Video: Andy’s Adventures: Wanderlust Tours with AdvenChair in Central Oregon

In this Andy’s Adventures, Andy Carson went to Smith Rock State Park and met the inventor of the AdvenChair.

KPTV.com Fox 12
By Andy Carson

DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. (KPTV) - In the northwest, we’re known for our beautiful vistas and challenging hikes. But for people with mobility issues, many of those sights remain out of reach. In this Fox 12 Oregon episode of Andy’s Adventures, Andy Carson introduces you to a device that promises to change that. He went to Smith Rock State Park and met the inventor of the AdvenChair, Geoff Babb.

For more details about AdvenChair and Wanderlust Tours, click here and here.

Oregon Becomes First State to Earn ‘Accessibility Verified’ Status from Wheel the World

Travel Oregon partners with Wheel the World to pioneer a new standard for inclusive travel

PORTLAND, Ore. (September 22, 2025) — The Oregon Tourism Commission, dba Travel Oregon, has worked with Wheel the World (WTW) to earn the state of Oregon a landmark designation: the first state to become “Accessibility Verified.” The designation elevates transparency and promotes inclusivity in travel experiences for people with visible and non-visible disabilities.

 This milestone follows a coordinated statewide effort to evaluate, promote and improve the accessibility of tourism businesses across all seven of Oregon’s tourism regions, from hotels and outdoor adventure experiences to cultural attractions and culinary experiences. Oregon is now the first state to offer visitors with disabilities and/or mobility challenges the opportunity to plan travel itineraries through an online resource that keeps their needs top of mind. 

Through this coordinated statewide effort and previous local efforts, WTW has assessed more than 750 hotels, restaurants and tourism businesses in 43 communities across the state (with more to come), and all Travel Oregon Welcome Centers, evaluating mobility, visual, hearing, and cognitive features to ensure travelers with diverse needs can plan with confidence. These assessments are available on WTW’s website to offer visitors with disabilities the ability to plan trips knowing their needs will be met at each destination along the way.

“Earning the distinction of being the first Accessibility Verified state reflects Oregon’s deep and ongoing commitment to welcoming all travelers,” said Kevin Wright, VP of Brand Stewardship at Travel Oregon. “Through this designation, we’re building a tourism landscape where inclusion is meaningful and central to the visitor experience.”

Through WTW’s Accessibility Verified program, accessibility features of local hotels, experiences and attractions have been made available online through www.traveloregon.com and www.wheeltheworld.com. This initiative provides access to detailed, reliable information on accessibility which is a crucial factor in trip planning for travelers with disabilities. Unlike other programs based on self-reporting or ADA compliance, WTW’s Accessibility Verified program uses a structured, on-site evaluation process backed by physical measurements across multiple dimensions of accessibility. 

“Traveling with a disability often means facing the unknown,” said Alvaro Silberstein, CEO & Co-founder of Wheel the World. “Our vision is to remove uncertainty and establish trust by helping every destination verify, improve, and promote accessibility—creating real impact for travelers with disabilities and measurable returns for communities. By becoming the first state to achieve Accessibility Verified status, Oregon is setting a precedent and proving how powerful this cycle can be for travelers and for the communities that welcome them.”

To help bring the story to life, Travel Oregon and Wheel the World partnered with accessibility advocate Kaylee Bays, and the first wheelchair user to compete on So You Think You Can Dance. Kaylee shares her journey with her 140,000 followers on Instagram (@slayleebays), helping inspire a wide audience with her experiences. Kaylee explored Oregon’s accessible offerings firsthand, experiencing the dramatic landscapes of Smith Rock and kayaking surrounded by stunning mountains on Hosmer Lake in Central Oregon.

“I used to assume nature wasn’t something I could really be part of. Oregon showed me that I was wrong,” said Kaylee, who has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a degenerative condition she was diagnosed with at age 21. “It opened a whole new world for me. Kayaking and experiencing places like Smith Rock showed me that people are taking real steps to make outdoor adventures inclusive and accessible.”

The partnership with Wheel the World is part of Travel Oregon’s broader strategy to make the state more inclusive and welcoming for both visitors and residents with disabilities. With accessibility data now visible and bookable online, travelers can explore detailed listings, use Wheel the World’s AI-powered accessibility profile, utilize 24-hour customer support and receive tailored recommendations based on their specific needs. Explore accessible itineraries across Oregon via the Accessibility Verified designation here.

If you have a tourism business in Oregon and would like to participate in this program, you can find more information about Travel Oregon's Wheel the World program here.

Cyclists from Bend and beyond are becoming aware of the incomparable custom-build options taking off in Central Oregon. “For those riders who have been on the other top-shelf bikes, there’s a growing segment of folks who are looking for something different, cooler and more progressive that separates their riding and puts it on the next level of what’s possible,” Argonaut’s Rudisill said. As far as cycling in Central Oregon goes, from its extensive trail options and routes to its emerging custom builds, nothing is impossible. 

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Guide to Epic Accessible Adventures in Bend & Central Oregon

by Ethan Godard, Content Marketing Specialist, Writer and Photographer

Central Oregon has a way of pulling people outside.

Framed by the Cascades to the west and high desert to the east, this region blends rugged landscapes with small-town charm. Bend is the hub — full of breweries, trails, and culture — but nearby towns like Sisters, Redmond, and Prineville add their own flavors.

 For travelers with disabilities, this is one of the most adventure-ready regions in Oregon. Kayak on mountain lakes, roll accessible trails under towering cliffs, or stargaze in skies so dark you’ll forget city lights exist. Hotels, restaurants, and attractions here are increasingly verified for accessibility, so you can focus on the experience.

In this guide, we’ll cover the best accessible adventures, where to stay, places to eat, and practical tips to make the most of your trip.

Hiking up Smith Rock in the AdvenChair all terrain hiking wheelchair

Kayaking on Hosmer Lake

Getting Around Central Oregon

Central Oregon is spread out — towns are anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes apart, and many adventures take you into remote areas. Having a car is essential.

If you’re already driving here, perfect. But if you’re flying in, the closest major airport hub is Portland International Airport (PDX). From there, it’s about a 3-hour drive to Bend. For wheelchair-accessible rentals, United Access near the airport offers adapted vans with everything you need. We used them in our Oregon Coast trip and had a smooth experience, so it’s a reliable option to kick off your Central Oregon adventure.

There’s also a regional bus system, Cascade East Transit, which connects Bend with nearby towns like Redmond, Sisters, and Prineville. It’s wheelchair accessible, but schedules can be limited. If you want the freedom to adventure to lakes, trails, and scenic drives at your own pace, having your own vehicle is by far the best choice.

Adaptive van rental with ramp

Epic Accessible Adventures in Central Oregon

Kayak on Hosmer Lake

Just south of Bend, Hosmer Lake feels like a postcard. Clear water winds through marshes surrounded by snow-capped peaks, and it’s one of the most scenic spots in the Cascades. With Wanderlust Tours, kayaking here becomes fully accessible. You can paddle independently, or guides can assist to make sure everyone gets on the water safely.

For kayaking in Central Oregon, you’ve got options. Join a guided paddle with Wanderlust Tours for a classic lake-and-river experience, or connect with Oregon Adaptive Sports if you need adaptive kayaks, transfer support, or one-on-one guidance. Either way, you’ll be out on the water surrounded by mountain views — a true Central Oregon highlight.

Enjoying the lake

Hike at Smith Rock

Smith Rock State Park is the kind of place that makes you stop and stare. Sheer cliffs rise above the Crooked River, golden grasses sway in the breeze, and trails wind through a landscape that feels both rugged and timeless. For many, hiking here would feel out of reach, but with AdvenChair, it’s possible.

Through this Wanderlust Tours experience, naturalist guides lead accessible hikes at Smith Rock and other iconic Central Oregon spots. The AdvenChair is an all-terrain, human-powered wheelchair designed for rugged trails. With a trained team assisting, you can go well beyond the pavement — down canyon paths, across volcanic ridges, even up into the Cascade Mountains.

Public tours run at Smith Rock and Benham Falls, but custom tours are where things really open up. You can dream big: hike up Tumalo Mountain for sweeping views of Mt. Bachelor, wander the cracked volcanic ridges of the Oregon Badlands Wilderness, or follow Paulina Creek through waterfalls and wetlands in the Newberry Caldera.

It’s an unforgettable way to experience the kind of terrain that usually feels off-limits. See Custom Accessible Tours.

Hiking Smith Rock with Advenchair the all-terrain hiking wheelchair

Soak at Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort

Reopened in Warm Springs, tribal-owned Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs is one of those places that feels worth the trip on its own. The thermal pools stay warm year-round, and you can take your pick between the big outdoor pools or smaller, private soaking tubs tucked along the river. If you’ve ever wanted to sit back in quiet water with mountain views and nothing but the sound of the river nearby, this is it.

You can make it an overnight thing, too. The Kah-Nee-Ta resort has accessible rooms, so you can stay overnight instead of making it a quick stop. You can spend the whole day here, moving between the pools, relaxing in the shade, and finishing with dinner on-site.

Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs - private soaking tub

Stargaze at Prineville Reservoir State Park

When the sun sets, head east to Prineville Reservoir, where some of Oregon’s darkest skies open up overhead. On summer nights, you might spot Jupiter, Mars, and the Milky Way stretching across the horizon. The accessible day-use area near the observatory makes it possible to roll right up to the viewing area. Just make sure you bring a jacket, because desert nights get chilly fast.

Stargazing through the telescope

Stargazing at Prineville Reservoir State Park

Learn and Connect at the High Desert Museum

The High Desert Museum isn’t your typical museum visit — it’s an experience that mixes education, culture, and the natural world. One moment you’re face to face with native wildlife, the next you’re walking through a recreated Old West town or watching live demonstrations that bring history to life. Exhibits highlight Native traditions, frontier history, and the fragile ecosystems of the high desert, giving you a fuller sense of the region.

The museum is accessible with a step-free entrance, spacious pathways, closed captioning/subtitles on screen, tactile exhibits, accessible restrooms, and more. View more detailed information for the High Desert Museum here.

High Desert Museum

♿ Good to Know: If you’re looking for guided adventures with adaptive gear, Oregon Adaptive Sports is the go-to local resource. They outfit travelers with adaptive bikes, ski gear, and specialized equipment, and their team is on hand to help with everything from transfers to on-trail support. With them, activities like kayaking, skiing, hiking, and cycling become possible in ways that feel both safe and fun.

Where to Stay in Central Oregon: Accessible Hotels

Central Oregon covers a lot of ground, and where you stay can shape your whole trip. Bend is the hub, but smaller towns like Sisters, Redmond, and Sunriver all bring something different to the table. Here’s what to expect in each, plus a few standout accessible hotels.

Bend

Bend is the region’s heartbeat. Breweries line the streets, the Deschutes River winds right through town, and trails spread out in every direction. If you want to be in the middle of the action, staying here makes sense.

• Element Bend blends sustainability with modern comfort, offering accessible rooms with roll-in showers, wide doorways, and plenty of turning space. Its location downtown makes it easy to walk or roll to shops and restaurants.

• Hotel Peppertree Bend, BW Premier Collection is a stylish stay that balances comfort with accessibility — a good pick if you want something a little more upscale without leaving downtown.

Accessible room at Element Bend

Sisters

Sisters feels like a step back in time, with its Western-themed downtown and quiet pace. If your idea of a trip is less nightlife and more browsing local shops after a hike, this is your place.

• GrandStay Hotel & Suites offers spacious, accessible rooms and a pool with a lift, right in the middle of town.

Redmond

Redmond is practical — close to Smith Rock and the airport, and more affordable than Bend. If you want a quieter base that’s still central, this is it.

• SCP Hotel Redmond combines boutique charm with verified accessibility. Don’t miss the rooftop patio for sunset views.

Sunriver & Resorts

For a resort-style escape, Sunriver is ideal. Paved trails connect golf courses, shops, and the Deschutes River, so you can do a lot without getting back in the car.

• Sunriver Resort and Brasada Ranch are top picks, both offering full resort amenities and verified accessible rooms.

Accessible room at Brasada Ranch

Where to Eat in Central Oregon

Central Oregon’s food scene is shaped by its landscape — fresh produce from nearby farms, craft beer brewed in the region, and chefs who mix rustic flavors with modern flair. Each town brings something a little different.

Bend has a growing food culture that pairs perfectly with its outdoorsy vibe. Wild Rye at Juniper Preserve is a standout — serving seasonal dishes with sweeping views of the Cascade Mountains. It’s the kind of place where the setting elevates the meal, making it as much about the view as the flavors.

In Sisters, things move at a slower pace, and dining reflects that. The Ski Inn Taphouse is a cozy spot that doubles as both a small inn and a local hangout. Inside, the vibe is relaxed and friendly, with a menu of comfort food favorites and a long list of local beers and ciders. It’s the kind of place where you can settle in after a day of hiking nearby trails, surrounded by locals and visitors alike.

Redmond is building its own food identity, and it’s worth a detour just to eat here. The Rooftop at SCP Redmond is one of the most stylish dining experiences in the region, with small plates that change with the seasons and views that stretch across the city to the Cascades. Just downstairs, Terra Kitchen leans into modern, plant-forward dishes — bright flavors, creative plating, and a menu that feels as fresh as the local produce it uses.

If your trip takes you east to Prineville, the vibe shifts to something more laid-back and community-driven. Wild Ride Brewing is a local favorite. A big open space where beer flows, food trucks rotate, and people gather after work or after a day outdoors. It’s casual, fun, and a great way to feel plugged into small-town Oregon life.

Food, drink, and dessert in Central Oregon

Quick Tips for Visiting Central Oregon

Pack for the high desert. Days can be hot and nights drop fast — even in summer.

• Bring sun protection. Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses are essential — the sun is stronger at elevation.

• Stay hydrated. The dry air can sneak up on you, so always bring water with you.

• Wheelchair users: Surfaces vary a lot — paved in town, gravel/dirt at some trailheads — so plan ahead for what’s doable or book adaptive adventures like AdvenChair.

Plan Your Central Oregon Adventure With Confidence

Central Oregon delivers when it comes to outdoor adventure — kayaking mountain lakes, rolling trails under volcanic cliffs, or tasting craft beer after a day outside. The best part? More and more of these experiences are verified for accessibility, so you can focus on the fun.

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Built to Ride

Bend Magazine September-October 2025 Issue

Built to Ride

By Daniel O’Neil for Bend Magazine

Custom bikes are a growing industry

Downhill, cross-country, touring, road, gravel—the high desert offers every option a cyclist could ask for. It follows, then, that the area is also home to a core group of custom bike builders who are pushing bicycle engineering and production past any preconceived boundaries, while also maintaining the spirit of elation and freedom that cycling can provide. 

An Argonaut bike is built specifically for its rider.
photo by Mighty Creature

In the United States, about 20 million bikes are sold each year, generating a market revenue of $8 billion. Some 98% of these bikes are manufactured in Asia. This may seem like an unfair headwind for Central Oregon’s bike companies, but instead they use it to their advantage by providing a custom bike build experience. 

As Central Oregon’s trail systems expand and more cyclists move to the area, the pack of custom bike companies is gaining speed. Their market, from local to international cyclists, is starting to take notice. 

PURSUING PERFECTION 

Argonaut Cycles designs and builds some of the world’s most customized road and gravel bikes, which start at $16,000. Founded by Ben Farver in 2007, today Argonaut rolls out 200 high-end bikes a year, all made by hand starting with raw sheets of carbon fiber. Design, product testing and fabrication all happen in Central Oregon. 

For cyclists who have spent enough time in the saddle to become one with their bike, customization offers an opportunity to exploit the benefits of different bike-frame geometries and flex patterns. Rather than ride a bike designed for a predetermined style of riding, and a particular weight and height range, a custom bike fine tunes performance. places offer such a surreal yet delightful expanse of climates, altitudes, and, it turns out, attitudes.

For the love of it

Due to steeper prices, and the challenges of reaching a niche market, custom bike building is a small but strong segment in Central Oregon. Without the deeper financial resources of major bike brands, custom builders rely on commitment and stoke instead. 

Bend-grown 21-year-old Ethan Eggert founded Arid Cycles after high school. Arid’s full-suspension mountain bike frames are modular, allowing for a rider to select customized options when building the frame. Still in the prototype phase, Eggert plans to open pre-orders this fall. He’s proud to have stayed in Bend to pursue his project. “The market for high-end is there, and it still has room to grow,” Eggert said. “We’re in a good place because we have what people are looking for that they can’t find at the other brands.” 

Besides the technical merits, working with a custom builder offers real-life value, allowing rider and builder to develop a relationship like that between surfer and shaper. “You’re supporting someone who’s passionate about what they’re making,” said Max Keegan, who custom welds about three to five bike frames a year as part of his project, Mostly Forever. Frames sell for between $1,900 and $2,500. “It’s sort of the farm-to-table deal, a closer circle. I get the materials, I make a bike frame, and I give it to you—versus a bike frame made overseas, shipped to a distribution center and then shipped to a bike shop.” 

Ethan Eggert founder of Arid Cycles

Arid Cycles custom frame

Cyclists from Bend and beyond are becoming aware of the incomparable custom-build options taking off in Central Oregon. “For those riders who have been on the other top-shelf bikes, there’s a growing segment of folks who are looking for something different, cooler and more progressive that separates their riding and puts it on the next level of what’s possible,” Argonaut’s Rudisill said. As far as cycling in Central Oregon goes, from its extensive trail options and routes to its emerging custom builds, nothing is impossible. 

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click to enlarge

Access for all

Geoff Babb, founder of AdvenChair
photo by Cody Reux

Rich in innovation and collaboration, Central Oregon does not limit itself. When Geoff Babb suffered a paralyzing stroke in 2005, he refused to give up his passion for trails. In response, Babb pursued an off-road wheelchair that could explore places like the Grand Canyon. Babb tested his first AdvenChair in 2016, and today his volunteer-run nonprofit provides all-access wheelchairs for people from age 6 to 96 who previously couldn’t get to places such as Smith Rock in a standard wheelchair. 

An AdvenChair costs around $12,000, but Babb works with outdoor schools and tour operators in the United States and beyond to make the chairs themselves more accessible. “We’re allowing a whole range of people to be outside enjoying nature,” Babb said. 

Each AdvenChair is made by hand
photo by Eleanor Moseman

Central Oregon’s strong sense of community and entrepreneurship provided the ideal environment for AdvenChair to get rolling. “Really important locally is just being in Central Oregon where there are so many small businesses, so many startups,” said Babb. “I really benefited from being in this incubator, in this small, very supportive group of companies.” 

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In Bend, Oregon, Outdoor Adventure Belongs to Everyone

halbergman/Getty

By Sophie Morgan for Condé Nast Traveler

On a visit to this adventure magnet, Sophie Morgan goes for a trek in the high desert in an off-roading wheelchair and catches an outdoor concert, washed down, of course, with a few pints of local craft beer.

Bend, Oregon. It is one of those places people talk about with a kind of reverence. “Oh, Bend,” they’ll say, drawing out the vowel like there is a secret there that will only be revealed when you go. A renowned outdoor adventure capital, it draws climbers, kayakers, and powder chasers in droves. But as a wheelchair user, I wasn’t sure if that secret extended to people like me. Curious by nature and intrepid by design, I went to find out.

This small city, tucked into the dry side of the Central Oregon Cascades, home to just over 100,000 people, gets over 300 days of sunshine a year, yet Mt. Bachelor—just 22 miles away— collects an average of 462 inches of snow every winter. The city is hemmed in by more than 1.6 million acres of ponderosa pine forest, laced with nearly 300 miles of biking trails, and yet a mere 20-minute drive away the landscape shifts dramatically into high desert plateaus, where temperatures soar to 90°F in peak summer.

Meaning that within the span of one day, you can sip a hoppy IPA in the sunshine at one of the 30+ craft breweries (the highest per-capita rate in the U.S.), carve through alpine powder, paddle the Deschutes River, and still have time for an afternoon bike ride. The choice of outdoor activities are seemingly endless; few places offer such a surreal yet delightful expanse of climates, altitudes, and, it turns out, attitudes.

Within a few hours of arriving, I was strapped into a bright-orange, off-road wheelchair heading to one of the Bend-area’s most popular attractions, Smith Rock State Park. The AdvenChair, a uniquely human-powered, all-terrain chariot was created by Geoff Babb, a local legend who, after losing the ability to walk after a stroke in 2005, refused to be exiled from the wild, so he built his way back in. Necessity being the mother of all invention, after all.

The writer, Sophie Morgan, in an AdvenChair at Smith Rock

In and around Bend, Oregon —Sophie Morgan

Surrounded by a grinning team of able-bodied volunteers, all strapped onto the Advenchair with ropes, they prepared to lower me into what felt like the set of an epic Western. Smith Rock, a jagged, rust-red marvel shaped by ancient lava and sculpted by wind and water, rises from the Oregon desert like a sandstone cathedral. Ahead of me lay a trail that clung to the cliffside. Behind me: the rope team affectionately known as the “mules.” By all logic, this terrain should have been off-limits to someone like me. But this environment was nothing to the Advenchair, Geoff had taken it to the depths of the Grand Canyon previously.

“For me, it’s never been about conquering the trail, or the outdoors,” Geoff told me. The train of people all paused to let us talk above the Crooked River, its serpentine bend glowing in the afternoon light, a blue-winged heron glided just above the water while the canyon walls rippled in ochre and gold around us. “It’s about belonging to it and helping others feel like they do too.”

—Geoff Babb

Wanderlust Tours, one of Central Oregon’s most experienced outfitters, was guiding us both through the park. Geoff partnered with the company to extend their offering to those of us with physical disabilities, specifically people like Geoff with limited or no upper body strength. Familiar with adaptive adventures myself, I had expected adrenaline, but what I hadn’t expected was the teamwork, the way the ‘mules’ moved as one, hauling, guiding, laughing, and making the impossible feel ordinary.

“There’s something powerful about seeing a place become more accessible,” said Jared Garfield, lead ‘mule’ and one of Wanderlust’s guides. “The outdoors can feel overwhelming. That’s why the right equipment matters. But so do the right people. When you have both, you can bring more folks into places like them, especially those who’ve been told it’s not for them. We want everyone to feel included.”

This is a sentiment I would come to find implicit during my time in Bend; the values people take into the wilderness—respect, collaboration—don't disappear when they come back into town. They seep seamlessly into the atmosphere, shaping the way the city feels. And thanks to local advocates like Geoff, or local drag icon Pattie Gonia, that attitude is inclusive, enabling those of us who navigate the world differently, be that disabled, queer, or any other marginalized outdoor lover, access, an invitation to break the mould and redefine the stereotype of an outdoor lover.

Back in town, writer Tim Neville of Visit Bend showed me around the Old Mill District, once a timber hub, now a cultural centre, and into the vibrant downtown, where murals bloomed across brick walls, and record stores sat shoulder-to-shoulder with boutique shops, coffee bars and outdoor outfitters, and talked me through Bend’s long history.

Long before the climbers and cyclists arrived, this land was home to the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. For thousands of years, they fished and traded along the Deschutes River, which ran through the city, as it still does, like a lifeline. Bend’s modern incarnation, born in the late 1800s with the arrival of the Europeans chasing the timber trade, has now grown into a recreation capital of the Pacific Northwest. But its Indigenous history runs deeper than any trail map and can be uncovered at the brilliant local High Desert Museum.

Today, Bend’s outdoor spirit is being shaped by organizations like Wanderlust and local nonprofit Oregon Adaptive Sports (OAS) who cater for sports lovers with disabilities of all kinds. “People live in Bend because they choose to,” explains Cara Frank, OAS’s executive director, who is deaf and moved to Bend from the East Coast, despite there being a shortage of interpreters in the local area, a testament to her adoration for the place. “That makes a difference; we care about this place and therefore about who gets to access it.”

The Deschutes River, which flows through Bend, at sunset Angelo DeSantis/Getty

Cara gathers a group of OAS’s volunteers and adaptive athletes at Crux Fermentation Project, for a communal sunset. Dogs—including her own deaf pup—outnumbered people. I met Ryan Barbee, an adaptive mountain biker and fellow spinal cord injury survivor who had, like Cara, also moved to Bend because of how free it made her feel. She greeted me with trail dust on her wheels and a pint in hand. “The first thing you need to know about Bend is the community,” she said, gesturing to the crowd, where wheelchairs and mountain bikes blended in. “And OAS is the heartbeat of it.”

The food scene in Bend is also wonderfully ambitious. One standout is Hawkeye & Huckleberry Lounge, the new venture from brothers Brian and James Malarkey, who recently returned to their home state with a vision to bring a slice of ranch life into the heart of town. Set around a wood-fired oven, the restaurant has canvas tent dining, a lively outdoor patio, live music, and a menu that leans into their ranch-to-plate philosophy, with beef and produce sourced from their nearby Tumalo Ranch. Think high-quality steaks and hearty, unfussy food served with a generous dose of Oregon hospitality.

And just like the food, Bend’s music scene hits all the right notes. Later, I rolled into Hayden Homes Amphitheater, a performance venue on the Deschutes. Leon Bridges was serenading a sun-drenched crowd beneath a sherbet-orange sky while I sat comfortably in the accessible seating area, surrounded by a joyful sprawl of dancing hikers, hipsters, families, and fellow disabled folks—totally smitten.

Inclusion can be an elusive feeling for disabled people, hard to define, harder still to find. As I cruised home past the Craftsman bungalows and ponderosa pines that lined the streets, I caught myself not just longing to return but imagining a life here, and even after just a few days, feeling like I already belonged. On my final day, I sat with Geoff in his home talking about the creation of his ground-breaking chair. “A wheelchair chair powered by people?” he said. “That could only come from Bend.” I nodded in agreement, now finally in on the secret.

Where to Stay

The Oxford Hotel is an eco-luxury boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Bend; it’s ideal for walking or rolling to nearby shops and cafés. For a modern, pet-friendly place to stay, check out Element Bend. It’s located just off of Pioneer Park and very close to the Deschutes River, which winds through the city. Just outside town you’ll find the Tetherow. This upscale resort is tucked between forest and fairway. Stylish, accessible accommodations, and mountain views make it a peaceful retreat after a day spent outdoors.

Where to Eat and Drink

The lively downtown outpost of Thump Coffee is a community hub for coffee lovers—it’s step-free and just the spot for either a quick on-the-go espresso or a slow morning spent with a cardamom latte and a flaky pastry. Drake, a downtown bistro, serves American comfort food with fresh, local ingredients: the deviled eggs, burger, and seasonal cocktails are must-orders. A globally inspired restaurant born from a food truck, Spork is now one of Bend’s most popular spots and loved for its street food fusion and a laid-back vibe: don’t miss the spicy pork noodles. Wood-fired mains, creative cocktails, and live music in the dining area make Hawkeye & Huckleberry Lounge a standout for dinner. The riverside Deschutes Brewery is the original Bend brewery and still the most iconic, serving a large selection of craft beers and tasting flights alongside pub classics in a relaxed, accessible setting. Crux Fermentation Project, a beloved brewer-owned spot with panoramic mountain views, has a rotating menu of small-batch beers, food trucks, and a lively, accessible outdoor lawn. Check it out at sunset.

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The author, Sophie Morgan in Morocco

Sophie Morgan

After training in Fine Art at Goldsmiths College, Sophie turned to broadcasting, a career that gave her a ticket to travel the world. As a TV Presenter, Producer, travel writer and ambassador for brands such as Airbnb, CanAm and PADI, Sophie, recently selected for Women Who Travel's Power List, is on a quest to find the perfect accessible space. Her bucket list includes adapted mountain biking in the Rockies and, one day, riding around the world on her Ryker.

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