodging is the largest vacation expenditure, and one way traveling families can save without cramping style before summer’s end is by staying in a multi-bedroom vacation rental home.

Professionally managed vacation cabins, cottages, chalets and lodges are fully equipped, and provide travelers more space, amenities, special guest services and privacy. Also the option to dine-in saves on the second largest vacation expense, meals, and guests who drive can save even more by loading up a care package with food and beverage items enjoyed at home – things like their favorite snacks, cereal, spices, coffee and libations. Vacation rental guests enjoy preparing large family-style meals in well-appointed kitchens. Many homes offer riverside alfresco dining on the back deck.



For last-minute trips to Mt Hood, Oregon this summer, Mt Hood Vacation Rentals offers a wide range of vacation homes to suit every budget and vacation desire including cozy cabins, romantic cottages, spacious lodges and beautiful chalets in a variety of settings with riverfront, secluded and golf course views providing the perfect lodging choice for Mt Hood, Oregon. Each private home has its own personality and charm and is close to Mt Hood recreational activities; guests enjoy hiking, mountain biking, golfing, fishing, skiing and snowboarding and mountain and rock climbing just minutes from their Mt Hood Vacation Rental throughout the Villages of Government Camp, Rhododendron, Zigzag, Welches and Brightwood.

Mt Hood Vacation Rentals are the ideal base camp for families, friends and couples celebrating family reunions and weddings, on a romantic getaway such as a proposal, honeymoon or anniversary, participating in golf tournaments, bike races and summer ski & snowboard camps or just looking for a quiet relaxing vacation away from the city.

End of Summer Specials:

LATE SUMMER LAST MINUTE RESERVATION SPECIALS
• Stay 4 Nights & the 5th Night is Free!
• Valid on new reservations in a Featured Vacation Rental booked August 1- 14, 2011
• Arrival and Departure Dates must be August 15-31, 2011

River Dance Retreat

Salmonberry Retreat

Rapid River Retreat

Cedarwood Lodge

PREFERRED CUSTOMER DISCOUNTS AT THE RESORT AT THE MOUNTAIN
• 20% off daily greens fees, Sunday through Friday after 1 PM
• $25 greens fees on Wednesdays
• 10% off at the Altitude and mallards restaurants
• 20% off massages, facials and nail treatments Sunday through Friday
• 15% off purchases in the Golf shop and Riverstone Gift Gallery

RESERVE 7 NIGHTS & THE 7th NIGHT IS FREE

AAA, AARP or MILITARY - Take 5% off the Regular Rate

Mt Hood Vacation Rentals is recommended to travelers by Discover Vacation Homes, the official public resource on vacation rental travel, operated by the long-standing Vacation Rental Managers Association. All of the organization’s member companies, including Mt Hood Vacation Rentals, subscribe to a Code of Ethics and Practices to ensure guests are provided a quality lodging experience.

ABOUT MT HOOD VACATION RENTALS
Mt Hood Vacation Rentals has been the premiere professional vacation rental management company on the south side of Mt Hood since 1991. Homes managed by Mt Hood Vacation Rentals have a reputation for their cleanliness, comfort, quality and amenities. Mt Hood Vacation Rentals is proud of their reputation for excellence, which is testimony to their commitment of providing the most professional and friendly customer service in the area. Guests return to Mt Hood Vacation Rentals year after year with confidence, knowing that the accommodations and the service they receive is top notch and will make their vacation memorable.

ABOUT DISCOVER VACATION HOMES
Discover Vacation Homes is the trusted public voice on vacation rentals, providing an official resource for vacation rental travel information. As the awareness initiative of the Vacation Rental Managers Association, it represents tens of thousands of professionally managed rental homes, condos and villas from hundreds of the most well established vacation rental companies in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.



Reservations & Information:
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Off to Mt. Hood: An Autobiography of the Old Road

"It took us an hour and a half in those days to drive just from Rhododendron to Government Camp"

"How's the road?" That was the question that was most frequently asked of us who drove the motor stages over the old road to Mount Hood. It was a question that had to be answered differently to different people. If it were asked by an "oldtimer" who knew the road well, the answer was a simple "good" or "bad." If the questioner was a stranger, one had to find out what he considered a "bad" road to be. If he were a person used to mud and dust, corduroy and plank, bumps, sand and rocks, with trees here and there that nudged in close to the ruts, it was easy to give him an idea of the conditions that prevailed for the particular day. If he were not used to such things, it was far wiser to change the subject, else you might lose a passenger before ever getting started."

This is how Ivan M. Woolley describes driving to Mount Hood from Portland.  His first road trip from Portland to Mount Hood was with Bert Higley in his 1909 Peerless.  The followin year, during summer breaks from college, Mr. Woolley's acquired a job as a driver for a commercial car service.  In those days, most visitors would not drive their own vehicle on this somewhat sketchy road; they hired a driver.  And only the adventurous even made their way to the mountain.  It could be a multi-day trip, with the first day's drive from Portland to Sandy and the 2nd day's drive ending in Welches.  The most difficult part of the drive was to Government Camp where the road ended.

"Horseless Carriages" such as those seen in this August 1915 photograph will return to Government Camp on July 28, 2011 when the Horseless Carriage Club of America tours
Mount Hood and Timberline Lodge. Over 100 pre-1915 Horseless Carriages will travel a
portion of the Loop Highway proposed in 1915 and constructed in 1922. The drivers in
this photograph were promoting construction of the Mount Hood Loop Highway.
 

 
To learn more of the history of the history of driving to Mount Hood, you can read Ivan M. Woolley's book, Off to Mt. Hood, written in 1959, in full online.  The online version is scanned from the original book including several photos of early "horseless carriages" making their way along the Mt. Hood Highway during the early 20th century.
 
For more information about the history of Mount Hood, you can also visit: mounthoodhistory.com online or tour The Mt Hood Cultural Center and Museum in Government Camp, Oregon.

Oregon’s Mt Hood Territory to host Episode for New TV Series Getting Away Together

New series showcases the ‘togethering’ trend of sharing vacation rentals with friends and family.

Getting Away Together, a new TV series airing on PBS member stations, is featuring Mt Hood, Oregon in an episode of the show’s premier season. Unlike other travel shows, Getting Away Together brings the concept of “togethering” to television. Getting Away Together will feature the benefits of staying in a professionally managed vacation home as well as travel tips for patrons visiting The Villages of Mt Hood. The show will be filmed at a Mt Hood Vacation Rental in Zigzag, Oregon as well as several locations throughout Clackamas County this month.

Slated to air in October 2011, the Getting Away Together series features a new group of travelers each episode as they unwind with meaningful travel experiences in fun locales, with vacation rentals as their home base. As this “togethering” trend continues, people are selecting vacation rentals for multi-bedroom accommodations and a sense of comfort under one roof.

The Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA) is introducing the show as part of its Discover Vacation Homes awareness initiative, together with series sponsors TripAdvisor®, CSA Travel Protection and 13 dynamic travel destinations.

“Getting Away Together is a unique opportunity to showcase the benefits of staying in a professionally managed vacation rental home and the remarkable attractions Oregon’s Mt Hood Territory features,” said Alex Risser, president of VRMA. “Staying in a professionally managed vacation rental home is a unique lodging option which allows families and friends to stay together, under one roof, in a fully furnished home. Patrons are able to have a comfortable, relaxed vacation while experiencing all facets the location offers,” said Risser.

Vacation rentals are one of the fastest-growing hospitality categories in North America, with groups of friends and families discovering them now more than ever. There are millions of vacation rental choices across North America, from individual owners to professional companies who maintain and service vacation rental properties and their guests each day which includes all of the proper inspections, secure reservation services, housekeeping, landscaping, laundry, etc. Professional vacation rental companies provide all the benefits of other lodging options with additional amenities and value, including extra values or coupons for local activities, shopping and dining, as well as free rental cars, gift cards, home features and more.

“One of the core issues facing the vacation rental industry remains the lack of awareness surrounding the lodging option,” Risser said. “Getting Away Together is an ideal outlet for increasing awareness and serves as an educational tool for traveling patrons, which in turn, increases tourism revenue dollars for each destination the series features.”

The series is being produced by the Emmy Award-winning PineRidge Film & Television Company, who has proven travel series success with Great Hotels, Great Vacation Homes, Passport to Europe and more. Getting Away Together portrays the professionally managed vacation rental experience in an authentic and informative manner.

Visit http://www.gettingawaytogether.com/ for more information about episodes, best-kept trip secrets, expert takeaway tips and other links and resources to help you make travel decisions along the way. “Like” the TV series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GettingAwayTogether and follow the show on Twitter @GetAwayTogether.

About the Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA)
VRMA is the professional trade association of the vacation rental property management and hospitality industries. Founded in 1985, VRMA has more than 600 property management and associate members throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Caribbean representing approximately 150,000 vacation rentals, condos and villas.

About VRMA’s Discover Vacation Homes Initiative
Discover Vacation Homes is the trusted public voice on vacation rentals, providing an official resource for vacation rental travel information. As the awareness initiative of the Vacation Rental Managers Association, it represents approximately 150,000 rental homes, condos and villas from more than 500 of the most well established vacation rental management companies in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

About PineRidge Productions
As a division of Jerry Smith Film & Television, PineRidge Film & Television Company develops, produces and delivers quality television programs, utilizing an Emmy Award-winning production team. Since 1985, PineRidge has commissioned more than a thousand half-hour shows and 34 hour-long Prime Time specials. Perhaps best known for their series on Discovery Travel Channel including Great Hotels, Passport to Europe, Passport to Latin America and Samantha Brown's Weekends, PineRidge also produces for HGTV, Fine Living Network, Food Network and PBS stations nationwide.

About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor® is the world's largest travel site, enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers trusted advice from real travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features (including Flights search, Vacation Rentals, TripAdvisor Mobile and TripAdvisor Trip Friends) with seamless links to booking tools.

About CSA Travel Protection
CSA Travel Protection, a Europ Assistance company, is dedicated to providing affordable travel insurance and emergency assistance services to protect travelers’ valuable investments and provide the peace of mind one deserves while traveling. Since its inception in 1991, CSA has developed a reputation for standing behind its customers and evolving products and services to meet their needs. Through superior customer service, extensive experience and industry-leading innovation, CSA is with its clients every step of the way, whenever and wherever they are needed.

For More Information:

Amanda Drake
727.420.8395
Amanda.drake@ypartnership.com

Betsy LaBarge
866.794.6813
betsy@mthoodrentals.com

Sandy Mountain Festival

“Sandy Celebrates 100 Years of Pioneer Spirit!”

The 39th annual Sandy Mountain Festival in Sandy, Oregon celebrates the city’s 100th birthday this year. The nearly week-long party kicks off with the parade down Proctor Ave on Thursday, July 7 and continues through the weekend with live entertainment, over 150 artists and 20 food booths on display in Meinig Park, a carnival and events for kids.

The best way to make sure you don’t miss any of the festivities is to stay in a Mt Hood Vacation Rental for the long weekend. Reserve one of our Featured Mt Hood Vacation Rentals, July 4-8 and receive an automatic 10% discount.

Kids' Pet Show on Wednesday, July 6 at 10:30 am behind the Sandy Aquatic Center. Bring your pet and show off some tricks.

Kids' Bike Derby on Thursday, July 7 at 10:30 am at the Cedar Ridge Middle School track. Categories for kids ages 3 and up.

Sandy Mountain Festival Parade, Thursday, July 7 at 7:00 pm. Enjoy a true home town parade that features horses, antique cars, floats, marching groups and Sandy's five-generation court.

Sandy Music, Fair and Feast in Sandy's Centennial Plaza.  Thursday Night is Family Night, 6:00 -11:00 pm featuring Anything Goes Band (the band will not play during the parade). Free to attend.

The Junior Talent Show is on Friday, July 8 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm (with cake and ice cream!). 6:00 pm to 12:30 am is entertainment for people 21 and over. Enjoy the beer and wine garden, margarita booth, concessions and main stage entertainment with live music from Dirt Farm Cowboys and Crush.

Open Microphone Session is on Saturday, July 9 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm. Those 21 and over will enjoy live music featuring Lock, Stock & Barrel and Crush from 6:00 pm to 12:30 am in the beer garden with beer, wine and margaritas. Get your $2 off admission coupons from Sandy Les Schwab!

Kids' Carnival and Events will open after the Parade on Thursday and continue through Sunday, July 7 - 10. Other kids’ events include a pet show, bike derby, puppet shows and a kids’ parade.

Birdcage Theater Performances throughout the day on Friday and Saturday, July 9 - 10. Enjoy Oregon Old Time Fiddlers, Penny’s Puppets, the Sandy High Jazz Quartet and more!

Dale Nicholls Front Stage features live performances of music throughout the day on Friday and Saturday, July 9 - 10.



Reservations & Information:
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Spend July 4th Weekend in a Mt Hood Vacation Rental and Enjoy these Fun Events

We’re experiencing perfect weather (sunny and in the 70’s) here on the mountain now that summer has started, and we’re gearing up for a fun 4th of July weekend! Have you made your holiday plans yet? It’s not too late to reserve a Mt Hood Vacation Rental for the upcoming 4-day weekend! Below is a list of events taking place in the Mt Hood area throughout the holiday weekend.

Mt Hood Vacation Rentals has a few vacation homes still available, but we’re filling up quickly, so call us today! Head up to the mountain for the best summer skiing and riding we have seen in years. Then stay at the Edelweiss Condo in the heart of Government Camp, where you can walk everywhere. Bring a good book and your favorite BBQ recipes and just kick back and relax at the Salmonberry Retreat. Or, get your friends together and forage for the last of the mountain morels, come back and include them in a feast in the beautiful kitchen of Rapid River Retreat. If you have a large group of friends who want to get away to the mountain for the 4th, you will love the space at the Huckleberry Wilderness Lodge.  We make it easy to get in a golf vacation at the Whispering Woods condo which includes 10-20% discounts at the Resort's golf course and facilities. What do these three homes have in common?

Call in with your answer and we’ll give you 5% off your 4th of July Weekend reservation!

• JULY 1, 5:30 PM: What else pairs well with wine? Golf, of course. The Resort at the Mountain in Welches hosts “Nine and Wine” $49 per player fee includes greens fee, cart rental, three appetizer and wine stations on the course, prizes and awards at mallards cafe & pub.

• JULY 1, 10:00 AM: Due to late spring snow (good for skiers and riders!), the Adventure Park at Mt Hood SkiBowl got off to a late start this year. The Alpine Slides and Mountain Bike Park at Mt Hood SkiBowl West finally opened on June 24. Check out the video of the downhill mountain bike course from a couple of days ago. The rest of the Adventure Park with over 20 attractions (bungee tower, horseback & pony rides, Indy karts, mini golf, kiddy canoe and more!) opens on July 1.

• JULY 2, DUSK: Round up the family and head to The Resort at the Mountain for some night-time mini golf. $25 per person covers your greens fee and glow-in-the-dark golf ball. Call (503) 622-2216 to make your reservations!

• JULY 3, 10:00 AM: Calling all mountain bikers! Head up to SkiBowl for “6 Hours of SkiBowl” and ride multiple 40' to 50' laps on an up-and-down loop around Mt Hood SkiBowl East. Each lap offers great views, fully-stocked aid station, DJ music and more. 2-person, multi-person (3 to 6) or solo. Start 10 AM. All ages & abilities.

• JULY 3, 6:00 PM: The Sandy Summer Sounds and Starlight Cinema season kicks off with “Shakespeare in the Park” presented at the Amphitheater Stage at Meinig Park in Sandy. Bring a blanket or some lawn chairs and a picnic and enjoy the free showing of the “The Tempest,” featuring the Portland Actors Ensemble.

Reservations & Information:

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MT HOOD INC. What’s the Mountain Worth to You?

Mt Hood is one of Oregon’s most prominent icons. It’s the picturesque image you see beyond the skyline of Portland. It’s what you think of when planning winter or summer vacations, whether you ski, snowboard, mountain bike or fish. You know you’ve reached Oregon when you fly over it before landing at PDX. This is what Mt Hood might mean to visitors or other Oregonians. To us, it is so much more. It is our very livelihood.

Last week, OPB launched a week-long series (June 10-17) that delves into the economy of Mt Hood and its many contributions to the state as a whole. Kicked off with a live broadcast of Think Out Loud from Timberline Lodge, the series takes an intriguing look at the value of Mt Hood in terms of jobs (a whopping 5300 which includes all forest, tourism, agriculture and timber jobs) products (besides wood and water, carbon!), costs (to be reported on June 16) and as a brand (to be reported on June 17). Although looking at the mountain from a financial and economic standpoint is certainly relevant, what kind of impact does Mt Hood have on the people who live or visit here? We enjoyed reading the personal stories and comments after the Think Out Loud commentary, as well as the photo gallery and videos of people relating “What Mt Hood Means to Me”.

What about you? Please share with us your insight, experience or history with majestic Mt Hood. What’s the mountain worth to you?

Reservations & Information:

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I’ve Reserved My Vacation Rental, What Do I Need to Bring???

One of the great advantages of renting a vacation home is that it’s a HOME. Sit back and think of all the images that word invokes: Cookies baking in the oven; Freshly laundered linens; A comfy place to unwind after a tiring day; Steaks on the grill; Family game night; Knitting by the fire; Your morning cup of coffee. Better yet, your evening glass of wine!

Renting a vacation home instead of a hotel room or roughing it in a tent offers all the creature comforts of your own home but in the beautiful setting of your vacation. Now, think of all the images THAT word invokes: vacation. You’re on your own schedule: Spending the day hiking to a waterfall; Mountain biking through the pristine forest; Skiing or snowboarding; Doing absolutely nothing; Relaxing in a hot tub to the lulling sounds of the river rushing by.

We want your vacation to be seamless and relaxing, so we’ve equipped Mt Hood Vacation Rentals with everything you need. Which begs the question…what do you need to bring???


• FOOD & DRINK All of the kitchens in our vacation homes are fully equipped with the pots and pans, utensils, appliances, serve ware…everything you need to prepare the most basic breakfast and up to an elaborate multi-course dinner. Want to bake cookies? Your vacation home not only has cookie sheets, but a blender, spatulas, measuring cups and spoons, hot pads, some even have cookie jars. Want to grill some steaks? There’s a gas BBQ on the back deck and BBQ tools in the drawer. Want a glass of wine? There’s a corkscrew in the drawer and wine glasses in the cupboard! And don’t worry, if you forgot something you’re sure to find it at the Welches Thriftway, Welches Liquor Store, Rhododendron Food and General, Govy General, Hoodland Fruit Stand or several local coffee shops!

 

Dining Table & Kitchen at Rapid River Retreat

• SWIMSUIT There are towels in the basket by the door and plastic cups in the kitchen for your adult beverage at all of our homes with hot tubs. The hot tub is the perfect temperature and the jets feel oh so good after a long day of hiking, biking, skiing or snowboarding.

Private River-viewing Hot Tub at River View Cabin

• YOUR COMPETITIVE EDGE Instead of turning on the TV, why not start a rousing game of Monopoly? Or, test your family’s brain power with Trivial Pursuit? Not feeling so competitive but want to bond with the family? Complete a jigsaw puzzle before the end of your vacation. All of our vacation homes provide a variety of games to keep your entire family entertained. Winner gets bragging rights! For outdoor fun, some of our homes even have horse shoe pits!



Kids Playing a Board Game at River Rock Lodge

• YOUR BEST FRIEND Dogs need vacations too! Most of our vacation homes are pet friendly, and as dog owners ourselves, we strongly encourage you to bring your furry friend along on your vacation! Fido will enjoy frolicking in the river, leading you on your hike through the woods and curling up in front of the fire at the end of the eventful day.

Man & Friend Choosing a Hiking Trail for the Day

 • HIKING BOOTS & A BIKE If it is easier, you could rent a bike when you get here too! Whether hiking or biking, you’ll find access to countless miles of trails right out the front door of your vacation home. Stay at River Rock Lodge and pedal out your front door right to the Pioneer Bridle Trail. Stay at Moondance Cabin, just a couple miles down Lolo Pass Rd from the splendors of the hike to Ramona Falls. Stay at Cedarwood Lodge in Government Camp and be at the epicenter of mountain and lake trails galore!



Cedarwood Lodge in Government Camp, Oregon



Are you ready to reserve a Mt Hood Vacation Rental for your summer vacation? We are available to serve you 24/7/365:

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