Bend

We just finished a really great vacation in Bend, Oregon. We spent a week at Lindsay's dad and step mom's home on the Deschutes River. Lindsay's sister, Daniele, and her family were there visiting from San Diego too so Alec was able to spend some time with his California cousins. The drive to Bend from Seattle is scenic but long. Add an impatient toddler and it's doubly long. Lindsay wisely planned an overnight stop at her mom's near Portland on the trip there and back. I'm certain that saved us loads of frustration, plus we were able to fit in a couple of nice visits with Lindsay's mom.

While in Bend we visited the High Desert Museum. A really interesting museum despite it's name. Who would have thought that the high desert had so much to offer? They had many art and history exhibits, most of which we skipped to keep up the entertainment value for Alec. The animals were the big hit with us. Alec recently has been interested in turtles and the museum delivered. The had two swimming turtles in a toddler eye level tank. They also had some beautiful birds. There was a recently added golden eagle (gegle) in addition to two bald eagles as well as owls and osprey. We also sat in a real tipi and Alec played in the museum's unique play areas.

We took Alec on his first river float too. The three of us crammed ourselves into a raft and pushed off from Lindsay's dad's river bank. This was not the highlight of the trip. Alec found the life jacket way too constraining and Lindsay and I found the "four man" raft way too constraining. We were all happy to see Lindsay's dad patiently waiting for us after 20 minutes of floating. I think next year will be better.

We went on a really great short hike at Fall River Campground. We first went there 4 years ago when I joined Lindsay as a "friend" on a trip to visit her father and step mother with the Dowdens. Fall River is crystal clear and ice cold. This time we had a picnic near the river and then set out for a nice little hike. Alec rode along on my back in his hiking backpack and took in the scenery. The boy loves to be outside!

In between the outings we enjoyed time with our family. Daniele and her family had a house in Sun River which is just minutes from her dad's place. We met them for a bike ride and picnic one day. Alec rode along in a trailer behind me. Thursday was Daniele's birthday. We had a little birthday party for her. Lindsay's dad spent half the day making barbecued ribs and her step mom made a phenomenal chocolate cake. Alec had one last evening to play with his cousins.

We headed towards Portland on Friday. We spend one final night from home with Lindsay's mom and a family friend, Phil. Lindsay's mom made us a great dinner and then we were up early the next day to head home.

After a week of strange beds and surroundings it was great to be home!

Photos