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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (May 16, 2013)
community may16 2013 Marking 75 Years of Family Ownership Coastal Mountain Sport Haus Continues to Transform By Scott Laird When the land on Nehalem Hwy 10 miles north of Vernonia was purchased by Willie Wolff in 1938 it was a dream come true for the German immigrant who desired to be an Ameri- can farmer. He worked and saved for a piece of land he could farm. Now, 75 years later, the prop- erty has a new life and purpose under Wolff’s granddaughter and her husband, Sandy and Glen Crinklaw. Coastal Mountain Sport Haus is a European style inn that recently caught the attention of Travel & Leisure Magazine and has been nominated as one of the World’s Best Places to stay. Results won’t be known until August of this year. “We are so thrilled to be nomi- nated, it is like we have already won,” said Innkeeper Sandy Crinklaw. The Crinklaws have been operating the inn since 2009. “It was May of 1938 when my grandfather and grandmother, along with my mother, moved from Port- land to the farm lo- cated on what is now known as Nehalem Highway North,” says Crinklaw. Her grandfather Wil- lie was primarily a dairy farmer, but also raised horses, pigs, chickens and turkeys. He tilled and worked the land with horses, and later gave way to more modern methods of farming with machines. Listed as one of Columbia County’s historical proper- ties, there are only two other families who have owned this property since it was homesteaded. Today the property has been reborn as an Agribusiness/Destination Resort, set on 130 acres, and the only destination resort in Columbia County. Cycling, yoga and a love of the outdoors is the inspiration for the business mod- el. Access to great roads for bicycling, trails for hiking, the mountains and the coast make this a perfect spot and base camp for those seeking an active get- away. Their proximity to Portland, wine country, Mount St. Helens and the Co- lumbia Gorge makes the Sport Haus an easy drive from most local, major attrac- tions. The special set- ting at the banks of the Nehalem River is a haven for guests who want privacy and a bit of pamper- ing. Visitors come to see Oregon, they come to revisit farm life, they come to experience the rural setting, and the natural environment. “We have met some wonderful people from throughout North Ameri- ca,” says Crinklaw. “It is a great des- tination for those who want to unwind, 13 refresh and reconnect.” The Crinklaws took special care when they built the inn back in 2007. An array of solar panels to heat the water, large windows that provide lots of natural lighting, energy efficient lighting, low flow water restrictors, and radiant heating in the flooring, make a stay at the Sport Haus an environmen- tally friendly and sustainable vacation. “We tried to create a smooth transition from outside to inside,” said Crinklaw during a recent tour. “No matter what the weather, you can feel like you are outside. We really tried to invite the natural environment in.” Covered decks downstairs and upstairs allow guests to relax overlook- ing beautiful green pastures. Birds zip around the trees and decks. Crinklaw names a short list of bird sightings: bald eagle, harrier hawk, western tanager, common flicker, redheaded woodpeck- er, yellow finches, and tree swallows-all in one day. The wide open space of the pasture allows guest the unusual oppor- tunity to observe the birds in flight un- obstructed, swooping and diving. Deer continued on page 17 Under New Local Ownership Golf Now/Dick’s Sportingoods 2 Man Tournament Midnight Madness Sat, June 1st - 2pm Tournament July 3rd - 9pm tee off NOW BOOKING: Tournaments Company Parties Class Reunions Family Reunions And More Owned and Operated by Don & Kim Wallace DON WALLACE, PLS Professional Land Surveying 1224 E. Alder St. Vernonia, OR 97064 Phone: 503-429-6115 FAX: 1-866-297-1402 Email: DWallace_KLS@msn.com Men’s Club Wednesdays 5 PM Join us for dinner Every Friday 6-9 pm Full dinner menu • Steak, seafood, pasta Reservations required for prime rib CORPORATE MEMBER Vernonia Golf Club • 15961 Timber Rd. • (503) 429-6811
