Beautiful Deschutes River.
We spent 5 weeks in Bend, Oregon during the summer of 2014 and liked it so much we even looked at a condo, so we have been looking forward to coming back to see what we think a second time around.
We’ve been here since Thursday and have been busy taking care of things, like replacing the microwave oven that quit working last week. The original was a Dometic model, which of course was discontinued in 2014 and the replacement model is not the right size. So we just took out the old one, measured the opening, and went shopping. Home Depot, Lowe’s and Best Buy are just a couple miles from where we’re parked, so we hit them all and found only one that would fit the opening, a $79 Magic Chef. Jim had to drill holes in the top of it to attach the trim piece, but was unable to screw in the bottom trim so we just screwed it into the wood and hope the top piece will be enough to keep it from sliding out when we’re driving. At least it didn’t involve any cabinet modification.
Our parking spot is on our friend Marial’s property and the pasture had not been mowed this year, so she cleared a spot for the Lazy Daze and Jim took care of the rest.
Didn’t think I would ever see Jim do yard work again! It was not his favorite part of home ownership.
Marial has a friend who is a Beer Angel (a group of women who combine their love of beer with charity fundraising), and she recommended we try Bridge 99 Brewery, which just opened last year. We loved the Imperial Pioneer Porter, Bull Trout Stout, and whiskey barrel-aged Imperial IPA, so I’m sure we’ll be back.
We also took a walk along the Deschutes River from Farewell Bend Park. Such a pretty river, and on Saturday evening there were plenty of people out walking, biking and floating on the river.
Biggest dog park we’ve ever seen, with separate large and small dog areas.
Yesterday we took a bike ride along another section of the Deschutes River trail that we can access less than a mile from here, and this morning we plan to check out the pickleball courts and see if we can get in on a few games. I think our three weeks here are going to pass very quickly.
Bend does have a bit of everything, but we've never stayed long enough to enjoy it :( Just try something different each time we pass thru. Thanks for providing some new ideas for this year!
ReplyDeleteWe are looking forward to going back and visiting some of the places we've tagged as "maybe home" to see if they still make the list - thinking we'll try them in different seasons. Bend sure looks like a great place to consider. Love that blue river, all of the ones we've seen in CO are still brown from the snow melt.
ReplyDeleteHi .. I don't know if you remember us.. But we met I think, at "Bauers" RV park in Utah. We then met Lisa and Hans in camp verde at a Halloween potluck!! she gave us her blog site. Then I saw you guys in her photos! So anyway I have been reading yours and Lisa's blogs. Anyway we are also in Bend again, we have been gone for almost a year on there road.we have lived here for almost 20 years! It is a beautiful place! Maybe we can get together ! We are still in our motor home but get back into our home in July 1st! Gordon is from lake city Flanders lived in Sarasota for awhile. I just hiked the trail the other day ! Enjoy Bend Gordon and Virginia crews
ReplyDeleteVirginia, if you look in the top right of the blog and click on the view my complete profile under our name that will take you to a page with an email link to reach us. Would be happy to meet up.
DeleteJim
Although you're probably not in the market for jewelry or art, you might enjoy meeting Karen Bandy and seeing her work. She has a small shop downtown. There used to be an electric bicycle shop across the hall that let you test drive 'em.
ReplyDeleteYour pics are beautiful! I can see why you like it there. How nice of Jim to mow the rest of the field! Have fun, db&n
ReplyDeleteWe're spending this Sept in Bend and I can't wait! We last stayed there in Sept 2014. I've starred that brewery to try...thanks!
ReplyDeleteWe will definitely be giving Bend another close look at its potential for living there...a few acres on the edge of town perhaps...
We'll be looking forward to reading about this year's stay. Looks like a nice little very private "park" you found...sweet:)
ReplyDeleteI don't know if using a riding mower can be qualified as real work. ;-D
ReplyDeleteSounds like Bend continues to add some great breweries. I think we visited 3 while we were there. I have to say if we were looking for a new place to settle down, Bend would certainly be in the running. Jim looks pretty good on that mower. :)
ReplyDeletehow fortunate to have friends with land near Bend, we too love Bend but always have a hard time finding places to stay since we travel on the fly with few reservations. We do hope to stop in Bend again in the late summer anyhow...
ReplyDeleteYes, unfortunately Bend doesn't have much in the way of RV parks so we are happy to have a place to stay as long as we like.
DeleteThere is free camping at Wanoga Sno-Park about 14 miles from town up the road to Mt. Bachelor. It's a couple thousand feet higher than Bend so a bit cooler.
I like Bend but have not spent enough time there. Jim looks like a natural on that tractor.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo of Jim! I'd mow the lawn too if it was a riding mower. :)
ReplyDeleteFriends from Bend visited us last weekend. They bought five acres out of town to have more space and smaller house. Maybe we can park on their acreage someday. They said Bend is growing and getting busier. Then they drove in Seattle traffic and realized Bend isn't that busy after all. Ha!