This Memorial Day on the Mountain should be one to remember.

A weekend for everyone awaits the local community due to a convergence of
efforts provided by The Resort at The Mountain, a state representative, and a
bicycling enthusiast.

Dubbed the Mt. Hood Wine, Dine and Ride Weekend, the inaugural event will
celebrate Memorial Day in a 3-day extravaganza from Friday, May 23 through
Sunday, May 25.

For the Resort, it’s an excellent opportunity to show off.

“The event is a statement of the cooperation developed on the Mountain
between the Resort, wineries and community the quality and diversity of
hospitality we have available to the public,” wrote the Resort’s general
manager John Erickson in an email to The Mountain Times.

For State Representative Mark Johnson, it’s an opportunity to bring
communities together.

“One of the things that has become apparent to me in my time (serving House
District 52) is this area’s incredible natural resources,” Johnson said. “Mount
Hood is the most prominent of these resources. “In addition to being a natural
barrier that keeps the communities (Hood River and the Mountain) from
communicating and collaborating as effectively as they could. My interests are
in helping the communities on both sides of the mountain develop better lines
of communication and in the process learn more about how we can network
together for mutual benefit.”

For Villages of Mt. Hood board director and a driving force behind the Mt.
Hood Bicycle/Pedestrian Coalition, George Wilson sees it as an event that will
go a long way toward promoting the local cycling industry.

“This is our first year working with the Resort at The Mountain,” Wilson said.
“We hope that by making this an annual event, we will continue to draw
cyclists to explore the villages of Mount Hood. We are a tourism based
community, and there is a lot of money in cycling tourism.”

Aaron Williams, the Resort’s director of food and beverage, has been at the
forefront of the Resort’s Memorial Day effort.

“We are excited to be hosting this event, particularly in the month of May,
since it is Oregon Wine Month,” Williams said. “The desire by the Oregon
wineries to be part of the event has been great. The opportunity to show off
the Resort this time of year with all the outdoor activities, featuring the bike
rides, will be good for people around the state that only associate the area
with being a ski destination.”

Friday Night
7 p.m. – The Resort will hold a reception featuring wines from Willamette
Valley Winery and assorted appetizers. Guests will then be invited to the
Altitude restaurant for dinner.

Saturday
8 a.m to noon – A 42.5-mile bike ride on loop, from Welches to Sandy and
back led by George Wilson. $20 per person.
8 a.m. to 10 a.m. – A 10-mile bike ride on the historic Barlow Trail Road Loop,
a segment of the Oregon Trail that was once used by covered wagons. $10
per person.
10 a.m.to noon – Local chefs will host cooking with wine demonstrations.
Free.
1 to 2 p.m. – Wine 101. Learn about local wines with Sommelier discussions
from local wineries and restaurants. Free.
3 to 5 p.m. – Experience Timberline’s Wine Vault Tour and Tasting. The wine
vault was once a bank vault for the lodge, now converted to a tastier purpose.
$19 per person, reservations required (40 persons maximum).
7 p.m. – Wine & Food Pairing Dinner at the Resort featuring wine from
Willamette Valley Vineyards, with Resort executive chef O.J. Robinson
preparing the four-course meal. $45 per person.

Sunday
Noon – Nine-Wine-Dine. Spend the afternoon golfing while snacking on hors
d’oeuvres and sipping wine from food tents set up on the Resort’s golf course.
$25 for 9 holes, $40 for 18 holes.
Noon – Nature Walk at the Resort organized by the Resort’s nature concierge.
For the true party animals who want to make it a weekend event, arrive and
unwind at The Resort on Friday, May 23, for two nights at $299. The package
includes the welcome reception, cooking demonstration, wine 101, nature
walk, and a $75 Resort credit to use anywhere on the property.

For reservations call 503-622-3101, ask for front desk. Mention promo code
WDR14. All other weekend events are available for purchase a la carte
through the front desk.

For more information visit www.theresort.com.