We took some high quality video shots up at Paulina Lake yesterday while cross-country skiing. Here are a few lower quality shots with the flip camera. For those unfamiliar with the area, Paulina is 20 minutes south of Sunriver Resort in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. It's about a seven mile loop through mixed conifer forests starting at 5,500 feet and ending up at the Paulina Lake at about 6,300 feet.

With another spring storm hitting the Northeast, travelers turn their thoughts towards summer - warm weather, cool travel deals and unique experiences.

Many words have been written about Sunriver’s historic Great Hall, now used as a meeting and wedding venue.  It is the magnificent legacy of Camp Abbot constructed in 1943 by the Army Corps of Engineers.  We know the camp’s Commander, Col. Frank Besson chose his most elite engineers to construct an officers club in the style of a mountain lodge.  We know the engineers and craftsman used over 500 hand-hewn logs and tons of native rock to complete the project. History tells us construction began in October 1943 and was completed in December 1943.  The Army spent a mere $4,796 to obtain materials not available locally.  It was a training exercise for soldiers and engineers bound for the European front. Yes much is known about the stately Great Hall, but one piece of history remains a mystery… What was the Bush Raising Ceremony?

For nearly 20 years, Oregonians have enjoyed tasting fine regional wines at the annual Sunfest event. This year the free outdoor event will be moving from the Sunriver Village to the Meadows driving range at Sunriver Resort, July 24-25. The move to the Resort will allow organizers more space for new activities and vendors. Oregon wineries participating in 2010 include: Noble Estates Vineyard, Naked Winery, Girardet Wine Cellars and Namaste Vineyards and many more. Please visit www.sunriversunfest.com for more information.

About one year ago, the Sunriver Stables at Sunriver Resort adopted three mustangs from the Bureau of Land Management. They were yearlings, born in the wild and just recently rounded up and brought into holding pens. We came home with these wild horses that night and thought, "We're crazy"!  But working with them this past year has been the most fun and rewarding experience. After hours and hours of training today we finally got up on Mesa for the first time - with no problems at all. What an amazing feeling. These Mustangs are certainly not as wild as they appear. Stop by the Stables any time of year and see these beautiful animals up close. Picture of Mesa below:

To keep up on the latest happenings at the Sunriver Stables, please become a FAN on our Facebook Page.

Destination Hotels & Resorts officially entered into the LEED arena.   In January 2010, Sunriver Resort’s two newest construction projects, the Sunriver Resort Marina and Sunriver Stables Trail Ride Registration Facility, received LEED Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.  One LEED certified building is a major victory for the built environment.  Two LEED certified buildings is even better!  As more buildings earn this prestigious certification, can the aggregate positive effects on the environment be quantified?

We think the Sunriver Airport is an undiscovered jewel.  “I’ve been a pilot for 35 years” says Stephanie Hartung, Sunriver Airport Manager.  “I’ve made it a point to fly up and down the west coast looking for fly-in resort destinations.  I can tell you there are only a handful and none to compare to Sunriver.”

There are plenty of "must-do's" while you're in the high desert of Central Oregon, but one that doesn't always make it on the popular lists is: "catch a sunrise".

As Bode Miller, Apolo Ohno and Lindsey Vonn descended on Vancouver, I wonder if they knew the 17-day event was planned with sustainability in mind.  Thousands of athletes staying in the nine-block Olympic Village had green roofs over their heads and thousands of others were staying in buildings with rain harvesting roofs.  While they were probably focusing on winning gold medals (and rightfully so!), the Vancouver Organizing Committee was behind the scenes overseeing environmentally-focused measures like the increased public transportation options and the tracking of carbon emissions.

Staying in a vacation home managed by Sunriver Resort has many advantages, but those perks are elevated to an even higher level when staying in a four- or five-diamond rated home. These properties represent the top tier at the resort with a consistent design theme, top-of-the line furnishings, kitchens and baths, as well as overall quality and comfort. When staying in one of these elite four and five diamond homes, guests have access to special Sunriver Resort privileges, additional outlet discounts, and their own private Cabin Master concierge.

Plated dinners at banquets have traditionally been served using the three-point presentation; dividing the plate into three separate sections with meat as the focal point.  Some modern chefs have designed other methods of food presentation that look more like artwork the something to eat.  Finding the balance between presenting our guests with a comfortable dining experience while adding that twist of elegance in the presentation; is one of the goals of our Sunriver Resort banquet staff.  

The beautiful lakes at Caldera Springs at Sunriver Resort have welcomed owners and guests who have kayaked, canoed and fly fished in these waters each summer for the past three years.  But this winter, a new face was spotted in the lakes.

In 2008, golf.com established the Green Awards, recognizing ten destinations around the U.S. for their achievement in environmental stewardship. This year, Sunriver Resort was one of three golf destinations added to the list.

Nice way to start off February at Sunriver Resort. Photo taken February 1 at 7:20am from behind the lodge.