5 days til Christmas

Isn't it odd that in a season that's supposed to be all about taking time to relax and be with loved ones, we do just the opposite? We rush around attending party after party, buying for "Secret Santas" and "White Elephants" and in-laws that you don't know much about. We hustle and bustle and force festivity into every free moment. 

The snow that fell in Bend last week was a reset button for me. As I was frustrated in traffic, shoveling my driveway, and arriving late and stressed for everything, someone reminded me that winter is supposed to make us slow down. It's the earth reminding us to take a break. To stop. To breathe. To use the food you've spent the summer collecting. Okay maybe not that last part, but you get the point. Just because we can run around like crazy people doesn't mean we have to.

So, you have five days until Christmas. What are you going to do? We hope you take some time to enjoy it.

If you're looking for family fun or winter activities this week and next, we've got you covered. But remember, no stress allowed. Click each of the pictures for more information. 

Leap off snow mounds and land in feet of fresh powder on a daytime Snowshoe Tour.

Join us for a locally crafted beer in the forest on our Shoes, Brews & Views Snowshoe Tour.

Snowshoe the mountain under the night sky and listen for woodland winter creatures on our Moonlight or Starlight Snowshoe Tour. 

Make your way to a glowing bonfire on snowshoes and enjoy hot cocoa with locally distilled spirits on our Bonfire on the Snow. 

We're also running cave tours and of course the Bend Brew Bus! If you want to give someone else the gift of adventure from the comfort of your home, consider purchasing a gift card for any amount! 

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.