Greetings snow bunnies, and welcome to the beautiful Timberline lodge, located high upon Mount Hood in Oregon. Although the snow hasn't started falling (yet) at this elevation, it's just a matter of time until this area is packed with skiers, snowboarders, and people who just like to hang out and drink hot toddies. (You know who you are...) So while it was relatively quiet, the beans decided to take in the view and see what's what.

The Timberline Lodge was originally built way back in 1937 out of local timers and stone, and still stands today as one of those rare-but-cool places to stay that doesn't need pay-per-view movies to attract your attention. The lodge has 70 guest rooms, 3 restaurants, a gift shop, and a bevy of winter sporting activities just outside its doors. And as long as a hockey team doesn't show up and cross-check their can while on the ice, the beans will be just fine.

Rooms at the Timberline start at only $80 a night, and if you're really in a romantic mood, you can even spring for a room with a fireplace and a view of the snow-capped mountain. Of course, the snow is up to Mother Nature, and as you can tell from the blue sky, it ain't happening today... Here, the beans hang out with their old pal Erich, who was really tempted to get on his bike and ride through the halls of this place yelling "Redrum!", but since it wasn't snowing yet and there really wasn't anything close to a 'shining' in the area, he decided instead to just smile for the camera. The beans can't begin to tell you how thankful they are for this.

Back on the mountain side, the beans also got to hang out with 3 year old Stefan, who knows a good can of vegetables when he sees it. For those of you ready to go skiing, the average total snowfall up here is between 500 and 600 inches per year, with an average snow base of 175 - 200 inches per season measured from the first winter snow until the end of April. So go slip on your parka and ski boots, and we'll see you at the summit. (Of course, when the beans say "we", they actually mean "you". Our frijoles prefer to enjoy the mountain from inside the lodge, where a cozy fire is more their style.) The beans had a great time in the mountains, and promise to come back once the first flakes fall from the sky, or whenever they need a weekend away from their stressful life locked inside a can, whichever comes first...