Things To Do Near the Featherbed Railroad | Featherbed Railroad Bed & Breakfast Resort | Featherbed Railroad

Quilt Trail

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 09:27:24 -0700

The Lake County Quilt Trail project is the first in the Golden State to place painted quilt squares on highly visible barns and buildings throughout Lake County. It is an agricultural and tourism project designed to promote and celebrate our community pride.

In 2009, Marilyn Holdenried, the founder/chairman of the Kelseyville Pear Festival, discovered a grassroots movement that captivated her imagination. “While attending the International Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN, I was introduced to the Quilt Trail project concept,” she said. “I was totally hooked! We needed this project in Lake County.”

Colorful quilt squares began adorning the barns of Adams County, Ohio, in 2001. The idea came from Donna Sue Groves who painted and hung the first quilt square on her barn honoring her mother, Nina Maxine Groves, an expert quilter, and to celebrate the shared Appalachian agricultural heritage of Ohio. Donna Sue’s early vision was to create an imaginary clothesline of interconnecting barns decorated with quilt squares across Ohio.

Antiques in Lake County

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 18:20:04 -0700

We have lots of folks who love Lake County so much they've chosen to retire here. Generally, they move from a big house in the city to a smaller home here in a more rural setting. Who can blame them? It's quiet, peaceful, the air is clear and the folks are friendly.

Since they've generally downsized their houses they have to do something with all those beautiful antiques they've collected over the years so Lake County's antique stores are filled with fabulous treasures waiting to find their way home with someone.

We have places here that specialize in antique plumbing fixtures (seriously, this guy is known around the world), there is a store that specializes in antique phonographs, and one not to far off that restores antique stoves. Of course there are lots of places that will be happy to show you a broad range of items and one even offers $5 tours of the western town they built in the back.

Here is a Google map that we've built of just the antique stores we know of.

View Lake County Antique Dealers in a larger map

Lake County Art Activities

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 16:04:31 -0700

Lake County is home to a wide variety of artists, from painters, sculptors, musicians and even folks who customize gourds. With the beautiful, unspoiled nature and affordable real estate there are plenty of artists in the area which is outstanding. Our county has even built an artists colony for these talented individuals.

We love our artists and one of those is Diana Liebe who will be holding a hand-painted silk scarf workshop at the Featherbed Railroad on Wednesday, July 6 from 10-11:30. Diana does some beautiful hand-painted clothing items and will be sharing her secrets to success in this unique art form. Guests and community members are invited to participate under our beautiful pine trees in our park. The price is just $15 and you get to take home your creation.

Diana owns the Serendipity Boutique where her paintings and hand-painted clothes are available. In addition, several of her paintings are available for sale at the Featherbed Railroad.

We also have several paintings by local artists in the dining room as well as hand-painted wine bottles in the gift shop. A leather craftsman in the area has made all of our key rings for the rooms as well as a cool wallet for business cards. We really love our local artists and craftspeople.

Places to Eat in Lake County

Thu, 12 May 2011 22:33:29 -0700

While you're here you're definitely going to want to take in some of the dining opportunities in Lake County. We have all sorts of great restaurants and dining options.

For example, we have a couple who have recreated the original saloon that was on their property in the 1890s and have terrific blues bands that play there on Monday nights.

There is also a French & Italian restaurant across the Lake that features live music on Saturday nights and can be reached by boat or car.

One of our neighbors comes from Ireland and has his own genuine Irish pub where the food and drink are terrific and the atmosphere pretty genuine. There's Chinese food, Thai food and quite a few places that just serve what you might have found on your mom's table, too.

In fact, right up the street is a quaint local barbecue joint that you can walk to with some good barbecue as well as a full bar and a huge outdoor patio where bands fill the air with joy in summer.

Here is a Google map of some of the places Peggy and Tony like to eat that are close by.

Lake County Wine Adventure

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 19:43:22 -0800

Join us for this incredible weekend of wine, food and adventure as Lake County celebrates another Wine Adventure weekend. For just $35 you get a glass and a pass to about 20 wineries around Lake County who offer wine tasting and food pairings for the entire weekend of July 30-31.

Once again the Featherbed Railroad will arrange for clean, comfortable full-size vans from People Services with sober drivers to take us on this festival of food and drink. Van tickets are available in advance for just a $50 donation to People Services, a 501c3 charity. You may participate on Saturday, Sunday or both if you like. But make your reservations early, this is always a sell-out weekend of fun!

For more information, visit the Lake County Winery Association's web site.

Below is a little video Tony shot on his phone from last year's wine adventure.

Horseback Riding in the Wine Country

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 10:14:42 -0800

One of the best ways to get back to nature is on the back of a horse. We have several opportunities to ride beautifully cared for horses through the back trails of one of the beauty that is Lake County.

There is plenty of open land and some wonderful scenic opportunities which can only be viewed by hiking or on the back of a horse.

We've worked with Active Travel for several of these adventures and they've proven to be a good company to work with.

Great Deals on Local Products & Services

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 05:42:32 -0700

While you're enjoying your stay at the Featherbed Railroad you can find deals on local restaurants and more at the Chamber of Commerce's new web site, ShopStayPlay.com. ShopStayPlay.com was crafted to encourage local residents to shop, stay and play in Lake County and features great deals on local products and services. But you can get these great deals while you're visiting us, too. Check out ShopStayPlay.com for the best deals on local products and services.

Massage Therapy and Spa Treatments

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:46:37 -0700

Many people come to Lake County to get away from the tense hustle and bustle of the city. There aren't many traffic lights up here and we have a very relaxed way of life. No lines at the fancy restaurants for dinner and people will even say 'hello' even though they don't know you.

There are a number of wonderful spas in the area for relaxation including the Golden Pear Day Spa. In addition, some of the local wine might also help with an attitude adjustment.

Of course seven of the nine caboose suites have Jacuzzi tubs in them and we include the some terrific bubble bath.

The Featherbed Railroad Staff can also arrange for a wonderful massage therapist to come right to your caboose and help with that relaxation. Another nice option is to put up dividers in our peaceful garden and have an outdoor massage experience. Our licensed, professional massage therapist is the perfect addition to your relaxing weekend.

Lake County Ecotourism

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:56:50 -0700

Whether you enjoy bird watching, fishing, strolling along trails or gazing at ancient volcanos the Clear Lake area is getting more and more known for its ecotourism. There are all sorts of maps available at the at the Featherbed Railroad to help you discover the beauty of this area.

If you are interested in land trails, water trails, bicycling paths or any form of viewing nature the new Lake County Trails web site has all sorts of great maps and resources.

Kayaking

Whether you bring your own or rent a kayak from the Featherbed Railroad, Clear Lake and its waterways are an excellent place to kayak. With the warm, shallow water on the lake and incredible unspoiled nature you will enjoy your time on the Lake year-round. For a sampler, check out this kayaking video.

Fishing

One of the more popular activities on Clear Lake is fishing. We have some excellent fishing guides in the area who will show you the best places to catch the bass, catfish, crappie and other species which thrive in the waters of Clear Lake.

Flights of Fancy

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 07:24:11 -0700

If your idea of a vacation is to get airborne, there are some great opportunities near Clear Lake.

You can arrange a flight in a 1941 Stearman airplane. The Stearman was used as a training craft for World War II pilots and has been lovingly restored and maintained. There's nothing quite like a biplane ride where you sit in front, out in the open.

How about a relaxing balloon ride or a graceful glider experience? Our local airport, Lampson Field, is home to a terrific Stearman Plane. This historic beauty is an open bi-plane that affords unparalleled views of the beauty that is Lake County. Crazy Creek Air Adventures offers a variety of airborne adventures.

For an exceptional experience, Wine Country Helicopters can fly you from Napa right to the Featherbed Railroad. This luxurious helicopter ride takes you from point-to-point and is a fast and scenic way to visit Lake County. Better yet, Wayne can whisk you right to several wineries via helicopter, so your whole journey is fast, scenic and fantastic.

Train Destinations in Northern California

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 07:00:32 -0700

There are a lot of railroad-related activities within a short drive of the Featherbed Railroad. Go back in time and see how our logging trains started or even ride in the cab of a steam or diesel locomotive. While our cabooses are stationary, you can ride in a caboose. If you enjoy trains as much as we do, we can be your hub for days of railroad fun.

California State Railway Museum in Sacramento

Skunk Train

Sacramento River Train

Niles Canyon Railway - Ride In A Caboose

Sierra Dinner Train

Napa Valley Wine Train

Roots of Motive Power - Railroad Heritage Foundation

Western Pacific Railroad Museum

Fishing and Boating On Clear Lake

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 09:57:09 -0700

Clear Lake is California's largest natural freshwater lake. Lakes have existed at this site for at least 2.5 million years. The lake is surrounded by scenic mountains in the shadow of Mt. Konocti, an extinct volcano.

The waters of Clear Lake support large populations of largemouth bass, channel and white catfish, crappie, bluegill, carp and the native fish known as hitch. Sometimes called the bass capital of the West, the lake is known for it's quality bass with trophy fish over 10 lbs. Any cast at Clear Lake could result in the fish of a lifetime.

Clear Lake has such great fishing, ESPN hosts a fishing show here on a regular basis. (Click Here for the results).

The current lake record for largemouth bass stands at 17.52 pounds and is waiting to be broken. Could you be the one? There are also a few great local guides if you need a hand.

We've also had guests land some pretty terrific cat fish right from our dock. Fishing off the dock is a popular pass time for many guests and we've got a barbecue ready for those who land a cat fish.

Over 30 Wineries in Lake County

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:29:19 -0700

Lake County Wines and the Clear Lake area wineries are some of the best new wineries in Northern California. We are definitely gaining a lot of respect from those who know their wines. There are over 10,000 acres of Ultra Premium North Coast Wine Grapes and wineries producing award-winning wines.

There is something for every wine enthusiast here - and many of the wineries are a short drive, bicycle ride or even boat ride from the Featherbed Railroad. On weekends we can arrange a limousine to several of the area's finest wineries (there is an additional cost for this).

Best of all Lake County Wineries are not snooty or stuffy, they share our relaxed, easy-going atmosphere. We can arrange a terrific limousine ride for you with our friends at the Limousine Connection. Their customized journeys are fun, relaxing and informative. And there's wine, of course.

Here are some of the terrific Northern California wine destinations within a short ride from the Featherbed Railroad:

Brassfield Estate Winery
Bell Hill Vineyards - Great reds with a tasting room in Lakeport
Ceago Vinegarden - A Bio-Neutral and Exceptional Winery
Gregory Graham Wines - Former winemaker for Rombauer
High Valley Winery
Langtry Estate & VIneyards
Monte Lago Vineyards
Moore Family Winery
Mount Konocti Growers Winery - Great Local Sparkling Pear Wine
Noggle Winery - Cool, intimate operation
Rosa D'Oro - Family-operated Italian varietals
Shannon Ridge - Terrific Award-Winning Wines
Six Sigma Ranch - You'll want to bring a picnic and stay all day
Steele Wines
Vigilance Winery
Wildhurst Vineyards
Lake County Winery Association

Tasting Rooms - Ask The Sommelier!

Lake County Museums

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:29:19 -0700

There are all sorts of neat historic sites and antique shops in Lake County. If you want to walk through the past, Lake County is a nice place to do so. Of course we celebrate the present as well, but how about a walk back in time?

Lake County was created out of the northern portion of Napa County in 1861. Lower Lake vied with Lakeport to become the county seat, succeeding in wrestling that distinction from 1867 to 1870.

Of all the museums, the closest to the Featherbed Railroad is the Clarke's Collectibles Lunchbox Museum. This amazing place offers an incredible collection of memorabilia. In addition to the obvious lunch boxes, there are all sorts of things that will bring you back. There is no cost of admission and owner Debbie Clarke is a fun person to hold a conversation with.

Lower Lake features some of the oldest buildings in Lake County and prospered in the early years from nearby mining of sulfur, borax and quicksilver. The first jail in Lake County, a stone structure of just one room, is said to be the smallest in the United States.

Golf Destinations

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:29:19 -0700

Many people know that golf is an important part of any vacation. While some folks are interested in watching the birds, others want to shoot for birdies and eagles. Here are a few of the golf courses in our area.

Adams Springs Golf Course

Located on Highway 175 in the Cobb Mountain area. Golf amid the tall pines on this challenging 10-hole course with comfortably wide fairways. In 2007, the course was renovated with "pot bunkers" which are designed similar to those at St. Andrews Golf Club in Scotland. Click Here for more information.

Buckingham Golf & Country Club

Located off Soda Bay Road at the foot of Mount Konocti, this nine-hole course encircles Little Borax Lake, providing some tight fairways which offer plenty of chances to use a driver. Click Here for more information.

Hidden Valley Lake Golf & Country Club

Located off Highway 29 just north of Middletown, this course offers 18 holes with the front nine being relatively flat and open while the back nine wind through the hills and subdivision. In addition to the course, other amenities include a putting green, driving range, pro shop, lounge and restaurant. Click Here for more information.