The guest house is a private retreat where you can relax and take advantage of the special features of the property, including Willamette River frontage, Hot Tub, on-site driving range, fantastic birdwatching and stargazing! We’re Joe and Susan Graham, and we’re so happy that you’re planning a trip to the Willamette Valley and Historic Independence, Oregon! This is a beautiful area and a great place to spend a few days or more. The guest house is very convenient to Western Oregon University in nearby Monmouth (10 minutes). We are about 30 minutes north of Oregon State University in Corvallis and 20 minutes west of Willamette University in Salem. The Guest House has a private entry, kitchenette (microwave, fridge, coffee maker, tea kettle, dishes/glasses/utensils, sink - please see photo #8 of the listing and ask if any questions), bath with shower (toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion and hair dryer are provided) a cozy sitting area, flat screen “smart” TV (internet access to your Netflix or Amazon Prime account) with DirecTV service, wireless internet, queen-sized bed with quality 1000 thread count, all cotton sheets and a comfy memory foam bed topper. A dedicated Heat and A/C system is installed in the Guest House so you can always set the temperature to suit your preference! The guest house is a private retreat where you can enjoy everything this area has to offer, or simply relax and take advantage of the special features of the property, including Willamette River frontage, Hot Tub, Private on-site golf practice tee (practice clubs and balls available for use), secure bike/kayak storage area, fantastic birdwatching and stargazing, plus lots of comfortable outdoor seating (on our deck and terrace) and an outdoor firepit. Our guests also have access to a variety of yard games that may be enjoyed on our property between the house and the river -- such as corn hole (always a favorite), croquet and horseshoes. Joe and Susan work Monday-Friday, although some days one of them may work from home. We love sharing our home with friends old and new, but we are happy to honor your privacy. Guests are welcome to interact with us as much as they like. Independence, Oregon is located on the western bank of the Willamette River, just outside of Salem, the capital of Oregon. The Independence Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places! Independence is a great base for visiting the mid-Willamette Valley. The Guest House is located 10 minutes from Western Oregon University (Monmouth), 20 minutes from Willamette University and 30 minutes from Oregon State University (Corvallis). The Willamette Valley is world-class wine destination. It’s also a beautiful place to visit beautiful vineyards! Whether you visit for the Pinot Noir or the beautiful rolling hills, you can’t go wrong spending a sunny day driving or biking between vineyards – especially in the off-the-beaten path Eola-Amity Hills AVA just outside of Salem. If you’re into biking, our Guest House is conveniently located on the Willamette River, just across the bridge from mile marker 45 on the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway (we have two covered areas for secure bike storage between rides). There are many great bike trails in Oregon – check out this article from The Oregonian that summarizes the top routes. This USA Today article highlights nearby Minto-Brown Island State Park, whose 1200 acres include miles of trails for hiking and biking. Oregon is known as Beervana, and Salem and the Mid-Willamette Valley are great craft beer destinations! We know you’ll love it here in Independence! There is little public transportation in the area. We highly recommend having a car or bike to get around. Check out our social media page (Willamette Valley Riverside Retreat) and "Like" us to get updated photos and notifications on special events in the area! We provide a very detailed list of attractions and events to our guests. Once we have confirmed your reservation, we'll be happy to forward a copy for your reference. The following categories are covered in this document: •Antiquing, Flea Markets and Farmer’s Markets •Artisanal, Organic Products and Pick-Your-Own •Astronomy •Biking •Birding •Craft Brew Distilleries and Cideries •Disc Golf •Festivals and Holiday Events •Gardens •Hiking •Restaurants •Sports and Entertainment •Water Sports and Other Recreation •Wineries, Tasting Rooms and Wine Bars