Northeastern Oregon is the site of Courtney Creek Ranch, a beautiful three-bedroom ranch house in the remote Lower Grande Ronde Canyon at the confluence of the Wenaha and Grande Ronde Rivers. Near the Blue Mountains and the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness, you'll be close to hiking and rafting, plus the ranch's 225 acres provides exceptional birding, large game viewing, and fishing. With the ranch available for seven days and six nights, Courtney Creek Ranch will be a great location for a family reunion or just to enjoy the beauty of nature.
Available in 2007 and 2008; dates to be mutually agreed upon.
Donor: Leslie Labbe
Back by popular demand, Columbia Land Trust member Don Cannard has hand-carved a gorgeous 4-foot garden bench that will definitely be a very special, one-of-a-kind piece of furniture. Made from a Western red cedar that blew down across the Ellen Davis Trail north of Leverich Park in Vancouver, the bench has been weatherproofed to withstand our Northwest climate. Feel free to use it outdoors without worry, or bring it indoors for possible use as a coffee table. Don's work is always a highlight of the auction.
Donor: Don Cannard
For three nights, indulge yourself with the diverse experiences of the Gulf Coast of central Florida. Sample all that Tampa has to offer (Busch Gardens, the Museum of Science and Industry, etc.) as well as the natural wonders nearby. Just north is the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, home to wintering whooping cranes, which are recovering from near extinction. This is the Gulf Coast at its most interesting!
Donors: Friends of Columbia Land Trust; Southwest Airlines; Paul King
Make the charming French townhouse, Maison Châteauneuf, your home away from home in the legendary wine village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the south of France. For seven nights, two couples can take in the colorful sights, sounds and tastes of Provence. Each bedroom has a queen-size bed, and the townhouse has all the modern amenities to make this a comfortable and pleasant stay. You will receive a 30-page house guide that includes restaurant recommendations, selected wineries to visit, and suggested day trips. So start practicing your French now - "Oui, Oui, Madame, Monsieur" - and let this week in France be a dream come true!
Air fare not included. Certificate is for a Saturday-to-Saturday stay; dates to be mutually agreed upon. No black-out dates; no expiration date. A fully refundable security/telephone/cleaning deposit of $400 is required at the time of booking. Maison Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a non-smoking household.
Donor: Your Own French Home
This is an unbeatable, and likely unrepeatable, experience that we are pleased to offer. Four people will spend four nights on Washington's Long Beach Peninsula, which includes charming accommodations at a private home, an incredible gourmet breakfast experience at Shelburne Inn with owner David Campiche, a private tour of Island Lake Forest (Columbia Land Trust's newest land purchase) with Shorebank Pacific's ecologist Kathleen Sayce as your guide, the rare opportunity to help with the fall cranberry harvest at Cranguyma Farms, a sightseeing flight over the Peninsula, and dinner for four at the 42nd Street Café in Seaview. This is definitely a side of Long Beach that few will ever experience!
Donors: William K. Rupp & Beverly A. Arnoldy; Frank Wolfe; Kathleen Sayce; David Campiche, Shelburne Inn; 42nd Street Café
Enjoy a week's stay for four at the environmentally-friendly Maho Bay Resort on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Stay in a tent cottage at Maho Bay Camps on the northwestern side of St. John or enjoy a few more creature comforts in a Concordia Eco-Tent on the dramatic southeastern side. Included are air miles for two people on Delta Airlines between Portland and St. Thomas Island, U.S. Virgin Islands. With seven nights lodging provided, enjoy the island trade winds as you partake of the various outdoor activities available, such as sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, hiking, and more. Combine the exquisite beauty of a Caribbean Island with an ecotourism experience you simply won't believe!
Air miles available for two people only; ferry transportation between St. Thomas Island and St. John Island not included. Maho Bay certificate valid between September 8 and December 15, 2007, and between May 1 and September 7, 2008.
Donors: Maho Bay Camps/Concordia Eco-Tents; Paul King
Award-winning Neil Kelly Designer Michelle Rolens will provide 40 hours of kitchen or bath design consultation and 25 hours of drafting and research assistance. This is a great opportunity to work with one of the Northwest's preeminent design companies.
Donor: Neil Kelly Design/Build Remodeling
House Spirits, a craft distiller in Portland, Oregon has recently introduced a made-to-order whiskey program called Whiskey Your Way. Clients come in for an initial educational tasting seminar and then go through an individual consultation with the distiller to select the grains used, distillation method, barrel type, water variety, etc. The client is invited to participate in creating the "wash" and assist in running the still. The raw spirit winds up in a 15 gallon barrel to age, stored at 120 proof. The result is a completely unique, personal barrel of whiskey tailored to a client's exact specifications.
The whiskey takes a minimum of 3-5 years to mature in the barrel. During that period, clients are encouraged to sample their barrel frequently to monitor progress and learn how the wood contributes to the finished spirit. House Spirits has an online community as well as an annual event for its barrel clients where they are encouraged to swap samples of their unique personal whiskeys and share their passion for whiskey with other enthusiasts. Evaporation from the barrel over several years – known as the "Angel's Share" – means that temperature and aging time can affect the final volume of whiskey. Clients that age their barrel from 3-5 years and bottle at the usual 80 to 86 proof will typically see a yield of 100 to 110 bottles – enough to share!
Donors: House Spirits; Leif Pietila
This 24" x 48" framed photo of the Columbia River Gorge is by acclaimed photographer, and Columbia Land Trust member, Erskine Wood. This much-loved view, which includes the Vista House and Crown Point, captures the majesty of the Gorge and the mighty Columbia. Erskine has exhibited world wide and received numerous international awards and honors, including two photographic Society of America's Gold Medals and six international "Best of Show" awards. His "subjects are the colors, graphic patterns, and moods of nature found from the smallest detail to grand scenes." How grateful we are that Erskine Wood has shared his exceptional talent with Columbia Land Trust this evening!
Donor: Erskine Wood
A unique and wonderful experience awaits you when you successfully bid on this dinner cruise for four on the Columbia River aboard "Water Strider," a Gemini 105Mc catamaran. Organic wines will accompany your meal, but no doubt the highlight of the experience will be the excursion on the catamaran itself. Known for their swiftness, shallow draft and unsinkability, this is your opportunity to experience first-hand the joy of catamaran sailing, and all under the skillful command of Captain David Page and First Mate Patty Page. Expect a delicious meal from your chefs par excellence, Brian and Linda Wolfe, and a delightful, leisurely evening on the River!
Date to be mutually agreed upon.
Donors: David & Patty Page; Brian & Linda Wolfe; Marlia Jenkins
The Columbia River plays such a prominent role in the work of Columbia Land Trust that it certainly seems appropriate to include a package that offers experiences along this significant waterway. Start with two nights' accommodations for two in a river-view room at the historic Columbia Gorge Hotel in Hood River. Called the "Waldorf of the West," this magnificent villa is perched on a scenic cliff above river and even has a 208-foot waterfall on the premises. Next, take a ride on the ever-popular Mount Hood Railroad, spending a morning or afternoon on the train, enjoying live narration describing the sights - forest, meadows and numerous fruit orchards - between Hood River and Odell or Parkdale. Head west to use your certificate for a one-day kayak rental for two at Skamokawa Center in Skamokawa, Washington, on the Lower Columbia, a place of incredible natural beauty. Conclude your trip with one night for two at the Cannery Pier Hotel in Astoria, a luxury boutique hotel built on the former site of a historic cannery 600 feet out into the mighty Columbia River.
Columbia Gorge Hotel certificate valid through July 12, 2008; not valid Saturdays or Holidays. Mount Hood Railroad certificate valid through October 5, 2008; valid only on the Excursion Train Fare during non-special event dates. Skamokawa Center certificate valid through September 7, 2008. Cannery Pier Hotel certificate valid through March 31, 2008; valid Sunday through Thursday nights.
Donors: Columbia Gorge Hotel; Cannery Pier Hotel; Friend of Columbia Land Trust; Mount Hood Railroad; Skamokawa Center
One of tonight's most precious items is this beautiful, queen-size antique quilt. According to our generous donor, Gladys Cain, this quilt was started in the early 1920's by Mabel Elizabeth Tyson as part of her "hope" chest. Mabel Tyson was born in 1906 and married Vernon Jewell in 1926. She died in 2000. Gladys Jewell Cain, daughter of Mabel, finished the back, fill and quilting in 2005. The material on the face is about 100 years old. At that time, cotton was not treated to be wrinkle-free when wet, and so please be aware that the colors will run or fade. Of special note, Gladys wrote Columbia Land Trust, and said, "I put a lot of love and work into finishing [this quilt] but I have no one to leave [it] to. So if [it] can help save a bit of land for everyone to enjoy - so be it." This beautiful hand-sewn quilt will surely touch your heart and be a treasured special addition to any room.
Donor: Gladys J. Cain
Back to Top
Prepare to spend 10 days at a lovely two-bedroom, two bath house in Mazatlan, the resort city known as the “pearl of the Pacific.” This home away from home is within walking distance of the ocean and sleeps up to four people (two king-size beds). The house is located in the heart of the Zona Dorada - the Golden Zone - where you will find a lot of the finer restaurants and most of the local night life. Also, the house is situated on the El Cid Golf Course, a championship course designed by Larry Hughes and Lee Trevino. There is no end to the variety of activities available to you during your 10-day stay: water sports, sport fishing, golf and tennis, shopping, 15 miles of beaches; even the largest aquarium in Mexico! With temperatures ranging from the low 80’s to low 90’s throughout the year, this warm tropical climate is guaranteed to chase away the winter blues of our Pacific Northwest.
Airfare not included. Certificate valid through December 31, 2008; dates to be mutually agreed upon.
Donor: Karen Sloan
Columbia Land Trust, a private, non-profit organization, was founded in 1990. We're dedicated to conserving signature landscapes and vital habitat together with the landowners and communities of the Columbia River region. Questions, comments, or concerns may be directed to info@columbialandtrust.org |
All material on this site, unless otherwise noted, Copyright
©2000-2007, Columbia Land Trust
|
Site maintained by staff of Columbia Land Trust. |