(Jamie Ford, on my Kindle). A poignant story about a Chinese-American, growing up in Seattle at the beginning of World War II. Henry falls in love with a young Japanese girl before her family is interned in a relocation camp. It a very secretive relationship because his parents would highly disapprove. The story goes back to the 40’s and forward to the 1980’s when Henry is in his 50’s and his wife (not the Japanese woman) has just died of cancer. The story pulls you in from the first page, especially when some artifacts are found in the basement of an old hotel which contain personal belongings from several Japanese families who were suddenly taken away back in 1942. You can see where it’s going, can’t you? I heard criticism of this book that it was just a little bit contrived. Halfway through I’m enjoying it very much.
(Kathryn Stockett on my Kindle); if you haven’t heard about this book, you should! It’s a novel written from the voice of the black servants and some of the people they work for, all residents of Jackson, Mississippi. In the 1950’s. The maids generally are disrespected, still have to ride in the back of the bus, and some are prevented from using the bathroom in the houses where they work. The story is about a young woman (daughter of one of the society ladies) who decides to write a book about the stories of the maids. Anonymously. But not quite, of course. So it’s not only the stories themselves, but about the society-ladies’ relationships, and about the stealth required to interview the maids and write the book. And the repercussions when it’s published. A fantastic read.
by Jetta Carleton (Kindle edition); 
by Susan Richards (Kindle edition); 
by Sally Gunning (Kindle edition)
; 
; 
(Mario Batali & Gweneth Paltrow); 
; 
.
Sakura Ridge - the B&B on the left - the owner's home on the right
In the last couple of years I’ve become a regular reader of Trip Advisor – the website that contains nothing but user reviews of hotels, restaurants, and things to do in places around the world. Whenever we’re traveling and I want guidance, I go there to read what others have had to say about a particular B&B, or to get ideas about restaurants. Having never stayed in Hood River before, I searched for the low-down on B&B’s, our preferred kind of accommodations. There were other places I considered, but in the end I kept reading rave reviews about Sakura Ridge.
The couple who own it have lived in the area for a long time. Deanna and John Joyer have a working organic cherry orchard. It’s a large spread, including lots of bee hives for pollination too. In yesterday’s post I had one picture of Sakura Ridge and one picture of Mt. Hood. The B&B is located on a mountain top and has just a spectacular view of the mountain. It’s so close you feel like you could reach out and touch it.
The original part of the home was a “kit home,” the kind of log cabin style that comes in a huge shipment, everything you need, to build a home. Then you put it together. You might need help from an electrician and a plumber, and maybe laying a foundation, but it’s a nice home for a relatively moderate price, so I hear. Anyway, the Joyers bought the property with the log home, added onto it at some point and now they have their own side of the house (also log) and the 6-bedroom kit cabin is the B&B. They’re seamlessly joined together and you’d hardly know it was once a separate part Makes a perfect adjunct to their living quarters. The whole house has a clean, finished look and ambiance, though. There really isn’t anything about it that feels like a cabin. It’s home; a large home at that.
Anyway, the rooms are lovely. The environs spectacular, that’s all I can say. If you’re ever in the neighborhood, you should make a point to stay. Deanna served a extremely tasty breakfast (3 couples were overnighting there) which included some fresh greens, strawberries, herbs, etc. from her own large garden. We enjoyed a piece of a potato and kale quiche, some small sturgeon and salmon cakes, the greens, ample fresh fruit, including the just picked strawberries, rustic toast and a bowl of Deanna’s home made granola and yogurt. And, of course, some hot coffee or tea. She also included a small banana and berry smoothie for each guest too.
The B&B is located several miles outside of Hood River off relatively straight roads. No particular mountain curves, but you come over the crest of the hill and there in all its glory is Mt. Hood. And the B&B nestled in the cherry orchard.
Sakura Ridge Farm & Lodge
5602 York Hill Dr.
Hood River, OR 97031
Phone: 541 386-2636
Stacey Barck
said on July 1st, 2009:
What an adventure you and Dave are having. Driving all the way to Alaska, wow! It sounds like you are enjoying yourselves along the way. I was on your site tonight in search of a good corn bread recipe to go with Russ’ Green Egg pulled pork and ribs BBQ we are having on Friday. As always it is great to keep up with you through tasting spoons. Hi to Dave and big hugs all around.
Hi Stacey – thanks. I hope you found the delish custard cornbread recipe on my site. It would go very well with BBQ. But no, we’re not driving all the way to Alaska – just to Vancouver, then we’re on a cruise to Alaska. Sorry we can’t stop to see you on our way home. . . . carolyn t