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SISTERS UNIQUE SHOPS… When a visitor drives into Sisters on Cascade Ave. they may get the impression that this Western-themed town is similar to many other small towns when it comes to the retail businesses.  Of course, Sisters does have its restaurants and eateries, gift and clothing shops just like the other towns, but it has a lot more. If you can take a little extra time, maybe step away from the main street and discover the businesses that make this creative community of Sisters unique. As someone who calls Sisters my hometown, I’m guilty of overlooking some of those unique...


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If you would like to join a special fundraising event at the AAA Diamond Resort FivePine Lodge, you should try the annual Cinco De Mayo event.  Guests who stay at Lodge, locals, and others passing through are all welcome to participate, but keep in mind that they tend to sell out.  It offers fresh authentic food and a silent auction that raises money for the Spanish Coalition and Sisters Park and Recreation District. This event occurs each May and is loaded with fun and entertainment.  This year, the event will be held on Thursday, May 2nd at the FivePine Lodge Conference Center from 6-9pm. ...


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We are excited to be featured on GoNomad Travel. Bend's Smaller Sibling Offers Plenty To Do for Outdoors lovers By Mandana Marsh The first time I saw the life-size statue of a rearing horse at the gateway of Sisters, Oregon, I knew this was a place for me.Sisters celebrates its roots as a cowboy town with a rodeo attracting professional competitors and big crowds every June. (73rd Sisters Rodeo, June 7-9, 2013). But Sisters is more than a summer attraction. During the winter months, visitors can downhill ski, snowboard or slide on a tube at Hoodoo Ski Area as well as cross country ski there...


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Winter in Central Oregon is a wonderful time to play in the snow, whether it is snowboarding at Mt. Bachelor, hitting the slopes at Hoodoo Ski Resort for night skiing or cross country skiing at one of the many snow parks.  It is also a great time to feel the cool breeze while hiking up the somewhat strenuous Smith Rock outside of Terrebone.  During the winter and spring, this hike is perfect for those wanting to avoid the crowds and it is also a great time to bring your 4 legged friends. This hike is a local favorite for my husband and me and we try to visit a few times a year.  Typically...


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AAA 4 Diamond Property We are extremely excited to announce that for the second year in a row we have been awarded the 4 Diamond award by AAA.  This is a wonderful honor as 13 properties in Oregon were nominated and only three are in Central Oregon. 13 Hotels and 2 Restaurants in Oregon Make AAA’s Four Diamond List Across the continent, just 4.2 percent of all AAA Approved hotels and restaurants begin the year with the travel authority’s highest ratings  PORTLAND, Ore. – For the 77th year, AAA is out with its list of the top hotels and restaurants for 2013 that earned the Four...


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Long before the Sisters Country was settled, Paiute Indian wars were raging throughout eastern Oregon during the 1860s and 70s. Old survey maps showed Indian trails, some leading towards Warm Springs, some crossing the Cascade passes of McKenzie and Santiam. In time, some of these trails became wagon roads. Nineteenth century fur trappers and explorers have also traveled through the Sisters Country. The forerunner of Sisters was Camp Polk, a short-lived military camp (from September 1865-May 1866). It was named after the Oregon county from which the camp’s commanding officer hailed and consisted...


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A snow blizzard on a cold December day- this is what Wanderlust Tours calls “perfect play conditions”.  Our front desk team headed out tentatively- adorned in our winter finest, following our tour master, Jeff, into Sisters Country to do some snowshoeing. After some suggestions about our attempted snow attire (“cotton kills” and if you go out in jeans you are going “jersey style”- not good!) Jeff came prepared for our group with different sizes of boots, ski pants and hats to better protect us. During our approximate 30 minute drive to Upper Three Creeks Snow Park in the snow-capable...


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Outdoor Winter Adventure only 1 hour from FivePine Lodge . . . When my husband told me he wanted to take one of the sled dog tours up at Mt. Bachelor for his birthday, it was no surprise.  He had become a sled dog enthusiast after watching some of the races that took place in Central Oregon between 2002 & 2004.   While I shared his interest in the sled dog sport, I wasn’t so enthusiastic about going on one of the rides.  Am I going to freeze in that sled and how comfortable can it be? It looks like something more suited for hauling firewood, than delicate me.  Anyway, it was his birthday,...


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If you are visiting Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery, a wonderful add-on would be a trek on the beautiful Metolius River. Directly across from the fish hatchery parking lot, signs are clearly visible for West Metolius Trail No. 4018. The trail can be accessed from the Canyon Creek Campground, Candle Creek Campground, Lower Bridge Campground, and Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery as well.      Hiking here is an easy affair, the paths are level and clear, and crossing little creeks and waterways is made all the easier by the careful placement of broad boards to hasten your progress. While there is an incline,...


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Central Oregon is fortunate to have beautiful clear skies over 300 days of the year.  From your cabin patio at FivePine, you can sit back and enjoy the peaceful sounds of nature and see an endless amount of stars.   A few weeks ago, just after sunset I saw a particularly bright star wandering around near the moon, and I wondered what it was. The moon itself was a waning sliver of light at the time, just about to enter its “new” phase. Realizing that a new moon means no moon, and no moon means very sparkly stars, I remembered that the Sisters Astronomy Club would soon be hosting its public...


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