I know. It’s Monday and you’re wondering where today’s freebie is. :)
Well, life provided us with a fun little curve ball and my timeline for finishing the freebie got altered. It’s ‘done’, but I never got to test cut it and I always like to be sure it cuts well first so that if I need to make changes, then I can.
So it’s being postponed until next Monday, when the new stamps come out. And have you seen the sneak peeks on social media? Here’s the one I shared yesterday.
OMG! I’m so excited! I can’t wait for this release next Monday!
So the curveball. Hubs got an unplanned bit of time off for a week (between set design gigs) and we decided to take full advantage! We packed up our car with mattress, food, comfy chairs, fishing gear and art supplies, and headed to the wild blue yonder of the Bend, Oregon area.
This is so spontaneous that we haven’t done a lot of research.
I would love any suggestions on places to eat, fly fish, camp, waterfalls to see, adventurous places….and anything else you think we should do in the Bend/Central Oregon area.
I have been known to take a detour just for good ice cream or a scenic drive. ;)
You guys have given us some great suggestions before and I know you will come through for us once again.
Hi! I live in Bend OR and you will not be disappointed!
Sparrow Bakery is a must (Ocean Roll is wonderfully unique and yummy) one in Northwest Crossing is bigger to find seating or you can go to a Market of Choice grocery store for a high end variety of made to order meals including Sparrow Bakery products and Bonta gelato ice cream (there’s also their main location downtown).
Places to Eat:
– Zydeco (their shrimp appetizer is delicious and I order as a meal… think they’ll do a dinner portion)
– Breakfast Places: Chow (on Newport Ave) or McKay Cottage (on O.B. Riley Rd) yummy eggs Benedict. Long waits but worth it
– lots of fantastic food carts… west side area The Lot, east side near Costco The River Place, great bacon cheese burger and garlic French fries in Tumalo (about 10 mins west of Target/Home Depot/Trader Joe’s
– Spork on Newport Ave near a Cuppa Yo
– Jackson’s Corner (2 locations… I like the west side location)
– Cafe Yumm (try the original yumm bowls) 2 locations… east side next door to Jackson’s Corner across from hospital… other in Old Mill out door shopping area along the Deschutes a River with wonderful walking trails
I’ll send another post with more info
Hiking or Walking Trails (to name a few as there’s sooo many):
-there are many trails in a Bend maintained by Bend Parks & Rec. some on paved, packed gravel and dirt trails of varying lengths and easy to hard. Many follow along the Deschutes River.
– also look up any central Oregon hikes by a Bill Sullivan and he gives great directions to trailhead, terrain, elevation, etc
– Tumalo Falls is a nice waterfall. Easy to get to and only 20 mins ish from town. Last couple miles are gravel and can be bumpy to parking lot, but worth it. Short uphill trail to top of waterfall and there’s a lookout point short distance from parking lot.
– Smith Rock Park in Terrebonne, OR about 35 mins north of Bend. Famous rock climbing area and great hiking trails while watching climbers. Steep down to trails, but doable.
– Sisters, OR is a quaint small town and great hiking trails around there.
– Mt Bachelor ski resort about 35 mins from town has summer activities on the mtn and wonderful lakes a bit farther out to “beach” it, paddle boarding, float etc. you can rent boards, tubes etc in town and lots of hiking trails near/around lakes.
– not hiking, but floating the river near Old Mill area to Drake Park (or shorter if you want) is fun. You can rent tubes or paddle boards near The Pavillion ice rink/ball sports (another rental place is a Tumalo Canoe & Kayak (??)
More….
Fly fishing:
– I have no idea but some of the best FF in the states is on the Deschutes! Ask fly shops and they can give you tips or of course google it. I heard some friends of friends did some FF on the Metolius River too (about 40 mins out … pass through Sisters, OR to get there)
Other Places
– High Desert Museum
– Lava Lands (south of Bend)
– Lots of caves to explore
– Paulina Lake and hiking trails … lots of obsidian there) (south of Bend)
– anyhikes to get views of the Cascade Mtn Range…. you can see Mt Bachelor, Zbroken Top, North/Middle/ and South Sister, Mt Washington, Mt Jefferson
– 3 hr drive to Portland, OR
– Drake Park
– usually farmers market, live concerts, art events, etc happenings
– I don’t think you drink alcohol, but lots of breweries and even a cycle pub
– couple hundred miles of mtn biking trails
– go white water rafting (book a guided tour)
–
So much more. Feel free to reach out to me here and /or call me (think my number is in my account info).
Enjoy and maybe you’ll creat a stamp set for Bend???!! 😊
Take care, Rhonda O
Hey Rhonda! Thank you soooooo much for all that info! We did hit a few things you mentioned and would loooove to go back and do more in your list. I’m already ready to go back. :) As for a specific ‘Bend’ set, alas, that won’t happen BUT, there is a PNW which would totally work. And perhaps there will be another ‘outdoorsy’ set coming in the future that may have been inspired by recent events that would work. ;)
I second the recommendation to check out McKay Cottage for breakfast. Great service and food! Also Cafe Yumm if you have never experienced a Yumm Bowl. If you like classic drive in hamburger, fries, milkshake, then go to the Pilot Butte Drive-In. (All in Bend). For hiking, I’d head to Smith Rock State Park or out Cascades Lake Highway to many mountain/lake trails. Have a great trip!
Thanks Kathleen! We did hit McKay Cottage for breakfast. Oh my gosh! I had the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with all those berries and it was divine!!! Thanks for all your suggestions. Someday (hopefully sooner rather than later) I’ll have to g back and do more of your suggestions.