Oden Road Fire calms down

Last Friday a lighting caused wildfire started on the east side of Loup Loup Pass off of Highway 20. Our reservations manager, Verla McVey, lost her home in the fire. In addition, the fire burned into the only power lines serving the Methow Valley. About 5,100 customers, including Sun Mountain Lodge, lost power for approximately 19 hours. To date the fire has burned more than 8,500 acres. Prevailing northwest winds have kept most of the smoke on the other side of the Loup. Reports on Monday indicate that the fire activity has slowed considerably. Over 550 firefighters and support personnel have been working to bring the fire under control.

Watchable Wildlife

Enjoy watching a doe with her twin fawns frolicking right outside your window! Listen to chipmunks chattering in the trees, watch squirrels stashing snacks for the winter, and see two different types of grouse strolling about on the lawns. The serenity of the Sun Mountain Lodge grounds offers a safe haven to many types of watchable wildlife!

The "Writin' Wrangler"

Many cowboys are famous for talking; long stories of the lonesome trail, lost love, and cantakerous doggies. But our head wrangler, cowgirl Kit McLean, is famous for her writing. She, along with co-author Karen West, has recently published Bound for the Methow: A Pictorial History of the Methow Valley. It is a beautiful, coffee-table quality hardcover book that chronicles the lives of the early homesteaders in the Valley. In 288 pages and with over 300 historic photographs, the book is a monument to the hard work and hard times of the early settlers. It is available for purchase in the Sun Mountain Lodge Gift Shop. Published by the non-profit Shafer Historical Museum in Winthrop, proceeds go to benefit the museum. To learn more about this legendary horsewoman, click here:
http://roamsters.com/horseback-riding-at-sun-mountain-lodge-with-the-legendary-kit-mclean/

Wine, Wine, Wine

This just in from Wine Director Don Elsing: we have scheduled a wine dinner with Fielding Hills Winery for May 22, 2010. Mike and Karen Wade from the winery will be here to host the event and tell you about their wines. Don't forget, this Saturday, August 15, our AAA Four Diamond award winning Dining Room is featuring a special three course menu featuring the wines of C.R. Sandidge Winery. Sante!

August 10 Fishing Report

The cooler weather is settling in this week, which will lead to great fishing conditions. With warmer water temperatures this last week, the best fishing has been in the mornings. We still have been seeing some pretty large fish being taken on our guided trips this last week. Best success has been with yellow bodied stone fly patterns, pmd's, Chernobyl ants and parachute adams on the surface. When the topwater fishing slows down, it's best to throw a stone fly nymph with a dropper. Get out and enjoy the fishing. Reported by Bret and Kevin in the Activities Shop.

Summer Fun

It's August 4th already, and believe it or not, summer will soon be gone. So quick, pack up the car, corral the kids, and head over to Sun Mountain. There are still lots of opportunities to horseback ride, mountain bike, swim in Patterson Lake, innertube the Methow River and all the many other great things to do here in the Methow Valley. I floated the Chewuch River last night. Sandy beach, warm water, and very, very peaceful. Our Summer Surprise package is available for one more month, so take advantage and make your reservations today.