Shore Lodge Blog

Thanksgiving at Shore Lodge

One of the most delicious holidays is just over one week away! Our own Chef Eric Gruber has been busy cooking up a delicious Thanksgiving menu for families and friends to enjoy this Nov. 24. From noon - 8 p.m., guests can enjoy a gourmet holiday meal at The Narrows with no roasting pan, clean-up or stress required. Chef Eric's menu combines classic dishes with gourmet, locally-focused twists. Here's he'll be serving up [click to enlarge]:

Reservations will soon be full so call 208.634.2244 to make yours, today. From all of us at Shore Lodge, Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

A Walk In The Woods | A Photoblog

Though autumn is quickly coming to a close in McCall, and we will soon turn our attention from falling leaves to falling snow, a recent article from the Idaho Statesman inspired us to get out and enjoy what's left of this beautiful season. We took a walk along Lily Marsh Trail, one of the many great hiking spots to stretch your legs near Shore Lodge, and captured some incredible shots of the landscape. Here in McCall, this is our neighborhood:

If you look closely you can see Shore Lodge there as seen from a butte across Payette Lake. Even though these trails will soon be more suitable for snow shoes than hiking boots, we love calling this gorgeous place 'home' and invite you to come take a walk around, too. McCall is absolutely a must-see spot for outdoor lovers in any season. For more on recreation in the area, click here.

Savor the Season: Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

[Photo Credit: Three Blondes and a Tomas]

Happy November! While this year seems to have gone by in a blink we are thrilled that the holidays will soon be upon us, marking the time for family, friends and lots of food! If you're seeking a new dish to add to your Thanksgiving lineup or holiday dinner party menu, Chef Eric Gruber has shared the perfect seasonal soup: Butternut Squash with Apple. This soup is a favorite amongst Shore Lodge diners as it deliciously blends the flavors of fall into creamy perfection (that doesn't actually include cream). Enjoy!

Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

Ingredients:

1 Butternut Squash, roasted and peeled

2 Green Apples, peeled, cored and diced

1/2 Onion, sliced

1//2 cup Brown Sugar

1/4 cup Brandy

8 cups Chicken Stock

2 Sage Leaves, minced

1/4 cup Butter

1/4 tablesoon Chili Powder

1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

3/4 tablespoon Salt

1/4 tablespoon White Pepper

Directions:

In a large stockpot over medium heat, sauté onions and apples till caramelized, about 15-20 minutes. Add butternut squash and brown sugar and continue to cook for 10 more minutes.  Add brandy and reduce. Add chicken stock and bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer. Add all remaining ingredients, except salt and pepper, and simmer for 30 minutes. Puree soup and season with salt and pepper. Strain through large sieve china cap before serving or storing.

 

Fall Wine Dinner Featuring L’Ecole No. 41

On November 5, Shore Lodge will host the Fall Wine Dinner in The Narrows. For the third installment in our 2011 wine dinner series, we will feature the wines of L’Ecole No. 41, a second generation, family-owned winery. The Washington winery has been honored as a Winery of the Year by Wine & Spirits Magazine for nine consecutive years.

The original product of Jean and Baker Ferguson, L’Ecole is now owned and operated by their daughter Megan and her husband Marty. Jean, the original winemaker, initially wanted to turn her loves for food and wine, art and family into something more. Accomplished in their own right before founding the third winery in Walla Walla, the Fergusons gifted their family and wine lovers everywhere with an authentic, sustainable, family-oriented winery.

Although distributed nationally and internationally, being a family-run with three decades of wine-making experience help keep L’Ecole true to the principles they were founded on in 1983. At the forefront of sustainable farming in their region, the winery is committed to using only grapes from vineyards that are certified sustainable and Salmon Safe.

Their award-winning creations will perfectly complement the sophisticated, locally-focused menu Chef Eric Gruber has created for this special evening:

An expert from L’Ecole winery will also be in attendance to share the nuances of the wines as they are paired with each course.

We look forward to an evening of perfectly paired wine from L’Ecole No. 41 and incredible fare from Chef Gruber. Cost per person is $125 plus gratuities & tax. For details on this event or to confirm your reservations, please contact the reservations department at 208.634.2244.

Organic Spa Products Benefit Body and Beauty

 
With an incredibly active community all year-round, McCall locals and visitors alike often find themselves in need of some relaxation and self-pampering. Whether spending their summer days hiking nearby trails or winter afternoons skiing the slopes, folks have been coming to The Cove to recharge both their body and mind.

The Idaho spa, which opened this past summer, has been seeing rave reviews from guests experiencing a variety of McCall-inspired treatments featuring Eminence Organic’s award-winning line of green products. Eminence products are incorporated into a variety of services at The Cove that are specially designed to target the beautification and rejuvenation of spagoers. For anyone seeking some down time after some tiresome time in McCall's great outdoors, consider how these treatments might benefit you:

Massages:

Vintage McCall: Aromatherapy oils with citrus are used to re-energize the skin and senses, or if relaxation is the goal, a blend of soothing lavender and lemongrass is also available.

Big Game: The blend of eucalyptus, peppermint and ginger stimulates circulation and soothe muscles after strenuous activity.

Facials:

Mountain Mist: Skin becomes firmer and plumper after being exfoliated with a base of natural fruit acids, fresh fruit pulps and paprika.

Forest Flora: The two-step strawberry rhubarb hyaluronic serum facial serves to revitalize and relax the skin. The serum plumps the skin as the strawberry extracts soften it. This facial also includes a lip repair and eye-brightening treatment to help replenish tired skin cells.

Essential Elements: Leaves skin smooth and glowing. Yam and pumpkin extracts combine with Vitamin A to boost collagen production, which increases the strength and elasticity of the skin.

Body:

Clearwater Scrub: A mix of raw cane sugar with fruit and herb extracts exfoliates dull, dry skin from head to toe. The process is finished by applying soothing body butter, which leaves skin feeling smooth and silky.

Deep Blue Wrap: The abundance of antioxidants in blueberries and green and black teas combine to slow the signs of aging and minimize wrinkles, while enhancing the skins natural glow. The process also works to improve circulation and elasticity while toning the body.

 

First Signs of Snow

Just a few short weeks ago McCall was in awe with autumn yet now it seems that winter is just around the bend, or up the road, literally. A few miles north of Shore Lodge is Brundage Mountain, the premier destination for winter recreation in the area. While many were biking along the mountain trials just one month ago, Brundage announced the first snowfall of the 2011/2012 season early Wednesday morning. A dusting of snow fell at the 7,400 foot level of the mountain, covering the area in a light white blanket:

 
 
 
Now, just over 24 hours later, Brundage reports another snowfall of four inches! The base level of the mountain, at 5,840 feet, has been adorned with a thickened layer of snow, setting the scene for what will soon be a winter wonderland:

 
 
 
Though Brundage spokespeople say it's too soon to determine opening day just yet, we're already dreaming of the season on the slopes. What are you looking forward to most this winter? Ready or not, it looks like it's headed our way before long!

Shore Lodge Star: Brian Scott

 
While McCall may be enjoying a slower place this fall, here at Shore Lodge, we fulfill our need for speed by cheering on NASCAR driver and Idaho-native Brian Scott. We couldn’t be more proud to sponsor and support Brian as he sits behind the wheel of the No. 11 Shore Lodge Toyota and takes to the track for Joe Gibbs Racing. Now the 9th ranked driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Brian began his competitive racing career at age 12, and it’s been pedal to medal ever since. Last year he finished his first full season in the Nationwide Series with one Top 5 and five Top 10 finishes and was also named runner-up for the Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors.

As we approach the tail end of the 2011 season, here are some highlights from Brian and his talented team: 

• Brian finished 3rd at Chicagoland Speedway Sept. 17, a career-best that earned him the Featherlite Most Improved Driver award and moved him into the 9th spot in the 2011 Nationwide Series point standings. Brian’s impressive performance in Chicago also won him a Coors Light Pole Award for being the fastest qualifier in a NASCAR Series race.
• With an average of speed 125.880 mph, Brian had the best average speed in the Happy Hour practice for the New England 200 in July, putting him ahead of the six cars on the track for this 10-lap session.
• Brian mixed things up Labor Day Weekend, transforming his No. 11 Shore Lodge Toyota into the Boise State Bronco Toyota. The Boise native took the track at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the blue and orange clad car as the fifth-ranked Broncos took to the football field against the Georgia Bulldogs just 30 miles away.

 
This weekend, join us in The Narrows Grill or tune into ESPN2 to watch Brian take on the competition at Dover International Speedway. Though he will be racing for his first career victory in a Nationwide Series competition, Brian is no stranger to Dover’s track. In fact, the track is a personal favorite of Brian’s as well as where he scored his first win of his NASCAR touring career. “I think for one thing I just have good history at Dover,” said Brian about Saturday’s race. Hopefully his good history repeats itself this weekend!

Fall in McCall

                               [Photo credit: Paula Ryan/Localism.com]
As the changing color of the leaves signifies the coming of a new season, it also seems to denote a change in McCall.  The pace has slowed down a bit our little mountain town as the summer crowds have begun to thin out. But, fear not, you’ll still find an array of activities as diverse as the many shades of fall.  With gorgeous weather and recreational adventures in full supply, it’s easy to see why this season is one of everyone's favorites. On land, on water, even up in the air, activities abound in all sorts of places this fall.*

• Fly Fishing: As the cool, weather settles into McCall, so do the trout and steelhead population. Fall is the perfect time to explore the lakes and reservoirs of Payette National Forest surrounding McCall, and to interact with some of the waters’ scaly inhabitants. Cast your line with Ron Howell and his team of experienced fishing guides at Fly Fish McCall, as they take you on a guided fishing trip of one of 50 bodies of water in the Idaho back country.  
• Backcountry Trips: Feeling outdoorsy? The opportunities to experience the landscape and country surrounding McCall are nearly endless. Explore the Payette National Forest and its extensive trail systems with a guided tour on foot, or on livestock, and witness some of the most awe-inspiring views McCall has to offer. Backcountry pack trips are offered by the guides at Elk Springs Outfitters, who will not only take care of the livestock, should you choose to ride rather than hike the trails, but will also lighten your load by dropping your packs off at a destination of  your choosing- they even take care of the cooking and packing for you. 
• Hot Springs: What better way to sit back and relax than in the burbling waters of natural hot springs? Gold Fork Hot Springs offers not one, but six pools with temperatures ranging from hot to warm, providing visitors with changing rooms, a snack bar, and towel rentals. Since it’s open as late as 11 p.m. on some nights, you can enjoy the springs beneath the canopy of a star-filled night sky.

For more ways to explore McCall and support local businesses, visit the comprehensive website of our friends at the McCall Chamber of Commerce.

*This is not an implied endorsement of these companies, merely a suggested place to get started as you plan your next adventure!

MCPAWS Regional Animal Shelter Oktoberfest

               
           The spirit of community in McCall is absolutely undeniable. Everything is locally owned and operated, giving visitors a unique experience and locals a vested interest in their town. One such business is the MCPAWS Regional Animal Shelter which caters to the homeless pet population in Valley County. MCPAWs, which stands for McCall People for Animal Welfare, is a completely non-profit, volunteer-run shelter that has been helping the local animal population for more than a decade. Area volunteers assist in everything from walking dogs and socializing cats to helping reunite lost pets with their owners and introducing pets to prospective owners.

            McCall visitors who may not be in town long enough to volunteer can also support MCPAWS by shopping at their thrift store which opened in 2010 to raise additional funding for the shelter. The store is beautifully arranged, making shopping hassle-free, and boasts a wide selection of clothing, furniture, baby & children's items, home goods and MCPAWS logo-ed items. And of course, no shopping adventure there would be complete at without a stopping to visit the kittens available for adoption.

            If you'd like to support MCPAWS in another way, be sure to attend the 3rd Annual MCPAWS Oktoberfest on Sept. 24 at Alpine Village. The event includes a beer garden and vendor court, raffle, live music, arts and crafts, as well as a kids area for family-friendly fun. Admission to the beer garden is $5 (those under 21 are free). The Shore Lodge crew will be showing our support, so please stop by our booth and enjoy some German cuisine and a frothy beverage! All proceeds benefit the shelter.

 
         Shore Lodge has been a proud member of the McCall community since 1948 and we love to see great organizations like MCPAWS continuing to make this town such a wonderful place. We hope you'll continue to support them and we look forward to seeing you at Oktoberfest! 

The Mercantile Shop at Shore Lodge

 
The Mercantile at Shore Lodge has arrived! We have expanded our inventory and now offer a variety of exciting brands and items for guests to enjoy.  From apparel and jewelry to housewares and gifts, the Mercantile is your one stop shop to take a piece of McCall home with you.

A few of the newly added brands include:

Tommy Bahama: The finest in island inspired apparel, sandals and watches

OneSole: Interchangeable shoes the offer many styles with just one sole

Prana: Apparel for the active individual

Lija: Stylish women's active wear apparel for golf, tennis, and more

Bella: Comfortable active apparel for men, women and kids

Riedel: High quality designer wine glasses

616: A selection of stylish jewelry

Cappelli: Quality handbags and purses

Oka B Sandals: Women's sandals with fun, flirty details

Hovie Sup: Paddle board for adults and children

A selection of Wines, wine keys, stoppers and gift bags

And of course great new Shore Lodge logo gear and apparel!

 
We look forward to you stopping by and please share the news with friends, family and our guests of the exciting new offerings here at Shore Lodge.