NCBasecamp makes call to naturalists, artists, teachers to explore environment

Bondi family purchases Mazama lodge, returns to B&B style
By Ann McCreary
    The North Cascades Basecamp’s new owners, Steve and Kim Bondi, began welcoming guests to the Mazama inn last month. 
    In addition to offering a facility geared toward people who come for the valley’s outdoor recreation, the Bondis are creating an ecology center at the North Cascades Basecamp to reflect their “passion for ecology and natural history,” said Steve Bondi.
The Bondis’ mission for the Basecamp is “to inspire and cultivate connections to the natural world through art, education and field-study programs.” They plan to encourage artists, naturalists, musicians and educators of all kinds to set up teaching programs at the ecology center.
    Both Kim and Steve Bondi have a professional background in ecology and natural resources management. In addition to being a new innkeeper, Steve works for the Methow Conservancy as stewardship director. Kim previously worked as a wildlife biologist for the Pacific Biodiversity Institute and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“There will always be the recreation theme (at the Basecamp), but we want to share our enthusiasm for the ecological and natural history of the area,” Steve explained.
The Basecamp, located on Lost River Road, offers an ideal location for an environmental focus. It is situated on 20 acres of wetlands and cedar forests and includes an Audubon bird trail – number 40 on the Audubon Great Washington Bird Trail, Steve said.
    “We’ve had a number of guests in the last few weeks who read about the bird trail and that is how they learned about the lodge,” he said.
    The Bondis bought the Basecamp from Josh and Sue Kerns, who operated it as the North Cascades Lodge for the past four years and rented the facility as an entire unit to larger groups.
    The new owners have returned to the original name given by the North Cascades Basecamp creators, Dick and Sue Roberts, who operated the Basecamp for 20 years. The Bondis have also reinstituted individual rentals of the eight rooms.
    Starting July 19, the Basecamp will begin offering breakfast. Bondi said it will operate as a B&B during spring, summer and fall. Beginning Sept. 18 and throughout the winter, the Bondis will revive the Roberts’ tradition of offering breakfast, lunch and a family style dinner to guests.
    “There’s a rhythm to this place and the day-to-day operation that made it popular and a place that people wanted to come back to,” Steve said. “That was part of the appeal for so many years when the Roberts ran it. Especially in the winter time…you could count on a good breakfast, and dinner waiting for you when you came back,” he said. Lunch will be provided for guests to eat at the Basecamp or take with them on outdoor excursions.
    With two children of their own – ages 6 and 2 – the Bondis are emphasizing a family-friendly environment. They offer a playground and fishing pond, and a “kid’s space” with books, toys and games. They also plan to offer a “junior naturalist checklist” and outdoor adventures for kids, including naturalist walks.
    The Basecamp has a meeting room that can accommodate up to 50 people, and the Bondis hope to attract groups for weddings, family reunions, meetings and small conferences. Steve said they have talked with organizations including the Audubon Society and Sierra Club about bringing groups to the Basecamp.
    “Next spring we hope to have ‘bird week’ and use the lodge and grounds as a venue for a birding focus. We’ve also spoken with the Native Plant Society about next spring or summer having a native plant appreciation week based here,” he said.
    Local artists and food producers have a place in the new Basecamp. The Bondis have hung local art throughout the lodge, providing artists space to exhibit work that is for sale. “We love local talent and wanted to be surrounded by it, so we made the lodge a venue to showcase local art. And we will try to use local food products in our meals,” Bondi said.
The Bondis had a home in Twisp before buying the Basecamp, but they feel they’ve come full circle with their move to Mazama. During summers from 1998-2001, they lived in Early Winters and Lost River while Kim was doing fieldwork for her graduate studies.
    “That planted the seed,” Bondi said. “Coming back to Mazama is kind of like a homecoming.”

Photo courtesy of Kim Romain-Bondi
Mica, the dog, stands watch as Amelia, Kim, Steve and Emmet Bondi enjoy their new front yard at North Cascades Basecamp.