Blog at Port Washington Inn – Milwaukee-Area B&B

“Love is in the “Frigid-aire” so grab your sweetie to celebrate Valentine’s Weekend during the 36th Annual Winter Festival; “Romancing the Snow” in Historic Cedarburg, Wisconsin, February 13 & 14. So, don’t be stupid, cupid…wend your way to romantic Cedarburg and be our funny valentine.”

For all the details visit: http://www.cedarburgfestivals.org/winterfestival.html

All events are open to the public and most are free.
Info: 262-377-9620 or 888-894-4001
Saturday 8am – 10 pm
Sunday 8 am-3 pm

Stay at the Port Washington Inn and add a Lake Michigan view to your Valentine’s weekend while saving 30-40% on your stay! Port Washington, only 9 miles from Cedarburg, offers a variety of locally owned restaurants plus a chocolate shop (The Chocolate Chisel) and a wine making shop (From Vines to Cellar), Bernie’s Meat Market, and stunning views of Lake Michigan!

I have to admit to ‘living under a rock’ sometimes, oblivious to ‘the good, the bad, and the ugly’ of popular culture. Sometimes friends give me a gentle shove in the right direction and I realize belatedly the good things I’ve been missing!

Such was the case when my friend Linda handed me a copy of Julie and Julia the other night. Watching it was pure joy! Meryl Streep brought Julia Child back to life for us and Amy Adams’ portrayal of Julie Powell reminded me of our daughter whose savoring of food has had a similar impact on her life.

Food is so basic to our existence, yet we hunger for it to be satisfying as well as enriching. Julia Child recognized that the cuisine she was enjoying in Paris was a satisfying as well as an enriching feast and she wanted everyone in America to experience their daily sustenance as a feast.

Countering the male bias of the Cordon Bleu, her joyful determination won the day. More of us will identify with Julie’s immersing herself in cooking to escape the stresses of her job. Our kitchens are, afterall, the places where we reign supreme, making decisions about the food we will prepare, and how it will be served. Ultimately, food is more enjoyable when shared, as Julie quickly realizes when her husband leaves. Food lovingly prepared is food lovingly enjoyed as it brings people together.

Our little granddaughter brings smiles to our faces as she delights in her exploration of new foods and in pretending to prepare food. At fifteen months, she was absolutely thrilled to receive a miniature kitchen complete with pots, pans, and utensils. When she visits our kitchen, she wants to see what is being prepared and she wants to taste it. Her earliest memories of being at Grandpa and Grandma’s house are of being in the kitchen. She was a very observant infant as she watched food being prepared both at her house and here. We can’t help wondering where her love of food will take her!

Combining genealogy research and a leisurely vacation is easily accomplished when you make the Port Washington Inn your headquarters. The Ozaukee County Archives Research Facility is just three blocks down the hill in the restored 1907 Electric Interurban Depot building. There is direct link research capability with the Wisconsin Historical Society Archives and the National Archives Center. Located adjacent to the Ozaukee Interurban Trail, the center serves also as a rest stop, welcome, and information center for trail users.

Located only 10 miles from Port Washington Inn, Riveredge Nature Center is a favorite with our guests who are looking to enjoy time in the great outdoors. Miles of groomed cross country ski trails, other trails designated for snowshoeing, plus various workshops and special programs are among the opportunities available. Set along the Milwaukee River in the town of Newburg, Riveredge is ‘far from the madding crowd’. Bring your camera to capture photographic memories of your time there. Check out their website at www.riveredge.us

Note: cross country skis and snowshoes can be rented from Laacke and Joys in Mequon (www.laackeandjoys.com)

Port Washington is just far enough removed from the PGA site to be free of the congestion hassles that inevitably accompany such an important event. Add to that the bonus of access to Lake Michigan’s shoreline, the picturesque quality of this Little City of Seven Hills, and good restaurants, and you can well imagine why our guests for the 2005 PGA reported loving their choice of location!

The Port Washington Inn’s situation within a residential neighborhood affords our guests outdoor seating in a parklike setting. The inn’s great food, complimentary beverages, and generous rooms and common areas all combine to make an extended stay a delight.

There is a five (5) night minimum stay requirement for the event but the exact dates are flexible.

Room Rates are as follows:
(tax rate is 12.6%)

Noelle’s Room:
$150/night

Helen’s Room:
$170/night

Dorothy’s Room: $190/night

Grace’s Suite: $225/night

Top of the World Suite: $225/night (this suite ONLY will accommodate up to four people; there is an extra person charge of $75/night)

Since the dates of the event are definitely high demand in this area, our policies governing reservations for these dates are as follows:

• 5 night minimum stay (we are flexible about which 5 nights)
• maximum occupancy is two people (the same two people) per room for duration
• 50% nonrefundable deposit upon booking
• Balance to be paid June 30, 2008

WE ARE A NON SMOKING ESTABLISHMENT.
Smoking is allowed outdoors ONLY.

ADDENDUM: In case of last minute availability of rooms for this high demand event, reservations will require nonrefundable payment in full at the time of booking.