Birthday Celebration at Mount Hood

January 15, 2010

Last weekend I celebrated my 24th birthday with a fabulous group of friends at a beautiful cabin near Rhododendron, OR called Mount Hood View Log Cabin.

In the months prior to my birthday I spent a lot of time researching cabins/vacation rentals in the area trying to get a feel for average prices and amenities. Most cabins and vacation rentals near Mount Hood require a two-nights stay and charge extra fees like a cleaning fee, room taxes, and a fee for extra renters over 2-4 people (be sure to watch these fees because they can really add up). The lodging fees at Mount Hood View Log Cabin are very desirable considering all the amenities they provide…plus there is no cleaning fee as long as you clean up after yourself.

The newer, custom-built cabin is decorated with old skiing equipment and matching log furniture including a gorgeous log canopy bed frame in the master bedroom. Besides great decorations and furniture, the cabin was fully stock with dishes, kitchen appliances, an i-pod dock, cable tv, a small wood-burning fireplace, towels, a six person hot tub, comfortable beds, and a closet full of games ranging from Disney Scene It to Catch Phrase. What more could you ask for? How about a ski resort within twenty minutes of the cabin?!

Saturday morning we slept in, made breakfast (southwest sausage egg bake..mmm), watched a movie from the cabin’s DVD selection (over 100!), and got ready to go night skiing. We piled into the truck and arrived at SkiBowl twenty minutes later. Because we were a little early for night skiing, which starts at three, we did what we could to prepare ourselves for a day of beginner skiing (i.e. falling down a lot)…we drank a few beers at the Beer Stube.

Just before three we headed to the rental area to get our gear. By the time everything was said and done, we were able to get a night skiing lift ticket PLUS our gear for a little over fifty dollars…what a deal! We spent the next few hours skiing under the lights, surrounded by beautiful, serene mountains. After stopping for another round of drinks at the lodge, we headed back up to the cabin for dinner, more drinks, a few games of cards and catch phrase, and a nice soak in the hot tub.

Sunday morning we cleaned up the cabin and headed back into town. The ride was quick (about 45 minutes back into Portland) but crowded..we rode with a pair of skis above our heads and a snowboard on our laps. At that point, I really wished I would have invested in a ski or snowboard rack! Nonetheless I had a great birthday and I owe it all to my friends, family, and co-workers….you never cease to amaze me with your kindness and love!