S P R I N G

If you spent any time in Bend during the last five months, you know that we've had quite the winter. The roads were covered in snow, classes were canceled, and our snowshoeing adventures were more spectacular than ever! While we're still a few weeks away from the full effect of summer, we have started to see slight changes that remind us spring is here. (The official first day of spring was yesterday, March 20th!) If you look closely the next time you're on a walk, you'll see the beginnings of tulips and daffodils popping up all over. It's amazing to me that even after being buried under several feet of snow for months, they are just as ready as ever to pop up out of the ground and begin to bloom. Now that's what I call resilient! It reminds me of this incredible video posted by Environmental News and Activism a few months ago. There is something so inspiring about watching nature transition from one season to another and bring so much life into the world! Please enjoy!

As winter turns into spring we are excitedly anticipating all of the changes in our near future. Starting next month we are offering new, unique tours that we are really excited about! We're offering everything from tours specifically for singles, overnight staycations, and volunteer efforts! Stay up to date with the latest at Wanderlust by checking our Special Events page and pinning it to your toolbar. 

The beginnings of growth are all around us! 

If all this change is coming at you too fast, don't worry! We won't be swapping out our snow boots for Chacos just yet - we plan to snowshoe through the end of May! The great thing about Bend's climate is that you can experience two seasons at once! Look for our spring newsletter to come out early next week! Check your inbox! 

Animal of the Month

The Oregon Bobcat. 

Photo from National Geographic

Let's start with the facts:

First discovered on February 21, 1806, described at Fort Clatsop, Oregon.

Color: Tawny (grayer in winter), with indistinct dark spotting. Short, stubby tail. Ears slightly tufted. Male larger than female. Length: 2.3–4.1 ft (0.7–1.2 m); tail: 4–7 in (10–17 cm). Weight: 14–29 lb (6.4–13 kg).

Habitat: Primarily scrubby country or broken forests—hardwood, coniferous, or mixed; also swamps, farmland, and rocky or brushy arid lands.

Range: Spotty distribution from coast to coast, and from southern Canada into Mexico. Probably most plentiful in the Far West, from Idaho, Utah, and Nevada to the Pacific coast and from Washington to Baja California. Scarce or absent in much of Midwest.

Note: Found only in North America, where it is the most common wildcat, the bobcat gets its common name from its stubby, or "bobbed," tail.

Below: Spotted in our very own Oregon forests. If you don't look closely, you could miss it! The bottom picture shows one of its tracks in the snow. 

Explore the Steens Mountain

We are beyond excited to announce 4 new dates for a Steens Mountain Tour this spring and fall! 

SPRING: June 8-11, 2017 and June 15-18, 2017
FALL: September 22-25 and September 28-October 1, 2017

If you've never been to the Steens, you absolutely need to put this on your bucket list. If you have been, you probably already want to go back. We will be spending 4 days and three nights in spectacular geology, historic ranching locations, expansive deserts, and indigenous lodging. This epic trip will usher you into the magnificent Steens Mountain landscape. The volcanic range stretches 50 miles north to south and rises to 9,733 feet alongside the alkali encrusted Alvord Desert which lies 5,000 below. What?! 50 miles?! Yep. And it's totally stunning. Meander into river-cut and glacially-carved canyons, whiff aspen-filled air, amble through willow and cottonwoods chock full of birds, and walk in the footsteps of natives and Buckaroos! We cannot wait to take you to this part of Oregon. Will you join us?? After looking at these pictures by our guide Chaney, we're certain you'll be ready to book your tour. (Link at the bottom of the page.)

Book the Steens Mountain Tour today!