Bend, OR

I love this place! The mystifying moments of the deep where one can walk through, under and over all those creatures we never see, those that swim in the depths of our vast Pacific Ocean. The tunnels of glass allowed me to see, in a 360 degree view, the different species of fish, sharks, starfish, eels, stingrays and a bunch of other species of which I have no clue as to what they are. What I do know is that being inside this glass tunnel was mesmerizing. You can reach out and touch all these creatures or so it seems.

I should have written about Sumpter before now as I have been there before and summer is vastly different than winter. Maybe it is something about old mining towns, on the verge of becoming a ghost town that intrigue me. This time that I went was just recent and with a group of friends from John Day so that we could go snowmobiling. Sumpter in the summer gives much more access to what is really there, what you can’t see beneath the snow.

Bandon is part of Oregon’s southern coastline. Though small Bandon thrives and has its’ own bit of history. Originally it was a gold mining town though that didn’t last long. What Bandon is famous for are the commercials that have been filmed there by Budweiser and their Clydesdales, Chevrolet and Jeep, all ocean scenes, as well as a few other companies.

In my posting of Central Oregon at Large I mentioned Kokanee Café. The little know café yet large with reputation. While being only 45 minutes from Bend on W. Hwy 20 it seems as if few local residents make the trip here. In the summer there are actually thousands of patrons, mostly from out of town. This café sits on the Metolius River and is the most esteemed river for its’ fly fishing and is a challenge to fish even for the most seasoned fisher person, as I call those of us who fish.

Read through the article and you will find out exactly why it is that Hoodoo is so aptly named. Located just over an hour from Bend and 15 minutes from Camp Sherman is Hoodoo Ski Resort where my preference to ski is. I drive this pass a lot when I visit my daughter so in that I pass the ski resort frequently so it is nothing for me to plan a stop for some skiing should I choose to do so.

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.

Suttle Lake Resort is located outside of Sisters Oregon, approximately 30 miles West of Bend on Hwy 20 and is nestled among towering pines and against the lake’s edge. A quiet place for solitude, or the activity minded in a country setting.

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.

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