Take a Leap

When Matt Baker came on our Shoes, Brews & Views Snowshoe Tour (yes, we know it's a mouthful), he hadn't been in the snow in quite some time. It was pure joy to watch his pure excitement over the snow. Clear skies, white fluff, cold brews, and memories to last a lot longer. Enjoy some pictures of his epic adventure and a short interview with Wanderlust

Name: Matt Baker

Current living place: Watertown, NY (military family)

Favorite outdoor activity: Currently hiking and fishing (some times both)

Was this your first time to Bend?
Yes it was and Wanderlust made it a memorable time.

What were you looking for when you signed up for the tour?
Excitement and getting out of my normal everyday routine.

What did you get out of it?
A new activity that I was able to try. Enjoyed jumping off of the snow mound as well as running down. Loved the fresh powder. 

Number of Wanderlust Tours you've been on:
This was my only one. 

Thanks for joining us Matt!! We hope to see you again really soon. 

Matt on the J U M P

... and after the jump

Cheers! 

Explore the Caves Under Bend!

Stop for a second and listen. What do you hear? Is music playing in the background, are there voices in the other room, is the heater buzzing, did your phone just ding? What about in the distance? Is it windy, do you hear cars or trains whizzing by, is that stress you hear inside your head?? I would guess that if you're like me, you've grown accustomed to the consistent ambient noises around you. And maybe the voices in your head too. You may even get a little freaked when it's super quiet - you know, like pen dropping silence. But even then, it's not true silence. True silence doesn't come around very often, but if you've ever been on one of our cave tours, you know what I'm talking about. There's a part of the tour where we experience total silence (my favorite part). Everyone stops moving and sits on the floor of the cave. We turn off all our headlamps. Whether your eyes are opened or shut tight, you're in complete darkness. We sit there for 30 seconds and for some it feels like and eternity. It's unbelievably refreshing and life-giving. It's a place where I feel like I can finally rest. I don't have to work hard to tune everything out because everything is tuned out for me. I would wish for everyone to have that experience at least once. 

We hope you enjoy our new caving video! We hope to capture the variety of the underworld from boulders to tiny pebbles, from huge caverns to crawl spaces. However, nothing matches the first-hand experience. So come out with us and share in the wonder, and silence, of the world under Bend, OR! 

Our Cave Tours are available throughout the year and are a great family activity! We ask that kids are at least 5 years old and can walk on uneven ground on their own. 

The Gift of Adventure

The holidays are here and the season of giving is upon us. We want to help you get your family and friends out into nature this year. Give a child the chance to learn about hydrology, dendrology, or geology without ever setting foot into a classroom. Give a friend the magical experience of leaving their desk for another realm in the forest or underworld. Give your loved one a night away soaking in the silence of the snow and the briliance of the starry sky. In the spirit of giving, consider giving a memory that will last a lifetime. Wanderlust gift cards are available year-round and are valid for two years for any of our tours or merchandise. 

The new year is just 32 days away! Where are you going to start 2017? We invite you to join us for a bonfire in the snowy forest complete with hot drinks and spirits, locallly made desserts, snowshoes, and new friends. We'll toast to the new year at midnight and get 2017 off to a great start.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Wanderlust Tours!