Gorge Guide

Weekends June 15 - August 25, 2012
Fridays at 5 p.m.
Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Skamania Lodge
Stevenson, WA 

STEVENSON, Wash. — With the beautiful Columbia River Gorge as a backdrop, guests and visitors to Skamania Lodge can observe first hand some of the most magnificent birds in the world and learn about the important role they play in the environment. The Birds of Prey Program is back and will take place every weekend this summer from June 15th through August 25th.

“For most of our guests and visitors, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and always draws a huge crowd to our Front Lawn,” said Skamania Lodge General Manager Scott Spann. “It’s not often that you get to look an owl in the eyes, be inches away from a bald eagle and see a falcon in flight.”

This is the third year the Lodge has offered the Birds of Prey Program. Guests and day visitors are invited to the Front Lawn of the Lodge to learn the natural history, stewardship and the importance of these amazing creatures in the environment. Volunteers from the Raptor House Rehab Center in Yakima, Wash., captivate audiences with up to eight different raptors, including a bald eagle, barn owl and a ferruginous hawk. Raptor House is a nonprofit company that rescues injured wild birds and returns them to the wild.

Show times are scheduled for: 5 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. For exact start times, it is recommended that attendees check the Lodges’ online event calendar at: www.skamania.com/events.

The Birds of Prey Program is one of many outdoor activities guests can experience while staying at the Lodge, which is situated in the heart of the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area. There are a multitude of sporting and recreational activities that can be enjoyed right on the Lodge property such as golf, tennis, basketball, volleyball, croquet, biking and hiking. For those who want to experience the natural wonders of the Columbia Gorge, offsite adventures can be arranged through the Lodge’s concierge. These include white water rafting, hiking, climbing, biking, windsurfing, kayaking, fishing and Sternwheeler cruises on the Columbia River.

About Skamania Lodge

Surrounded by the waterfalls, peaks, forests and canyons of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Skamania Lodge is an all-season mountain resort and conference center situated on 175 acres, 45 minutes east of Portland, Ore., in Stevenson, Wash. Skamania Lodge boasts the Waterleaf Spa, indoor swimming pool and hot tubs, a fitness center, onsite hiking, an 18-hole par-70 golf course, the Cascade Room, River Rock and the U.S. Forest Service Information Center located in the lobby. Skamania Lodge is centered in a Pacific Northwest playground with hiking, biking and Sternwheeler cruises along the Columbia River in the summer; skiing and snowshoeing in the winter; and golfing, fishing and whitewater rafting all year long for outdoor enthusiasts. The Lodge has received numerous awards and recognitions including: Best of the West by Meeting Focus West magazine; the National Choice Award by Smart Meetings magazine; Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator; and the Gold Tier Green Star award from IACC. For more information about this one-of-a-kind property visit: www.skamania.com. About Destination Hotels & Resorts

Destination Hotels & Resorts is a privately held hospitality management company headquartered in Colorado. With more than 35 independent, luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and golf clubs, Destination is the third largest hospitality management company in the country. The company’s portfolio features more than 8,970 guest rooms, 15 golf courses and 16 full-service spas. Destination Hotels & Resorts properties are located in key metropolitan and resort markets including Washington, D.C., Seattle, Denver, San Diego, Santa Fe, Aspen, Austin, Phoenix, Portland, Palm Springs, Palos Verdes, Maui and Lake Tahoe. The company is a subsidiary of Los Angeles-based investment, development and management firm Lowe Enterprises. For a complete list of properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com.