Reviews & Comments
Sisters, OR
re: Drove through there last summer... - 4/6/2007 -
1/20/2014Sisters is at the foot of a snowcapped (dormant) volcanic mountain range in middle of a forest on the east side of the Cascades. It's surrounded by wild rivers, waterfalls, lava flows, canyons, buttes, lots of trees and flowers, farm and ranch lands, and desert. It has temperature extremes, sometimes of 70 degrees from sunrise to mid-day. Summers are short, not too hot, but spring and fall are wonderful. We get snow but not enough to bother to plow the streets most times and it usually melts by mid-day. Black ice can be a problem and people put on studded tires in winter. It did go down to -20 degrees in December last year, but that's not the norm. Zero, yes. The pass over Highway 20 is often closed due to winter storms, but there is some good skiing at the top at HooDoo. Santium Pass is just closed for about 7 months, way too much snow to plow! We get some heavy rains occasionally, a lot of double rainbows, and the winds sometimes come roaring through the mountain passes with a vengeance toppling trees and rearranging the lawn furniture. The growing season is short but there are green houses and community gardens galore. People actually share the food they grow with neighbors and food programs. A lot of folks do canning and pickling. It's a very giving community in many ways. It is a tourist-based economy surrounded by farm and ranch lands. The town is built like an old western town, and the shops and restaurants reflect that motif. It is also a community of artists, writers, photographers, painters, arts & crafts people, musicians, singers and story tellers. Every summer is packed with entertainment and activities that attract tourists who come year after year to go back in history. From the Rodeo in June, to the largest quilt show in the U.S. to the week-long Folk Festival in September, and all the Arts & Crafts and Collectibles Shows in between, residents are involved in entertaining travelers. With changing economic realities and low housing costs, Sisters is hoping to attract corporate offices and high tech businesses to the area. The airport has been renovated to accept and fuel larger aircraft, and a new business park across the street is in the plans. There are also plenty of empty spaces to lease in town for those who want to retire and start their own small retail business. The schools are well ranked, math and science oriented, but kids get a well-rounded education. There is cycling, running, hiking, mountain/rock climbing, hunting, fishing, rafting, water skiing, camping, equine activities, golf and frisbee golf, tennis, cross training, karate, yoga, star gazing and labyrinths to walk. There are a variety of churches, a number of civic groups that raise funds and support causes, and a lot of non-profits with volunteer opportunities. It's a pretty friendly, active community once you adjust to stressless life and find your niche. One thing it does lack is senior housing and assisted living facilities but the demand for senior services is growing. Come by this summer for a vacation and check it out!