Real Innkeepers take on InnLove with Tori...

The Albert Shafsky House made the Fallbrook paper today, regarding "Tori and Dean: Inn Love". I would not want anyone to think the are depicting how an actually bed and breakfast is operated and shared my views with the paper.

"After the recent undercover story on Chateau La Rue (‘Actress hasn’t bought Bed and Breakfast,’ in the April 26 issue of The Village News) gained national attention, many bed and breakfast facilities across the nation have voiced their opinion in regard to the Oxygen network reality television show ‘Tori and Dean: Inn Love.’ Innkeepers have communicated to The Village News that they feel what has been portrayed on the show is not a true reflection of the day to day activities at a professional bed and breakfast. They also hope this Oxygen show is not deterring future bed and breakfast guests.

Stephanie Carlson, owner of the Albert Shafsky House Bed and Breakfast, attended The California Association of Bed and Breakfast Inns convention back in January 2007. She claimed that she was extremely pleased to see Tori Spelling and her husband at the conference, taking in all valuable information, especially for new innkeepers.

“They did give us the impression that they purchased the inn [Chateau La Rue],” said Carlson. Aside from saying she realized the reality show about the inn was nothing more than a ruse, Carlson said running a bed and breakfast is a professional business and not one that is done on a lark.

“The owners of Chateau La Rue are not giving a positive depiction of how hardworking and hospitable innkeepers truly are,” said Carlson."

Click here for complete story by Christina Macone-Greene of the Village News in Fallbrook, CA>

Marshall Gold Discovery Park is a great reason to visit Placerville

One of our favorite places to go for the day is the Gold Discovery Park in Coloma where gold was found in 1848 at Sutter's Mill on the South Fork of the American River by James Marshall.

This event led to the greatest mass movement of people in the Western Hemisphere and was the spark that ignited the spectacular growth of the West during the ensuing decades and led to California becoming a State. The gold discovery site, located in the still visible tailrace of Sutter's sawmill, in present day Coloma, California is one of the most significant historic sites in the nation.

Daily Park Hours 8:00 am to Sunset
Museum Hours: April 1st through June 30th - 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
July 1st through March 31 - 10:00 am -3:30 pm
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's.

For more information visit Marshll Gold Discovery SHP.

South Fork Rafting for Whitewater on the American River

Here are some outfitters that we would suggest for your adventure on the river. Remember, this is not Disneyland, you WILL GET WET, and have fun...

Action Whitewater Adventures - Action Whitewater Adventures, AWA, one of the most respected names in whitewater rafting in Idaho has had a presence in California since 1989. They offer our guests who raft with them 10% off their raft trip.
Adventure Connection - It is a journey for the mind. Adventure Connection is happy to offer Albert Shafsky House guests a 10% discount of American River trips. A great family river, perfect for the first-time rafter, and a quick weekend-get-away.
All Outdoors California Whitewater Rafting - A wonderful rafting company for the American River. Offering our guests 10% their trips. Guiding people on California rivers for over 40 years.
American Whitewater Expeditions - The ultimate California family adventure. Experience the fun and excitement of American River Whitewater Rafting. They are thrilled to offer our guests a special rate when booked in addition to your stay at the Albert Shafsky House.
Beyond Limits Adventures - With over 50 rapids along its scenic course through California's historic gold country, the South Fork of the American is tough to beat for an all around excellent river trip. They offer our guests 10% off rafting trips on the American River.
California Whitewater Rafting - Information on commercial and private trips on California rivers.
Mariah Wilderness Expedition - A great rafting company, offering Albert Shafsky House guests 10% off a trip on the American River. They have been offering whitewater rafting trips on California whitewater rafting rivers since 1982. Raft with them on the South Fork American, Middle Fork American and North Fork American Rivers, close to the Gold Rush towns of Placerville, Auburn, and Coloma, where the California Gold Rush began.
Mother Lode River Center - Whitewater Rafting with the assurance of over 30 years of experience. They are one of California's original whitewater rafting outfitters with the industry's finest safety record.
OARS - OARS welcomes our guests with a 10% discount on South Fork and Middle Fork river trips. A river for everyone, running warm and white amidst mountains, sun-kissed skies and the ghosts of gold prospecters.
Tributary Whitewater Tours - Whitewater Tours has been guiding California whitewater rafting trips since 1978 and offers something for all levels, from family California rafting vacation trips suitable for kids, to extreme California white water rafting adventures for the expert. They offer our Albert Shafsky House guests 10% off trips too!
W.E.T. River Trips - Another great rafting company established in 1978. They offer our guests 10% off trip costs on the American River. From the first melt of Spring to the final trickles in the late Fall, the whitewater rivers in California give an overwhelming joy to those that enjoy river rafting.

See, we all stayed in the raft. Of course, that is the idea!!!

Whitewater on the American River

Something we look forward to every year--time to go rafting on the South Fork. The South Fork of the American River boasts the most popular stretch of whitewater in California. The roughly 20-mile run from Chili Bar to Salmon Falls features over 20 named rapids and countless waves in between. Our favorite run is the lower half of the South Fork, but we have done both and Steph has run the Middle Fork once. Most folks run the river with a commercial rafting company, but some rent or bring their own rafts. The outfitter provides the equipment, experienced guides, plus life jackets and other gear, so that you can enjoy the outdoor adventure without the worry of getting your own stuff, and the guides are very helpful and know the river. It is a great way to spend time on the river, with friends and we try to go at least once every season. Give us a call to set up a trip, or send us an email. If we are free, maybe we will go with you. And yes, that is us in the visors!

Wine in El Dorado, the new gold!

Yes, it is true, El Dorado Makes Wine, Napa Makes Auto Parts!

Seriously, there are a number of great wineries in El Dorado County and for the most part not only is it still pretty much free to taste, but you are likely being served by the winemaker or family member here in El Dorado County.

There is an association of wineries called appropriately enough, the El Dorado Winery Association, aka EDWA, but there are a number of wineries that are not members that are just as good to visit and sample. EDWA wineries have to produce a certain amount, so some wineries are too small to join. EDWA currenly has 24 member wineries, but there are nearly 50 wineries now in the county.

Why not come up for the weekend and sample some (without the traffic of Napa wineries)?

Top Ten Reasons to visit Placerville

Need a reason to visit Placerville? Here are ten reasons to come to the heart of gold country:

1. Wine tasting with one of the wonderful wineries in El Dorado County
2. Whitewater rafting on the American River
3. See where gold was discovered in Coloma
4. Taste a variety of apples & baked goodies at Apple Hill in the Fall
5. Stroll Historic Main Street Placerville
6. Visit unique antique shops
7. Pan for gold at Gold Bug Park
8. See artists and their wares during 3rd Saturday Art Walk, or visit the galleries anytime
9. Fabulous dining at Sequoia, Cafe Luna, Heyday Cafe, Tomei's on Main and more
10. Stay at the Albert Shafsky House and be treated like gold!

Not their thing...or their inn....

Just found this article but am not sure if they have the correct info about the lease, etc. I know the Fallbrook paper is doing their homework on the inn.....


canada.comPublished: Monday, May 07, 2007

Canadian actor Dean McDermott and his wife Tori Spelling will spend another season sharing their life with American television viewers.
The couple’s reality series, Tori & Dean: Inn Love, has been renewed for a second season by US cable network Oxygen. McDermott and Spelling are both co-stars and co-executive producers of the show.
The network has ordered 10 new episodes of the series, which follows the couple as they run their California bed and breakfast Chateau La Rue and raise their newborn son Liam Aaron.
Oxygen claims Inn Love is its second-highest-rated original series. To date, no Canadian broadcaster has picked up the show.
Spelling and McDermott do not actually own the bed and breakfast featured in the show. Owners Christopher and Patricia King have listed the property for $2.6 million (U.S.) and are renting it to the famous couple.

More "Reality" on the way for Tori and Dean--and viewers

I just found this online via the Hollywood Reporter....looks like we will get to see Tori and Dean continue their trials and tribulations of "running an inn" for another season. Perhaps they will take the time to actually purchase the inn, or mabe we can be treated to what the owners think of what Tori and Dean have done to their bed and breakfast. I am sure there are some other innkeepers out there who would like to hear about this experience from Patricia King's point of view.....Or maybe the next season could show real, actual innkeepers staying at the inn and giving them tips on hospitality, cooking, cleaning, painting, gardening, making reservations, etc.

By Kimberly Nordyke Mon May 7, 3:22 AM ET
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Women's cable channel Oxygen has renewed its reality series "Tori & Dean: Inn Love" for a second season.
The show, starring Tori Spelling' and husband Dean McDermott, will return in the third quarter with 10 new episodes. Season 2 will follow the couple as they continue running Chateau La Rue, their bed and breakfast in Fallbrook, Calif., while juggling the demands of being new parents to son Liam Aaron.

Real Life Innkeeping Reality vs. Myth or TV

To demonstrate that while some of what is displayed on "Tori and Dean: Inn Love" is true:

Yes, B and B's make breakfast, usually it is very organized.

Yes, sometimes guests bring children that they have NOT told you about, you deal with it.

Yes, sometimes you may accidently double book guests, or cancel some one in error and then it is your responsibility to find them a place to stay--but NOT generally your own quarters, with your stuff still in place--how about springing for another inn or even, gasp, a hotel as it was your mistake.

Yes, sometime innkeepers are in fact also pregnant, and they still manage.

And, yes, sometimes innkeepers have emergencies and have to leave, but they always have someone take over first, and then leave.

Odds of all this occurring on the same night--fairly unheard of...