The Early Bird Gets the Worm

For some very lucky people, mornings are a no-brainer. Our owner Dave, for instance, is a regular to the 5AM wake-up call. He gets more done before breakfast than I'm comfortable admitting. Some of us aren't wired (or disciplined) that way. However, we are offering two tours this summer that you MUST wake up for. If I'm doing it, you can too. First, early morning canoeing and kayaking. Yes, we're serious. This picture was taken THIS MORNING and it was every bit as stunning as it looks. Coming soon this summer, we'll be offering early morning trips on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer. Don't worry, some of our favorite coffee shops like Bellatazza and Strictly Organic are open early too! We'll paddle the glassy water, search for wild life, and enjoy the tranquil morning mountain air.

Does your coffee order have 7+ words? Do you drink your coffee black? Are you an all-day-every-day coffee drinker or just when you need the caffeine?  Whatever your style may be, we're certain you'll enjoy this Bend Coffee and History Tour. We'll meet at Visit Bend at 9:15 AM and walk to a few different coffee shops and roasteries around town. Learn where the beans are grown, the difference between pour over, cold press, and drip, how the roasting process works, and what tastes you like! As we're walking, you'll also learn a ton about Bend history. After you've had your fill of coffee and knowledge, we'll send you home with your own bag! It's time to wake up and smell the coffee!

We've hired a few new faces in the last month! Have you met them yet? Head over to our ABOUT page to read more about our newest family members. 

Join us next Tuesday at 10 on the blog to hear from owner Aleta!

Naturalists in Nature

As a company who studies and appreciates nature, we were so excited to have Wendy, a volunteer naturalist, join us for a kayaking tour last month. Wendy stayed at Sunriver Resort while she was here. We interviewed her to find out more about her trip!

Hometown: Beaverton, OR

Age: 56 

Favorite spring activity: As a volunteer naturalist, I love hiking in ancient forests and finding bugs and tracks in river banks with a group of school kids on a field trip.

What do you like most about living in Oregon? Accessibility to so many beautiful outdoor places.

Have you been to Bend before? Yes. Last summer I visited Bend for an Oregon Master Naturalist class. (Oregon Master Naturalists Program is for people interested in Oregon’s natural history and natural resources management who want to dedicate their time as volunteers. Over 40 states nationwide have similar programs. The Program provides an opportunity to learn about natural resources through the study of scientifically sound information: the natural history of plants, animals, habitats, and geology, the history and processes of landscape change, as well as the most relevant topics in present-day sustainable natural resource management. Participants volunteer for natural resources programs, agencies, organizations, and other groups in their communities.) 

How did you pick the Kayak Tour with Wanderlust? I love to kayak and enjoyed seeing the Deschutes River from the banks on my last trip. I wanted to see it from the water and learn more about its ecosystem. 

What's something that's on your "bucket list" for this summer? Mother/Daughter trip to Switzerland to do day hikes in the Alps!

Enjoy a few pictures from Wendy's trip:

From my room at Sunriver Lodge (golf course had been shut down for repairs, I saw a barn owl and a porcupine on the paths around the course over the week I was there).  

From my room at Sunriver Lodge (golf course had been shut down for repairs, I saw a barn owl and a porcupine on the paths around the course over the week I was there).  

Baby Geese from the banks of the Deschutes in Bend

Baby Geese from the banks of the Deschutes in Bend

My favorite tree! A Willow tree hanging over the Deschutes.

My favorite tree! A Willow tree hanging over the Deschutes.

Thank you, Wendy for joining us!! We're so appreciative that you are a naturalist who is making a difference for our earth! Thanks for your work and for joining us on tour.

When We're Not Here

Each spring and summer Wanderlust Tours closes down operations for a few days to connect with the staff in nature. This year our amazing owners took us to a beautiful cabin in the Mt. Hood National Forest. (We had planned to canoe the Sycan River, but the Mother Nature didn't cooperate.) Instead, we spent the days swimming in the river, playing card games, hiking through the forest to waterfalls and high peaks, cooking German meals, and enjoying time together. We hope you enjoy some pictures from our trip to the other side of the mountains!

Want to meet the whole Wanderlust staff? Search #MeetTheWTStaff or read their bios here! (We were missing two staff members in this picture)

Want to meet the whole Wanderlust staff? Search #MeetTheWTStaff or read their bios here! (We were missing two staff members in this picture)

Mirror Lake // Tom Dick and Harry MountainSometimes you can see Mt. Hood from this spot... not today!

Mirror Lake // Tom Dick and Harry Mountain
Sometimes you can see Mt. Hood from this spot... not today!

Thank you to Chaney (one of our our new guides) for all the amazing pictures! Follow more of his adventures on Instagram: @chaney.