Now that my husband has retired, we have the freedom to get up and go pretty much whenever we wish (as long as where we go has WiFi so I can keep working). Harry also has the time to hunt down travel bargains, so this past week we took advantage of a deal he found on Travelzoo to spend two nights at the Oregon Garden Resort (a Moonstone Hotel property) in the mid-Willamette Valley town of Silverton. In addition to our lodging, we received breakfast each morning in the lodge, a dinner for two with a bottle of the house Pinot Noir in the Garden Restaurant, a facial or massage for one in the Moonstone Spa, and free access to the adjoining Oregon Garden throughout our stay.

The property consists of a series of one-level Craftsman-style buildings, each housing six guestrooms. As one might expect in such a location, the grounds are beautifully and lushly landscaped with trees, shrubs and perennials and include a Wedding Garden and pool. The main lodge houses the restaurant, a lounge, the spa, a business center and meeting rooms. We found our room to be quite spacious and comfortable. The entry area offered a large closet (no safe), a vanity and a mini fridge, coffeemaker and microwave oven. The king-sized bed faced a cozy gas fireplace, flat-screen TV on a bureau and a desk (free WiFi included!). There was a sitting area PLUS a very large and private outdoor deck with table and chairs, though it was a bit too chilly and damp during our stay to spend much time there.

Gardener that I am, I especially enjoyed the chance to ramble through the numerous gardens within the Oregon Garden, established in 2001 and gradually growing and expanding over the intervening years. On the misty, moisty November morning we walked through, of course, many of the gardens were declining into winter dormancy, but we still found much color in the leaves and unusual berries

and even the occasional bloom (some camellias and rhodies in addition to some asters and ‘mums). One can also find whimsical sculptures and garden art scattered about the acreage, and we found beauty in the lines of the bare branches of the trees.

We enjoyed our peaceful and relaxing late-autumn retreat and decided the Oregon Garden merits a return visit during a different season, so that we can enjoy a new mix of colors and textures. We also want to visit the Gordon House, the only building in Oregon designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and his only house open to the public in the Pacific Northwest. Built in 1964, the house was saved from demolition after the original owner’s death in 2001 and was moved from its original site to land adjoining the Oregon Garden. At this time of year one is required to set up a reservation to tour the home, and our schedule did not permit it this visit. We look forward to our next trip, then, to this lovely area.

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor