Run Oregon loves running – that’s no surprise. But we also love the Pacific Northwest and all that it has to offer. Running is a part of us, but it does not fully define us. In our “Make a Day of It” feature, we aim to showcase some great local non-running events and highlight where to run and how to make the most of your experience!
The next installment of this series is The Roost vacation rental in Dundee – a house within Lifestyle Properties amazing portfolio of locations in Willamette Valley Wine Country!
First the Running:
Even with almost 40 wineries to sample some of the best wine in the state, region, and dare I sat country, it’s sort of crazy to think that it’s really not too terribly tough to run large chunks of the entire town. We have run there quite a bit as of late and created a variety of Strava segments, as well as a nice 5-mile loop.
- Falcon Crest Park loop
- Downtown Straightaway
- Descending Viewmont Greenway
- Climbing Viewmont Greenway
- All the Way Up (Four Graces to Harvey Creek trailhead
- Gravel Grinder
- Harvey Creek Trail downhill
If you aren’t into Strava, there are essentially two main locations I would recommend checking out – the relatively new Viewmont Greenway and the short, yet fun, Harvey Creek Trail. The former is a nice paved trail that climbs a fair amount and goes alongside a neighborhood on one side and winery vines on the other. It’s only about 1/3 of a mile one way, but is absolutely perfect for hill work, or for connecting you from downtown to the latter.
(note: the Viewmont Greenway trailhead is just a block away from the Roost)
Harvey Creek Trail is near the top of town and provides a short connection between the top of the hill and the lower trailhead on Red Hills Road. Much like Viewmont, it is great for hill training, but in the trail variety.
Though Dundee is super small, it lies between McMinnville and Newberg, making it close to any number of races nearby each year. Regardless of the race you are coming out for, this property is a perfect hub for both running and wine tasting.
- Fueled by Fine Wine – This is one of the premier, and most challenging, half marathons in the region, if not the state. It is coming up on July 18, 2021!
- There are also a ton of races in the Valley on a yearly basis, so make sure you follow our calendar to stay up to date!
The Location:
While staying in hotels is great, as a father of three kids, sometimes travelling with the family makes site-based hotel lodging a challenge. As a result, the ability to have some (much needed) space within a vacation rental is just what the doctor ordered. This can also work similarly with you and your running buddies – it can be a bonding experience to sleep 4 to a hotel with 2 queen beds, but sometimes that extra ability to stretch out is what is really needed.
Lifestyle Properties manages a large variety of homes within Willamette Valley Wine Country. While there are some outliers in location, think about a corridor of properties that essentially stretches in the Yamhill-Carlton area (i.e. Newberg to McMinnville and thereabouts). Basically – the best place ever. We recently found ourselves scheduled for two things in the area – an exciting running partnership meeting with Travel Dundee and a fun outdoor dinner at Elk Cove Vineyards. Instead of trying to drive back to Salem between them, we instead checked out The Roost – a cozy and super inviting 3-bedroom (2x king, 1x queen) house on the north end of town, that is walking distance to a bunch of wineries and tasting rooms.
The first thing upon entry is the large living space with a classic gas fireplace which just begs to be lazed around in. We found ourselves lounging around in this area in the morning hours with the warm morning light sneaking in through the back windows. It’s a great spot to play some games with your running crew after a long day of running and wine tasting. The TV is small, but has plenty of channels, a Roku, and DVD player. And to be honest, TV in wine country isn’t typically all that important.
As we were only in the house for one day, we mostly stayed in the large King master bedroom and avoided the other bedrooms out of courtesy. The other two bedrooms had a shared bathroom, while the main featured a private bathroom and access to a walk-out deck. The bed was comfortable, and we felt that the linens and towels we had access to were much nicer than we have generally used in other vacation rentals over the years. We also really loved the local crafted soap bars – a nice touch – and the fact there was a washer and dryer available. No stinky running clothes on the way home is always a plus!
Master bedroom
And lastly, as you can see below, there is a really great and surprisingly secluded backyard – complete with plenty of deck and lawn space, patio furniture, barbecue, and a firepit.
Refueling:
One of the best things about having a fully-stocked kitchen is the ability to be a little more choosy in your food selections and enjoy your food and libations from the comfort of the home. The Roost featured a fully equipped kitchen with all the appliances needed (fridge, over, microwave, stove), as well as lots of space for cooking and dining. There was also plenty of silverware, dishes, glasses, and really anything we would have needed to cook from home. We also loved another local touch – free local ground coffee from Newberg’s Caravan Coffee – that made the morning that much better.
We are NOT saying to not explore the area however, as the Dundee Hills AVA has 38 wineries to explore in the hills. But since it would take literal weeks to sample wine at each winery, coming back to the room with a few bottles is an easy way to knock that number down a bit. There are also a handful of breweries in the area – the closest of which being the new Barn Door Brewing, which has a solid Habanero Ale.
The Roost allows for leftovers and/or takeout from local restaurants – we love local favorites Red Hills Market for breakfast and Trellis Wine Bar & Kitchen for dinner. The Dundee Bistro and Tina’s are also solid and La Sierra Mexican restaurant is open later than most – for when you need a little fuel after hours. Trellis is really the closet option – literally .2 miles from door to door.
Overall:
As the State is really opening up and summer nears, we feel that Dundee is going to get pretty busy. I mean, it is always a popular spot in the warm months, but with reservations being necessary, and people looking for some nice nearby travel options, we are sure it will turn even more bustling. Obviously, this is definitely a good thing, but please still remember to be smart, courteous, and kind to fellow travelers and locals alike. One way to stay a little more stress-free is to secure your stay at a local spot like The Roost and really be able to slow down and enjoy things. Come for the wine, stay for the running, and have a wonderful staycation!
