Washington Cascades - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 312

One of the preferred ways of seeing the Skagit's abundant eagle population is on a winter
float trip. Alpine Adventures ( 360-863-6505; www.alpineadventures.com ) runs these
floats from early November to mid-February - bundle up! The cost is $74 for three
hours. Whitewater rafting (class II and III) and kayak schools are available with the same
company from May through August.
Sleeping
Buffalo Run Inn MOTEL$
( 360-873-2103; www.buffaloruninn.com ; 58179 Hwy 20, Marblemount; r $49-109) Situated on a
sharp bend on Hwy 20, the Buffalo doesn't look much from the outside. But within its
wooden walls is a clean motel (kitchenettes, TVs and comfy beds) and backcountry cabin
(kitschy bear and buffalo paraphernalia). Five of the 15 rooms share baths and a sitting
area upstairs. There's an included microwaveable breakfast 'buffet' stuffed in a commun-
al fridge.
Ovenell's Heritage Inn B&B$$$
( 360-853-8494; 46276 Concrete Sauk Valley Rd; r $115-150, cabins $140-150; ) The
B&B tag doesn't do Ovenell's justice. It's a 500-acre working cattle ranch abutting the
Skagit River with various accommodations, namely four inn rooms (only one of which
has a private bathroom), five rustic wooden cabins (sleeping up to four) and an eight-per-
son guesthouse.
Breakfast is available for the inn guests to enjoy in a stunning rural setting with views
of Mt Baker and ospreys and eagles overhead. The ranch is a couple of miles south of
Concrete.
Eating & Drinking
Buffalo Run Restaurant AMERICAN$$$
(60084 Hwy 20, Marblemount; mains $10-34; lunch & dinner; ) Thought you could only
eat bull-calf testicles in the Rocky Mountains? Despair no more. Buffalo Run serves
massive steamy bowls of 'Cascade mountain oysters.' Otherwise stick to the buffalo,
kangaroo, ostrich or (yes!) beef burgers. Several decoratively draped animal skins and a
huge buffalo head grace the walls. Surprisingly, a few good vegetarian options are also
available.