Today’s guest post comes to us from Sarah Liniger Eisner.  When she isn’t traveling or negotiating with two clever little boys, she works and writes for JuiceBoxJungle.

Where do Californian families go when we want to drive somewhere for the summer? Most often, Lake Tahoe and Los Angeles. Too often. So many families head to these two spots that you are nearly as likely to bump into a friend at Disneyland or Sunnyside as you are in your home town.

Recently, I discovered Sunriver Resort , near Bend, Oregon, and I feel like I have found my family a natural oasis away from the throngs of others. The drive is longer for us to Sunriver than to Tahoe or LA, but it is lovelier,  more widely varied, and less traveled as well. The drive up there is a trip in itself, a chance to connect with my family enclosed and seat-belted down (critical for two boys under 8) for 8 hours at a time as we pass snow-capped mountains and stop for ice cream and pancakes the size of our heads in towns like Weed, California.

Before I get into why Sunriver Resort is so amazing, I want to make sure you know that Sunriver Resort is different from Sunriver in general.  There are half a dozen other rental companies, but if you go through Sunriver Resort you get so much more (discounts on many many amenities, free use of the spa and workout facility, and free access to the pool).

And now, on to my five reasons to either stay in Sunriver forever (a real thought in our minds mid-week) or at least to come back every year:

1.  Natural Beauty

The landscape, rivers and wildlife at Sunriver set children physically and emotionally free.  My memories of the trip make me feel good about myself as a parent: my boys shirtless and drifting on the river; my older son riding his bike on car-free pathways as I ran beside him in the early mornings; the large bucks and red tipped birds we saw daily. I believe that natural beauty calms the soul and awakens children’s imaginations.

2.  All the creature comforts

Affordable luxury!  We stayed in a house that was nicer than anything I’ve ever slept in, but with its natural yard, stone floors and tree-trunked banisters, the lines between indoors and outdoors were blurred.  Nothing felt fake or decadent or plastic. I somehow had the feeling I was doing good for the environment just by being there.

3.  So much to do

Sunriver Resort puts on the friendliest and most convenient kids’ activities I’ve seen anywhere. The counselors at Ft. Funnigan were so welcoming to our kids when we left them for a “camp out evening” that I felt like we were walking into a Kindergarten orientation.  It so was organized, incredibly fun (s’mores, hay rides, sleeping bag races), and seamlessly executed that I am still marveling over how easy it was to leave four kids who are not used to having babysitters in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar caretakers.   Bravo!

Ft. Funnigan also puts on full day camp sessions. For grown-ups, the golf is truly amazing. I got to watch my husband and son play through the 13th hole in front of the house we were staying at. They lasted all 18 holes, and it was clear my son was in heaven.

4.  The spa

I know it’s decadent, but I work my body hard so I have about two massages a year. I’ve been doing it for fifteen years, and some years I end up with three massages. So, quick math, let’s say I’ve had maybe 40 massages in my life. The massage I got at the Sunriver Sage Springs Spa was by far the best I’ve ever had. And the hot tub has a waterfall by it. And the workout space is awesome. And there is a pool (I’m a swimmer so that really warmed my heart). Workout facilities are important to me on vacations, and this one takes the cake.

5.  The food

The evening we left the kids at Fort Funnigan, we ate at Meadows at the Lodge . For some reason I wasn’t expecting anything special (I guess “at the lodge” doesn’t usually bring to mind culinary talent), but it was great. From the buffalo carpaccio to my salmon and risotto to the amazing berry cobbler, I was really impressed. I need to go back next year for lunch because at least two people told me during the week that they have the best fish and chips.  I’ll eat anything fried.

I’m back to reality now, but already dreaming of my return to Sunriver Resort.

July 24th, 2009 | by travelsavvymom 3 comments