Okei Memorial

This is a very cool spot in El Dorado County...and most people don't even know it exists....but we do.  And now you know too!

From our friends at Coloma.com... "For a few years, Gold Hill was the site of a small Japanese settlement. Encouraged by a German soldier of fortune named John Henry Schnell and a samurai named Lord Matsudaira, up to 26 Japanese — apparently the first Japanese group to settle in California — arrived here in 1869 to establish the Wakamatsu Tea Colony. Grandly, Schnell planned for extensive production of silk and tea. However, the relatively dry climate and investor difficulties doomed these crops, and the colony faded away. Schnell ran out of money, selling his land to Francis Veerkamp. A young Japanese girl, Okei, had arrived with the Schnell family as a nursemaid. She stayed on, working for the Veerkamp family until she died at the age of 19. She is buried on a lonely hill on private Veerkamp property close to Gold Trail School. Her story became the subject of a best-selling novel in Japan. A shrine next to the school honoring Okei was dedicated years ago by Ronald Reagan, then governor of California. Today the shrine remains a favorite California destination for visitors from Japan."

If you happen to be out tasting this way, or visiting Coloma State Park, stop by here and take a moment to enjoy this peaceful spot.

I is for Illuminare Winery

Another favorite spot of ours up in Camino...tell Aaron we said "Hi" when you stop by to taste.

From their website....The Hill Family invites you to have an “enlightened” experience with the wines of Illuminare. We are a boutique El Dorado County winery specializing in small lots of very limited production wines. From our tantalizing “Seeing Red” label to obscure varietals such as Pinotage, our wines are unique and exciting. Our winemaking style strives for maximum extraction and intensity that is showcased in our wines. Join us in the celebration of family, friends, and of course, wine.They can be located in the Camino Wine Plaza Building in the heart of Apple Hill. Situated with 3 other boutique winery tasting rooms in the building, they offer a unique tasting experience. To find them, go East on Highway 50 from Placerville and turn left on the Carson Rd. / Apple Hill Dr. Exit. An immediate Right on Carson Rd.

B&B Mythbusting...Albert Shafsky House style

A while back my pal Jay Karen from PAII aka the Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII) wrote a bit about myths and bed & breakfasts. The title of the 27-Apr-10 article was "The Top 5 Myths About Staying At A Bed And Breakfast Inn". While the article certainly pointed out common misconceptions, some of them were once true (and maybe still are in parts of the country!).

Myth 1: B&B decor is limited to lace doilies, paisley wallpaper, antiques and patchwork quilts.

At the Albert Shafsky House B&B there is the occasional doily, I will admit it.  But there are also books, trunks, and trains.  We do live in a Queen Anne Victorian, in a historic part of town....and there is still some wallpaper.  That being said, I don't think our inn is very frilly...it is just not us.  We are more MIssion style furniture people, where it is comfortable, not dainty. 

Myth 2: You have to share a bathromm with other guests.

Not at the Albert Shafsky House: All of our guest rooms have private baths. 

Myth 3: You have to eat breakfast with total strangers and eat whatever the innkeeper prepares that morning.

Yes, you will meet new people at breakfast, but the innkeeper at the Albert Shafsky House will take your special food allergies into consideration when making breakfast.  Vegan/vegetarian/we want you to have a memorable stay and that includes breakfast....just please tell us ahead of time so we can prep something for you.

Myth 4: You have to adide by a curfew set by the innkeeper.

All of our guests have their own key to the front door and while it is locked at all times, you are free to come and go as you please.  

Myth 5: B&Bs are only for couples and strictly prohibit children and pets.

We are happy to welcome all ages, and relationship status.  We are unable to have your pets stay with us though as Lily is Queen of All She Surveys!  We are happy (and so is she) to have you pet her all day if you are missing your furry friends.  

G is for Geocaching...and David Girard Vineyards

Yep, they really do go together....as one of my passions is geocaching and the other is wine, I have been guilty of mixing the two at this winery....yes there is a cache there, but the real find is the wine.

Our favorite is the
2006 COEUR ROUGE
El Dorado-Estate Vineyard

This blend creates an elegant impression of fruit. A very lush and velvety mouthfeel seamlessly delivers big fruit. Framed by granitic tannis that expand with a never ending finish. Over time this wine expresess many nuances of spice and meat. Aged in 2 & 3 year old French oak for 18 months.

Enjoy the wine tasting year round at David Girard Vineyards

11:00am - 5:00pm Open daily!

Ahh Spring!

So nice to finally be having awesome weather again!  Looks like this weekend will be a great one to go out and taste wine, enjoy a picnic in a vineyard, explore Marshall Gold Discovery Park, go geocaching, walk the dog, work in the yard, or a combination of all of the above!

How will you spend your weekend?

ARC hike on Sunday, April 17th 9am-1 pm

KNICKERBOCKER - HIKE
Sunday, April 17th 9am-1pm

Tom Petersen, hiker & author of several hiking books, will take you on this fast-paced 8 mile hike in the Auburn State Rec. Area, part of the Olmstead Loop trails in Cool, CA. This trail is moderately steep in places but lots of flat terrain with great views of the North fork American river, Knickerbocker Falls, and China Bar. These trails are a bit primitive so don't expect state park type walking, (you may have to dodge some poison oak along the way). Rain or shine. Contact ARC to sign up and for meeting location (Cool area). Suggested donation: $5/members, $10/non-members.
 
 Please call to sign up at 530-621-1224, or contact julie@arconservancy.org by 3pm Wednesday.

Look what our buddies at Winterhill Olive Oil have for you....

Come Celebrate the 4th Annual Winterhill

2011 Harvest Party!Sat. Feb 19th 2pm to 6pm

Our annual extravaganza of food and fun continues!
Free samplings of great foods made with the 2011
Harvest Certified Extra-virgin and Pressed-with-The-Fruit Olive Oils
Local producer, SMOKEY RIDGE CHARCUTERIE will be sampling their
spectacular, delicious and unique products as well.


Can't make the party? Here are some more  upcoming events:
GIRL’S NIGHT OUT
Friday, Feb 25th 6pm-9pm
Historic Downtown Placerville
Winterhill will be offering local artisanal food tastings as well as our olive oil & authentic aged balsamic tastings
ANNABELLE’S CHOCOLATES
Joins us with tastes of her decadent chocolates and some
surprise treats!

Read the post for an offer from our pals at ParaVi

'05 Cab Franc Release Event Update

Space is limited, but we still have room for you!

Come join us for a romantic brunch or dinner show, complete with all the Valentine's Day touches ParaVi is famous for! We go out of our way to make the event something special for each couple - and you may win prizes including a case of our 2008 Cabernet Franc futures!

ParaVi '05 Cabernet Franc Release

5-Course Gourmet Meal and A Chance to Win a Grand Prize: One Case '08 Futures! 

Our host, the world renowned Mr. Michael Darling, will keep things lively as our participants compete in a "Not-so-Newlywed Newlywed Game" for a chance to win prizes including a case of our 2008 Cabernet Franc futures (Valued at $520.80!) 

The event is FREE to all Wine Society Members, and is open only to ParaVi members. When requesting your tickets, you must RSVP for one of the four show times listed below. If you call please remember to specify the day and show you wish to attend in your message. To RSVP via email, select the appropriate link below to choose your preferred event.

Due to popular demand, we are extending a special offer to anyone registered for a sold out show. If you registered for our Saturday evening show and would like the opportunity to enjoy a more intimate setting, we will allow the first few respondents to select one of the other shows. Please call us at (530) 647-9463 if you are interested.

Seating is limited, so RSVP now!

SHOWTIMES:

Show #1: Saturday, February 12, 12-2PM - RSVP For This Show

Show #2: Saturday, February 12, 5-7PM - SOLD OUT

Show #3: Sunday, February 13, 12-2PM - RSVP For This Show

Show #4: Sunday, February 13, 5-7PM - RSVP For This Show

Remember to specify the show by number, day and time when you RSVP.

RSVP Via Email: (Select one) Show 1, Show 2, Show 3, Show 4

Call: (530) 647-WINE (9463)

Fax: (530) 647-9464

Great book about how a hate crime changed lives

Just came home from a great event at a local church who hosted a book signing and talk on "Freaks and Revelations".  It is a story about a hate crime, told from both parties sides.  The Amazon website sums it up:

"This raw, moving novel follows two teenagers-one, a Mohawk-wearing 17-year-old violent misfit; the other, a gay 13-year-old cast out by his family, hustling on the streets and trying to survive. Acclaimed author Davida Wills Hurwin creates a riveting narrative told in alternating perspectives of their lives before and after the violent hate crime that changed both their futures. This tragic but ultimately inspirational journey of two polarized teens, their violent first meeting, and their peaceful reunion years later is an unforgettable story of survival and forgiveness." 

Hearing them both share their stories today, was a gift that I wish everyone could have shared---particularly the young people of not just Placerville or El Dorado County, but all over America.  Buy this book, read it and pass it on to a young person, or donate it to your local library or school.

The El Dorado Epicurean Jan. 30 4-8 p.m.

Join us in Placerville for a fabulous progressive dinner for culinary adventurers!  For the first time every the finest restaurants have created a special 4 course progressive dinner that will indulge your senses with fresh seasonal specialties and decadent desserts.  Available by calling 800-457-6279, $55 per person! Dont miss out on this fun evening.

Feeling like getting Innspired?

Now that November is upon us, we always start to think about heading to the best B&B conference, the one put on by the California Association of Bed & Breakfast Inns (CABBI)

Join us in San Diego as we Celebrate 20 Years of CABBI (okay, we have not been members quite that long, but that is how long the Association has been around supporting inns).  In all the years we have been attending this trade show and educational venue, Rita and I both have gained so much.  Whether you feel like you need to stay up on trends (and who doesn't in this economy), need some new decorating or breakfast tips, or feel like you are needing to network, this is THE PLACE to be in January!

Ever wanted to become an innkeeper? Why not join us at the 2011 InnSpire Conference & Trade Show and attend the special CABBI 20th Anniversary Dinner!

The goal of the 2011 InnSpire Conference & Trade Show is education and celebration!
Educating the California Bed & Breakfast innkeeper has always been a top priority
for CABBI. This year’s workshops will focus on marketing, operations and technology
with sessions for beginners and advanced levels.

Don't miss out on the Early Bird Discounts.
Register by December 15th!

Where
San Diego Marriott Mission Valley
8757 Rio San Diego Drive, San Diego, CA 92108

Time for CABBI in January 2011...start planning now.

Okay, calling all innkeepers and aspiring innkeepers, bed and breakfast owners and dreamers...it is that time of year, to start thinking of the annual CABBI conference...and a visit to sunny San Diego!

Celebrating 20 Years of CABBI at the San Diego Marriott Mission Valley in San Diego     The goal of the 2011 InnSpire Conference & Trade Show is education and celebration! Educating the California Bed & Breakfast innkeeper has always been a top priority for CABBI. This year’s workshops will focus on marketing, operations and technology with sessions for beginners and advanced levels.  This year, the InnSpire Conference & Trade Show will make its way to sunny San Diego. Please plan to join us fora special 20th anniversary dinner on Monday night, as we celebrate 20 years of CABBI (dinner is an additional $10 per person, sign up when you register.) So, if you want to meet a great group, grow your business, learn new skills and have a good time, prepare to join us for this great event...oh yeah, it is also a celebration of 20 years for CABBI too! PS Southwest is having a sale right now too!

Ipod problems and Apple Hill times

Okay, so we all know the techie in the house is me,  Steph.  Can't live without Kindle, GPS and my iTouch....impossible.  Must be connected!  So, when the battery stopped holding a charge I was not a happy camper to say the least.  So, time to surf the net for a way to fix the problem!  Great excuse to spend even more time than usual on the computer!  Heehee.  Happily, I found a great site that takes care of iPod problems.  So far the customer service has been great.  They let me know when it was received and an update on when they expect to be able to work on it to ensure the only problem is an old battery.  Afterall, it is used everyday!

Will let you know how the new battery holds up in the coming months...

Don't forget Apple Hill is going on just up the road from the bed and breakfast, and that means traffic delays can be expected on the weekends in Placerville.

F is for Fenton Herriott

One of my favorite books as a kid was All Creatures Great and Small about a vet by the name of James Herriott, but I digress. This El Dorado County Winery has our pal Debbie in the tasting room and this to say on their website.
"At Fenton Herriott Vineyards we have long held a great passion for wine, and it is for this reason that we chose to plant our vines amidst the steady sun and rich soil of Placerville, California. And while we are still a relatively new winery, we believe that our sincere appreciation for the noble grape is reflected in the complex yet infinitely drinkable wines that we create." So, if you are in the area, tell them the Albert Shafsky House gals said, Hello!

Fall Fun at the Amador Flower Fair

Don't miss out on a great place about 30 minutes from our Placerville bed and breakfast - the Amador Flower Farm! Saturday and Sunday, October 2 and 3 from 9-4 pm they will have food, fun and free tram tours of the farm. Also in October they are having a Daylily sale with 50% off hundreds of varieties. Of course they will also have the pumpkin patch and corn maze again this October.

Back to wineries...E is for EDWA

Okay, so I did not find a winery in lovely El Dorado County that starts with E....any takers? But we do have EDWA, aka the El Dorado Winery Association. They are a group of winemakers (not all of the County wineries belong) who put on our famous Passport weekend every Spring.

Their next gig is coming up soon, maybe in a town near you...if you happen to live near Danville, CA. More below....

THE SIERRA FOOTHILLS WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE

Presented by the Wineries of the Sierra Foothills
3 - 6 p.m. Sunday, September 19
Blackhawk Country Club in Contra Costa County
If you or your friends live near Contra Costa County or the Bay Area, don’t miss the opportunity to taste a multitude of fine wines from the Sierra Foothills, being poured at one beautiful location on Sept 19.
To celebrate California Wine Month, El Dorado’s vintners are teaming up with Amador and Calaveras to present our first joint wine tasting at the luxurious Blackhawk Country Club in Danville. More than 40 foothills wineries will pour their finest wines, accompanied by delicious, Mediterranean-style finger foods and live flamenco guitar music.
Advance tickets are available at www.sierrafoothillswine.com for $35 or at the door for $50.

Wineries, from A to Z (or at least W)

So, what goes well with a stay at our inn? A glass of El Dorado County wine of course. And what wines we are lucky to have in the area....just a short hop in the car and in minutes you can be tasting something to please your palate. So, with the titel in mind, we will start with A is for Auriga Wine Cellarslocated in El Dorado County in Northern California. "Auriga" is the ancient Greek and Roman name of a constellation in the Northern hemisphere and is commonly referred to as the "charioteer." They can be found at
3500 Carson Road, #D2
Camino, CA 95709
(530) 647-8078
Friday to Sunday – 11-5

The Rubicon Trail Episode Sunday at 5 pm on News 10

Seeing as both Rita and I have Jeeps, and we live in El Dorado County, this show is a perfect fit.  We will be glued to the set Sunday night here at the Bed and Breakfast.

From the Experience El Dorado website-

Where the paved road ends, the adventure begins. This Sunday, December 6, we dedicate our entire episode to the historic Rubicon Trail located in the El Dorado National Forest. Come ride with us through the rocky crags and remote canyons of this twenty-two mile off-road trail, climbing from 5400 to 7000 feet in elevation. It didn’t take a whole lot of those miles for our crew to discover why the historic Rubicon Trail is known as one of the most rugged 4-wheel drive trails in the world.

Georgetown is the jump-off point for Experience El Dorado as the crew embarks on a harrowing dirt road journey through the spectacular Sierra Nevada mountains. For three days they record the fun and thrills that 4-wheeling offers here in the foothills. Field Correspondent, Cory Tapia joins Jeep® Jamboree USA on a wild ride that many 4-wheelers deem pure rock-crawling pleasure.

Not only will armchair trekkers enjoy the adventure, the episode will showcase another amazing recreational opportunity right in our own backyard.

ABC NEWS10 Sacramento Sunday December 6th 5:00PM

RSN Tahoe/Truckee/Reno Sunday December 6th 5:00PM

ABC30 Fresno Sunday December 6th 4:30PM

Check local listings. Miss it? Watch full episodes online 24/7

We will be watching in Placerville....

Repeal of Prohibition Party

December 5: Repeal of Prohibition Party David Girard Vineyards will be hosting the 3rd Annual Repeal of Prohibition Party! Join David Girard Vineyards, Boeger Winery, Gold Hill Winery and Wofford Acres Vineyards from 3-9PM. Vintage cars & costumes encouraged. Travel back in time as you visit these rebellious wineries. Enjoy "soup kitchen snacks" at each winery and also a poker run. Tickets are $15.00 per person or $20.00 per couple. $5.00 designated drivers. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Mother Lode Rehabilitation Enterprise of Placerville 

August Pig Roast this weekend

This Saturday and Sunday our favorite place for Placerville peaches is having their annual pig roast at the orchard. We always try and make it out for pork, salad, music and peach cobbler! It is always a great time and just minutes from the bed and breakfast.

Hooverville Orchards

1100 Wallace Rd
Placerville, CA 95667
530-622-2155