Mobile-enabled Webpages?

Mobile enabled web pages.  Yup, Interlaken is creating pages from our new website (did you visit it yet?) that are adapted for smart phones and other portable devices.  Look for interlakeninn.com to be mobile along with reservation applications.  Wherever you go, you will have access to Interlaken, imagine that?!  Gee, I wonder if this blog will be accessible as well?  I’ll have to ask Dan about that!  Anyway, those days of scrolling over your device to see the entire page of Interlaken are almost over – should be up and running in the next week to 10 days.  Can’t wait!

My new home blog you like  it?  www.interlakeninn.com

March Madness!

Stop reading right now if you think I’m going to talk basketball, because this gal certainly is not!  I am referring to the changes and the renovation madness going on this month at Interlaken!  I could either write all about it in this one blog and have it be really really long, or I could write short blogs daily throughout the month, giving you snipits of what lies ahead.  I’ll choose the latter of course, and will certainly include some pictures as progress is made.

The first big change in this “in like a lion, out like a lamb” month is….drumroll please…..our website!  www.interlakeninn.com has a new look, and as all of our information continues to transfer into the new website, you will find it much easier to navigate, larger and more pictures, more information and the reservation system is so much more user friendly!  You will be able to see pictures and have descriptions of all of our accommodations right as you enter your travel dates, with all package options and amenity options as well, right at your fingertips.  We are looking to make it as easy as possible to go away, and we hope this does it for you!  Give it a try and let us know how you like our new reservation system and new website design!

Be sure to check in tomorrow for another change at Interlaken!

The B U Z Z in Salisbury, CT!

Drive through this small town and you will instantly feel it!  From what, you might ask?  Why, the Junior Olympics of course!  The week this town has been waiting for has finally arrived!  The opening ceremonies happened last evening at the Scoville Memorial Library – and the rather cold temperatures did not keep attendance down at all. 

If you either visited Interlaken or made reservations at Interlaken, then chances are you have talked with Sue – she is the one who ventured out into the cold last night, waving her glowstick and pennant, ringing her cow bell, showing her local support!  Watching from the steps of the Town Hall, Sue watched the parade of over 70 young athletes and their coaches descend into the small village of Salisbury as Master of Ceremonies, Marshall Miles got things started, commending SWSA and the many volunteers who worked so hard to make this all happen. 

Curtis Rand, the First Selectman, offered a few words about the fundraising effort of the new jump, the first time of this huge event being in Salisbury, and of course being very proud of the town’s support.  Sam Posey, a retired American racecar driver and sports broadcast journalist was also in attendance, and shared with the crowd his story of the time he covered a winter olympic louge event many years ago:  he wanted to get on one of the sleds to try it, but he didn’t want to start at the top. 

He finally decided the last corner of the louge track would be his starting point, and that was clearly enough for him.  He was asked if he put his feet out to stop, and he certainly did:  he wore through the bottom of his boots which led to bleeding heels  – which also led him to conclude his louge experience!  Sue said that you could hear a pin drop during  The Star Spangled Banner – it was sung so beautifully last night.  The huge torch was then lit, and George Kiefer, a former ski jumper, concluded the evening by announcing “LET THE GAMES BEGIN!”

Thanks, Susie, for sharing with us!  As I write this, I felt like I went there myself!   Actually, WHDD will carry the entire JO opening ceremony tonight at 6:30pm if you wish to catch it.  Visit SWSA’s Facebook page for more information and photos by clicking here!

Interlaken is proud to support this wonderful event as Salisbury makes history!  We welcome athletes, coaches, families and spectators all week long!

I am such a FLIRT!

Hello all,

My name is Flirt.  I am an eight year old smooth-coated Collie.  The other day I knew something was up as my adoring owners packed up the van and started heading Northwest.  I was hoping deep down inside my doggy stomach that we would end up in one of my favorite places.  Sure enough, as we headed around the bend on Route 112 past Hotchkiss School, there it was.  The big INTERLAKEN INN sign!  My tail started to wag - but wait, where were the pretty flowers?  Usually when I come here I see grass and shrubs and flowers, but now I see big piles of snow, just like at home.  Oh well, I am still so happy as I get so see my friends at INTERLAKEN!  I know the routine:  in we go, right to the front desk, where I step up to the counter and put on my best doggy face and sure enough, a treat is tossed my way!  (if Winston is there, MANY treats are tossed my way!) 

Y U M !
My owners talk for awhile with the staff as I sit and hope for more treats, but then we are off!  Back into the van, heading around the main building, towards the new pet friendly room in Sunnyside.  I can’t wait to see it, as I was told the room now has a new wood floor, new bedding and very soon a new couch and new look for the bathroom.  Even though the Inn does provide very posh pet beds, my owners have packed my special bed from home – and the room is large enough for me to have my own space – there is even a little alcove area where my meals are prepared.  I love the new look, by the way, even though it’s still in progress. 

OK, time for a nap.

What, nap time is over and it’s time for my one of at least three walks of the day?!  The field behind Sunnyside is awesome – plenty of snow there but hard enough that I can run right on it!  I love the smell of the fresh country air!  And today you can feel that Spring is coming.  I hope we get to walk down to the lake later, another favorite place of mine.

OK, time for another nap.

Ahh, another walk – this time over towards the Woodside building, the only other pet friendly accommodation at Interlaken.  (Not many places accept pets you know, even as cute as we are.)  I love staying in Woodside too because this is my chance to meet other canines – including Crystal from New Jersey whom I met last summer.  If memory serves, she was Guest blogger one day last year too!  She’s right, it is hard to type with these big paws…

Anyway, the staff is really friendly here.  They seem to really care that we have a good time and are comfortable.  Even the Guests that have left their dogs at home seem happy to see me and want to pet me.  I really like coming to Interlaken, and am glad my owners now come in both the winter time and the summer time.  We won’t get to go there this time, but in the summer we’ll definitely take a long walk on the Harlem Valley Rail Trail and other great hiking trails in the local area.

Dogs, take it from me – it’s definitely PAWS UP FOR INTERLAKEN!

As sad as I am to see it go….

the Crispy Hempseed Falafel, Labne, Naan, Local tomatoes, Avocado, Cucumber and Arugula vegetarian entree on the Morgan’s menu at Interlaken has been replaced with…drumroll please….

Chickpea Crepes stuffed with White Beans, Wild Mushroooms, and Leeks. 

Sign me up!

My other new favorite on the latest menu is .Pistachio-crusted Wild Salmon with Coconut Scented Rice and Gingered Spinach… oh and fresh fish taco with papaya-hemp salsa and lime to start!

Thankfully, the crispy Shrimp Tempura with blood orange-red curry glaze and coconut-kaffir sauce is still being offered.  Chicken lovers can enjoy the Free Range Organic Half Chicken with Quinoa Pilaf and Cider-preserved lemon broth.  Grilled Hanger Steak, creamy potato gratin, swiss chard and red wine butter - perfect for the meat lover!  There are more amazing and creative dishes on the new menu – I can’t give it all away – you will have to come and see for yourself!

Morgan’s at Interlaken -  open nightly at 5:30pm, reservations are requested!  800-222-2909

A table in front of the fireplace is my favorite spot!

SWSA Jump Fest 2011!

OK, so I just got back and can sum it up with one word:  C O O L !  Unfortunately, my day didn’t go quite as planned at Interlaken and I got over to Satre Hill much later than I had hoped, but I was still able to see the target jumping.  It’s really so cool (there’s that word again) to watch young men (17 and under) swoop down the jump, fly into the area, and look to land on the little orange and blue neon eyeball (a.k.a. the target) on the snowy hill, with cowbells ringing, cheering them on.  There’s a fire pit (which I stood near of course), a little snack bar (hot cocoa of course), some bleachers, many dogs (pet friendly like Interlaken!), and many spectators and supporters from the local area and beyond.  On the way out, announcements were made about Sunday’s events (the actual competition begins at 1pm) and of course about the Junior Olympics just a week and a half away – you could feel the anticipation of it in the cool air!

Socially speaking….

SWSA is HOT this year!

Interlaken supports SWSA!

As I was heading to work this morning, passing the Green in Salisbury, CT, I was reminded about the annual Nordic ski jumps held at Satre Hill in Salisbury, CT the weekend of February 11th – 13th.  SWSA has hosted this event for 85 years, and this year, Satre Hill unveils its $700,000 community funded, Olympic size steel ski jump.  (there’s a reason for this new jump, read on!)  The weekend is full of many fun and interesting events, and concludes with the U.S. Eastern Championships on Sunday.  But the jumping doesn’t end there for the season!  Here’s the reason of the new steel ski jump versus the wood one:  SWSA is proud to be this year’s host of the coveted USSA (United States Ski and Snowboard Association) Junior Olympics in Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined competition!   The event includes both ski jumping at Satre Hill and cross country skiing over at Mohawk Mountain.  Last year, the Junior Olympics (for ages 17 and under) were held in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and previously in Alaska.  Needless to say, this small town of 4000 residents is quite excited to host this premier 5 day event!  It all begins on February 22nd and lasts through February 26th. Oh and more good news:  Interlaken is happy to be deemed the “Olympic Village” for both opening and closing ceremonies! 

February is definitely SWSA’s month to shine, and Interlaken is happy to accommodate everyone who plans to visit these wonderful events!  Click here for more info on SWSA, Jump Fest and the Junior Olympics!

GOT SPRING?

Oh my goodness!  I just cannot wait for it (IT being Spring) to come this year!  With today’s prediction of 12 more inches of snow for Interlaken in Lakeville, CT – I just had to go back through my photos and post ones of warmer and greener times to come! 

What are you doing on this frigid January day?