Where

   Mount Hood

The South Pool

Fort Rock Picnic Shelter

Fort Rock Playground

Golf Course

On the Deschutes River

One of Oregon’s most popular vacation destinations, Sunriver is a resort development in the heart of the state near Mount Bachelor and the Cascade Range of mountains.

We have spent a week there for the last two years in June and loved it. Ali and Kim both brought friends and had a blast.

The vacation homes and resort facilities are set in wooded areas along a 3 ½ mile long stretch of land near the Deschutes River.  We will be renting individual vacation homes located within walking, cycling, or short driving distance of each other, and near Fort Rock Park – a common area with tennis courts, basketball court, baseball diamond, playground and a large covered picnic area.  Each vacation home is unique – more about that below!

In addition to the facilities at Fort Rock Park, the resort has 2 swimming pool complexes, lots more tennis courts, 30 + miles of paved biking/walking paths, 2 championship golf courses, a spa, horse stables, a river marina where rafts, canoes and kayaks can be rented, an observatory and nature center, and an arts and crafts center.  Also within the resort there are two grocery stores, one close by our house grouping, and a “village mall” with a variety of shops and restaurants. There is even a nice county library next to the resort.

Beyond the resort itself there are many more activities within easy driving distance.  For more information, check out the possibilities at http://www.benningtonproperties.com/summeractivities.htm

and…

Sunriver Resort : Recreation : Spring & Summer

and…

http://www.visitcentraloregon.com/

Weather:

High desert - warm, dry days and cool nights (we did have a couple of thunderstorms this year during our visit in June, but the weather was otherwise beautiful).

Late June average temps – High 76/Low 40 (can get up into the 80’s).

Some sample views:

Back Deck

Living Room

Hot Tub and Deck

The vacation homes we have scoped out sleep 8 or more people and are managed by Bennington Properties, one of several Sunriver rental agencies. There are 3, 4 and 5 bedroom properties available to us in a range of prices. All houses have a hot tub, gas BBQ, deck, and at least 2 bicycles (more can be rented nearby). Almost all  back on wooded common areas. To have a look at the possibilities, go to http://www.benningtonproperties.com/family_reunion_homes.htm and scroll down to groups 1, 3, and 4 listed under “Fort Rock Park Homes”. 

Click on a property address in each of these groups to see a description and photos.  The sleeping arrangements vary from house to house.  All have fully equipped kitchens.  Other furnishings and extra features vary from house to house. All are well-maintained (we plan to inspect as many as possible this June and September just to be sure!).

To see the locations of the houses on a map, go to http://www.benningtonproperties.com/maps.htm scroll down to the map of Sunriver and click on or around Circle 11 (little red circles on the map – Circle 11 is in the lower right area of the map, or look on the map I’ve included below (I’ve highlighted the houses in green – the large orange numbers are the Bennington house groups).

You can reserve any house for all or some of the time.

Since there are no 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom units in groups 1-4, some of you may wish to share houses.  If you find you really need a 1 or 2 bedroom, Bennington has several smaller properties in the resort, but they will be a short drive away from the Fort Rock area houses.  #23 and #24 Squaw Mountain Lane are the 2 bedroom houses closest to groups 3 and 4.

For our reunion dates use the lower of the two prices shown on the Bennington Properties web site for reference.  There is an additional deal besides the rate shown for our stay – every 3^rd night is free.  The listed rates do not include 8% tax and a cleaning fee ranging from $75 to $150. Disregard the note about 10% discounts for reunions on the web site – that applies to rentals after June 24^th (net rates are 33% or more higher  after that date).

As an example, #11 Indian Lane (the house we rented this June) works out to a total cost of about $950 for 7 nights including tax and fee.

Prices vary according to the size, amenities, and location of the properties.  Rates for a few of the group 3 houses are a bit lower because the houses are smaller ("cozy"), and/or older, and/or located next to Beaver Drive. Rates for newer (or newly renovated homes) and larger homes are higher. Feel free to ask for details about the houses from the rental agent, or from Robert.

Act quickly, please! Although there are lots of properties in Sunriver, reserving houses near each other is tougher and these are popular houses. The sooner you act the better your chance of getting your first choice.

Scope out the choices on the web site, then call 1-888-610-9700 and ask to speak to Bob Magnuson.  Tell Bob you are making a reservation for the McGiffert family reunion. Please also let Robert and Janet know which house(s) you have reserved (rmlockwood@comcast.net or 503-284-0856) and who will be staying there.

A 35% deposit is required to reserve the house and the balance will be due 45 days before your arrival – sorry, no exceptions!

Arrival

Your arrival packet will be sent to you after Bennington receives the final payment.

Included in the packet will be:

·        The code for the lock box containing the house key – no check in is required – you go straight to your house!

·        Passes for everyone in your house to use the North and South Pools and tennis courts free of charge.

·        A list of videotapes available for borrowing from Bennington’s lending library (you can borrow up to 3 at a time – no charge)

·        Additional information, policies, etc. about your house and the resort

From Portland Airport (PDX)
Approximate driving time from Portland Airport: 3 hours, 30 minutes.

Ø      Exit Airport and take I-205 Southbound to I-84 Eastbound.

Ø      Take Exit 16 (Wood Village exit) Southbound towards Gresham.

Ø      Follow signs for US 26 Eastbound.

Ø      Continue on US 26 East approximately 101 miles to Madras, where US 26 merges with US 97.

Ø      Continue on US 97 Southbound approximately 50 miles through Redmond and Bend and continue for approximately 12 miles from southernmost Bend City limits Cottonwood Road.

Ø      Turn right on Cottonwood Road.

Ø      Take first left onto Imnaha Road and refer to the Sunriver map for directions to your house.

From Redmond Airport (RDM)
(Alaska and United airlines fly into the Redmond Airport, and connect through Portland, San Francisco or Seattle with direct flights to all major US cities.) Approximate driving time from Redmond Airport: 45 minutes.

Ø      Exit Airport and follow signs on access road heading towards Bend.

Ø      Drive underneath highway overpass and left onto entrance ramp for US 97 Southbound.

Ø      Continue on US 97 southbound.

Ø      Go through Bend and continue for approximately 12 miles from southernmost Bend City limits Cottonwood Road.

Ø      Turn right on Cottonwood Road.

Ø      Take first left onto Imnaha Road and refer to the Sunriver map for directions to your house

Bennington Properties houses are marked green.

House Group 1:

#3, #17 Camas Ln

#6 Awbrey Ln

#4, #5, #7 Spruce Ln

#8 Cedar Ln

House Group 3:

#11, #18 Indian Ln

#1,#3, #7 Lupine Ln

#1, #18 East Butte Ln

#3 Timber Ln

#8 Mt. Baker Ln

House Group 4:

#12, #15 Dutchman Ln

#10, #13 Splitrock Ln

#1, #10 Modoc Ln

(dotted orange lines are walking/bike paths)