Accommodations during transition training with Mike Seager?

[ArVeeNiner]

I am scheduled for transition training with Mike in April. Woo hoo! Mike has recommended the following places to stay. I can?t hardly find any write ups about these places and I was wondering if anybody who has stayed at these places had any opinions:

Rock Creek Inn: I?m not much into the B&B thing. I would much rather be the anonymous guy staying in one of the 5000+ rooms at the MGM Grand than a single room in a B&B. Well, this place has exactly one room and, although I?m sure it?s quaint, cute, and clean, I?m thinking this one is off my list already unless somebody has a review that can sway me. It?s like staying in somebody?s house and YOU are the center of attention.

Old Mill Inn: There are some pictures of this place online and it looks nice. It does have three rooms so at least I won?t be the only guest. Still, it?s in somebody?s house. Kinda weird for me actually. Thoughts?

The Vernonia Inn: I THINK I might have reservations here. I say I think because the guy who answered the phone didn?t get a credit card or phone number from me and he was VERY laid back. I mean, he was a cross between Tommy Chong and?well, no, it was like talking to Tommy Chong! For those of you who don?t know, he?s the Chong in Cheech and Chong. I mean, we had a very weird conversation. He told me that I called too early (9:30 am) but he didn?t know what time it was. He then went on to tell me that he got drunk the night before and slept in, he offered to find me companionship for the night (wink wink, nudge nudge), and said we could have a little smoke when I came up! This would be the type of smoke that surrounds Tommy Chong! Let me tell you, these are some very weird accommodations indeed! He was a nice enough guy though and the comments were in jest (at least partially I would imagine).

On the positive side, this place has several rooms with private entrances so it?s more like a motel than B&B which I like better. I have to say though, old Tommy Chong has got me concerned. Any thoughts??

[scsmith]

I stayed there 2 yrs ago in June. It was very nice. The folks there are very relaxed - but that's the atmosphere of the whole town -- it is a pleasant place to spend a couple of days.

arveeniner, I'm also sending you a PM with additional info.

[Danny7]

i staid at the vernonia inn and it is laid out exactly like a motel, 5 or so rooms down the side, and another 5 i think on top all doors from the rooms directly outside. nice town, there was a nice restaurant one block down and there are some trails around the pond if you want to stretch your legs

[JonJay]

I normally find him training out of Scappoose. If that is where he is going to do his training I would stay in Portland. 1/2 hour drive at the most. If he is training on the grass at Vernonia, it is about an hour drive. I would still stay in Portland if you have any spare time while you are here.

[N15JB]

I stayed at the Old Mill Inn in June, and highly recommend it. It is run be a very nice couple; she provides a great breakfast. You have a private entrance to the rooms, and can come & go without going through their living quarters. You will probably be flying twice a day with Mike. I found it very convenient to be able to run back to my room between flights. If you stay in Portland or elsewhere, you are stuck with living out of your car for each day.

Jim Berry
RV-10

[SMO]

If Mike is working out of Scappoose the Scappose Creek Inn is right next to the airport - easy walk over. There is a restaurant in the inn. I stayed there for a few nights - not luxurious but okay - actually a converted old house.

[hydroguy2]

I stayed in Seaside, Ocean front. Kris and I brought one of the grand daughters, they did the beach/shopping thing, while I commuted to Vernonia.

[DakotaHawk]

When you fly with Mike, I think your best bet is to fly out of Venonia with him. Vernonia is a grass strip snuggled in the foothills NW of Portland, OR. He is willing to meet you at Scappoose, but then you're paying for his travel time and you don't get any useful training from that! Flying out of Vernonia, Mike will usually hop across to Scapoose for touch and gos. The flight from Vernonia is good to let you get a feel for the controls, and then plan on a little airwork (stalls, steep turns, slow flight, etc). Then at Scapoose, plan on lots of pattern work. Turns out flying an RV isn't that difficult - given the right training. Finally, you'll head back to Vernonia for a landing on the grass.

My In-Laws live in Tigard, OR, which is about an hour away from Vernonia. When I did my transition training with Mike, I stayed with the in-laws. The one hour drive was on back-country hiways and was very relaxing.

If you want the anonymity of a Super 8, I would recommend that you stay in Hillsboro. It's only 45 minutes from Venonia, and has all the restaurants, theaters, and hotels you could ask for.

When I flew with Mike, He did a morning flight/debrief then a break for lunch, and then an afternoon flight/debrief each day. There are a couple of diners in Venonia to grab a burger for lunch, but the breakfast/dinner menu might be better in Hillsboro.

[java]

I stayed at the Old Mill when I was there. I highly recommend it. The rooms have a separate entrance, so it's not like you have to waltz through the front living room to get to your space or anything. The room was comfortable, and of course had a separate bathroom for each room.

The best are the breakfasts! I think I gained 5 pounds from my couple days there, and light lunches were in order.

The proprietor is very nice and accomodating as well.

Give it a shot... it might change your mind about B&B's!

[rolf]

I'll second the Scappose Creek Inn. I like to hang around airports...