Posted By admin on August 6, 2009

A Home Away From Home

Doublegate Inn Bed & Breakfast in the Villages of Mt Hood

Lewis and Clark are alive and well and ready to welcome you to Welches.  You’ll want to look down, since they are very short.  Lewis and Clark are black and white Japanese spaniels, 9 inches tall, and they help Stephanie and Eric Kaster run the Doublegate Inn.

The Kasters bought the house in 2007 after spotting it on a visit to family in the area. They had been there three days when an elderly gentleman knocked on their door and stayed for four and a half hours.  His name was “Sunny Jim” Anderson, and his parents had built

the house in the years 1919-21.  Members of the Bowman family, who had also earlier owned the house, helped to provide the warm sense of community Eric and Stephanie found as they created the B & B.  In return, Stephanie says, they “bonded to the area immediately.”  They’re not only thrilled to own a historic home, but always want to learn more about the area’s past.  That enthusiasm shows in the inn’s library, which includes many of the Kasters’ own books on local history.  The pioneers’ struggles as they made their way over Mt. Hood are particularly moving to them.

Another enthusiasm the couple likes to share is hiking.  Since it’s Eric’s passion, they have lots of information on area trails to give visitors.  Though they know their guests are often planning to ski or golf, they find almost everyone wants to take a walk as well.

When their visitors’ steps bring them back to the inn, their job is to relax and feel the mountain’s peace.  The Kasters want all their guests to feel as though they are in a home away from home, and have created plushly furnished rooms in warm, serene colors.  There they can experience the country quiet that Stephanie finds one of the best things about living there.  She also loves “that feeling of being nestled in the trees in a thriving little village,” and contemplating the big trees and stone wall outside her window as she cooks.  She buys fresh food for each guest, and selects organic choices and local produce whenever possible for her hearty, healthy breakfasts.  She’s happy to cater to special nutritional needs such as gluten and dairy free diets with a little advance notice.

With such generous and caring spirits, it’s no surprise the Kasters have attracted many delighted guests.  For example, Stephanie recalls with a smile in her voice the couple from Texas staying at the inn during the severe snows of winter 2008-09.  Though many folks were snowbound for days, the Kasters looked out at one point to discover that the Texan gentleman had slipped out and paid a Bobcat driver to scrape out not just their driveway, but some of the neighbors’ too.  “Like Santa,” she says.

The enthusiasm and joy the Kasters feel for their home and connections in The Villages is infectious.  They’re making plans to provide “wellness package” retreats with even more pampering and relaxing features.  Last but not least, they want to take good care of the Doublegate Inn so that it’ll be part of their community for another hundred years.

Doublegate Inn
In the heart of Welches, Oregon
Eric and Stephanie Kaster
3-Guest suites, private spa tubs, golf

Email: doublegateinn@gmail.com
www.doublegateinn.com

Categories: Mt Hood Lodging
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