After purchasing the farm in March of 2003 we needed to create a plan of action and decide what our "crops" would actually be. We wanted, of course, to integrate what was already in place together with some new enterprises. The property came with 13 acres of Queen Anne Cherries, a delicious variety used principally in the making of maraschinos, so that choice was simple. Next, with 53 acres of open ground it seemed appropriate to consider a low maintenance perennial like fescue grass. Today, grass seed has become Oregon's primary field crop. The side benefit is that we now have what amounts to a huge lawn!

Inasmuch as Judi and I both love goat's milk cheese and the various products made from goat's milk, and further given that goats have a low impact on the land and are such gentle creatures, the last choice was obvious. Thus, our third "crop" would be dairy goats. So, upon our arrival in the summer of 2003 we established a hobby herd of precious pets.

Llamas, sheep, alpacas, and donkeys round out the current collection of pasture animals. We also built a chicken coop and have one of the most diverse flocks around. Polish, Sultans, Australopes, Arcuanas and Sex Links are the egg laying varieties we have. Not only are the chickens colorful but so are the eggs they lay, ranging in color from pale green to blue to brown as well as white. You'll find them served in our bed and breakfast year-round.

In our prior lives, Judi and I were involved in the insurance business and a good many of our clients were major hotel groups in our hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition, we both have some background in the hospitality industry and have always enjoyed traveling and staying at fine Bed & Breakfasts where we could truly relax and move about at our own pace. Thus, not surprisingly, another easy choice for us was to build our own Bed & Breakfast.

Finally, with all of the pieces in place, in the fall of 2003 we started our building program by first addressing the construction of a new home on the property. That took the better part of a year and one half and it was finished just in time to start building the B&B. In January of 2005 we initiated the process of converting the old grain silos into the unique Abbey Road Farm Bed & Breakfast "Silo Suites".

The suites were finished on the anniversary of the second year of our arrival, July 2005. Each room has a spectacular view of the valley, wetlands, pastures and/or gardens. And although this is a working farm, the accommodations are more like what one would find at a resort. Our desire was to build our Bed & Breakfast as a place that we ourselves would want to visit. Hence, the fabulous views, a location in the country yet accessible to nearby cities, and a place surrounded by nature and featuring nothing but the freshest food.

So now, at long last, our Bed & Breakfast is open, but our story doesn't stop there. We're already working on some ideas for the future to make Abbey Road Farm even more of a destination for those seeking something special. Look for our latest project to appear in time for the start of the 2008 season. You'll then see what we mean when we say "Your wine tour starts here!"

For now, we invite you to come for a visit.

Sunset over the arena