Bend, OR

The Tower Theater located in downtown Bend is a 68 year old historic landmark. Once housing vaudeville shows, plays and a women’s only lounge, to playing first run movies in association with Paramount pictures and now slowly going back towards the theater play end of things this place holds a special place in my heart from my childhood and I am sure as I grow older, it will continue to do so as I continue making the trek to go see a play or sometimes even an independent motion picture film.

In the heart of downtown Bend, developed in 1921, this popular 13 acre community park is the scene of many events throughout the year. It features nearly one-half mile of riverfront, several acres of open lawn, an outdoor stage, restrooms, and picnic tables. The events include the Duck races, many movies in the park and outdoor concerts all year round.

Nestled against the Deschutes River and among the many Ponderosa Pines lays the quiet spot of Tumalo State Park. The two part park has a day use area and across the road the campground, both are simultaneously close enough to town for a quick jaunt either into Bend for any kind of shopping or close enough to Tumalo for a nice dinner and libations but yet the park is far enough away to escape the bustling commotion.

Please keep in mind that I don’t particularly care to shop and that writing editorials about little know stores are not my object or forte but know that when I see something that strikes so many people, regardless of what it is I just have to spread the word. Twigs Gift Company is exactly one of those places to put on a must visit list.

Fly among the eagles, wander among the bears, stalk with the cats or swim with the fish. Sit on the rustic life of the wood shaped to accommodate you whether it be a chair, bench, table or bed. Watch a master hard at work creating a life. It is almost miraculous to see pieces of wood come to life in the way William Tower makes it come to life.

The Central Oregon area has a lot of widespread history. You can obtain bits of knowledge of what life was like here and when things happened by reading the various history books published about our area but you can’t touch them except within your mind. Well what if you want something a bit more tangible. To be able to really see and not in pictures, the life in which we used to live.

The ice rink in Sunriver is small and outside under a wood canopy, very primitive as ice rinks go but it’s not crowded and it’s peaceful. This is a very good beginners’ rink due to the low volume of people as compared to the bigger rinks.

A little bit of you and a little bit of weeee; a little bit of motor between your knees; maybe a piece of rubber or hard plastic shell, no motor behind but you’ll still get the thrill. Rain or shine, snow or not, it doesn’t matter as you’ll have fun. You ask, “What is she talking about?”

Do you ever find yourself wishing you could just get away; even if only for a short time, a place to sneak off to? We never seem to take enough time for ourselves. Of course you have to get things ready as if you’re planning a trip and that takes away some of the spontaneity. Sometimes life happens and you simply have no time.

Hwy 58 is one of the shortest scenic routes that I know of in Oregon but nonetheless it is full of its own bit of magical splendor, majestic falls, pristine water, mountain views, many streams, campgrounds, fishing, water and snow sports and the lush forests as well as all that it has to offer in the way of consumer products.