MAZAMA, Wash. Our family doesn’t like to sit still, so the
Freestone Inn is our kind of place. Located in north central
Washington, the ruggedly elegant retreat keeps adding more
activities and options for adventurous clients like us.
On a recent visit, we discovered that the Freestone now features
an outdoor swimming pool, and a children’s play area with climbing
equipment is being added.
Also under construction by the pool is the new Jack’s Hut,
Freestone’s year-round headquarters for activities and equipment
rentals. Opening in time for this year’s Christmas rush, the new
2,000-square-foot facility will outshine its 1,000-square-foot
predecessor with expanded retail space, a cafe, a game room and a
deck.
Jack’s offers such activities as hiking, mountain biking, fly
fishing, river rafting, rock climbing and horseback riding. Guided
nature walks and golf are some warm-weather options.
The Freestone’s new Kidventure program caters to 8- to
12-year-olds, and it helps kids learn about the great outdoors
through such activities as crafts, natural history lessons and
team-building games.
In the winter, the Freestone turns into a winter wonderland.
Nordic skiiers have access to a vast system of cross-country
trails. Guests can also enjoy heli-skiing, snowshoeing, sleigh
rides and ice skating.
While we enjoyed our busy days, we appreciated the amenities and
facilities that helped us slow down. Clients can unwind by using
the large hot tub adjacent to the inn or ordering one of the
Freestone’s in-room massages, pedicures or facials.
Accommodations at the Freestone feature fireplaces, whether you
stay in one of the 20 rooms in the inn, one of 15 cabins or either
of two lakefront lodges. Our two-bedroom cabin was built four years
ago and came with a well-equipped kitchen with a half-size
refrigerator plus living and dining rooms.
The lobby sports such delightful design touches as saddles and
black-and-white photos from the area’s ranching heritage. A
dramatic river-rock fireplace separates the lounge from the dining
room, all of which is presided over by a 35-foot vaulted ceiling
with exposed wooden beams.
Active, passive or somewhere in-between, clients will probably
agree that the Freestone Inn is a fun family getaway in the
Northwest.