Bend Off The Beaten Path

This place is about 45 minutes sort of NW of Bend, bout 15 minutes past Sisters on Hwy 20. I spent two summers lifeguarding at a camp on the lake...that's my old lifeguard chair in the picture. There is a walking/biking trail around the lake that is approx 3.5 miles if you take the direct loop. You can ski, swim, fish, jetski, canoe..all the usual stuff at a lake. Also, plenty of camping spots around, or little cabins to rent. Bare in mind, this picture was taken on a thunderstorm day, not a typical clear day where you would be able to see Mt. Jefferson in the background

This is Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Located south of Bend off route 97. The entire area of the Monument consists of 50,000 acres of lakes, lava flows and geologic features. The volcano erupted some 7,000 years ago leaving nine square miles of lava. There are trails for hiking throughout this area.

This is part of the Cascade Scenic Byway which starts at Crescent and ends at Bend. The road has a lot of burned areas from the recent and old forest fires. The views of the 3 Sisters and Mt Bachelor are around every bend. Several lakes and camping areas also are along the road. Most lakes have rental boats for fishermen and contain trout. The drive takes about 4 hours with stops at the lakes.

Smith Rock State Park
25 miles north of Bend on Highway 97 -
The park marks a change of scenery as we drove north from Bend and Sisters toward the Columbia river. This is a beautiful area, ideal for a short leg-stretching while on the road. For mountain-climbers and bird-watchers it is a destination by itself, you will also find some mountain-climber-watchers!

Smith Rock State Park

Lava Lands Visitor's Center wildlife

According to the owner of this lakeside store this is Sasquatch. I didn't know he existed in Oregon. He hangs above the fireplace for all to see.