Board member Becky McRae took some time to get to know the new owners of Steamboat Inn
1. Will fishermen still be welcomed in their waders and boots?
Yes
2. Where did you each grow up, did you attend college (if yes, where)?
Travis is from Eugene and I am from a small town just outside Eugene, Elmira. I have a BS from the U of O in Environmental Studies.
3. How did you meet and how long have you been married?
Travis and I met thru a mutual friend. We just celebrated our first wedding anniversary.
4. How many kids do you have, names and ages?
Travis has a daughter, McKenzie (9) from his previous relationship and we have Carmen (3). I also have an adult step son from my previous marriage, Grady (28) and a granddaughter, Adeline (1).
5. Did your family and friends think you had gone off the deep end when you told them you were buying Steamboat?
Many people thought we were crazy to give up our comfortable careers, until they see Steamboat, then they get it.
6. What changes are you making to the daily operation of the Inn?
We have eliminated the fishermen’s dinner. It just didn’t seem to fit peoples schedules anymore, and who want’s to be on a schedule while on vacation. Dinner is now served 5:30pm to 9pm nightly. Guests are no longer limited to one option and can order what they like off a menu. If we start getting a lot of late night traffic, we will stay open until 10pm. Dinner is still fine dining and meals range from $25-$45.
photo credit: Averi Wratney
7. Will you completely phase out the fishing supplies currently there?
NO, we just restocked, come and buy something!
8. Will Mildred’s Mess and the Kurtz burger still be on the menu?
Yes. We also added a Grady Burger. It was the only thing he ate when we went out for dinner. It is a bacon cheese burger with BBQ sauce and an egg.
9. Will a fisherman still be able to show up at the back door and have your chef cook a hatchery fish for the guests?
Yes10. From the article in the News Review, Travis fly fishes – in the past, where?
Yes10. From the article in the News Review, Travis fly fishes – in the past, where?
Travis grew up fishing the McKenzie (he named his daughter McKenzie Riverz). He has fished all over Oregon. He knew about Steamboat from fishing trips. I also fish and have caught salmon, halibut, ling cod, and yellow eye in Alaska and Canada, salmon and steelhead in Washington and Oregon, sturgeon in the Columbia, striped bass in California, tuna and dorado in Mexico and shark in Florida, but have never fly fished. I’m going to learn.
11. Where do you envision Steamboat Inn 5 years from now?
The heart of what Steamboat is will not change. That is a big part of why we wanted to buy it. We want to see more families here and make sure future generations are able to enjoy this beautiful area.
