Bend, OR

So many people come and go but it is those who choose to stay who see the beauty and bounty that Central Oregon and its’ surrounding areas have to offer. From the little known Kokanee Cafe on the Metolious River to the High Cascades drive and all of its’ individual lakes, each with their own uniqueness; full of rich history, to the constant bantering of activities around the area, anyone can find a smorgasbord of entertainment, serenity, family activities and much more.

I don’t know what it is about this stream but something draws me to it every time I am in this particular neck of the woods. Wiley Creek is located in Sweethome, on the way to Marcola. There is a sign for Wiley, you won’t miss it. Wiley does have great fishing for Kokanee and you can watch the different salmons swim, clear running water, and great little swimming holes throughout that even though small are deep.

Lucious green, crystal springs, and a ghost town to. This would be Marcola. A tiny community full of life yet complete with the ghost town of Wendling, 119 miles west of Bend, Oregon, Marcola itself is a strikingly beautiful area, reminiscent of the old days, old houses and long standing ranches and 2^nd growth Douglas Fir trees. To get to Marcola, take Hwy 20W from Bend and follow it to Hwy 126, this will take you past Sweethome, home of Wiley Creek, mentioned in a separate post, straight into Marcola.

Welcome…this is the sign above the entrance to Sunriver Stables and I felt just that. Upon my arrival the young lady, doing maintenance work was very friendly and helpful of any questions I asked. When the owner, John showed up he was just as amicable. The other two guides who were also on site, were friendly and helpful in showing me the tack rooms and everyone seems to have a sense of humor.

While Sunriver is a known hotspot for the wealthy, little known businesses are sometimes hidden and are inexpensive and Sunriver Nature Center, nestled against the Little Deschutes River, is one of these. You will want to go to their webpage for further information on rates and schedules as it does change.

Eula springs has given me one of my favorite hikes. The rich undergrowth, coupled with towering, moss covered trees and the babbling of the stream has always struck a peaceful chord in me. This walk is absolutely gorgeous! Right at the very beginning of the trail you can hear the 30 ft. waterfall that dumps into a bowl, and then falls again for approximately another 20 ft., similar to Tokatee Falls, which I will be describing in later editions.

Paulina Peak, half an hour South of Bend, named after Chief Paulina in the mid 1850’s houses both East and Paulina Lake. The lakes themselves are spectacular for trophy fishing and do allow motorized boats. The wilderness of Paulina is also a great and vast area for snowmobiliers. Each lake is complete with lodging and a store. Both lakes have ample paved parking, full facilities and is handicap accessible.

If you like to go off the beaten path, as I do, there is a whole different world, the ones most of us pass by, sometimes by only hundreds of feet. The Little Deschutes is one of those. A very quiet and serene, yet small sinuous river that winds 50 miles from Mt. Thielsen Wilderness in Klamath County, through Winema National Forest and ends approximately 10 miles past LaPine, ending in Sun River, spilling into the Big Deschutes River.

What an awesome little trek into the netherworld of our Newberry Crater, the volcano that is still alive. Ten miles south of Bend on the left hand side of the hwy is the sign forLava River cave. While Central Oregon has its’ share of cool caves this is one of the better ones by far. Upon first sight you see the fence that totally surrounds the gigantic hole in the ground but you’ll be glad it’s there when you look over the fence as falling would not be a favorable option.

A must for any family during the fall season here in Central Oregon is hitting up the Central Oregon Pumpkin Co. It is locally owned and nestled in among farmlands at 1250 NE Wilcox Ave. in Terrebonne, Oregon. Terrebonne is 20 miles (or a 30 minute drive) from Bend, just north of Redmond.