February 16th, 2012
BAKER CITY, ORE. – On Friday, Feb. 17, the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive will reopen “Pack Your Wagon”, the popular interactive exhibit for kids of all ages.
Measure your pace and calculate how many steps you would take along the Oregon Trail. Decide what to keep and what to leave behind with a full-scale, packable pioneer wagon. Try on pioneer-style clothing and pose for a photo. A puppet theater, magnetic maps, a poetry board, and wildlife tracks activities are also featured. Kids will use math, science, and arts in activities related to the Oregon Trail.
The Pack Your Wagon exhibit is installed annually during spring months to be available for school visits; this year through May 28. The exhibit is funded by Oregon Humanities Commission, Trail Tenders, Inc., and income from recreation fees.
Upcoming workshops for kids are scheduled throughout spring and summer. For specific dates and descriptions, check our website at http://www.blm.gov/or/oregontrail/ Please call 541-523-1843 for more information and to schedule group visits.
The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, operated by the Bureau of Land Management, is located 5 miles east of Baker City, Oregon on Highway 86. Take Exit 302 from I-84. The Center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Admission for adults is $5.00; seniors $3.50; children 15 and under are free. Federal passes are accepted. Visit oregontrail.blm.gov for more information about the Center, or call 541-523-1843 for updates on programs and events. For information on other events in Baker County, Oregon, call 1-800-523-1235.
For more information about the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center or other heritage sites, attractions, and activities in Baker County, visit the Baker County Tourism website at www.basecampbaker.com
About the BLM: The BLM manages more land – more than 245 million acres – than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
Tags: Oregon, Oregon Trail
Posted in Baker City, Baker County, Events and Festivals, Museums, Oregon, Oregon Trail, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
January 26th, 2012
Snowmobilers Revel in Baker County’s 900 Miles of Snowmobile Trails
Old man winter has finally arrived bringing lots of snow and transforming the Baker County Oregon landscape into a playground for snowmobilers from throughout the NW. Baker County has the snowy high mountain adventures outdoor enthusiasts are looking for with more than 900 miles of snowmobile trails to choose from.
The towns of Sumpter and Unity provide easy access to hundreds of miles of groomed trails in the breathtaking Elkhorn Mountains of Eastern Oregon! And….in most cases, you can hit the trails right from your lodging!
In Halfway, the main trail heads right up into Eastern Oregon’s Rugged Wallowa Mountains north of town and ends at Twin Lakes in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest at near 7,000 feet elevation.
Be sure to mark your calendars for these upcoming snowmobile events.
Saturday January 28
Burnt River Snowmobile Club’s annual Poker Run.
The Poker Run is 8-4 p.m. and is approximately 50 miles from Unity community center to Austin Junction and Back. Sign up at the Community Hall in Unity,
$1200 Total Pot. Buy in $5 per Hand-Best 5 of 7 Wins First place, $500, second place $300, third place $200 There will also be five $20 Cash Prizes for a Loser’s Draw! Raffle prizes include, 2 Night’s stay at Diamond Lake Resort and One Night stay at Wild horse Resort/Casino, includes golf, fun book, 2 free coupons to Museum.
For more information or to get tickets contact:
Dan (541) 446-3655, or Joe (541) 523-5223
Saturday February 18
Sumpter Snowmobile Club’s Annual Poker Run
Guaranteed $3,000 purse ~ For more information about the Pokerrun, visit the Sumpter Snowmobile Club online: www.sumpter.org/menu/club.html or visit the club on Facebook: www.facebook.com/sumptersnowmobileclub.
Tickets will be sold at the Sumpter Community Center at the old schoolhouse, 475 N. Mill St. take Hwy 7 about 30 miles SW of Baker City, turn right at Sumpter Junction, follow hwy through town, straight past the Stage Stop Gas Station.
Sunday February 19
Halfway Snowmobile Poker Run
Starts and ends at the Lions Club Park in downtown Halfway for more information contact the Panhandle Snowmobile Club at (541) 742-7277 or email wbloom@pinetel.com
Saturday April 21
Anthony Lakes Hill Climb
Snowmobilers take over Anthony Lakes Ski Area for this end of the season blast. For more information contact Anthony Lakes Ski Area 541.856.3277
or email ski@anthonylakes.com
For more information about these and other winter recreation opportunities in Baker County, visit the Baker County Tourism website at http://www.basecampbaker.com
Tags: Oregon, Snow, Snowmobile, Snowmobiling, tourism, Travel, winter
Posted in Baker City, Baker County, Events and Festivals, Halfway, Oregon, Snowmobiling, Sumpter, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
May 1st, 2011
Baker City has been nominated as one of the most beautiful small towns
in the Rand McNally – USA Today Best of the Road contest
and is currently in 2nd place, and now we need the help of our readers and fans.
Baker City, Oregon’s historic downtown is one of the largest and most intact turn of the 20th century downtowns in the Northwest. The downtown has been lovingly restored thanks to the hard work of the local Main Street program Historic Baker City Inc., and is now home to locally owned shops, restaurants and artists. One of the downtown’s most iconic buildings is the beautifully restored Geiser Grand Hotel.
Baker City is located in the North East Corner of Oregon along the Oregon Trail and at the intersection of three Oregon scenic byways. Nestled between the Wallowa and Elkhorn mountain ranges this small town of 10,00 is surrounded by some of Oregon’s most spectacular wilderness and scenery including Hells Canyon and the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway.
Follow this link http://www.bestoftheroad.com/categories.do?tId=43 to cast your vote for Baker City and then please share with your friends.
Looking for more inspiration or a sample photo to include with your post? Visit the Baker County Tourism photo gallery at http://www.flickr.com/photos/basecampbaker/4870037518/in/set-72157624236278714 and see why we think Baker City is such a worthy nominee for this exciting recognition.
For more information about Baker City’s historic downtown and other historic sites and attractions throughout Baker County, visit the Baker County Tourism website at www.basecampbaker.com
Tags: "Baker City", "Small Towns", Baker County, Downtown, Geiser Grand, Mainstreet, Oregon, Oregon Trail, Revitalization, Road Trips, Scenic Byways, tourism, Travel
Posted in Baker City, Baker County, Oregon, Oregon Trail, Scenic Byways, Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
April 15th, 2011
Celebrate National Trail Day with a 5K fun run on the trail system at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Baker City, Oregon.
The course runs from the top of Flagstaff Hill to the Oregon Trail ruts and back up the hill.
After running to the ruts, enjoy a full day of festivities celebrating National Trails Day including the dedication of the new Oregon Trail Interpretive Center gate, commissioned by the Trail Tender organization and designed by local Baker County artist Terri Axness. The new iron gate depicts the pioneer experience of travels along the Oregon Trail and was manufactured by local welding company, Baker Welding.
The day will begin with the 5K Run to the Ruts at 9:00 am followed by the gate dedication at 11:30. An authentic trail meal will be available for a suggested donation of $5.00, along with tours of the center, interpretive programs in the Leo Adler theater. Local Author and Geologist, Howard Brooks will be available to sign his book on the Geology of Baker County, and interpreters will be available at the working sluice box and in the encampment. Costumed docents from the Trail Tenders will provide entertainment including music, games and demonstrations and buggy rides around the center.
For more information about the center or the Run to the Ruts, visit the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center website at http://www.blm.gov/or/oregontrail.
For more information about other Baker County events, attractions and historic sites visit the Baker County Tourism Website at www.basecampbaker.com
Tags: "Baker City", Baker County, Events, Festivals and Events, Oregon, Oregon Trail, tourism, Travel
Posted in Baker City, Baker County, Events and Festivals, Museums, Oregon, Oregon Trail | 1 Comment »
January 18th, 2011
Anthony Lakes Ski Area gearing up for winter events: Beach Party, Snow Blast, and Winter Music Series
With the 2010-2011 ski season off to a great start, Anthony Lakes Ski Area is cranking up the energy with the return of several popular events in the coming months.
The Winter Music Series: With the help of local Partners for Anthony Lakes (PAL), live music has returned to the Starbottle Saloon. Local band the Alibis kicked off the 2011 music series on January 8th and future performances are scheduled for:
January 22nd – Al McLoed and the Silencers: 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
February 5th Jim Basnight: 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
February 19th – Larry Robb: 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
March 5th – Wasteland Kings : 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
March 19th- Jimmy Lloyd Rea: 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
And April 19th – Wasteland Kings : 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Anthony Lakes Ski Area will also be hosting the annual Beach Party and Snow Blast.
February 5th: Beach Party: A day of beach party inspired fun and games in the snow. Dress in beach attire and save $5 on your lift ticket for the day.
March 5th Snow Blast: The chair lift runs until 5 p.m.; BBQ, bonfire, games and snowboard raffle, live music by the Wasteland Kings from 5 to 8 p.m.
For more information about these and other upcoming events, visit the Anthony Lakes website at, www.anthonylakes.com. or, call 541.856.3277 #11.
For more information about other Baker County events, attractions and other winter recreation opportunities, visit the Baker County Tourism website at www.basecampbaker.com or become a fan at www.facebook.com/basecampbaker
Tags: "Baker City", Anthony Lakes, Baker County, Events, Festivals and Events, music, Oregon, Skiing, Snow, tourism, Travel
Posted in Anthony Lakes, Baker City, Baker County, Events and Festivals, Oregon, Skiiing, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
January 17th, 2011
Baker County Heritage Museum Presents “Caravanning and Collecting – Two Unique Tales of Charismatic Baker Natives.”
Summer long exhibit will tell the stories of Wally Byam, born in Baker City in 1896, who invented the Airstream Trailer, and the Cavin sisters, Mamie and Beth Cavin Warfel, world renowned rock collectors. This Memorabilia will shed light on Wally’s early life in Baker County through caravan adventures around the world, and will bring the Cavin sisters’ shell collection back from decades of storage to join their magnificent rock collection. The exhibit’s goal is, using Wally Byam’s words, “to strive endlessly to stir the venturesome spirit that moves you to follow a rainbow to its end…and thus make your travel dreams come true.” This venturesome spirit is the common theme of these two unique tales, the similar spirit that drove the early settlers and this community they founded.
Airstream caravan events are planned for the summer, with a July 4th weekend Wally Byam birthday celebration event as a highlight. For information, please contact Chris Cantrell at the Baker Heritage Museum, 541-523-9308.
“Caravanning and Collecting” will be featured in the museum’s 1,400 sq. ft. Central Gallery, which showcases new exhibits each year. Permanent exhibits documenting the history of Baker County fill the remaining 33,000 sq. ft. museum.
The Baker Heritage Museum, at 2480 Grove Street, Baker City, Oregon, is open daily from 9AM to 4PM, March 19th through October. Admission: Adults $6, Seniors (60+) and Youth (13-17) $5, Children 12 and under are free. www.BakerHeritageMuseum.com.
For more information about this exhibit or other Baker County, Oregon events, attractions, and vacation activities visit the Baker County Tourism website at www.basecampbaker.com or become a fan at www.facebook.com/basecampbaker
Tags: "Baker City", "Small Towns", Airstream, Baker County, Events, Festivals and Events, Oregon, Road Trips, RV, RVing, Scenic Byways, tourism, Travel, Wally Byam
Posted in Baker City, Baker County, Events and Festivals, Museums, Oregon, Scenic Byways, Uncategorized | 5 Comments »
January 6th, 2011
Another Great Weekend in Baker County Oregon Ahead
It’s going to be another great weekend to play in the snow here in Baker County.
Volunteers from the three County Snowmobile clubs have been busy grooming the 900 miles of snowmobile trails throughout the county and the weekend forecast is for more fresh snow. For more information including latest trail conditions, trail maps, and contact information for the three Baker County snowmobile clubs, visit http://www.basecampbaker.com/snowmobiling-in-baker-county-oregon.html
It’s going to be a big weekend Anthony Lakes as well with the return of the Elkhorn Classic on Saturday January 8th. This Saturday also marks the return of Live music at Anthony Lakes with the Alibis playing at the Starbottle Saloon 3:30 till 6:30.
This week is also the First Friday of the new year and Historic Baker City will be hosting the First Friday Art Walk with venues throughout downtown.
Looking for more live music? Stop in at Marilyn’s Music at 1812 Main Street in historic downtown Baker City and check out the return of Friday Night Jams 6:30 till 9 p.m. Hang out with local musicians or bring your own gear and join in.
Saturday night, head over to the Geiser Grand Hotel at 1996 Main Street for more live music by the Bruno Dunes Trio beginning at 7 p.m.
Still more fun in the snow, consider starting your weekend with a Friday night horse drawn sleigh ride through historic Baker City followed by a bonfire along the Powder River.
For more information including tickets and reservations contact the Geiser Grand Hotel .
And for a one of a kind up close and personal wildlife encounter, catch the horse drawn wagon elk feeding tour on either Saturday or Sunday.
This one of a kind elk feeding tour brings visitors within just feet of more than 100 majestic Rocky Mountain Elk. For more information including departure times, pricing and directions visit http://www.basecampbaker.com/guided-elk-tours-in-baker-county-oregon.html
Have a great weekend and we’ll see you out and about in Baker County Oregon.
Tags: "Baker City", Anthony Lakes, Baker County, Downtown, Events, Festivals and Events, music, Oregon, Skiing, Snow, Snowmobiling, Travel
Posted in Anthony Lakes, Baker City, Baker County, Events and Festivals, Oregon, Skiiing, Snowmobiling | 1 Comment »
December 31st, 2010
On set with the Fuji television crew and Japanese actress Mikie Hara, for the live New Year’s Eve broadcast of the Japanese television show Unbelievable from Baker City Oregon’s Geiser Grand Hotel.
For more information about the Geiser Grand Hotel visit www.geisergrand.com
For more information about other Baker County Oregon attractions, events, and visitor information visit the Baker County Tourism website at www.basecampbaker.com or become a fan at www.facebook.com/basecampbaker
Tags: "Baker City", Baker County, Downtown, FUJI TV, Geiser Grand, Holidays, Mikie Hara, Oregon, Travel, Unbelievable TV show
Posted in Baker City, Baker County, Events and Festivals, Oregon, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
December 29th, 2010
Lots happening in Baker City and Baker County Oregon this New Year’s. Here’s a few ideas for celebrating the coming of the new year.
Skiers can hit the slopes at Anthony Lakes for 4 days for just $100 with the Anthony Lakes New Year’s 4 Day Pass. For details visit www.anthonylakes.com
Or tour beautiful Historic Baker City in a horse drawn sleigh on New Year’s Eve, including a stop at a historic house on the Powder River for a festive Bonfire S’mores, Hot Spiced Cider and more. Tours depart from the Geiser Grand Hotel at 5pm cost is $24, Kids under 12 $12; kids under 6 no charge. Proceeds go to Historic Baker City, Inc., local affiliate of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For reservations and tickets contact the Geiser Grand Hotel at www.geisergrand.com
Snowmobilers, head out to Sumpter and Halfway and spend the New Year’s holiday exploring some of the 900 miles of snowmobile trails through the Elkhorn and Wallowa mountains. For more information including trail maps ad contact information for the blue Mountain and Panhandle Snowmobile clubs visit http://www.basecampbaker.com/snowmobiling-in-baker-county-oregon.html
Snowshoeing more your pace? Then check out the New Year’s Eve snow shoe hike in Sumpter. The 2 mile hike starts at 1 p.m. at the Sumpter fairgrounds and goes down to the Cracker Creek Mining Museum and the Sumpter Valley Dredge and Sumpter Valley Rail Road Station and back to the fairgrounds for a bonfire hosted by the Sumpter Snowmobile Club.
Looking for live music? Then ring in the new year with legendary bluesman Jimmy Lloyd Rea and Ron Carns and Mike McCurdy at Papa’s Pub in Historic Downtown Baker City New Year’s Eve.
You can also bundle up the family and enjoy a horse drawn wagon ride while you feed Rocky Mountain Elk with T&T Wildlife Tours. The tours run daily through January 2nd and every weekend through February, beginning at approximately 10:30am, running every 1/2 hour, and last ride departs at 2:00pm. And carry visitors to within 10 yards of 100 to 250 head of Rocky Mt. Elk. Narration is provided by Susan Triplett and Alice Trindle discussing the life cycles of the elk, the reason for the feed program, and the partnership with the ranchers and hunters of the area. Cost of the tour is $5 for children (12 & under) and $7 for adults. Come early and dress for warmth! For more information visit T&T Wildlife Tours at http://www.tnthorsemanship.com/tours.htm
And don’t forget Thursday Art Night at the historic Eltrym Theater. Baker City’s Thursday Art Night (TAN ) has moved to Friday December 31st as part of the New Year’s festivities The TAN New Year’s celebration starts at starting 6:30p.m. at the historic Eltrym Theater and the First film “the Cats of Mirikitani” begins at 7p.m. The evening’s second film will be the audience’s choice of Tron, or Gulliver’s Travels. There will be DJ’d music and dancing between films, wine and Champaign available for donation for those 21 and over. For more info visit the Eltrym Theater website at www.eltrym.com
For more information about these and other New Year’s activities or other winter events and attractions throughout Baker County Oregon, visit the Baker County Tourism website at www.basecampbaker.com or become a fan at www.facebook.com/basecampbaker
Tags: "Baker City", "Small Towns", Anthony Lakes, Baker County, Downtown, Events, Festivals and Events, Halfway, Holidays, Oregon, Skiing, Snowmobiling, Travel
Posted in Baker City, Baker County, Events and Festivals, Oregon, Skiiing, Snowmobiling, Sumpter, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
December 21st, 2010
Very exciting news from our friends at the historic Geiser Grand Hotel in downtown Baker City! FUJI TV will be broadcasting LIVE from the Geiser Grand in Baker City for their big New Year’s Eve show.
According to Geiser Grand owner Barbara Sidway, “It’s sort of like our Dick Clark’s rockin’ New Years Eve, where they flip to different venues around the country-only the Japan version is flipping to different interesting venues around the world, including us in Oregon. We think this is the first time Japan TV has ever broadcast live from Oregon for any reason.” ”Unbelievable TV Show is one of the highest rated TV shows in Japan, now in its 11th season. More than 15 million people watch every show, more than double that for this NYE special! We’re thrilled here that they chose the Geiser Grand Hotel in Baker City Oregon.”
Given the time difference, the filming will take conclude 6am Pacific time on December 31.
FUJI TV was on location at the Geiser Grand Hotel earlier this year to film a special episode of Unbelievable TV show on the ten most interesting spots on the planet! That trip was Director Nakayama’s second trip to the Geiser Grand Hotel. His first story, filmed 11 yrs ago, proved to be one of the most popular, making #1 on the “best of ten years” retrospective. When asked “why the Geiser Grand Hotel?” Nakayama said “it’s authentic, you feel the real history everywhere, and its so beautiful”.
Resonance Productions (Oregon based award winning filmmaker) will film the whole event, and share an edited piece for broadcast by 1pm December 31. For more information about the News Year’s Eve Broadcast contact the Geiser Grand Hotel at www.geisergrand.com
For more information about other upcoming events and activities in Baker County visit the Baker County Tourism website at www.basecampbaker.com or become a fan on facebook at www.facebook.com/basecampbaker
Tags: "Baker City", Baker County, Downtown, Holidays, Oregon
Posted in Baker City, Baker County, Oregon, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
