What to do with yourself

There Is Always Another Activity Close By

BY ASHLEY LODATO

What do we do in the Methow Valley? The question really is what do we not do in the Methow Valley?

This valley is renowned as a place of summer outdoor recreation, with numerous options for climbing, backpacking, day hiking, river rafting and tubing, paddleboarding, swimming, water skiing, mountain biking, and fishing.

But it’s also a place where you can master a new skill, participate in the arts, compete in an athletic event, immerse yourself in the community, and learn something new. It’s also a place where you can read a book by the side of the river, wander a dusty road for hours, or host your own rollerskating party. When you don’t limit your options, the options are limitless.

Take The Kids

■ P IONEER HISTORY

The Shafer Historical Museum preserves and shares the history, culture and sense of place in the Methow Valley to inspire human connection and learning. With its mining and pioneer history, replicas of homesteader cabins, turn-of-the-20th-century dental office, store, school, and assay office, it’s fascinating to adults and kids alike. It’s location within walking distance of Winthrop makes it even more appealing. www.shafermuseum.org/visit.

■ H OMESTREAM PARK

Located an easy walk from downtown Winthrop via the Spring Creek Bridge, Homestream Park is dedicated to the rivers and fish of the Methow Valley, and to the Native people, past and present, who have called this place home for thousands of years. Interpretive installations, a miniature fire lookout replica, and an astounding collection of artwork by the late Smoker

Marchand make this tiny gem of a park a magical place to visit. www. homestreampark.com.

■ I NTERPRETIVE CENTER

When you’re in the Methow Valley you’re in the ancestral territory of the Methow People. Methow Descendants still live in and spend time in the Methow Valley, despite being forcibly relocated to the Colville Reservation in the late 1800s. The Methow Valley Interpretive Center offers exhibits, events, and classes that foster cultural awareness and understanding of Indigenous peoples and the natural history of the Methow Valley. A native plants garden, a fire lookout replica, and a traditional pit house provide delightful and educational exploration. www.methowvalleyinterpretivecenter.com.

Learn more about the original inhabitants of the Methow Valley at tinyurl.com/methowpeople

■ G LASSWORKS

Stand outside the Glassworks of Winthrop studio in downtown

Winthrop and watch glassblower

Garth Mudge create lamps, glassware and sculptures from molten glass, all while entertaining you with stories and some of the history of glassblowing. winthropwashington.com/business-directory/ glassworks-of-winthrop.

■ I NTERPRETIVE TRAILS

The Twisp Ponds site is a complex of streams, rearing ponds, meandering trails, public art, and interpretive stations (methowsalmon.org).

T he Sa-Teekh-Wa interpretive trail is easily accessible from downtown Winthrop across the pedestrian bridge with the same name, and winds 2 miles through pine stands along the Chewuch River. www.wta.org/go-hiking/ hikes/sa-teekh-wa-trail.

■ CATCH A LIFT

Scenic chairlift rides at Loup Loup Ski Bowl will transport you to a glorious view at the top of Little Buck Mountain at 5,260 feet. Gaze out at the magnificent forest unfolding below you, and get a sneak peek at the ski trails without their snow layer. Explore the summit and then walk or ride back down. www.skitheloup.com.

■ L ET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL

Wheels on your heels is so retro that it’s modern. Rent the Methow Valley Community Center (www. methowcommunity.org/gym-rental) or the Winthrop Rink (www. w inthroprink.org/rollerskating) for roller skating. Roller hockey —it’s a thing. www.winthroprink. org/rollerhockey.

■ TAKE A SWING

The Methow Valley offers three mini-golf options. Ice cream and miniature golf go hand-in-hand (cone in one hand, club in the other) in downtown Winthrop at Sheri’s Sweet Shoppe, www. sherissweetshoppe.com. On the eastern edge of Winthrop, the Abby Creek Inn runs an 18-hole mini golf course, www.abbycreekinn.com. After a round or two of mini golf at the Silverline Lakeside

Resort, you can take a dip in nearby Pearrygin Lake, silverlineresort.com.

Bear Creek Golf Course offers a 9-hole disc golf course, with no tee times required (www.bearcreekgolfcourse.com/-disc-golf). Loup Loup Ski Bowl also hosts a disc golf course (www.skitheloup.com).

ACTIVE & OUTSIDE

■ S TARSTRUCK

The Methow Valley’s dark skies will show you the constellations like you’ve never seen them before. Check out Dave Ward’s article about summer stargazing on page 49, and read his Naked Eye column in the Methow Valley News for current happenings in galaxies near and far, far away. The Methow Valley Dark Sky Coalition is working to create a dark sky community for the Methow Valley and surrounding areas, which means better stargazing for all. They welcome involvement from residents and visitors. Email kyrie.jardin@methowdarksky.org for more coalition information.

■ CR OSS THAT BRIDGE

The Methow Valley’s three most prominent pedestrian-only bridges are gorgeous examples of cable bridge architecture and engineering. The Tawlks-Foster Suspension Bridge in Mazama is a traditional suspension bridge over the Methow River, with a nearby picnic shelter, interpretive signage, and a William Stafford poem plaque. Downvalley, the Sa-Teekh-Wa Bridge over the Chewuch River at the north end of downtown Winthrop and the Spring Creek Bridge over the Methow River are cable-stay bridges with easy access to the amenities of town. The Sa-Teekh-Wa Bridge connects to a riverside interpretive trail, while the

Spring Creek Bridge delivers you to the Winthrop Rink, with roller skating and pickleball sessions.

■ G ET PICKLED

A few years ago the Methow Valley went crazy for pickleball and t he passion hasn’t waned. Twisp and Winthrop both offer pickleball sessions, at the Methow Valley Community Center (methowcommunity.org/calendar) and the Winthrop Rink (www.winthroprink. org/pickleball). There are also courts in Winthrop and Mazama.

ART LOVERS

■ F EAST YOUR EYES

Find topnotch art at The Confluence: Art in Twisp and at the Winthrop Gallery on Riverside Avenue; both feature works by Methow Valley artists. Some artists and craftspeople have open studio hours on the TwispWorks campus, where you can watch the artists at work. At Glassworks of Winthrop on the boardwalk you can see a glassblower in action. Some valley shops also display local art, notably Rocking Horse Bakery in Winthrop, and Cinnamon Twisp Bakery and Methow Arts, both in Twisp. Look for unique items at other boutiques and stores.

■

Cr Eators And Makers

A one-stop destination for locally created products, Valley Goods in the TwispWorks campus features the work of more t han 70 Okanogan Region artisans, craftspeople, creators, and makers (twispworks.org/ on-campus/twispworks-partners/ valley-goods/).

■

Ar T Walk

The Methow Valley boasts a range of public art, stretching from the upper reaches of the valley down into the confluence with the Columbia River at Pateros. Visit www.methowarts.org/public-artmap for a map and brief description of the art and artists. See related article page 45.

■ M ETHOW RIVER POEMS

In 1992 the poet William Stafford wrote a commissioned series of poems reflecting the landscape and spirit of the North Cascades. The poems in this collection — the Methow River Poems — are engraved on steel plaques placed at various locations between Washington Pass and Pateros (www. methowconservancy.org/discover/ william-staffords-methow-river-poems).

■ S UMMER READING

Browse for leisure-time reading material at Winthrop’s impressively stocked Trail’s End Bookstore on R iverside Avenue. Check out the children’s section at the back of the store, with big picture windows overlooking the river. Our t wo libraries, in Winthrop and Twisp, welcome visitors to browse the stacks in limited numbers, and both offer free Wi-Fi: www.ncrl. org/locations. Free books can be found at one of the valley’s free little libraries, located in the Mazama Store courtyard and outside the Twisp Post Office. Take a book or leave a book.

■ S ILVER SCREEN

The Barnyard Cinema opened in 2017 and has since become a place to experience the thrill of the silver screen and connect with other moviegoers. Through screenings of blockbusters, documentaries, animated, and independent films, Barnyard Cinema offers audiences the chance to be entertained, provoked, frightened, and stirred by characters and concepts (www. thebarnyardcinema.com).

■

L Ive Performance

Restaurants and bars in both Twisp and Winthrop feature evening entertainment like live music, open mic sessions, trivia nights, and other activities. You can also watch plays, concerts, poetry slams and other literary readings, and informal jam sessions at summer performances at The Merc Playhouse, Old Schoolhouse Brewery, Old Schoolhouse Brewery Taproom at TwispWorks, the Mazama Public House, Twisp River Tap House, Methow Valley Ciderhouse, the Branding Iron, Copper Glance, The Barnyard Cinema, Methow Arts, the Methow Valley Community Center, Winthrop Barn, Sun Mountain Lodge, Freestone Inn, Inn at Mazama, Confluence Poets, TwispWorks, and Trail’s End Bookstore (www.methowarts.org/ community-calendar/).

■ C LASSICAL MUSIC

The Methow Valley Music Festival promotes appreciation of chamber music. Their annual program brings in top-quality musicians worldwide to produce six summertime Centerstage concerts, which will be held at the Methow Valley Community Center in Twisp. June 15, 17, 22, 24, 2023 (www.methowmusicfestival.org).

■

R HYTHM & BLUES

Held at the Blues Ranch on the Methow River from July 21-23, 2023, the Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival is packed full of exciting national and regional entertainment for all ages. With on-site camping, food and craft vendors, portable showers, and a beer garden, the Blues Ranch is the perfect setting for one of Washington’s finest music festivals (winthropbluesfestival.com).

■ M ARKET IT

Dedicated to connecting Methow Valley growers and producers with consumers, the Methow Valley Farmers Market runs Saturday 9 a.m.-noon from mid-April through late October at the Methow Valley Community Center parking lot in Twisp (www.methowvalleyfarmersmarket.com/).

A Sunday market running 10 a.m.-2 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Winthrop Market in Mack Lloyd Park features artisan goods and other locally-made products (www.winthropwashington.com/events/farmers-markets/).

TREAT YOURSELF

■ P ERSONAL CARE

Get a massage, facial, manicure, pedicure or other personal pampering. Try the Nectar Skin Bar and Boutique or the Sunflower Massage & Spa in Winthrop, the TwiSpa in Twisp, or head up to Sun Mountain Lodge for special treatment in their hilltop spa.

■ W ORK OUT

Looking for indoor exercise? Get a day pass at Winthrop Physical Therapy & Fitness and take advantage of a wide range of modern workout equipment in a pleasant environment, or take one of their regular fitness classes. Most of the local yoga studios offer drop-in rates and a welcoming atmosphere.

■ WI NTHROP PARKRUN

Parkrun is an international series of free community events where you can walk, job, run, volunteer, or spectate. The length of each parkrun is 5 kilometers and takes place on Saturday mornings. Winthrop parkrun meets at Methow Trails on Horizon Flats (www.parkrun.us/ w inthroptrailhead).

■ G RAB A CUP

Savor locally roasted coffee at Blue Star Coffee Roasters, The Little Dipper, Rocking Horse Bakery, the Mazama Store, Oliver’s Artisan Kitchen, Cinnamon Twisp Bakery, or the deli at Hank’s Harvest Foods. You’ll be served blends from one or the other of the Methow Valley’s specialty coffee companies: Blue Star Coffee Roasters in Twisp and Lariat

Coffee Roasters in Winthrop. On the move? Roll through one of our coffee kiosks: Michael’s on Highway 20 in Twisp, or Pony Espresso on Highway 20 in Winthrop.

■ F ILL UP

Visit our dining guide on pages 56-57 for information about the valley’s eateries, offering dining from casual to fine. There are many new restaurants in the Methow Valley, in addition to your old favorites.

■ G ET STIMULATED

This valley is full of interesting people who love to share their knowledge, experiences, poetic talents, and images with others. Talks ranging from natural history to travel to poetry are offered in both live and virtual formats. Visit www. methowconservancy.org/events, www.methowarts.org/community calendar, www.winthroplibraryfriends.org/events, methowcommunity.org/calendar, and methowathome.clubexpress.com.

Find Your Place

■ G ET A JOB

Meet people, support the local economy, and make some money.

Plenty of businesses need part-time and seasonal help over the summer. It’s a great way to find your niche in the valley (www.methowvalleynews.com/classifieds/).

■ M AKE A DIFFERENCE

One of the best ways to become a part of a community is to plug into the organizations that define it. The Methow Valley is home to dozens — some say nearly 100 — nonprofit organizations with missions ranging from conservation to arts education to social services. The Volunteer Methow website will tell you all about volunteer opportunities in the valley. Filling a need might just be one of the most meaningful things you’ll do all summer (www. VolunteerMethow.org).

■ S UPPORT REAL NEWS

Keep up with local goings-on with a subscription to the Methow Valley News, delivered to you once a week with fresh stories and tons of useful information. Call (509) 997-7011, email frontdesk@ methowvalleynews.com, visit our website, www.methowvalleynews. com, or find us on Facebook for daily news and updates.

Order our chef-made “take-and-bake” entrees, salads, and sushi for local pickup in Winthrop, Mazama, Twisp, or delivery direct to your door. Methow Fresh makes delicious meals easy and convenient for you. No long hours of shopping, preparation and cooking are required. Just cook, then serve!