It is here in the townships of Mazama, Winthrop & Twisp that an American dream thrives and awaits you. Where dreams are forged in the hearts of small businesses, family values and outdoor recreation. A place where fences are made of rivers or ridges and survival depends on trusting thy neighbors.
In the summer months the Methow Valley is part of the North Cascades Scenic Highway, a loop that individuals en masse drive their automobiles and motorcycles through the scenic mountains, fast enough to make one dizzy as they crane their necks for the gasping views of what becomes rugged impassable winter terrain. This highway that completes this scenic loop is closed for four to five months out of the year and the Methow Valley becomes the end of the road, a destination and winter sanctuary.
The Methow Valley is a wildlife refuge that attracts the wisest, strongest and healthiest of all whom reside in the animal kingdom and is truly the embodiment of survival of the fittest. Whether you are fish, fowl or mammalian the valley is a place of serenity, purity and spiritual rebirth. Much like the salmon whom spawn there everyone you encounter has an incredible story of what brought them to the Methow Valley and to unlock these stories all one must do is ask, “What brought you here?”.
The follow up question need not to be asked, “What keeps you here?”. As it only takes three deep breaths of snow filtered mountain air to bring your mind and body back to a time you may have forgotten. Whether returning from ice fishing, hockey, snowshoeing, cross country or back country skiing, stories are shared, friends are made and families grow around hot, crackling wood fires throughout the Methow Valley.
“I saw a mother moose and two offspring fjord the river this afternoon.” . . . “Did you see John learning how to ski for the first time? Let’s take him to see the salmon, deer and eagles tomorrow.” . . . “Maybe we will see black bear or cougar tracks like last year.” . . . “Who wants to help me make a snowman in the morning?”
The gatekeepers to this sublime experience are the Central Reservations gang providing guests with a home away from home and memories for a lifetime. Owned and run by Kathleen and Kyrie Jardin, they were married along the river and share their intimate knowledge of the community from a publicly available hospitality office in the Purple Sage building located in downtown Winthrop (across from the gas station).
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Twisp is located 9 miles south of Winthrop on highway 20 and plays host to the creative class including a gallery, theatre, health food store, community center and the stunning and hospitable Methow Valley Inn.
Mazama is located 15 miles northwest of Winthrop on highway 20 where the Mazama Country store and bakery operates as the last public outpost before individuals settle into their private cabins and homesteads.
These three townships form the nucleus for the largest set of groomed cross country ski trails in North America, with upwards of 200 miles of trails depending on your skill level. To learn more about the trails go to the Methow Valley Ski Trail Association at mvsta.com
The winter months are full of snow filled sunny days on the trails, gorgeous sunsets and moonrises presenting star filled nights with chance sightings of the Aurora Borealis. So, bring that unfinished book, those unwritten memoirs and immerse your spirit into the mountain murmurings, filled with the hoots and howls of owls and wolves cascading across the Methow Valley.
Central Reservations - Your home away from home.
www.centralreservations.net
