Field Notes
See the pictures, read on for the stories.
The latest Instagram pictures rotate through, along with links to their quick stories. But there’s so much more to tell. Some from our own experiences, others that are shared. From young to old, from local to international, the AdvenChair is making the rounds!
“The wild requires that we learn the terrain, nod to all the plants and animals and birds, ford the streams and cross the ridges, and tell a good story when we get home.”
—Gary Snyder
And the stories we can tell!
We love to share our news and yours. Have an AdvenChair story to tell?
AdvenTours second season rolls farther, higher and deeper.
In addition to returning to Smith Rock State Park, Benham Falls and Shevlin Park, AdvenTours ventured to the shoreline of Crater Lake, climbed to the panoramic summit of Tumalo Mountain, and meandered along the tumbling waters of Paulina Creek and Tumalo Creek. What’s more, our guest riders this year hailed from far beyond the Central Oregon region with explorers, writers and influencers visiting from four countries outside of the United States – Canada, Great Britain, The Netherlands, and Australia.
The AdvenTours team of Wanderlust Tours and AdvenChair on the way up Tumalo Mountain in Bend, Oregon
In addition to returning to Smith Rock State Park, Benham Falls and Shevlin Park, AdvenTours ventured to the shoreline of Crater Lake, climbed to the panoramic summit of Tumalo Mountain, and meandered along the tumbling waters of Paulina Creek and Tumalo Creek.
After capping off our first year of guided accessible natural history tours with Wanderlust Tours by winning the Partnership Award at the Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism earlier this year, it’s hard to imagine our 2025 AdvenTours season being even better than 2024. But that seems to be the general consensus of those who experienced it over the past several months.
Taking in the fall color of Shevlin Park in Bend, Oregon
Geoff Babb of AdvenChair and the gang on Tumalo Mountain
In addition to returning to Smith Rock State Park, Benham Falls and Shevlin Park, AdvenTours ventured to the shoreline of Crater Lake, climbed to the panoramic summit of Tumalo Mountain, and meandered along the tumbling waters of Paulina Creek and Tumalo Creek.
What’s more, our guest riders this year hailed from far beyond the Central Oregon region with explorers, writers and influencers visiting from four countries outside of the United States – Canada, Great Britain, The Netherlands, and Australia.
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 trees are golden-green in the autumn light, and everyone looks joyful and connected after a shared adventure outdoors.
((L-R) Courtney Braun; Geoff Babb; Lucinda DiNovo, the Chair of the Oregon Tourism Commission; and Todd Davidson, CEO, Travel Oregon
“I’m just thrilled that the idea of AdvenTours was not only embraced by the Wanderlust Tours team, but by the Oregon Tourism Commission and the international travel industry as well. I really had no inkling where it might go when I approached Courtney two years ago.”
Courtney Braun, co-owner of Wanderlust Tours, saw valuable growth and exciting improvements in Year 2 of AdvenTours. “After getting familiar with the AdvenChair in our first year, we made a few changes and re-thought some of the tours in the off season,” said Courtney. “So this year we felt pretty dialed in.”
“I think that the main difference between this year and last year was opening up our AdvenTours to the general public,” she added. “Not only did this allow for more choices and less cost for those desiring an AdvenTour, it also increased exposure of the barriers that exist for people with mobility challenges when accessing the outdoors.”
Unlimited possibilities despite disabilities
A perfect example of those broken barriers was evidenced when Hannah Crutchfield from Alabama discovered AdvenTours through Visit Central Oregon and took her first ride in September.
“A highlight [of 2025] for me was getting Hannah up Tumalo Mountain,” said Courtney. “Seeing her summiting a mountain together with her partner was pretty special!”
Hannah’s reaction upon taking in the breathtaking view of the Cascades was absolutely priceless.
“It’s been the most amazing experience I think I’ve ever had!” said Hannah. “Being able to do something that I can’t do on my own has been absolutely fantastic! I feel on top of the world!”
“Hannah On Top of the World” video courtesy of Michael Bounyavong
New depths as well as heights
The highlight of the summer for Wanderlust Tours Co-owner Jared Garfield came when he led a group of AdvenChairs down the Cleetwood Cove Trail from the rim of Crater Lake to the shore and back.
“That area of the National Park is super cool because it is the only way to get down to the water's edge, as well as one of the less accessible trails due to the overall difficulty of hiking back up,” said Jared. “It is also my favorite hike in the Park because the blue of the water from down there is unparalleled in comparison to anywhere else.”
In addition to multiple chair users, Jared guided other guests with disabilities who required a slower-paced tour.
“It was awesome to be able to offer a tour that felt like it met everyone's accessibility needs in an area that is not known for being accessible,” he added.
While the Cleetwood Cove Trail is scheduled to be closed for restoration and renovation for the next couple of years, Wanderlust is planning to offer another AdvenTour in 2026 that will explore other difficult-to-access aspects of Crater Lake National Park. The rest of the schedule, which will be announced early next spring, will feature an assortment of familiar favorites as well as some new adventures that people have suggested.
And of course, you are always welcome to customize your own AdvenTour. If you can imagine it, chances are we can make it accessible.
“I think all of our offerings are exceptional and each delivers a unique experience,” said Courtney. “I can't wait for folks to try them all and keep increasing opportunities for people with special needs to experience our great outdoors.”
AdvenChair teams up with Wanderlust Tours for AdvenTours. And sharing a healthy grant.
What do you get when you combine AdvenChair, the leader in all-terrain wheelchairs, with Wanderlust Tours, Central Oregon’s leader in guided all-terrain adventures? You get AdvenTours, outings that allow people with disabilities to explore Central Oregon’s most iconic places with expert guidance.
Bald Eagle nest watching at Smith Rock State Park in the AdvenChair.
What do you get when you combine AdvenChair, the leader in all-terrain wheelchairs, with Wanderlust Tours, Central Oregon’s leader in guided all-terrain adventures? You get AdvenTours, outings that allow people with disabilities to explore Central Oregon’s most iconic places with expert guidance.
You also get a team that worked together to secure a $45,000 grant from Visit Central Oregon’s Future Fund, a program that supports local tourism projects benefiting both visitors and residents. The team was one of 15 recipients who shared a portion of $450,000 in grant money. The funds will allow AdvenChair to order two more brand new chairs and make them available for Wanderlust clients, many of whom have been asking for an all-terrain chair so that a disabled family member or even a wobbly grandparent could come along for the outing.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Geoff and the AdvenChair team to facilitate accessible tours in the Bend area.”
“For more than 30 years, it’s been our goal to get folks into the great outdoors and let Mother Nature do her work, inspiring and invigorating everyone who visits her trails. And now, those with mobility challenges can join us for adventures in these beautiful areas, and come away with great stories to tell, continued Courtney.”
Wanderlust will offer its first AdvenTour on the morning of Saturday, July 13 at Smith Rock State Park. Adventurers will have plenty of time to take in views from the rim of the canyon, as well as explore trails along the Crooked River, where you can get close-up glimpses at climbers challenging the limestone walls.
On Saturday, August 3, the AdvenTour will combine a dive into Central Oregon’s unique volcanic geology with a healthy dose of astronomy. Lava Lands Visitor Center offers the perfect venue for both with a twilight trek among a 10-square mile lava field, followed by a summer evening of stargazing far away from city lights.
On the morning of Sunday, September 8, it’s time to take in the breathtaking spectacle of Benham Falls. The AdvenChair makes several dramatic viewpoints of this powerful cataract easily accessible, as well as some of the Upper Deschutes’ most serene settings.
Finally, on Sunday, October 20, the AdvenTour will venture to Shevlin Park for a morning jaunt along Tumalo Creek. We will take a close look at this ecosystem filled with spectacular flora and fauna and revel in some of Central Oregon’s most dramatic fall colors.
AdvenChair and Wanderlust Tours also welcome you to customize your own accessible tour as weather and schedules allow. How about climbing to take in the stunning panoramic views from the top of Tumalo Mountain? Maybe you’ve never been to the Badlands Wilderness, one of the area’s newer trail systems that is rife with aged, stoic juniper trees, colorful rock outcrops and plenty of solitude. Or perhaps you’d like a taste of the incredible Newberry Caldera where Paulina Creek meanders through stunningly pristine scenery. If the mobility challenges don’t impact the ability to paddle, Wanderlust can even set you up with a guided canoe or kayak tour that may or may not involve an AdvenChair. In short, whatever tour you can dream up, we can probably make it work for you.