Cozy Up For A Dog-Friendly Fall Getaway At The Cabin At River’s Bend

By Guest Author: Molly Allen

After the hustle and bustle of summer, a cozy cabin escape can be the ideal respite to kick off the fall and winter seasons. It’s even better if the vacation rental comes with a wood-burning fireplace, a hot tub amongst the trees and welcomes dogs — the ideal combination for a relaxing stay with a few friends. Mt. Hood Territory has a wide selection of excellent cabins in Rhododendron and Welches, with locations offering nearby access to hiking trails, such as the lush Old Salmon River Trail and the accessible Wildwood Recreation Site. A stay here will also put you close to fantastic global cuisine and snowboarding and ski slopes

On a recent fall trip, headed out from Hood River at about noon, my dog Roger and I made our first stop en route at Trillium Lake. My friend, who was also coming to the cabin for the evening, met us at the lake for a walk along the Trillium Lake Loop trail, with its new and improved boardwalk sections. We loved meandering along the mixture of dirt trail and boardwalk, with lake views and peeking views of Mt. Hood along the way.

With a bit of time before checking in, we headed into Welches for Chicali Cantina’s happier hour. The eatery’s heated, dog-friendly patio was the ideal spot to stop for a snack of chips and guacamole, mini cast-iron nachos with incredibly flavorful poblano cheese sauce, and house made horchata. The attention to scratch-made dishes using locally sourced ingredients was evident here, along with a lively vibe with a vibrant turquoise color palette, unique tile detailing, and a mixture of dining room and bar seating. A pup menu is available with ground beef or chicken, but Roger didn’t have a snack as we were close to his dinner time at the cabin. The staff still greeted him with welcoming pets and a few little bone treats. Up next, the less than ten-minute drive offered a radiant display of fall colors along the way to The Cabin at River’s Bend.

Checking into this vacation rental with a door code was simple. We quickly settled in, in awe of the preservation of this 1970s-era three-bedroom, one-and-a-half bathroom cabin with warm wood tones and a statement stone fireplace in the living room. It was clear the River’s Bend hosts have thought of just about everything, with a fully stocked kitchen and exceptionally comfy beds. There’s even a selection of area maps and cool vintage, educational books identifying Pacific coast berries, birds, trees and flowers.

We spent the early evening chatting in the covered hot tub nestled against the trees, with the outdoor gas fireplace glowing, and enjoying the sound of the Sandy River from the deck. Dinner was simple prep with spinach and cheese ravioli with sauteed snap peas and freshly grated parmesan. We ended the evening enjoying the crackle of the wood fireplace.

After a great night’s sleep, we woke up for coffee and yogurt parfait bowls with fresh fruit and granola on the deck. The rush of the river sounded even louder in the morning. Full from breakfast, Roger and I took the quick path from the cabin down to the shores of the river, taking in the morning’s golden glow. It was the perfect send-off from an incredibly relaxing visit to the Rhododendron area.

One last stop on the way home — Fernie’s Coffee was a welcoming sight. The shop is easily accessible right off Highway 35, with covered seating and a walk-up window for ordering. Fernie’s is named after a special pup, and I loved all of the Polaroid pictures on display of the dogs who have visited over the years. I ordered a breve latte made with Portland’s Stumptown espresso and one of Fernie’s popular freshly baked drop biscuits to warm me up for the drive home.