Marc, Bev and our Australian Kelpie: Bend, Oregon

Oct 17

Drove to Bellingham, Washington - left Vancouver Island on the 12:45 pm ferry and arrived around 5:30 pm at Bellingham for the night.

Spent FOUR hours trying to get the phones set up with Verizon. Have to shut off the cell service in BC then make arrangements to get service in the US of A.
Finally got our iPhones working with new numbers.

Leaving early in the am for Bend, Oregon (A good 9+ hours).

Starting raining as we pulled out of Bellingham - rained in and around Seattle, around Portland things dried out and we arrived at the Fairgrounds in Bend, Oregon around 5 pm.

The Dalles:

The Bonneville Lock and Dam - several structures that together complete a span of the Columbia River between Oregon and Washington.

The functions are electrical power generation and river navigation. The Dam blocked the migration of white sturgeon to their upstream spawning area. They still spawn in the area below the dam and lower Columbia River.

Fish ladders help salmon and steelhead make their journey upstream.

Grass Valley, south of Briggs Junction (Hwy 97), Oregon.

Heavy farming country . . .

Tried to check into an RV Park in Bend (Crown Villa) ----- full (monthly rentals fill up the park this time of year), except for two nights at $100.00 per night (including a 12% hospitality tax - Oregon is known for its no taxes).

So, opted for the Fairgrounds in Redmond (15 mins out of Bend) and it is fabulous - $35/night. Planning on a week here.

Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center

132 acres - year round open for business and a variety of activities, located in the heart of Central Oregon. A walk away is the Juniper Golf Course. 106 sites with full hook up plus 10 tent sites that offer electric and shared water source.

Two weekends of "Scare-grounds" are taking place until 11 pm. Can not hear the screaming inside but outside - the barns are alive with three separate scare fright-night scenes.

Dogs thoroughly enjoy the field and field and field to play frisbee in - no interruptions, no one around and no traffic.

Tazz and I walked around the entire fairgrounds on our last night in the area. Took about an hour - BUT, the skies opened and there were photography opportunities happening.

BEND

Oregon

Got to spend some time with our friends Lee and Verna, who have been instrumental in starting the Bend Pickleball club about six years ago and now has approximately 700 members. Way to go. And congrats on getting the okay to have indoor courts built.

Fantastic pickleball courts - 16 outdoor courts in all. 8 new courts were built last year thanks to an extremely generous couple in the area.

This poor amanita shroom needs some moisture!

Across from the Fairgrounds are the Redmond Caves (with Mt Hood in the background).

The Caves and surrounding lands were used by native people for travel between the Deschutes and Crooked Rivers.

Discovered items over the last 7,000 years have been Obsidiean and Chert Flakes, Shell and stone disc beads, grinding stones, bone tool, awls, hooks and needles.

Five caves in all - between Cave 3 and 1 you can make your way through. Cave one is the easiest to access and makes a small loop at the end.

I 'almost' went spelunking - this group came up from cave 3 - they were checking out graffiti and cleaning off the lettering from cave 4. Was offered the helmet, light and one other person but had Tazz with me and not comfortable that she wouldn't feel threatened if I went underground.

Tazz loves sand - - - having a squirrelly moment!

"The Lot" ---- NW Bend the food trucks are active year round.

Thank you so much Bill and Marty for showing us around and finding this fabulous spot. Great to meet up with you again.

LOVE the fries and the coconut milk clam chowder!

Owners have a sense of humor - "Vladimir Poutine?" and "Blame Canada! (hopefully Canadian Bacon involved)"

Stone 'heated' butt benches and a fire in the middle of the table. Gotta love it! Food trucks surround the covered court yard and the far end has live music and drinks.