Accessible Guided Adventures in Central Oregon
Has there ever been a partnership between two companies that are as like-minded and made for each other as AdvenChair and Wanderlust Tours? Thanks to a grant from Visit Central Oregon’s Future Fund, AdvenChair, the leader in all-terrain wheelchairs teamed up with Wanderlust Tours, Central Oregon’s leader in naturalist-guided adventures, for a successful series of “AdvenTours” in 2024 and 2025. The AdvenTours agenda for 2026 will be posted in our Events section and on our homepage, and announced via email and social media.
The AdvenChair enabled Wanderlust Tours to offer their unique brand of interpretive hikes and adventures to people of all ages with mobility challenges that would normally force them to stick to the pavement or be left at home. At the same time, Wanderlust gave AdvenChair’s frequent users and support teams a chance to experience some of Oregon’s most iconic natural places with greater depth, education, and appreciation.
video courtesy of #accesstahoe
A smiling group of 16 people gathered on a forest trail beside the Deschutes River near Benham Falls.Three bright orange AdvenChairs are surrounded and assisted by participants and guides from TravelAbility, Wanderlust Tours and AdvenChair, including Geoff Babb from AdvenChair and Jared Garfield of Wanderlust Tours.
The AdvenTours team of Wanderlust Tours and AdvenChair on the way up Tumalo Mountain in Bend, Oregon. Read more about the 2025 Season.
A compilation of three separate AdvenTours into Shevlin Park, Benham Falls, and Smith Rock State Park in Central Oregon.
Courtney Braun, Co-owner of Wanderlust Tours
“Thanks to our AdvenTours, we are now able to extend our mission of getting people out into the natural world, regardless of their age or ability,” said Courtney Braun, Co-owner of Wanderlust Tours.
[AdvenChairman] Geoff Babb and I were perfectly aligned with what we wanted to offer, and our guides, Jose and Jared, were excited about the tours because they were very fulfilling and rewarding”
Adventures begin where the pavement ends
In addition to the pre-arranged tours, Babb was able to make an AdvenChair available to Wanderlust for special custom tours on multiple occasions. AdvenTour guests ranged from a six-year-old girl with Down syndrome visiting Crater Lake National Park for the first time to a grandfather who got to explore Smith Rock State Park with more than three dozen family members.
“And for a grandfather who instilled a love of the outdoors into his children and grandchildren to be able to participate in a family reunion at Smith Rock thanks to a custom guided AdvenTour, that’s a priceless memory!
AdvenChairman Geoff Babb leads the pack on the AdvenTour across the Smith Rock State Park bridge and along the River Trail.
“Having an experienced guide who is knowledgeable about a place like Crater Lake opens up a world of possibilities,” said Geoff Babb. “Rather than just offering a few photo ops at turnouts along the rim, Jared was prepared to take that family on virtually any trail in the Park, including to the shore of the lake for the boat ride or to soak their feet in the water.”
Get close to nature, even closer to friends and family
For Lincoln Foreman, a geologist and stroke survivor, the appeal of any AdvenTour is obvious. Not only does the AdvenChair enable him to access the trails of places like Smith Rock State Park where he can actually touch the volcanic tuff, it allows him to enjoy the experience with his wife Cathy and interact with other individuals who share his love for natural sciences, as well as to learn about local history, geology and culture from Wanderlust’s engaging guides.
Lincoln Foreman, former geologist and stroke survivor gets down to the canyon of Smith Rock State Park to touch the rocks
“Being able to access nature beyond the pavement – actually way past the pavement – together is something we’ve never been able to do since Lincoln’s stroke 15 years ago,” said Cathy. “So having these opportunities is really important to both of us. On one of the hikes, we invited a former work colleague and very good friend to join us. That was exceptionally great for me to see them, two geologists, out in their element exploring the rocks and discussing the geology together.”
Lincoln Foreman talks rocks to the gang while his wife Cathy (on right of Geoff Babb in AdvenChair on right) is all smiles
As Cathy and Lincoln both describe it, the companionship along with interesting, knowledgeable conversation during a hike enhances the experience to the level of “wonderful.”
According to Cathy: “After his last AdvenTour hike he said, ‘today was a GREAT day.’ We like good days for sure, but a GREAT day is pretty darn fantastic.”