Bend Blogs » The Bend Buzz Blog

16:15

Meet an artist who shares our passion for winter landscapes & recreation in Bend, Oregon

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

At the Bend Visitor Center, we want people drawing on the walls.

Kevin Schwarting chalks up one of the pillars in the Bend Visitor center.

Well, not just people. Artists, specifically, and talented ones at that.

Visit Bend launched the Pillars of Art program to introduce tourists to Bend’s unique arts and culture scene, and to support emerging local artists. We pick one local artist every three months to create unique chalk drawings on the cement pillars in our lobby. The artist also has his or her framed work displayed and sold in the visitor center, including First Friday Art Walks.

With Art Walk scheduled for this Friday, February 3, we’d like to introduce you to our latest artist, Kevin Schwarting. A native of Chicago who moved to Montana for college ten years ago, Kevin migrated to Bend last spring. He specializes in winter landscapes, and his artwork on the pillars has drawn rave reviews and gasps of approval from visitors.

Here’s what Kevin had to say about paint, beer, and what it’s like to be an emerging artist in Bend:

Visit Bend: Tell us a little bit about your artistic background.

Kevin Schwarting: I always enjoyed drawing as a kid, and that is half of what I do today. Designing new ideas all stems from sketching. I worked with charcoal for awhile until colors took me into another realm. Pastels, oils and acrylics are what I enjoy most, but I still sketch for fun. It’s the fastest way for me to feel good about my artistic passions.

Visit Bend:Why did you choose to specialize in painting winter scenes?

Kevin Schwarting: There has always been this sense of peace and stillness in cold, snowy winter landscapes. My work either obeys that calming feeling or it breaks it. I get excited to invent new pieces. I try to create the movement in a skier, flying in snow, breaking through thousands of frozen crystals and throwing that majestic spray of snow on each turn. I dream of a never-ending ski run because the way it makes me feel is beyond compare. Since that will never happen, I’ll keep painting.

Visit Bend: Your art is clearly very influenced by winter recreation and the great outdoors. How has living in Bend impacted you from an artistic standpoint?

Kevin Schwarting: Bend is very diverse. If there’s a town that could take on another outdoor sport, it’s this one. Outdoor enthusiasts definitely feed my passions and living in Bend has made me feel more connected to those types of people. Bend has inspired me to keep pursuing those passions.

Visit Bend: What do you love best about Bend?

Kevin Schwarting: The breweries on The Bend Ale Trail. Boneyard’s RPM is my favorite beer. I think it’s the best IPA in Bend.

This painting titled, "The Face Shot," is one of dozens of pieces created by Kevin Schwarting on display (and for sale!) at the Bend Visitor Center.

Visit Bend: What do you like to do when you aren’t painting?

Kevin Schwarting: I enjoy skiing, fishing, travelling, and enjoying the outdoors.

Visit Bend: Tell us your impressions of the art scene in Bend and how Pillars of Art fits with that.

Kevin Schwarting: Bend attracts so many artistic people because it has created an atmosphere that suits an artist. From the festivals to the art walks, Bend has a wide array of talent. The Pillars of Art program is great for emerging artists like myself, and I’m absolutely honored to be displaying my work here.

***

Don’t forget to stop by the Visitor Center from 5-9 p.m. this Friday, February 3, to check out Kevin’s work and say hello to this talented young artist! We’ll also have chocolate by Jem Raw Chocolate and Volcano Vineyards wine on hand to celebrate!

11:12

Are you ready for WinterFest in Bend, Oregon?

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Here in Bend, Oregon, we don’t just celebrate winter. We throw a massive party for it, complete with food, live music, snow sculptures, ice carving, kids’ games, RailJam, and a lot more.

I’m talking about Bend WinterFest, and the fact that we’re rapidly approaching the next installment of this unique annual event. WinterFest kicks off on Friday, February 17 and lasts through Sunday, February 19. You can find a complete schedule of events online, but here’s what looks hot to me:

Calling All Snow Warriors

New this year, Snow Warriors is an outrageous, fun, and challenging event that’s not for the faint of heart. Participants start out sprinting through a course with crazy obstacles and terrain that includes mud, snow, and ice. The ultimate finish includes a climb up and slide down the WinterFest RailJam. The $40 pre-registration fee includes a WinterFest pass, a custom Blackstrap beanie, free beer ticket at the finish line for 21+ participants, and of course, a slide down the RailJam. You can register online or learn more about this super fun event here.

Make Music!

The music at WinterFest is always terrific, but I hope no one minds me saying this looks like the best lineup they’ve ever had. On Friday night, the main stage will feature Larry and His Flask at 7 p.m. followed by MarchFourth Marching Band at 8:30 p.m. Later that night at the Century Center afterparty, Keys N Krates will take the stage at 11 p.m. for a show restricted to ages 21+. Saturday’s lineup is just as impressive, with MOsley WOtta kicking things off at the main stage at 7 p.m., followed by The Coup at 8:30 p.m. The Century Center afterparty that night will feature Buck 65 at 11 p.m. All shows are included with the price of your WinterFest pass, which can be purchased for $5 at OnPoint Community Credit Union in advance or $8 at the gate. Get the scoop on where to get your pass right here.

Fun for the Young’uns

Are the kids disappointed because you can’t make it up to the mountain? WinterFest will bring the mountain to you!

The Kids Snow Games area is a large “snow-box” where kids can make snowmen, snow angels, and frolic to their heart’s desire. The area is packed with oodles of snow toys, and REI will make a life-sized igloo and offer interactive demonstrations throughout the weekend. If you’re in more of a “look but don’t touch” mode, don’t forget to check out the snow sculptures at every WinterFest entrance. You can also watch the ice carving shows on Friday evening and Saturday morning, or check out the sculptures anytime after that.

Did Someone Say Wine?

I confess, this is the WinterFest feature I’m most excited about. From 5-9 p.m. on Friday, the Shops in the Old Mill will be transformed into a mecca for fine wines. For just $15 with your WinterFest pass (or $20 without) you’ll get a commemorative wine glass and ten tasting tickets. Stroll between the shops and sample fabulous wines. The event is sponsored by Trinchero Family Estates (the guys responsible for Ménage à Trois and lots of other great wines) so know the selections will be good. Bottoms up!

15:24

Fresh snow, new features have Mt. Bachelor geared up for a fabulous season

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Was it really only a few weeks ago we were all whining about a lack of snow in Bend? Oh, how times have changed. I’m pretty sure I’ve spent 23 of the last 24 hours shoveling the stuff off my driveway.

The inside of the Sun Bar, Mt. Bachelor's new "umbrella bar" near Sunrise Lodge.

This is great news for the snow enthusiasts among you. I have to confess, I’m not much of a skier. That didn’t stop me from having an amazing time at Mt. Bachelorlast Sunday (where, for the record, it didn’t stop snowing once in eight hours).

I’ve heard lots of buzz about cool things happening at Mt. Bachelor this winter, so I wanted to scope out a few of them for myself. Here’s the skinny:

Put an umbrella in it!

Everyone’s talking about the new “umbrella bar” near the Sunrise Lodge at Mt. Bachelor. At first, I was confused. Umbrella drinks? Like piña coladas?

The scrumptious bloody mary at the Sun Bar.

Er, not exactly. The Sun Bar is an Austrian-made structure with glass walls and a retractable umbrella ceiling for sunny days. It’s one of only 20 in the United States, and seats 40 to 50 people.

It was snowing sideways the day I dropped by, so the umbrella stayed firmly in place and the heaters stayed cranked. The place was packed, but not uncomfortably so. The Sun Bar felt cozy and familiar and within five minutes, everyone around me had made friendly introductions and started chattering about bloody marys.

There’s a reason for the chatter. Bachelor has long been rumored to have the best bloody mary in town, a theory I was happy to test. WOW! Made with Mazama Infused Pepper Vodka and topped off with celery, olives, and pickled asparagus, this is by far one of the most scrumptious drinks I’ve had in a long time. It was perfect paired with their barbecue chicken sliders and a Caesar salad, and I devoured the whole thing before capping it off with a scrumptious hot drink called Chai Haze.

All in all, I was delighted with the Sun Bar, and definitely plan to return when spring skiing arrives. Maybe they’ll let me work the umbrella?

Kids ski free (and not just the little ones!)

When most businesses advertise free anything for kids, you usually check the fine print. Kids under six? Ten? Two? At Mt. Bachelor, anyone 18 and under counts as a kid. You read that right. With a parent purchase of a multi-day lift ticket, accompanying dependent kids get a free lift ticket. You need to snag the tickets online at least four days in advance, but there are no blackout dates or restrictions.

The snow at Mt. Bachelor just keeps coming!

Mt. Bachelor is the only resort in North America offering such a generous promotion, so be sure to jump on it while you can. Check out the Visit Bend site for information on the special and for deals on Ski and Stay packages.

Is it fast up here, or is it just me?

Mt. Bachelor invested $3.5 million in improvements prior to this ski season, and one of the projects involved upgrades to lift systems and grooming equipment. The result? More speed!

Skyliner, Northwest, and Summit Express lifts all got new drives and motors. Bachelor also added three new grooming machines, two of which are state-of-the-art Prinoth Bison Xs that give Mt. Bachelor’s terrain builders greater control over the shape and design of park features.

All this adds up to faster lift rides, better slopes, and more fun for you.

Can I get another bloody mary to celebrate?

13:21

The “I can’t quit you” culinary tour of Bend: Locals share go-to dishes at area restaurants

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Bend locals are spoiled by many things: gorgeous scenery, amazing hiking trails just out the front door, terrific microbrews along the Bend Ale Trail, and a plethora of amazing restaurants.

There’s a funny phenomenon with the restaurants. Though their menus boast a huge array of selections, locals become fiercely loyal to one dish. We may sample the variety, but we always circle back to our favorite.

Knowing this information might be handy for visitors, I polled my Visit Bend colleagues for their top “I can’t quit you” dishes at local restaurants. Here’s what they had to say:

Kevney Dugan, Director of Sales & Sports Development

Kevney Dugan

I’m a big fan of the Jambalaya at Zydeco Kitchen and Cocktails in downtown Bend. This is a hearty, real meal best saved for when you’re very hungry. The jambalaya includes shrimp, andouille sausage, and crawfish served with rice and homemade cornbread. Some places have jambalaya that’s more on the soupy side, but this isn’t one of those. It’s extremely hearty with plenty of rice and a good kick of spice without being overpowering. It goes great with a local IPA!

Valerie Warren, Operations Manager

Valerie Warren

I’ve recently switched to a gluten-free diet, which means my dining options can be a bit limited. Longboard Louie’s offers a gluten-free, paleo-friendly meal with their Low-Carb Bowl. Here’s how it works: you pick as many fillings as you like from a list that includes lettuce, cabbage, green pepper, spinach, tomatoes, cheese, onions, pickled jalapeño, cilantro, and salsa. Next, you choose a protein from a list that includes a good variety of meat, fish, chicken, and vegetarian options. Last, you pick as many toppings as you like – guac, sour cream, enchilada sauce, or chipotle dressing. Voila! Instant meal, either in a small bowl or a large one. My favorite low-carb bowl includes buffalo, spinach, lettuce, cilantro, pico de gallo, peppers, and mushrooms. Then I hit the salsa bar for their pineapple and mango blend or the fire roasted tomato salsa. You can order this at either their Westside location or on the east side of Bend, so it’s handy no matter where you’re staying.

Lisa Sidor, Visitor Information Specialist

Lisa Sidor

The Caribbean Benedict at the Victorian Café is my go-to choice. It’s all I’ve ever ordered. It’s large enough that I can take half home, and have my mouth-watering favorite another day. It features Cuban seasoned ham, mango, black beans and cilantro with two poached eggs on a grilled English muffin with house-made hollandaise sauce. It’s served with homestyle potatoes or applesauce. I usually get the applesauce, which is homemade and has big chunks of apple and plenty of cinnamon, but the potatoes are terrific, too!

Tawna Fenske, Communications Manager (and blog queen!)

Tawna Fenske

Toomies in downtown Bend is one of my favorite lunch spots, especially when I’m craving warm and spicy Thai cuisine. I’ve tried at least half the items on their extensive menu, but I always seem to circle back to their Green Curry Chicken. It’s the perfect blend of green pepper, eggplant, chicken, bean sprouts, and a scrumptious, spicy coconut broth. The lunch special comes with rice, salad, and a noodle side dish, and it’s large enough that I always end up with leftovers.

One of my most beloved breakfast spots is Alpenglow Café, and though I’m always tempted by the other scrumptious options on their menu, I can’t seem to shake my love for Zeus’s Favorite Frittata. It’s made with fresh oregano, kalamata olives, caramelized onions, fresh tomatoes, feta, cream cheese and scallions and served with a side of Alpenglow’s amazing home fries. You also get your choice of fruit, toast, or their unbelievable coffee cake. It’s the perfect winter breakfast. Or spring breakfast. Or summer. Or…

11:12

For family fun or girls’ night out, ice skating makes a great winter outing in Central Oregon!

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

In my non-Visit Bend life, I’m an author. An author with a three-book contract, a scary deadline, and an editor who might turn murderous if I broke both wrists ice skating and missed the aforementioned deadline.

You can see why I was nervous when someone suggested blogging about ice skating in Central Oregon. I haven’t skated since I was 12, and I wasn’t sure my 37-year-old bones could handle it.

As it turned out, I had nothing to fear. Though I stumbled once or twice, I’m incapable of going fast enough to damage much. Not only that, I discovered ice skating makes the perfect winter outing for fun-seekers of all ages and fitness levels.

My first stop was the ice rink at Seventh Mountain Resort. It’s an outdoor rink right on resort property, which makes it a convenient stop after sipping a fortifying glass of wine in the adjacent Rim Rock Bar. Since I was there with two Visit Bend colleagues, the experience seemed more like a girls’ night out than work.

Communications Manager (and blog writer) Tawna Fenske (left) and Marketing Director Lynnette Braillard on the ice rink at Seventh Mountain Resort.

We rented our skates on site for $6 a pair, paid the $8 per person admission, and headed onto the ice. Though my colleagues are skiers familiar with the sensation of sliding around on a frozen surface, my winter activities are more subdued. On a good day, I like snowshoeing. Most days, I’m partial to sipping a glass of wine by the fire while someone else shovels my driveway. I feared neither made me well-equipped for ice skating, but was pleased to discover otherwise.

I made my first lap clinging desperately to the rail around the edge, but by my second lap, I was all hands-free. Before I knew it, I was gliding around like a pro. OK, maybe not like a pro, but at least not like a person with two broken legs.

(Incidentally, I learned U.S. Figure Skating Champion Tonya Harding was at the resort the same time we were, though we didn’t cross paths on the ice. Bummer).

The rink at Seventh Mountain Resort is large, the ice well-tended, and the overall experience was a fantastically good time. That’s probably why I decided to try again.

I wanted to offer a more family-friendly perspective on the ice skating experience, so I summoned my significant other and his two children (ages 6 and 10). On New Year’s Eve, we made the short 15 minute trek to Redmond, where they recently installed a brand new ice rink in the middle of downtown.

The rink is operated by the city’s Parks & Rec department, which makes it an extremely budget-friendly option for families. Our foursome paid a whopping $12 family rate for skates and admission for all of us. Individuals pay $4 for skate rental and admission, or $1 if you bring your own skates.

The Redmond ice skating rink on New Year's eve.

The rink isn’t as large as at Seventh Mountain Resort, but it’s still plenty big. Though it was the first time either kid had been ice skating, the 10-year-old had roller bladed before and took off like he was born wearing skates. The 6-year-old required a little more hand-holding at first, but within an hour, she was maneuvering herself from wall to wall and gliding for long stretches without any assistance.

I’d like to brag that these are highly skilled children with superior physical capabilities, which may be true. Still, it was clear from watching other young skaters that this is something young’uns take to naturally. It’s a perfect family outing even for those who’ve never tried it before. Be prepared — public restrooms are across the street, and there’s no snack-bar on site, so take care of the little ones’ needs before arriving.

Another ice skating option is the ice rink at Sunriver Resort, which is a recently-remodeled outdoor facility with a nice roof over the top. Where weather might be a prohibitive factor in Redmond or Seventh Mountain, skaters in Sunriver can dodge rain and snow. For rates and hours of operation, visit them online.

As you might imagine, ice skating is subject to temperatures being low enough to actually keep the ice frozen. Be sure to check the links for each venue for hours and weather-related closures.

On that note, I’ll leave you with a short video from our evening at the Redmond rink. Looks like fun, doesn’t it?

17:22

What to do during rare, rainy days in Bend, Oregon

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

I grew up on the wet side of Oregon, so when I moved to Bend 14 years ago, my goal was simple: GET OUT OF THE RAIN.

Mission accomplished! Bend’s refreshing lack of the soggy stuff is so noticeable, I find myself enjoying the rare occasions it does rain.

But I can sympathize with those who flee the valley for a dry vacation and end up here during one of our rare rainy periods. With that in mind, here are some of my favorite rainy day activities in Bend:

Indoor recreation

Hanging out in a Skeleton Cave with Wanderlust Tours.

Even when it’s pouring outside, it’s always dry underground! Wanderlust Tours is in high demand for snowshoe tours this time of year, but their Lava Cave Tour is the perfect option for drizzly afternoons. This half-day tour kicks off twice a day at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The caves are a constant 45-degrees, and each tour is led by an uber-knowledgeable naturalist guide.

Since Wanderlust is the only guide company permitted in these lava caves, you’ll get glimpses of rock formations and landscapes you’d never see on your own. The tours are $55 for adults and $50 for kids under 12, and include your guide, gear, and instruction.

If underground exploration isn’t your thing, consider a visit to Cascade Indoor Sports. They’re offering special holiday hours for indoor skating, which means you can plan your skating for afternoon or evening. The $8 general admission includes skate rental, or skate for just $5 if you bring your own equipment. Kids 5-8 skate for $5, or it’s free for those under 5.

For more good times with the family, check out Sun Mountain Fun Center. Choose from bowling, arcade games, billiards, or bumper cars. In between cloudbursts, you can even take a shot at mini-golf. I’m a big fan of the pizza they serve in the café, and they also serve beer and wine for the adults.

Be a little lazy

The saltwater soaking pool at McMenamins is a divine indulgence on a dreary day.

Few things feel better on a lazy, rainy day than a dip in the soaking pool at McMenamins Old St. Francis School. Semi-enclosed in shimmering turquoise tile work, this lovely, non-chlorinated saltwater pool makes for a lovely (and buoyant!) soak. You can admire the stained glass window or watch the rain fall through the open ceiling.

The pool is free for overnight guests, or just $5 for non-guests. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. for the general public, with slightly different hours for minors or hotel guests. Don’t forget to grab a pint of suds in the Fireside Bar before you leave, or make an evening of it by curling up on one of their theatre sofas and catching a movie.

When you’ve had your fill of McMenamins, it’s time for a bit of shopping. Downtown Bend offers a fabulous mix of new architecture and restored buildings housing art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, gift and specialty stores. Bend’s Old Mill District has an abundance of restaurants and an appealing blend of local shops and large chain stores. You can also check out the Bend Factory Outlets on the south end of town, or head north to shop ‘til you drop at the Cascade Village Shopping Center.

Oh, and don’t forget to fortify your lazy soul with comfort food and tasty beverages. The Goody’s Ice Cream Factory Tours offer a great chance to see the inner-workings of this Central Oregon sweet-spot and sample some delicious treats. At $2 for anyone over 3, it’s a pretty sweet deal! For the grown-ups in the group, a trip around the Bend Ale Trail offers a chance to sample some amazing craft beer and earn prizes for visiting all the local breweries.

See the sights without getting soaked

Rainy afternoons are the perfect time to scope out a museum, and Bend has some great ones. See a wide range of animals and artifacts at the High Desert Museum, where there’s always a cool selection of new exhibits. I always time my visits around 2 p.m. when I’m sure to see the lynx and the bobcat wide awake and waiting for lunch.

The Des Chutes Historical Museum in downtown Bend offers history buffs a chance to connect with the region’s heritage. Learn about Native American tribes, fur traders, homesteaders, and loggers, and learn why Bend was a great place to live even before every car had a kayak strapped to the top.

The Orb I sculpture looks even cooler in the rain, we swear!

If you’re interested in Bend’s vibrant art scene, pick up a Roundabout Art Route map. The Roundabout Art Route is a collection of over 20 pieces of public art on display throughout the city at the center of Bend’s traffic circles. It’s sponsored by Art in Public Places, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing art to the community of Bend. In 2005, Americans for the Arts honored these sculptures as being among the most innovative approaches to public art in the country.

Some of the sculptures look especially lovely on drizzly days. My favorite is Orb I at the corner of Mt. Washington and Skyliner Road, and you’re bound to see more detail when the piece is covered in dew or frost.

You can pick up the map at the Bend Visitor Center and do the route at your own pace, answering trivia questions to earn a fabulous prize. For a guided tour, GETIT Shuttle offers Roundabout Art Route tours like the Bend Art Safari and the Roundabout Art Rodeo daily. If you prefer your art with a glass of wine, The Well Traveled Fork’s Roundabout Bend culinary and art tour is a delicious choice.

No matter how you opt to spend your rainy day in Bend, you’re sure to have a great time. Now get out there—or in there—and have some fun!

17:23

10 Great stocking stuffers from Bend, Oregon for $25 or less

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

I just realized I still need to buy stocking stuffers.

I made the mistake of saying this in front of two kids, and was reminded some people still believe Santa is solely in charge of stockings.

If you’re one of those people, I apologize in advance for this post. Or how about we just pretend the following list is a handy shopping guide for the big man himself?

Below, I give you my top ten favorite Bend-friendly stocking stuffers under $25.

1) The Ruffle Scarf by Utilitu Sewing & Design ($24). I spotted these for sale at Clutch: A Handbag Boutique in downtown Bend and knew I had to have one. Er, I mean I knew I had to generously buy one for my mother. And grandmother. And best friend. They’re stylish, flirty, crafted by a talented local designer, and sold by another fab local business. What more could you want?

2) The Silipint silicone drinking glass ($10.95). The world’s first and only silicone drinking glass is guaranteed unbreakable and safe for dishwasher, microwave, freezer, and for thwaping people on the forehead after they drink your last beer. I have two at home, and love how well they insulate my ice water. This is a great Bend-based company, and you can even snag a Silipint with a Bend logo.

3) Token cards from Common Table ($10). A few weeks ago, we shared how this wonderful local restaurant is committed to feeding everyone whether they roll up in a Mercedes or stroll through the door without a dime. While the tokens make great gifts for anyone who wants a delicious meal, they’re great to offer up to that person you see holding a little cardboard sign in the mall parking lot. You know the recipient will get a wholesome meal, and you know your money is going to an excellent cause.

4) Handmade wooden wine stoppers from Ginger’s Kitchenware ($16). Crafted by a Bend artist, these handy hardwood wine stoppers are just perfect for the wine lover in your life. What better way to preserve that tasty bottle of Swingin’ Zin from Bend’s own Maragas Winery?

5) Bike chain picture frame from Resource Revival ($18). For the cycling enthusiast in the family, you can’t beat these recycled bike chain photo frames. Feather’s Edge Finery in downtown Bend sells the small round frames for a little bit less than you’ll pay online, plus you can browse other items like bottle openers ($10) and key chains ($4) made from recycled bike parts.

6) Hydro Flask water bottles ($24). Here’s another innovative Bend business crafting the perfect stocking stuffer. These Double-wall insulated, BPA free, stainless steel bottles are perfect for beverages at any temperature. You can order online, or snag one with a Bend logo at the Bend Visitor Center. They’re $24 for the 18 ounce size, or $28 for the 24 ouncer.

7) The After Mountain Skincare Gift Set from Angelina’s ($17.14). This Bend-based company specializes in luscious organic bath and body products. The treats in this set are aimed at soothing chapped skin and sore muscles after a hard day of snow-play. You get a 1.7 ounce Sore Muscle Rub, a 2 ounce Sunburn Smoothie, and a .5 ounce Skin Doctor. Best of all, it’s on sale right now for $17.14 (a savings of $6.71 off the regular price).

8) Handmade ornament from Bend’s sister city ($10). Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the western hemisphere, and Bend happens to have a sister city in Condega. Craftsmen there created these lovely wood ornaments to help fund school supplies for the town’s children. Buy one, buy a dozen, but know your money is going to a fabulous cause – help a sista out! Pick one up at the Bend Visitor Center or online here.

9) Cool shades from Blackstrap ($12.99). These trendy sunglasses are made even more fabulous by their low price and the fact that you can nab them in a wide array of colors. Since it’s a Bend-based company, The Bend Visitor Center sells a version with a Bend logo for all your gift-giving needs.

10) Gift box of 9 truffles from Jem Raw chocolate company ($24.99). For the chocoholic in your life, Bend-based Jem Raw specializes in healthy chocolate made with raw, organic ingredients. They’re gluten-free and made without dairy, soy, or processed sugar. Oh, and they’re ridiculously tasty. The gift box includes a variety of truffles, including their amazingly scrumptious Oregon Hazelnut Mint. You can shop online, or find them at a variety of local Bend shops.

So that’s it for my favorite Bend-friendly stocking stuffers. How about you? Got any great suggestions for $25 or less? Please share!

11:25

Blink and you miss ‘em! Limited-time events, activities, & brews you can only find in Bend RIGHT NOW!

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

You could visit Bend any day of the year and find something cool to do. That’s just the nature of this amazing mountain oasis.

But some things only come around once a year. If you happen to be in Bend RIGHT NOW (or sometime in the next few weeks) luck is on your side. Here are a few limited-time Bend experiences.

Stuff to see

There’s always something cool happening at the High Desert Museum, from wildlife shows to photography displays. But the exhibit they’re hosting December 17 through January 29 sounds particularly unique.

A quirky Lalooska papoose (say that five times fast!) is one of many never-before-exhibited treasures on display at The High Desert Museum.

Stuff! Quirky Curiosities and Fascinating Finds features a collection of treasures and oddities found deep in the museum’s vault and never exhibited until now. Featured items include native American beaded works, buffalo-head taxidermy, and bizarre instruments of hygiene.

They had me at bizarre.

It’s a great opportunity to see unusual treasures the museum has never displayed before, and you can read more about it here.

Another family-friendly option is “the train guy” at the Deschutes Public Library.

No joke, the two people who called me about it just referred to him as “the train guy.”

For more than a decade, local train enthusiast Michael Lavrich has set up a giant, active-track display of model trains in the Brooks Room at the downtown library. There’s smoke and tooting whistles and a whole lot of entertainment for all ages.

The display will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday with a short break for lunch, from 12-5 Saturday and Sunday, and again from 10-6 on Monday. This is a local favorite, so give yourself plenty of time to get in and enjoy it.

Stuff to do

You probably want to dress a little more warmly to head out with Cycle Pub this time of year. May we suggest an ugly Christmas sweater?

There’s been a lot of buzz about Bend’s wacky bike bar, and it would be easy to assume things taper off in the chillier months. But that’s just when things heat up for the Cycle Pub of Bend!

Cycle Pub is doing Christmas light tours of Bend, and riders are encouraged to don their favorite ugly Christmas sweaters. Cycle Pub offers special holiday playlists for caroling, and there’s even a route that stops at strategic fire pits along the way. Standard group tour booking ratesapply, and they’re always willing to customize routes to suit your needs.

Starlight snowshoe fun!

For another fun way to see Bend sights in style, check out the complimentary carriage rides through the Old Mill District. Wagons Ho is stationed between Ben & Jerry’s and O Mo Mo! and riders can hop on there. Tips and donations benefit the Kids Center, and the service is weather dependent. Free carriage rides are offered this Friday and Saturday from 2-5 p.m., and then again December 21-23 from 2-5. Dress warmly, and be prepared to giggle.

If snow-play is more your style, consider booking a Starlight Snowshoe Tour with Wanderlust. These trips are pretty common in winter months, but they usually just take place on weekends. For a limited time, Wanderlust is doing a Starlight Snowshoe Extravaganza. From December 17 through December 30, tours run every night. Special dates like New Year’s are filling fast, so book quickly to get the date you want. Tours are $65 per person, and include guide, snowshoes, instruction, transportation, and hot chocolate.

Stuff to drink

It’s impossible to talk about unique happenings in Bend without discussing the Bend Ale Trail. I might be biased, but I happen to think this is the best time of year to hit the trail. Seasonal brews offer a chance to sample something you may never try again, and they’re available while supplies last.

At 10 Barrel, the Pray for Snow Winter Strong Ale uses eight different specialty malts and a combination of herbal, spicy, and citrus hops. The whole mix spends several months in brandy barrels, making it a tasty winter warmer.

GoodLife Brewing Company just released a new brew called Scottish Heart Scotch Ale. It’s the first collaborative project between two Bend brewers, Tonya Cornett of Bend Brewing Company and Curt Plants of GoodLife. I got to try it last week, and found it deliciously malty and caramely (I can make up words, right?) Supplies are limited, and brewers expect it to hold out through late January.

At McMenamins Old St. Francis School they’re offering their seasonal Kris Kringle Winter Warmer on draught. For the first time ever, they’re also selling it in 22oz bottles. This winter warmer highlights the rich, toasty, chocolaty malt flavors with generous amounts of four different hop varieties. There’s still some ginger and cinnamon, but the spices are more subdued than in past years.

Next up, have a taste of the Slippery Slope at Cascade Lakes Brewing Company. This is a full-bodied ale that uses crystal malt and generous amounts of cascade hops to produce a great seasonal ale. It’s on draft and also in 12oz bottles, and should last through the second week of January.

Rudolph’s Imperial Red is the tasty seasonal offering from Three Creeks Brewing Company in Sisters. It’s a big, malty, hoppy red-style ale with ten specialty malts and over twelve pounds of hops. They have it on draft, and expect the taps to run dry sometime in mid-January.

So did I miss anything? What’s your favorite seasonal experience in Bend? Please share!

12:25

Hey, wine fans – don’t miss the 5 for $50 series at Tetherow!

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

I love drinking wine.

That’s a bit like saying, “I love breathing air.”

I’ll admit it, I’m a wine freak with a well-stocked wine cabinet and a fondness for trekking to the Willamette Valley for winery tours and tastings.

While Bend lacks the plethora of vineyards, it does have a robust wine culture with ample wine shops and wine-related events guaranteed to pull your cork.

My favorite recent addition to the mix is the 5 for $50 Wine Dinner Series at Tetherow Golf Club & Resort.

Here’s the skinny: you pay $50 for a five-course gourmet dinner prepared by Tetherow’s uber-talented executive chef. Every dish he creates is carefully crafted to pair with one of five wines served by the evening’s sponsor winery.

When I first heard about it, I pictured teeny-tiny bites of food offered with a thimbleful of wine. Uh, no. We’re talking a full-on meal here, with more wine than you can politely drink in good company.

The night I attended, I got to enjoy courses like lemon crusted steelhead with steamed potatoes, GoodLife beer blanc, and grilled zucchini. The chef concocted this dish after tasting the 2007 Chateu St. Jean Sonoma Pinot Noir, and I have to tell you it was one of the best wine/food pairings I’ve ever tried.

It was rivaled by the fourth course, which was a duck confit with white wine fettuccini, peas, sautéed Brussels sprouts, and a thyme cream sauce paired with the 2006 Chateau St. Jean Sonoma Merlot.

There were other pairings that included varietals like chardonnay and fume blanc, ensuring the white wine drinkers in the group had plenty to enjoy, too. The chef knows what he’s doing when it comes to creating dishes that perfectly complement each wine, and it was apparent from the comments of my fellow diners I wasn’t the only one who noticed.

The cool thing about these dinners is that they’re not your typical, stuffy, uptight wine event. Everything is served family style at big tables, which allows you to get to know your dining companions over the course of the evening. There’s plenty of time for chatting and mingling, though those who prefer a less social scene can easily sequester themselves at the end of a table or perhaps pretend to speak only Yiddish.

One thing you need to know is that every single one of these dinners has sold out thus far. Make your reservations quickly if you want to attend the December 13 dinner featuring Archery Summit & Pine Ridge, or the January 4 dinner featuring Four Vines. The dinners will continue monthly after that, so call 541-388-2582 ext. 120 for dates and featured wineries.

Oh, and so you know it’s not just me blowing smoke up your skirt about the quality of dining at Tetherow, they just won two categories in Central Oregon Magazine’s readers’ choice awards – Best Dining with a View, and Best Place for a Cocktail. Congrats, guys!

Save a glass of celebratory wine for me, OK?

16:48

Craving an uncommon dining experience? Common Table offers great food for a great cause!

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Bend is jam-packed with amazing eateries, and I could devote 248 blog posts to gushing over my favorites.

But maybe you’re looking for something beyond the typical dining experience. Something that allows you to eat great food in a cozy environment while supporting a worthy cause and coming together with people from different walks of life.

Cheers to Common Table from the Visit Bend crew!

Sounds like a tall order for one restaurant, but that’s what Common Table is all about.

First things first – there have been some misunderstandings about this place since it opened a couple years ago. Common Table is not a soup kitchen or a food bank. It’s a non-profit organization that serves extraordinary food to everyone, regardless of ability to pay. Theoretically, someone could pull up in a Mercedes and sit down to dinner with a guy who lives in his Buick.

Sounds strange, but not the way Manager Damon Gautoma explains it. “This is the time we all come back together,” he said. “The human family can join together and enjoy a meal.”

It might seem like lip service from some, but not from a guy like Damon who stood before our assembled group with tears in his eyes and shared his struggles with poverty. When people drop by and request a “grace bowl” – a free meal – Damon understands what a humbling experience that can be.

“It makes you so vulnerable to have to say, ‘I can’t afford to feed myself,’” he explained.

If you’re thinking the free meal consists of a cheese sandwich on stale Wonderbread, think again. The food here is designed to be nourishing and delicious. Picture homestyle comfort food with a gourmet flair.

The scrumptious roasted veggie salad at Common Table.

For paying customers, the prices are perfectly reasonable, with everything priced at $10 or less. I ordered the Gourmet Grilled Cheese sandwich, which was a concoction of fresh-baked local bread with a three cheese blend for $7. It was cooked to perfection, with a side of hearty chili that was the ideal balance of flavors and texture.

That was tons of food right there, but since my eyes are always bigger than my stomach, I also ordered the Roasted Vegetable Salad. It’s a mix of lettuces topped with roasted cauliflower, red onion, corn, and bell pepper, along with a sprinkling of mandarin oranges. The flavors were a lovely blend, and the salad large enough to share between two people for just $8.

Several others at the table ordered the burger, which consists of 1/2 pound of fresh, local ground beef, caramelized onions and garlic aioli on brioche bun for $9.50. A Visit Bend staffer described it as, “one of the best hamburgers in Bend,” which I can believe. The same volunteer added, “This is unlike any restaurant in Bend. The mission is so laudable that you can not only fill your stomach, you can fill your soul.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

I won’t lie, the service here isn’t speedy. The thing is, you hardly notice. You’re so busy chatting and sipping tasty craft beer from local breweries, that you almost forget you’re waiting to be fed. Common Table isn’t about stuffing your face as fast as you can – it’s about savoring the experience, and helping a good cause while you do it.

Besides supporting Common Table by dining there, people can help in other ways. There’s a chalkboard near the front counter that lists items they need for donation. You can opt to volunteer for a shift in the kitchen or dining room. You can donate money outright, or purchase meal tokens for others. For more information, visit Common Table online or stop by the restaurant to enjoy a truly tasty meal for your belly with a little something extra for your heart.

16:19

Here’s what’s in store for Black Friday and beyond in Bend, Oregon

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

It’s a big week for holiday shoppers. Many of you are lacing up running shoes, setting alarms for ungodly hours, and practicing your kung-fu moves in case you need to disable a fellow consumer to save two bucks on a blender.

Fortunately, Black Friday shopping is a little more low-key in Bend. There’s still plenty to do to start your holiday season, but most of it doesn’t involve maiming anyone. Here are a few of the highlights:

Shop ‘til you drop

How about a winter carriage ride through the Old Mill District?

Many of Bend’s local shopping districts are kicking things off bright and early the morning after Thanksgiving. If you have an urgent need for lotion at 3 a.m., Bath and Body Works has you covered. They’re the store with the earliest opening in the Old Mill District, but plenty of other spots are opening early as well. Check out the Old Mill’s Black Friday Sale Page for up-to-the minute info about specials and opening hours.

At The Bend Factory Stores, things kick off even earlier with Midnight Madness. Be sure to check the Facebook page for The Cascade Village Shopping Center for specials at some of the individual retailers.

If you’re craving a more mellow vibe, you’ll dig what downtown Bend has in store. Small Business Saturday is part of a movement aimed at supporting local businesses. Hundreds of small businesses around the country are offering special sales and promotions on Saturday, as opposed to Black Friday. For details, check out their Facebook page.

Kicking the season off in style

Two of the most beloved day-after-Thanksgiving traditions in Bend are the Downtown Bend Holiday Tree Lighting and the Bend Christmas Parade.

The tree lighting takes place on the corner of Newport Avenue and Wall Street. Things kick off at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 25, but you’ll want to get there early for a good spot around the tree. There will be plenty of carols and good times before the lights go on at 6:50.

Handmade ornaments from Bend's sister city in Condega, Nicaragua. The ornaments are for sale for just $10, and all proceeds benefit school children in Condega.

This event is an awesome opportunity to buy an ornament or two or twelve to support Bend’s sister city in Condega, Nicaragua. These lovely wooden ornaments were made by hand in Condega, which is located in the second poorest country in the western hemisphere. If you can’t make it to the tree lighting, you can also buy ornaments at the Bend Visitor Center or Saxons Fine Jewelry in the Old Mill District.

Planning to be in Bend the first weekend in December? You won’t want to miss the Bend Christmas Parade. Things get rolling at noon December 3 in downtown Bend on the corner of Newport and Harmon Avenue. Check out the web page for info on street closures, parade floats, and oodles of great photos.

Hanging with the big guy in red

Want to spend some quality time with the jolly guy in a red suit this season? There are a few spots to catch him starting this week. You can see Santa in downtown Bend at the corner of Franklin and Wall on the plaza between Starbucks and North Soles starting Friday, November 25 after the tree lighting. After that, he’ll be there the first three Saturdays in December. Find details on downtown Santa’s schedule here.

To chill with Santa in the Old Mill District, stop by SantaLand on Friday, November 25 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. After that, Santa will be in the house Saturdays and Sundays from 11-5 from November 26 through December 18. Then Santa will kick things up a notch December 21-23 with an 11-5 schedule Wednesday through Friday. While you’re in the Old Mill District, don’t forget to check out the carriage rides, roving musical performances, or the Tree of Joy. You can find all your Santaland details here.

You can also catch Santa at the Bend River Promenade shopping center, where he’ll be celebrating his 22^nd season at that location. He’ll be there November 26-December 24 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 11-6 on Sundays. 4×6 photos are just $5 each (the 1988 price!) and you can even get pics of your pets with Santa on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

No matter what you do to mark the start of the season, you’re sure to have a great time if you’re spending it in Bend. Happy holidays, everyone!

11:26

Snow is coming to Bend, Oregon! Are you ready for it?

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

You can see it in their eyes. Bend’s skiers and snowboarders are getting twitchy. They’re donning wool caps, gazing at the sky, and asking each other important questions like, “is that a snow cloud?” and “when will Mt. Bachelor open?” and “do these ski pants make my butt look big?”

Opening Day at Mt. Bachelor is always a moving target (go here for a great article on how they determine it). Still, we know it’s just a matter of days, so here are a few things you can do before it’s time to don those goggles.

Snag some $25 lift tickets for a good cause

Each year, Mt. Bachelor does the Ski for Schools fundraiser to generate cash for local education. Between Nov. 1 and Nov. 25, you can purchase $25 lift tickets that can be used November 28 through December 2 at Mt. Bachelor. Tickets are limited and won’t be sold at the Mt. Bachelor ticket office, so go here to find out where you can score some.

All proceeds go to the foundations for Bend-La Pine and Redmond schools, and the fundraiser has generated more than $100,000 over the last six years. Don’t forget – you must purchase your tickets by November 25 to take advantage of this sweet deal!

Free nights of lodging? Free skiing for kids?

Sounds too good to be true, right? Well pinch yourself, because you aren’t dreaming – you really can get hooked up with amazing lodging deals and free ski passes for kids. Check out the Visit Bend specials page to find out about all the fabulous ski-and-stay packages in Bend this winter. Book early so you’re sure to get the dates and deals you want!

Try some winter fun with Fido

Want to frolic in the snow without leaving your pooch behind? Give skijoring a shot! From 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 29, Bend’s REI (located in the Old Mill District) is partnering with local canine outfitter Ruff Wear to offer a free introductory skijoring class.

Er, what’s skijoring?

In a nutshell, it’s cross country skiing while being pulled by your pooch. The Ruff Wear representative will share tips and techniques, plus offer a hands-on demo of the new Ruff Wear Omnijor Joring System.

While you aren’t allowed to bring your dog to the introductory class, there are plenty of other places around Bend for you to enjoy a little winter play with your canine companion. Go here for a great list of ideas.

You can register online for the introduction to skijoring. Hurry – spots are limited!

Ski or ride in 5

Are you a never-ever skier or snowboarder who’s always wanted to try it? Bachelor’s Ski or Ride in 5 progam is a great way to get your feet wet! For $199, you get five lessons, equipment rental, and reserved close-in parking in the Sunrise Lodge lot. You also score a free season pass (or 12 day pass if you’re over 19) and get a discount on season passes and equipment for the next couple years.

The program is only for people with no experience trying to learn to ski or snowboard. Out of towners can easily make use of it during a five-day trip or a couple weekend visits. The packages make excellent gifts for birthdays, Christmas, Hanukkah, or National Square Dance Day (what? It’s November 29. Aren’t you celebrating?)

Preregistration is required, and participants can begin lessons anytime after January 2, 2012. Lessons must be completed by March 26.

So what are YOU doing to get ready for winter recreation? Please share!

I’ll be busy doing a snow dance in my front yard. Anyone have an extra scarf I can borrow?

11:43

Comfort food quest: One blogger’s mission to find Bend’s tastiest mac & cheese

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Public service announcement: if you embark on a mission to find your city’s best mac and cheese, consider spreading your research over several weeks instead of consuming twelve metric tons of cheesy goodness in a 48 hour period.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, I should state for the record that I adore mac and cheese. There’s something about this traditional comfort food that’s so delightful when the weather turns chilly and bellies growl for something warm and wholesome.

Fortunately, Bend has an abundance of incredible mac and cheese. Most restaurants offer some variation of this old standby, but here are some of my favorites. . .

If you like it zingy

Some people want their tastebuds to stand at full attention and yell “woohoo!” after one bite of mac and cheese.

The Buffalo Macaroni at Brother Jon’s Public House is legendary among locals, and the name of the dish is often spoken in hushed, reverent tones. It’s made with free-range ground buffalo, sautéed onions, jalapeños, tomatoes, green peas, macaroni noodles and creamy cheese sauce. Served with a side salad and bread, the portion is huge enough that I usually get four meals out of one order. The jalapeños add the perfect kick, and all the flavors come together in a perfect symphony of spice and creamy goodness.

Sampling scrumptious mac and cheese in the Bend Visitor Center.

Not to be outdone, Deschutes Brewery offers their own version of zingy mac and cheese. I have to confess, I was skeptical when I read the combination of ingredients. It sounded like overkill.

Holy cow, you guys – this mac and cheese is unbelievable! The menu calls it Sweet & Spicy Mac and Cheese, and it includes hill country ham, spinach, caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, Tillamook cheddar cheese, and corkscrew noodles. Sweet & spicy is the perfect description, and you’ll find yourself digging your fork in over and over just to experience the enchanting contrast of flavors.

If you like it traditional

There’s nothing wrong with keeping it simple, particularly when it comes to an old standby like mac and cheese.

There’s also something to be said for enjoying it while cozied up by the fire in your jammies. If you’re visiting Bend and have a microwave in your hotel or rental property, check out the Not Your Mother’s Kraft Macaroni and Cheese at Devore’s Good Food Store. This handy take-n-bake option comes in a one-pound or two-pound size, and is made with Dececco penne pasta, Bandon sharp cheddar cheese, Tillamook cheddar, local milk, bread crumbs, fresh local cream, organic flour, butter, salt, and pepper.

Picking up the tasty take-n-bake mac and cheese at Devore's market.

At first, I assumed it would be best baked in the oven. After watching it sit there for five minutes at 375, I got impatient and stuck it in the microwave. Perfect! The cheese was wonderfully melty, and the croutons on top stayed plenty crisp. The two pound size was ideal for either two very hungry adults, or two moderately hungry adults and two kids ages five and ten (both of whom declared this dish to be “yummy.”)

Another traditional option with a bit more pizzazz is the 10 Barrel Mac & Cheese at 10 Barrel Brewing Company. This version is made with four-cheese sauce, pancetta, and shallots, tossed with elbow pasta and served hot in a cast iron skillet with toast. The brewery also notes that it’s perfect paired with their Nitro beer selection (an option I wasn’t able to explore in the middle of the workday).

If you like it exotic

Some local dining establishments turn traditional mac and cheese on its head and spin it in circles ‘til it’s dizzy and giggling. A great example is the Curry Crab Mac & Cheese at Bend Brewing Co.

Formerly an occasional feature as a special, this dish became so popular it got its own spot on the menu. It includes curry penne pasta baked with crab meat, fresh tomatoes, green onions, bacon, and cheddar cheese. They’re delightfully generous with the bacon and the crab, ensuring plenty of both in each bite.

The Blacksmith offers several scrumptious mac and cheese options as well, including Smoked Mac & Cheese, Bacon Mac & Cheese, and Truffle Smoked Mac & Cheese. I’m partial to the flavor explosion of the truffle version, though you can sample all three in their fabulous Mac & Cheese Flight for just $11 (or $8.50 during happy hour 4:30-6:30 p.m. & 9 p.m. to close).

A terrific option in the Old Mill District is the Seafood Mac and Cheese at Anthony’s Home Port. This dish features corkscrew pasta, creamy three-cheese sauce, Dungeness crab, bay shrimp, and bread crumbs. It’s a terrific option for seafood lovers, with the added bonus of gorgeous river views while you dine.

By the way, thanks to everyone who made suggestions on Facebook and Twitter to help us narrow down these scrumptious selections. We know we didn’t cover everything, so please share – what’s YOUR favorite mac & cheese in Bend?

12:13

A bounty of book love for bibliophiles in Bend, Oregon (plus leave a comment to win a $20 gift certificate for Between the Covers bookstore!)

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

I love books. Blame it on the fact that my parents let me read under the covers with a flashlight as a kid, or on my degree in English Lit, or on my not-so-secret other life as a romantic comedy author.

Lucky for me (and for other bibliophiles!) there’s lots of book-related fun to be had in Bend.

An author book signing during the Nature of Words literary festival.

We’re in the middle of the 2011 Nature of Words Literary Festival, which is taking place Nov. 2-6. This year’s lineup features writing workshops, book signings, and lectures from incredible authors including Heidi Durrow, Mark Spragg, Keith Scribner, Augusten Burroughs, William Kittredge, Nancy Mairs and Seth Mnookin. Many offerings have already sold out, but check out the online ticket center to see what’s still available.

Even if you miss the festival itself, be sure to visit the Nature of Words Retail Center in downtown Bend. This little literary boutique offers literary themed artwork, games, clothing, and jewelry. They’re open 10-4 Monday through Friday on Oregon Avenue in downtown Bend (across from the Pine Tavern). Proceeds benefit Nature of Words’ youth programs.

Now that you’re on a roll with your book-themed retail therapy in downtown Bend, keep strolling south until you reach Between the Covers bookstore at the corner of Bond and Delaware. This cozy little shop has a surprisingly huge array of books ranging from literary classics to young adult selections and everything in between. The owner, Hayley Wright, and her knowledgeable staff will custom order almost any book you want if it’s not on the shelves, and they’re great about recommending books if you aren’t sure what you want.

Oh, and here’s the big bonus – CANDY! Ooodles of old time candy, like Whistle Pops, Pop Rocks, Bottle Caps, Wax Lips, and more. Between the Covers has an excellent selection, and I’ve seldom gone in there without stocking up on Sen Sens.

Between the Covers bookstore in downtown Bend.

For book lovers who prefer larger chains (or those who happen to be hanging on the east side of town when a book urge strikes) Barnes and Noble is located in the Forum Shopping Center near Costco.

Bend also has a huge array of used bookstores. There’s a lovely little cluster of them right downtown including Pegasus Books on Minnesota Avenue. They carry new and used books, graphic novels, comics, and an array of games and toys. Just a few doors down, visit Dudley’s BookShop Café. Not only do they have a great selection of used books, but also a wonderful little café with tea, espresso drinks, cookies, snacks, and more. Dudley’s also hosts regular author events and live music, so check their schedule online to see what’s happening.

If you venture a bit outside the downtown area, you’ll hit another great pod of used bookstores on Greenwood Avenue. The Open Book and The Bookmark are located just across Greenwood from one another, and if you don’t find what you’re looking for at one place, you’ll likely find it at the other. I’m particularly smitten with both shops’ selection of paperback romance novels, though they have a huge array of offerings in just about every genre.

Oh, and let’s not forget one of Bend’s best literary resources – the Deschutes Public Library! You’ll need a library card to check out books, which means visitors without proof of Deschutes County residency are out of luck. Still, there’s plenty of browsing you can do here, not to mention tons of events and classes. Check out the library’s online calendar for offerings ranging from story time for kids to lectures on subjects like parenting, social networking, and more.

So how about it, booklovers? What’s your favorite book-related activity in Bend? If you’re not sure, go ahead and leave a comment telling us your favorite book.

We’ll pick one lucky commenter on Friday, November 11 to win a $20 gift certificate to Between the Covers bookstore!

16:06

Five Fusion & Sushi Bar offers scrumptious fare for every taste in Bend, Oregon

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Some people love sushi. Some people gag at the thought of it.

When you find a restaurant where both people can sit down and enjoy an amazing meal that makes everyone happy, you know you’re in a special place.

Add in a vegetarian and someone on a gluten-free diet, and you can see why it’s such an incredible feat that every member of the Visit Bend dining team walked out of Five Fusion & Sushi Bar sighing with bliss.

The restaurant is on Wall Street in Downtown Bend, and offers amazing seafood, sushi, and hand-cut meats, with a fondness for locally-produced ingredients. Our meal kicked off with a variety of appetizers including scrumptious hamachi (yellowtail) carpaccio, crab cakes, and lobster spoons.

Everything was artfully prepared, with just the right blend of spices and sauces. Our server was super attentive to guests’ special needs, pointing out which items were gluten-free or which contained ingredients certain diners didn’t like.

I thoroughly enjoyed sipping a flight featuring four different kinds of sake, while others at the table sampled from a wine list teaming with delicious northwest offerings.

Our next round of food included scallops with a divine chimmichurri/bacon/edamame cream sauce (I secretly ladled several spoonfuls of it onto my plate while my dining companions were distracted). We also sampled raviolis in brown butter with candied macadamia nuts – hardly standard fare on a normal sushi menu, but part of the “fusion” aspect of the dining experience at Five Fusion.

The restaurant, as seen from the upstairs dining area.

The food kept flowing, including steamed buns with duck, lettuce wraps, and Wagyu Rolls that included lobster, kobe beef, and the most delicious blend of spices and flavors.

My second favorite dish of the evening was the lamb cordials in cherry sauce with hints of mint and espresso, topped with goat cheese. These were absolutely divine, and especially popular with those who preferred less fishy fare.

A friend who’d dined here previously told me, “whatever you do, get the miso cod.” It sounded like such a simple, frill-free dish that I completely forgot her advice until it showed up on our table looking, frankly, a little boring.

Oh. My. Word.

This was the most delectable piece of fish I’ve ever had the pleasure of putting in my mouth. Tender and flavorful, buttery and lemony and…OK, I’m stopping now, because I just drooled on the keyboard and now it’s hard to type. Seriously, if you order only one thing on the menu, make it the miso cod.

Others in our group might disagree with me, since I heard several moans of pleasure for the bass and broccolini on a bed of pasta, the reisotto, and the various sushi rolls that came parading out for our dining pleasure. The seared duck with pomegranate seeds on a bed of parsnip puree was a peppery treat for our tastebuds, and the “Fantastic Four Sampler” gave us a chance to try each of the special nigiri on the menu.

The Visit Bend crew enjoys dinner at Five Fusion.

If you think dessert is worth skipping in a sushi restaurant, think again. The cheesecake was fluffy and delightful, the crème brule sampler was to die for, and the baked meringue brought us to the brink of a fistfight over who’d get the last bite.

(Problem solved when I laid claim to it by licking the top. I’m not proud).

If it’s not obvious by now, I think the food at Five Fusion is positively divine. On top of all that, the restaurant has won my heart with their regular charity dinners (you can read about those by signing up for their email updates). Gotta love any restaurant so devoted to giving back to the Bend community!

All in all, Five Fusion is a definite MUST DO when you’re in Bend. Your taste buds can thank me later.

15:53

From spooky to kooky, there’s tons to do this Halloween in Bend, Oregon

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Halloween in Bend can be a little unpredictable, and local moms are fond of saying they choose kids’ costumes based on what will look good over a snowsuit.

One thing you can predict is that there’s always a plethora of fun stuff to do this time of year. Here are some of the highlights:

Hallows’ Eve with the High Desert Museum

Everyone’s favorite interactive museum is offering a fabulous program called Tales of Hallows’ Eve from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, October 29. The program features live raptors, spooky stories, puppet shows, treats, and more.

Guests will get to experience the gripping tales of Edgar Allen Poe and Edward Gorey in the company of ravens and owls. Characters from the frontier will offer up puppet shows, puppet making, and apple bobbing. You’ll even get to make pumpkin ice cream and discover the origins of jack-o’-lanterns as you do a special jack-o’-lantern craft.

The program is free for members, $2 for non-members. The crafts and puppets are great for all ages, but the Poe and Gorey stories are best for kids 10 and up.

Yeah, they had me at “pumpkin ice cream.”

Spooky spelunking with Wanderlust Tours

First off, I have to say that whoever came up with this idea is a freakin’ genius.

Wanderlust Tours is offering a special cave tour dubbed Hallowed Hollows: Stories of High Desert Spirits. The three hour tours (not to be confused with Gilligan’s Island) kick off at 1:30 and 6:30 on October 29 and 30. Spots are limited and going fast, so you’ll want to jump on this.

Some of the characters you'll see in the cave with Wanderlust.

What is it, exactly? Wanderlust is offering a special twist on their normal desert lava tube cave tour. Your expert naturalist guide will lead you through the cave, where you’ll encounter a number of high desert frontier personalities in full costume. The “spirits” of Klondike Kate, Chief Paulina and Dr. Urling Coe will be on hand to share their stories and give you insight into Central Oregon history.

Did I mention this all happens in a cave? How cool is that?

The 1:30 tours are great for families and offer healthy treats for kids. The fee for that tour is $55 for adults and $50 for kids under 12. The 6:30 tours are for adults only, and include dessert and cocoa for a fee of $65 a person.

I’ve already had the pleasure of doing a regular cave tour with Wanderlust, so I can promise under the threat of having a zombie eat my brain if I’m lying that this tour will totally rock your socks off.

Historical Haunts and a night with Poe, courtesy of Des Chutes Historical Museum

I spent last Halloween wandering downtown Bend with a guide from Des Chutes Historical Museum who told all sorts of ghostly stories about haunted local buildings.

I still had goose bumps three days later.

This year, the Deschutes Historical Museum is stepping up the game. They’re still doing the Historical Haunts of Downtown Tour from 4-7 p.m. October 27-29. Museum guides will take tour groups for a one-hour walk through downtown Bend to hear ghostly historic tales about downtown buildings.

There will be 12 tours per evening, and they’re offered on a first come, first served basis for $10 per person (free for kids 12 and under and members). Tours begin at the museum and end at the Tower Theater. Don’t forget your mittens and scarves, and you might want to consider bringing a flashlight.

And if that’s not enough ghostly fun, they’re also offering An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe at 8 p.m. October 29-31 with a special matinee at 4 p.m. October 31. Apparently, they’ve found a way to resurrect Poe for this special occasion, and he’ll be on hand to share tales of remorse, lost love and bad behavior. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. You can buy them at the Des Chutes Historical Museum, and the event takes place at the Old Stone Church, 157 NW Franklin Avenue.

Day of the Dead…and the muddy!

The muddy art of Cyclocross.

In recent years, Bend has become known as the epicenter of Cyclocross racing. For those unfamiliar with the sport, Cyclocross is a form of bike racing that takes place in the fall and winter and features many laps on pavement, mud, wooded trails, mud, grass, steep hills, mud, and obstacles that require riders to dismount and carry the bike.

Did I mention mud? Suffice it to say, this is a fun sport to watch.

But that’s not all there is to the Day of the Dead Cyclocross Festival October 28-30. The event includes the Halloween Cross Crusades on Saturday and Sunday, featuring two full days of epic racing on the national championship course on the Deschutes Brewery course in the Old Mill District. There’s also the Cyclocross Super-D Championship of the Universe and the Clydesdale Cyclocross Championships of the Universe.

But if bike racing isn’t your thing, there’s still oodles of entertainment. Check out the Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show, the always wild-and-crazy Deschutes Brewery Warehouse Party, and the Cross Culture Caminata featuring art, altars, and interpretations of Dia de los Muertos.

While those events won’t be muddy, they will be a whole lot of fun.

So what are you planning for Halloween? Are there any Halloween happenings we neglected to mention? Please share!

16:29

Visit Bend volunteers offer up tips on hiking, golfing, and biking this fall in Bend, Oregon

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

I just marked my one-year anniversary blogging for Visit Bend, which means a few of you have probably gotten used to seeing me yammer here every week.

Time to shake things up.

Today I’d like to tap some other Bend experts for their top tips. Visit Bend has a team of 13 volunteers who work the front desk at the Bend Visitor Center. To say they possess a wealth of Bend knowledge is an understatement akin to me saying I kinda enjoy sipping the occasional brew along The Bend Ale Trail.

Jo and Chip on Tumalo summit

With that in mind, I asked a handful of Visit Bend volunteers to share their favorite activities in Bend. Here’s what they coughed up:

Hiking with Jo and Chip La Furney

If it’s a full moon, head up Tumalo Mountain! (Heck, even if it isn’t a full moon it’s an awesome hike!) It’s only a 21 mile drive, only a 1.8 mile hike up, and one of the best views in Central Oregon.

The trail up Tumalo Mountain is very well-defined so we would say newbies in average-to-decent shape would be able to tackle this hike. It’s like walking up a lot of stairs!

But you can stop, take a breath, and enjoy the beautiful scenery on the hike up.

Golfing with Demy Schleicher

Demy Schleichter

This is my favorite time of year for golf, or anything for that matter, in Central Oregon. Clear, crisp mornings warm up quickly to pleasantly warm afternoons!

Widgi Creek is a locals’ favorite not only for reasonable greens fees but for being just a cool course. It’s the only course here that is actually in the Deschutes National Forest, so lush fairways are framed by tall Ponderosa Pines and redtail hawks and ospreys are a common sight.

Don’t let the relatively short yardage and moderate course rating (compared with some other Central Oregon courses) fool you – this is one good challenge. Straight hitters are rewarded and the tricky, undulating greens are well protected by sand bunkers and water.

Hole 17 at Widgi Creek

The par 5 number 3 hole is one of the longest around, and par 3 number 11 features a daunting, long carry over water. Yikes!

With the cooler temps and less intense sun, it’s easy to forget two of the most important items in your golf bag: lots of water and plenty of sunscreen (this is high desert, after all). Don’t leave the tee without them!

Mountain biking with Deborah Morrill

I used to be that friend who’d give anything a try – well, now I’m in my middle 50s & have suffered a few injuries so I’ve mellowed.

Deborah Morrill and her mountain bike.

I still ride challenging single-track, but I feel no shame in hopping off my mountain bike to walk through a difficult spot. Sometimes I want to ride something as easy as it gets.

I recently joined a friend for a gorgeous ride along the Deschutes River. We rode from the parking area at Lava Island Falls out to Dillon Falls and back. Riding at a leisurely pace & stopping often for photos, we still completed the near 8 mile ride in less than 90 minutes; it’s a great ride for beginners or families.

The trail is as flat as mountain biking ever is, with just one good uphill section. We enjoyed breathtaking views of the river, sky and lava. The fall colors were just starting to peek out. On our trip we got to watch a few kayakers, standup paddlers, and fly fishermen also enjoying their day. During peak season, you’d see whitewater rafters, too.

Staying on the same trail, you can continue to Benham Falls (for about a 14 mile round trip) or ride all the way to Sunriver. Keep in mind that this popular trail can be crowded, as it is shared with hikers and dogs – and mosquitoes. The start point is off Conklin Road, just past The Seventh Mountain Resort. A Forest Service Pass is required.

***

Got any subjects you’d like to hear about from our resident experts? Leave ‘em in the comments and we’ll keep them in mind for future installments.

And how about a round of applause for our knowledgeable volunteers?

14:09

Craving a unique way to explore the Bend Ale Trail? Giddyup, with the Buckboard, Biscuits and Beer Tour from Cowboy Carriage and Well Traveled Fork!

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

I like horses. I like beer. I like cupcakes. The idea of being transported from one Bend brewery to the next enjoying all of those things simultaneously is pretty much my idea of nirvana.

The Visit Bend crew sets out on the Buckboard, Biscuits and Beer tour.

That’s where the Buckboard, Biscuits and Beer Tour comes in. The tour is a creative partnership between Chef Bette of The Well Traveled Fork and The Cowboy Carriage. It’s touted as “the most unique brew tour in Bend,” and I have to agree.

Guests get to ride in a horse-drawn wagon as they travel from brewery to brewery sipping suds and noshing on gourmet food. The Visit Bend crew got to experience this firsthand, complete with cowboy hats, hay-bale seats, and beer sipped from mugs shaped like cowboy boots.

Tour stops vary for each tour, but our journey took us from Boneyard Beer to Old Mill Brew Werks to Silver Moon Brewing. The tasting menu at Boneyard was divine, and with glasses in hand, we got to wander back and see the brewing facility in action. At Old Mill Brew Werks, we sampled a variety of beers and ordered food to nibble.

I may actually need to write a separate blog post about Bend’s best hot wings, just for the excuse to go try theirs again.

Silver Moon spread out three tasty pitchers of beer and invited us to tour the brewing facilities and visit with staff about production.

Between the brewery stops, we chatted with Chef Bette about some of her amazing culinary classes and tours. She also shared her famous Black Butte Porter Chocolate Cupcakes, and I have to confess right now, I took an extra one when no one was looking. That’s saying something, since I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, but these cupcakes were DIVINE.

We also got to pet the horses – a duo named Dan and Saucer – and ask questions of their owner and driver, Ryan. Though our journey was in the larger, hay-filled wagon used for the Buckboard, Biscuits and Beer tour, he also has a smaller, formal carriage he uses for weddings and special events.

In all, this was definitely one of the most unique ways I’ve seen to travel the Bend Ale Trail. The Buckboard, Biscuits and Beer tour is perfect for families, employee outings, or just a gathering of friends.

A typical tour includes lunch for all guests, and includes four brewery stops over the five-hour journey. There’s a minimum of 12 guests and a maximum of 18, for a total of $50 per guest. Pickup is in downtown Bend, and guests can make reservations online right here.

Questions? Leave ‘em in the comments and we’ll find someone to answer. In the meantime, tell us YOUR favorite way to travel the Bend Ale Trail!

18:19

Get your indie film fix at the 2011 BendFilm Festival October 6-9 in Bend, Oregon

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Film buffs in Central Oregon have been gleefully rubbing their hands together for months getting amped for this year’s BendFilm Festival October 6-9.

In case you’re new to Bend, visiting from out of town, or have spent the last year living in your linen closet subsisting entirely on pudding pops, here’s the scoop…

Now in its eighth year, BendFilm showcases independent films and filmmakers (er, that’s “indie films” if you’re cool). Think fresh. Edgy. Creative. That’s what BendFilm is all about.

The annual BendFilm Festival isn’t just a huge deal in Bend. Fans and filmmakers from around the country travel here for it. The lineup includes documentaries, short films, student films, even animated films.

There are too many films to name, but you can check out a complete schedule of venues, times, and even see film trailers right here.

Oh, and did I mention the parties? There are oodles of them, and you’re going to want to be there for at least one. Opening (Oct. 6) night promises to rock your socks off starting at 5:30 with a special film at The Tower Theatre. Once that’s over, meander to the opening night reception at The Oxford Hotel. If you haven’t partied your pants off by 9:30, head over to Bourbon Street Bar and Grill for drinking, dancing, and miscellaneous merriment. If you still don’t have your fill, cap things off at McMenamins Old St. Francis School where you can enjoy a fireside chat with filmmakers, film lovers, and random drunk people who don’t realize they’re in the middle of Bend’s hottest cultural event of the year.

You also won’t want to miss the First Friday Art Walk, or the awards reception and ceremony on Saturday from 7-10 at The Oxford Hotel, followed by a 10 p.m. party at The Blacksmith and another evening of fireside merriment at McMenamins.

Don’t forget to check the schedule for a complete rundown of films and other events during BendFilm Festival. You can purchase tickets online right here.

Questions? Thoughts? Assorted whimpering so someone lets you out of the linen closet in time to attend? Leave it in the comments section and we’ll respond as soon as possible!

16:22

With a few more weeks of warm weather ahead, get the scoop on Bend’s best ice cream!

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Bend’s summer got off to a slow start, but we’re being rewarded now with some unseasonably warm weather. Glorious weather. The sort of weather that makes you want to stroll down the street in your flip-flops and sunglasses licking an ice cream cone.

Hey, there’s an idea!

In the spirit making the best of our bonus days of summer, here’s the scoop (ha!) on the hottest spots to get your freezie brain fix.

Taking the ice cream factory tour at Goody's and watching them mix up their scrumptious Oreo cookie blend.

Goody’s has been a Central Oregon tradition since 1984, and it’s not hard to figure out why repeat visitors often have it at the top of their “must do” list. This popular family-owned candy and ice cream company offers handmade chocolates, ice cream, caramel corn, and candy. In June, Goody’s opened a new location that Frommer’s quickly declared offers one of the nation’s 10 best ice cream factory tours.

Goody’s is famous for huge scoops of homemade ice cream including local favorites like marionberry and an Oreo cookie with the cookies hand sprinkled into each batch. My favorite treat is a dish of fruity sorbet capped with their divine bittersweet chocolate topping, a dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of nuts, and a cherry. If you’re sharing with a sweetie, try their generous banana split and consider it relationship therapy to work together picking your three ice cream flavors and matching toppings.

Goody’s has locations both downtown and on the east side of Bend, plus in outlying areas like Sunriver, Prineville and Redmond. Ice cream factory tours take place in their new corporate headquarters on SE Division Street in Bend.

Picking my gelatto flavors at Powell's

If gelato is more your style, you can’t beat the offerings at Powell’s Sweet Shoppe in downtown Bend. They swap out flavors seasonally, and right now they’re offering a pumpkin gelato that is TO.DIE.FOR.

There are plenty of other flavors to choose from, including tasty mixes like tiramisu and crème brule, or standard favorites like chocolate and vanilla. I can seldom resist a pint packed with three flavors for $7.50 (raspberry sorbet, dark chocolate, and coppa mista last night, if you must know). The fun, candy-packed shop is sure to appeal to kids or to grownups who just want to feel like kids in a candy shop.

If you’re out and about the Old Mill District, be sure to hit the Ben & Jerry’s shop located right next to Regal Cinemas. As an added bonus, you can tote your dish right into the theater. No movie date is complete without a giant bowl of Cherry Garcia frozen yogurt.

If you’re looking to get your ice cream groove on outside Bend’s main shopping districts, don’t miss Baskin Robbins right next to Fred Meyer on the south end of town, or Cold Stone Creamery in the Cascade Village shopping center on the north end of town. Both offer bountiful selections and nice, long business hours.

For something a little different, give one of Bend’s frozen yogurt hotspots a shot. Bend Yogurt Factory is located on Bond Street right in the heart of town. You can also hit one of two Cuppa Yo locations – one on Newport Avenue on Bend’s west side, or the east side location on NE Bellvue. Both yogurt shops offer lowfat and nonfat options, and you can control your portion size yourself.

Where’s your favorite place in Bend to get freezie brain? Do you have a favorite flavor? Please share!

And don’t forget the napkins. Or hey, go ahead and lick the ice cream drippings off your hand. You can get away with stuff like that in Bend.

15:49

When the lights go down, what can you do in Bend, Oregon? Plenty!

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Bend is not Las Vegas.

This shouldn’t come as a shock unless you took a wrong turn on a road trip and you’re scratching your head in the middle of Wall Street wondering how to find Cirque du Soleil.

I can’t help you there, but I can say that while Bend isn’t packed with nightclubs and clanging slot machines, there’s still plenty to do after the sun goes down. Here are a few of my favorites…

Starry, starry night

Bend is a great place for stargazing.

Wanderlust Tours offers wonderful moonlight canoeing, starlight canoeing, and a fabulous moonshine canoe & beer tour. All of those tours are available June 1 through October 1.

Canoeing at night with Wanderlust Tours.

During the winter months, Wanderlust has you covered with their Bonfire on the Snow tour, which lets you snowshoe to a quiet spot in the forest and bask in the glow of a bonfire in a gorgeous amphitheater hand-carved into the snow. They also offer terrific Moonlight & Starlight snowshoe tours.

If you’re up for a bit of a drive, the Pine Mountain Observatory is located 26 miles southeast of Bend. It’s operated by the University of Oregon physics department, and offers telescopes with apertures of 15, 24, and 32-inches. The facility is open to visitors Friday and Saturday evenings from late May late September, and fall programs kick off at 8 p.m. Be sure to go on a clear night, and get there early to snag a seat for the program. Keep in mind the facility is at 6,500 feet, so bring a hat and gloves.

The Sunriver Observatory is another great spot to stargaze. They have plenty of 8-30 inch diameter telescopes, and amateur astronomers are welcome to bring their own equipment. During the fall, they’re open Wednesday and Saturday nights September 6 through October 22 and night viewing takes place from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Eat, drink, and be merry

When I help journalists plan their stays in Bend, I almost always field questions about Bend’s bar scene. Though the Bend Ale Trail is a must for everyone looking to get their drink on, there are oodles of other options catering to the late crowd.

Some hotspots augment their regular early-evening happy hours with a second happy hour for the night owls. The Blacksmith offers one of my favorite happy hours in town from 4:30 to 6:30 Tuesday through Saturday (all day Sunday and Monday), with a second happy hour that goes from 9 p.m. to close and offers all the same tasty options. Try their mac & cheese or their ridiculously delicious sliders, and don’t forget to sample one of their super-creative cocktails.

Another hotspot offering a 9 p.m. happy hour is 10 Below, which has an excellent wine list and beer selection. McMenamins also has a late happy hour that kicks off at 10 p.m.

For a slightly different scene catering to sports fans and hipsters who want to get funky on the dance floor, try Summit Saloon. They have live entertainment most nights of the week, plus a plethora of TVs tuned to sporting events. Hook me up with one of their delectable hummus plates and a mug of Guinness and I’m in heaven!

Take in a show

We’ve already established that Bend isn’t Vegas, so it’s also worth noting that Wall Street isn’t Broadway.

That doesn’t mean you can’t catch some magnificent live entertainment here. Bend is home to the Tower Theatre, a historic 466 seat venue that plays host to a wide variety of entertainment. The lineup for upcoming months is certainly a testament to that variety, ranging from comedienne Paula Poundstone on October 1 to the Rocky Horror Picture Show with costume contest October 29-30. Check out the website for the Tower Theatre for show times and ticket prices.

Hanging by the O'Kanes fire pits at McMenamins

If cinema is more your speed, you can catch a new release at Regal Cinemas 16 in the Old Mill District, or head to Pilot Butte 6 on the east side of town to catch an indie film.

For a truly unique movie experience, check out the theater at McMenamims Old St. Francis School. There, you can cozy up on a couch with a slice of pizza and a pint of beer while you watch a recent-run film.

After the show, mosey outside to O’Kanes, which is one of my very favorite spots in Bend. Snuggle up beside one of their toasty fire pits and sip a beer under the stars – the perfect way to cap off your night on the town in Bend!

16:14

It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Bend, Oregon

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

I’ve always heard parents aren’t supposed to have favorites among their children, which is reason #5982 it’s probably best I never chose to procreate.

But on that note, I do feel a little guilty having a favorite month in Bend. If I declare a favorite, do the other 11 months feel left out? Or will they understand that while I adore every month in this amazing city I’ve called home for nearly 14 years, I must admit I love September best of all.

Here are my top three reasons why:

The perfect weather

While we do get some unpredictably warm or cool days, the average Bend temperature in September is 72.4 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s warm enough for shorts and sandals, but cool enough you won’t drown in a pool of sweat having lunch at one of our fabulous outdoor cafes.

It’s also perfect hiking weather, particularly on any of the Cascade Lakes trails. The temperature is just right, and you don’t risk overcooking the way you might in August, or stumbling through snowfields the way you might in May. Check out our hiking page if you want some suggestions of great local hikes.

And don’t forget, the weather’s still great for floating the river or hooking up with Wanderlust Tours for one of their fabulous Moonlight or Starlight canoe tours. Just don’t forget to bring a sweatshirt. Evenings can get cool in late summer and early fall, as my droopy tomato plants will surely tell you.

A truly tasty time of year

A lot of great Bend restaurants have found a niche serving up seasonal, locally grown produce, and there’s something about fall’s bounty that seems to bring out the best stuff.

One of my favorite local eateries is Chow, which has seven raised vegetable gardens on the property. This time of year, they’re pulling up oodles of purple carrots and purple potatoes, along with rainbow and dragon peas. A house specialty is their divine eggplant parmesan, and if you don’t see it on the menu on any given day, just ask – there’s a good chance they’ll be able to go out and yank one out of the garden for you.

Fun at the Bend Farmers Market.

Er, the eggplant. Not the whole eggplant parmesan, though that would be cool.

Other great restaurants specializing in seasonal local produce are Ariana, 900 Wall and Jackson’s Corner.

If you’d prefer to handle food prep on your own, don’t forget the Bend Farmer’s Market is still going strong this time of year. There are two dates and locations to choose from: Wednesdays from 3-7 at the top of Drake Park, and Fridays from 2-6 at St. Charles Medical Center. The Drake Park market goes through October 12, and the St. Charles one ends September 23.

Just the right amount of quiet

I work in the tourism industry, so believe me – I love tourists. I’d hug every Bend visitor if it were physically possible and there weren’t a strong likelihood of arrest.

That said, there’s something nice about the way things quiet down a bit in September. There are still plenty of tourists, but the vibe is more mellow. It’s easier to get restaurant reservations, and you’ll enjoy a bit more solitude when you visit popular attractions like the High Desert Museum or Lava Lands Visitor Center.

There are also lots of cool local events to check out, including the Sisters Folk Festival this weekend (Sept. 9), The USA Cycling Marathon Mountain Bike National Championships Sept. 9-17, and Oktoberfest Sept. 13-24.

The latter is a definite don’t miss, and if you’ve never seen the famous Weiner Dog Races, you must stop whatever you’re doing right now and watch the hilarious video at the bottom of this post.

So what’s your favorite time of year in Bend? There’s no need to arm wrestle over it, though if you disagree with my September pick, I’d love to hear what makes your favorite month superior. For those who relate to my September lust, what do you think is the best part of this magnificent month? Please share!

Now let’s all watch some wieners.

16:02

It’s time for the best sunsets of the year. Do you know where to see ‘em?

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

It’s no secret that late August lightning storms near Central Oregon bring forest fires this time of year.

The big secret is the glorious side effect of those fires – the most magnificent sunsets you’ll ever see right here in Bend, Oregon.

The sunset from my back deck. Sorry, but no – you can't come over.

My favorite thing to do in Bend during late summer is go out on my back deck with a glass of wine around 8 p.m. and watch the sky explode with brilliant hues of red, orange, pink, yellow, and a handful of other colors I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen in a Crayola box.

As much as I love Bend visitors, I don’t think my back deck will hold all of you (not to mention I can’t afford the wine).

But never fear! There are still plenty of great places to catch Bend’s glorious sunsets. Here are a few local favorites:

Want some calamari with that sunset?

For those who want to make a grand event out of it, there’s no beating sunset dining in Bend. There are several great spots right on the river in the Old Mill District, including Greg’s Grill, Anthony’s, or even Red Robin.

I adore the wine selection at Greg’s, and their quesadillas are great for casual dining. For more formal fare, they do spectacular steaks.

The gorgeous rooftop dining at Zydeco.

Anthony’s has a fabulous sunset dinner special every weekday from 4-6 p.m. For just $19.95, you get a four course dinner that includes an appetizer, soup or salad, your choice from a list of about 10 entrees, and a dessert. Linger long enough and you’re sure to see an amazing sunset.

For sunset dining from a different vantage point, you can’t beat the rooftop dining at Zydeco in downtown Bend. Seating up there is extremely limited, so be sure to make reservations. The day of your reservation, you’ll want to check back around 3 p.m. to make sure the roof will be open, since lousy weather will put the kibosh on outdoor dining plans. But assuming you’re able to snag one of the coveted spots, you can’t beat the food or the views.

On top of the world

If you’re feeling more outdoorsy, there are some great sunset viewing opportunities that involve a short hike or drive. Lava Butte is that great big cinder cone just west of Highway 97 between Bend and Sunriver. There’s a fire lookout at the top, and it’s a great place to scope out the sunset.

Want to stay right here in Bend? It’s worth a venture to the top of Pilot Butte to catch the sun’s descent behind the mountains. If you opt to take one of the hiking trails, don’t forget to bring a flashlight for the journey down. Ditto that for Tumalo Mountain, which offers a slightly more challenging hike that will be rewarded by incredible sunset views.

Keep it simple

When I polled the Visit Bend crew about their favorite sunset viewing spots, I got a quick response back from our operations manager:

“This is pretty lame, but I often enjoy the view of the sunsets from the parkway as I am driving home.”

Actually, I don’t think it’s lame at all. In fact, it’s a good reminder that you don’t have to do anything special to enjoy Bend’s amazing sunsets this time of year. They’re free for the taking! Just look west, watch the sky, and drink in the views.

Just try not to crash your car, OK?

16:41

Perfect summer salads abound in Bend, Oregon

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

There’s something about summertime that makes me crave a great salad.

Fortunately, finding an amazing salad in Bend, Oregon is not a challenge. The only challenge is choosing among all the delicious options. Here are a few of my personal favorites for great salads any time of year:

Feeling fruity

One thing I love on a salad is a little taste of fruit. One of my favorite options is the Jackson’s Bleu salad served at Jackson’s Corner. You get a heaping mound of organic greens, organic apples, candied walnuts, and bleu cheese vinaigrette with great big hunks of bleu cheese. The balance of fruit and other goodies is ideal, and the dressing is divine.

Another fun, fruity option is the chicken apple walnut chopped salad at Flatbread Community Oven in the Old Mill District. It comes with organic field greens, grapes, apples, and blue cheese with apple cider vinaigrette. Get it as a side dish with one of their amazing lunch specials, or order it at dinner and be prepared to split it with a friend.

The only thing better than the steak salad at Pine Tavern is enjoying it on their gorgeous patio overlooking the river.

Though I probably shouldn’t play favorites, I’ll confess that the salad I order most often in Bend is the Santa Fe salad at Croutons. This scrumptious offering comes with romaine and spring mix tossed with apple, corn, red onion (which I always omit), smoked gouda, toasted walnuts, cornbread croutons, and fiesta ranch dressing. I’ve been known to drive across town in a blizzard just to get my fix, which obviously tells you it’s more than just a summertime favorite.

Need a little animal flesh?

Hey, I get it. You like salad and all, but you want something a little hearty.

For the true carnivores, the steak salad at Pine Tavern probably ought to require a cholesterol test if you finish it. This bad boy comes with sliced flat iron steak (which I like nice and rare), fresh avocado, bacon crumbles, red onion, tomato slices, toasted almonds, and bleu cheese vinaigrette. It’s big enough for two light eaters or one person with a voracious appetite.

Another unique and hearty option is the Thai chicken salad at Chow. It comes with rice, green curry, coconut milk, cilantro, cabbage, Thai peanut sauce, and toasted peanuts. Technically, this probably borders on not being a salad, but the cabbage (along with the fact that it’s listed on the salad menu) makes it so.

You can’t beat beets

I adore any salad that includes beets, and I’m constantly scouting for the best in town. One of my favorites is the roasted beet salad at Ariana Restaurant on Galveston. It’s served with organic ruby and golden beets, roasted and marinated in shallot vinaigrette with watercress and cypress grove chèvre sachet. Yum!

The gorgeous (and delicious!) beet salad at Arianna

Another unbeatable beet option is the roasted beet salad at 900 Wall. Their version comes with tasty roasted beet slices, a fig-balsamic vinaigrette, and a bacon-pine nut brittle that is so delicious I once snapped, “no!” when someone asked if she could try a bite. Er, sorry about that, Mom.

For the perfect Caesar salad

Sometimes, there’s no beating a plain old Caesar salad. While there’s nothing plain about any of these salads, these are some of the best in town on the Caesar front.

One of my longtime favorites since I first moved to Bend almost 14 years ago is the Caesar salad at Scanlon’s Restauran in the Athletic Club of Bend. It’s a slightly peculiar location, but the restaurant is open to the public and the Caesar salad is divine with huge, tender chunks of chicken, oven cured tomato, pine nuts, asiago cheese, whole wheat crustini, and a big bed of romaine lettuce.

One of the simplest salads on my entire list is also a close runner up for my very favorite. The Lemony Caeser at Portello Wine Café is exactly what it sounds like – a simple Caesar with a very lemony dressing and shaved parmesano reggiano. I don’t know what other magical ingredients they might have added to it, but there’s something so delectable, light and bright and cheery about this salad that I’m not ashamed to admit I once licked my plate. Hey, it’s a wine café. There may have also been a very good chardonnay involved.

Do you appreciate the simplicity of a good summer salad when the weather turns warm? Where’s your favorite? Please share!

I’m always scouting for lettuce worth maiming friends for.

16:13

Floating the river is one of Bend, Oregon’s most divine summer pleasures

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

There’s a clause in the City of Bend residency code stating that unless you float the Deschutes River at least once a summer, your Bend citizenship will be revoked.

While no such rules apply to Bend visitors, I don’t recommend flirting with the possibility of having your vacation taken away. Why would you risk it, when the Deschutes River float is one of the most supremely fun endeavors you can enjoy in our fair city?

For those unfamiliar with the area, it can seem a little daunting. You see all the smiling, happy people floating past as you stroll through the Old Mill District for dinner or shopping, but um…well, how do they get there? And what are the rules?

Hey, relax. Floating the river like a local is a cinch.

The easiest place to kick off your river float is from Riverbend Park, though another great spot is Farewell Bend Park just a little upstream on the opposite shore just under the Bill Healy Memorial Bridge. Either place offers a safe, sandy shore for you to launch your air mattress, float tube, or raft.

There are a few rules you need to know before you hop in the water. Under Oregon law, all boats must carry a Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (PFD) for every person onboard or being towed. Children under 12 must wear PFDs at all times on a moving boat, including inflatable rafts and kayaks. That doesn’t include individual air mattresses, inner tubes and floating toys. However, if any of these are tied together, they count as “boats” and the PFD law applies.

Don’t have an inner tube or a PFD? No problem.

Head over to Riverbend Park and look for the little trailer with the Sun Country Tours logo on the side. Not only do they rent float tubes and standup paddle boards, they loan free PFD devices to children 12 and under. For those over 12, the cost of a PFD is just $2. Tube rental is $10 for two hours or $15 for the whole day.

Another great option for rentals is Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe. Their tube rental runs $10 for two hours, $20 a day. They also rent PFDs, canoes, kayaks, and standup paddle boards and are conveniently located close to the Old Mill District.

Everyone has a personal preference when it comes to floating the river. I’m a big fan of the single air mattress and a slow, easy stroke to keep myself heading straight. Of course, the last time I floated a few weeks ago, I ended up sharing a single air mattress with another person and one cowering, shivering dog who didn’t seem to grasp the concept of paddling along beside me in her new doggie life jacket. Hey, we made it work.

When you reach the Columbia Avenue bridge, you have the option of hopping out there and concluding your float, or walking around the bridge, getting back in the water, and continuing your float into Drake Park. Either way, your options for returning to your car upriver are to (a) walk, (b) float with a pal and pre-arrange to have a second car at your takeout spot, or (c) catch a shuttle.

The shuttle is the easiest option, and it’s available seven days a week. The Ride the River shuttle operates Friday through Monday and you can find a schedule right here. Cost is $1.50 for individual rides, or $3 for an all-day, waterproof bracelet that entitles you to unlimited rides.

Sun Country operates a shuttle Tuesday through Thursday when the Ride the River shuttle doesn’t run. Theirs doesn’t offer single-trip rates, but the $3 unlimited pass is still a great deal.

OK, so now you’re all set with your floatie and your trip logistics. Here are a few more things to keep in mind:

Make sure you have some sort of water shoes that stay on your feet. Tevas or Keens are a good idea. I’ve lost flip-flops in the muck, and going shoeless is a bad plan when you hop out of the water and realize you need to hoof it across a hot and rocky landscape.
Though you’re unlikely to fall in the water unless you’re horsing around or doing it on purpose to cool off, it’s smart to have your sunglasses on a little tether around your neck.
Pay attention to the signs as you approach the Columbia Avenue bridge. It’s well marked and pretty obvious where you’re supposed to exit, and it’s easy to make it out in plenty of time. Still, you need to pay attention. Going over the spillway would be a lousy way to end your Bend vacation with a trip to the emergency room.
No drinking alcoholic beverages. Seriously. This isn’t a place for impaired judgment, and if I see you littering the river by dropping a beer bottle in the water, I will retrieve it and beat you over the head with it before popping your air mattress and pushing you over the spillway.
Have fun! This is a given, and there’s pretty much no way to avoid it.

Any questions about floating the river? Ask away!

And be sure to wave if you see me out there. I’ll be the one in the blue bikini trying to convince a whimpering Australian Kelpie that her place is not riding atop the air mattress like Cleopatra.

16:11

10 Below offers great food and drinks in a unique setting

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

In the summer months, it’s easy to feel drawn to restaurants with outside seating.

But sometimes you need a break from the great outdoors. Sometimes you don’t feel like battling persistent gnats or temperature fluctuations or gusts of wind determined to snatch your napkin off your lap.

Sometimes – and I hate to admit this because it’s so un-Bend – you don’t even want to see outside.

This is one of many intriguing perks of dining at 10 Below Restaurant & Lounge on the lower level of the swanky Oxford Hotel. As the name suggests, it’s below ground. That means no windows, and no views of the outside world. Don’t think this is a bad thing, though. On the contrary, it’s part of what lends the space its hip, otherworldly vibe. Eating at 10 Below, it’s easy to tune out distractions and just focus on the dining experience.

Which is excellent, I might add. I’m a huge fan of the happy hour here, which includes some pretty fabulous cocktails for just $5. I’ll admit I tend to be more of a wine snob than a cocktail connoisseur, and while 10 Below’s wine selection is top-notch, you won’t want to miss the chance to sample a creative cocktail here. I’m fond of the Mellow Yellow, which is made with marshmallow infused vodka, champagne syrup, and lemon sour. They also have a great selection of wine and beer.

Because 10 Below is committed to offering locally-sourced, organic ingredients, the menu tends to change a bit depending on the season or what’s available. One of the staples you absolutely DO NOT want to miss are the seared diver scallops with apple wood smoked bacon, mushroom pancakes, and pomegranate-molasses syrup. You can get them either as an appetizer or an entrée, but make sure you get them one way or another.

Often when I’m dining out, I shy away from pasta and rice entrees in favor of heartier fare like steak or fish. But 10 Below is one of the few places I’ll order risotto, simply because they do such a superb job with it. The selection changes constantly, depending on what’s seasonal, but if you see a risotto on the menu, make sure you snag some.

Don’t forget to save room for dessert, since 10 Below has some amazing ones. They’re widely regarded as having the best bread pudding in town, a claim I have to agree with based on stuffing my face with many varieties exhaustive scientific research. Theirs starts with house made brioche bread, diced and tossed with butter, sugar, and cinnamon. After the bread is toasted and dried in the oven, the brioche croutons are soaked in a warm vanilla custard and then steamed until the custard is set. Yum!

Lest you think 10 Below is just for dinner or happy hour, you should know they actually have some pretty fabulous lunch and breakfast options. Their 10-10-10 lunch special Monday through Friday offers a daily selection of four course lunch delivered to the table in just 10 minutes for $10. Though I haven’t sampled the BLT myself, Visit Bend Marketing Director Lynnette Braillard hasn’t stopped talking about it since she first ordered one a month ago. I’m a bit suspicious the sandwich was laced with something highly addictive, but I’m eager to try it myself.

For breakfast, consider the build-your-own omelet option, which offers some unique local ingredients including Tumalo classic goat cheese. The Oxford eggs Florentine with poached eggs, sautéed spinach, sauce choron, and a choice of thick cut bacon or vegetarian sausage is also worth a try.

Whichever meal you try or whichever beverage you sample, it’s worth giving 10 Below a shot during your Bend visit. I promise you won’t miss the great outdoors too much.

14:45

Love the brews and suds? Plan your beercation in Bend, Oregon!

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Beer fans enjoy some tasters at Bend Brewing Co.

In recent years, there’s been a lot of buzz about Bend’s reputation as a mecca for world-class craft breweries. I don’t want to suggest you should plan an entire vacation around beer, but—

Wait, that’s exactly what I want to suggest.

A beercation, if you will.

There are a million great ways to do it, and The Bend Ale Trail offers the perfect focal point to get the ball rolling. Using a Bend Ale Trail map and passport, you can track your route between eight local breweries and win prizes for visiting all of them. You can also download a free Bend Ale Trail smartphone app for iPhone and Android. The free travel app offers an interactive geolocation based map, one-touch access to brewery information, contact info for taxis, tours, and lodging, and even a quiz that lets you test your beer knowledge.

Getting around is easy on foot or by bike, since most breweries are within a few square miles of each other. You can also catch a pedicab or a shuttle with GETIT Shuttle.

If you’re looking for a little more hand-holding on your beercation, GETIT Shuttle also offers a Bend Brew Tour that includes prizes and transport. Alternately, you can catch the Bend Brew Bus tour with Wanderlust Tours (an experience I can highly recommend and blogged about here).

For a truly unique transportation option, try the Buckboard, Biscuits, and Beer tour from Cowboy Carriage Company and the Well Traveled Fork, which lets you travel the Bend Ale Trail from atop hay bales in the back of a horse drawn carriage.

Half bar, half bike, it's Cycle Pub!

Whether you’re an avid cyclist or just someone who’s been wanting to try mountain biking, consider making a multi-day adventure out of your beercation with Cog Wild. They offer an amazing Bike & Brew Weekend that includes three days of trail riding, beer drinking, meals, and lodging. I heard through the grapevine that there are still a few slots on some of their summer and fall tours, so check out the schedule.

And speaking of biking, another off-kilter beer offering is the Cycle Pub. Not quite a bar, not quite a bike, the one thing that’s certain is that this is a whole lot of fun. You can check out my earlier blog post about Cycle Pub for the inside scoop on that experience.

Though your beercation can take place pretty much any day of the year, there are a few key events you’ll want to mark on your calendar. Coming up August 18-20 is the annual Bend Brewfest. Held at the Les Schwab Amphitheater, the eighth annual Bend Brewfest promises more than 80 distinct craft beers for tasting. Yum!

And you can always count on local favorite Deschutes Brewery to offer up special beers for just oodles of local events. The annual Race for the River features a special blend each year, as does the upcoming “Brew Ha Ha” event tied to the Bend WebCAM web, creative and marketing conference, which will feature unique Deschutes Brewery blends like HTMale and API IPA and Partner Porter.

Oh, and if you want to make sure you’re decked out in style for your beercation, stop by the Visit Bend office and buy your special edition “Girl vs. Beer” or “Man vs. Beer” t-shirt or cap. You can also pick one up online if you’ve already staggered home.

So now that you have everything you could possibly need, when will you be planning your beercation? I’ll see you out on the trail!

14:26

With a full agenda of summertime fun, Mt. Bachelor isn’t just for winter play

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

If you’re visiting Bend this summer, you might find yourself gazing longingly at Mt. Bachelor and counting the days ‘til you can head up for some winter recreation.

Heading out for a sled dog ride with Jerry Scdoris (behind the wheel) as Rachel Scdoris stands by.

But you might be surprised to know there’s a whole lot going on at Mt. Bachelor even when the snow isn’t flying.

I learned this firsthand last weekend when I visited the mountain for a bit of summertime recreation. While there’s still plenty of snow on the ground, the activities don’t require you to have waxed boards strapped to your feet.

One great option is the Summertime Dog Sled Rides. You may already be familiar with the wintertime rides offered by four-time Iditarod musher Rachel Scdoris and her father/trainer, Jerry Scdoris. The warm-weather trip is a bit different, with a dry-land cart instead of an actual sled, but the fun-factor is still there in spades.

Oh, how I want to take them home!

Before we set out, I got a chance to mingle with the dogs, pet the puppies, and chat with Rachel and her father. One thing that’s evident from the get-go is how enthusiastic everyone is about the whole process. The pups shriek and howl with eager anticipation, and while Rachel and her dad don’t do much shrieking or howling, their passion for the dogs and the sport is evident.

We sat down in the wheeled cart, Jerry gave the command, and away we went, bouncing along a winding path. At one point, Jerry stopped to let the dogs catch a breath and the photographer snap a photo, but it was clear from the canine squeals of “let’s go, let’s go!” that they wanted to get moving again. Though the ride was brief, it was well worth the $10 per person fee just for the uniqueness of the experience. It would be a great activity to add to a family vacation, birthday party, or even a classroom trip.

After the dog sled ride, we stopped at the Ski & Sport Shop to grab a couple tickets for the chairlift. Though disc golf wasn’t on our agenda that evening, we got to check out the gear for sale and read a bit about the course. Players ride the Pine Marten chair up to the first hole and work their way down the mountain to the final 18^th hole. Elevation and the varied terrain add extra elements to the game. Use of the course is free, but players must provide their own equipment and buy a lift ticket ($16 for adults, $13 seniors, $10 youth 6-12 and kids 5 and under are free). Looked like a lot of fun!

Once you’ve purchased your lift ticket, you definitely won’t want to miss one of Central Oregon’s most unique dining experiences. Sunset dining at Pine Marten Lodge is offered Friday through Sunday from 5-8 p.m. Reservations are a must, and the views are absolutely stunning. Besides, how often do you get a chance to dine at 7,775 feet?

The food was so beautifully presented, photographer & dining companion Craig Zagurski wouldn't stop taking pictures of it until I threatened to eat his meal.

There’s a full bar and an excellent wine list. I was particularly impressed with the restaurant’s selection of Oregon Pinot Noir, and the knowledgeable restaurant manager recommended a bottle that was completely swoon-worthy and a fabulous complement to the dinner.

The smoked salmon tartare with jalepeno cream was an excellent starter, followed by a caesar salad large enough for two people (and possibly an additional small army) to split. I loved the Griswold Seared Scallops with Balsamic Syrup and Wild Oregon Mushroom Pilaf, while my dining companion (who happens to be the photographer supplying the lovely images for this blog post) enjoyed the New York Strip Steak with Sweet Corn & Tillamook Queso Mashed Potatoes and Asparagus. The breathtaking views seemed to amplify everything about the meal, and the service was particularly attentive and friendly.

We capped everything off by devouring the crème brule, some very tasty cheesecake, and some more of those delicious views.

Though the food and views are first-class, the atmosphere in the restaurant is casual. This is a good thing, as you’ll definitely want to leave the evening gown at home and opt for layers. Riding the chairlift down in the moonlight is fabulously romantic, but also cold as frozen snot on a brass rail. You’ll be glad you packed your fleece, and I know I was feeling pretty smug about having a hat and gloves.

Besides what I’ve listed here, Mt. Bachelor’s summer offerings include hiking, scenic chairlift rides, and interpretive talks from US Forest Service rangers. Check out their summertime schedule for more details, and I’ll see you on the mountain!

Photos by Craig Zagurski (um, except for the photo of him taking a photo. That would be weird).

12:32

The active baby-boomers’ guide to a great weekend in Bend, Oregon

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Though regular blog author Tawna Fenske does a fine job describing fun things to do in Bend, we wanted to offer some insights from an outsider with a baby-boomer perspective on travel.

Tawna’s parents, Dixie and David Fenske, are retired teachers who live in Salem, Oregon. They’re active baby-boomers who love to visit Bend not just because their daughter whines until they do, but because there’s tons of fun stuff happening there. It’s worth noting that Dixie originally titled this post, “Bend for old farts.” Tawna employed a rare moment of good taste and renamed it.

Check out what Dixie had to say about fun things to do in Bend for active baby-boomers!

***

Dixie and David Fenske enjoy standup paddleboarding courtesy of StandUp Paddle Bend.

If you’re expecting to find your regular blog post here, courtesy of Tawna Fenske, you may be disappointed. Instead, you’ll find me, Dixie Fenske, Tawna’s mother, attempting to describe our experiences, (her father’s and mine, + Tawna), during our most recent visit to Bend.

Tawna, not being a person who takes “no” for an answer, wanted to take us out standup paddleboarding. While I love to look at and be around any type of water, the thought of ending up in an extremely cold river was not something I found very appealing.

Tawna’s answer to that fear was, “Don’t fall in.”

So, with that bit of advice, we drove to Riverbend Park in the Old Mill District where people seem to congregate for floating the river, as well as standup paddling.

We were given a lesson by Kama Borne from StandUp Paddle Bend. The young woman gave us specific instructions on how to mount the board, begin to paddle from a position on our knees, then use the paddle to balance on the board while we stood. Kama was an excellent instructor and had us in the water in no time.

Standup paddling was much easier than I had imagined it would be, and we were cruising on the river in no time. The water was smooth and perfect for beginners, as was the weather. Best of all, I remained upright on the board during the entire experience. I really loved the feeling of gliding on top of the water. Standup paddling is something I will definitely try again, and I really recommend the lessons from StandUp Paddle Bend.

After our paddling trip, we had really worked up an appetite as well as a thirst. Tawna had that covered as well. Our next stop was The Blacksmith restaurant. We arrived in time for happy hour and thoroughly enjoyed a variety of appetizers and drinks. My favorite drink was the Whiskey Daisy, made with bourbon, orgeat syrup, and fresh lemon. It was very fruity, yet not too sweet. The food was incredible, too, and we especially enjoyed the carpaccio, the ceviche, and the fried green tomatoes. Delicious!

On the second day of our activities, we were fortunate enough to enjoy the Bend Summer Festival. We not only sampled a variety of ethnic foods, but also loved shopping in the various art booths and enjoying live music. Since it is so close to Drake Park, we also took a short walk along the river. That area is so beautiful and one of my favorite places in Bend.

Dixie and David Fenske hanging in Bend with their grand-dog, Bindi.

Next, Tawna decided to throw in something more catered to her dad. We headed to Deschutes Brewery for a tour and a few samples. The young man who led our tour had more information and enthusiasm than I’ve seen in years. Not only were we well informed about the business of brewing beer, we were entertained by quirky stories and antics. They tell me the beer was great, too.

Tawna wanted us to see several parts of the Bend Ale Trail, so we also visited Boneyard Beer and could see the contrast in size of the two breweries, with the enthusiasm still a huge part of that tour as well.

Our evening was capped off with a concert at the Les Schwab Amphitheater. While Saturday evening the entertainer was Alison Krauss and Union Station (outstanding music!) we have enjoyed several concerts in that venue. What a perfect area for concerts, with the river as a backdrop!

One thing I’m most aware of when visiting Bend is that you not only have all the natural beauty an area could ask for, but there’s so much going on all the time. Bend has athletic events, (bicycle races, triathlon, skiing, fishing, hiking, camping, etc.), as well as a host of fabulous restaurants and eateries. There are also many quaint shops scattered all around.

While we didn’t have time during our recent trip, one of my favorite hikes, in Bend is the climb to the top of Pilot Butte. Not only does the walk get your blood pumping a little, you are richly rewarded once you reach the top, with one of the most astounding views around.

While it’s the young adults you so often see in and around Bend, those of us in the “baby boomer generation” are equally blessed with the sights, sounds and awesome activities offered in this great part of the state.

Photos by Craig Zagurski.

15:20

Get ready for the Bend Summer Festival July 8-10, 2011!

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

As summer weekends go in Bend, the upcoming one is among the biggest. We’re talking huge, folks. MASSIVE.

Wait, I need to lie down for a minute.

Not only is the 36^th annual Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show drawing over 12,500 visitors to Central Oregon this weekend, but the Bank of the Cascades Bend Summer Festival is set to bring than 30,000 attendees to Downtown Bend between Friday, July 8 and Sunday, July 10.

It’s the 21^st anniversary of the Bend Summer Festival, which kicks off Friday at 5 p.m. The event spans eight blocks of Downtown Bend and offers a full weekend packed with music, kids’ activities, dancing, art, food and fun.

Wanna know the best part? Admission is totally free!

That’s something to keep in mind as you scope out the amazing musical lineup.

Toad the Wet Sprocket will play at 9:30 p.m. on Friday as part of the Bend Summer Festival.

Starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, Mosley Watta and Tony Smiley will begin heating up the Clear 101.7 main stage. At 9:30 p.m., Toad the Wet Sprocket will perform for a solid hour-and-a-half. Not only that, but Friday night also features a special Listener Appreciation Concert featuring Night Ranger. The show is hosted by Classic Rock 98.3 The Twins at Troy Field (right by McMenamins downtown) and you can score free tickets by listening to The Twins and calling to win.

Music aside, there are a million other ways to have fun at the Bend Summer Festival. There will be more than 150 artisans/crafters from all over the country, five stages for entertainment, a food court boasting more than 20 vendors, a wide selection of microbrews from Deschutes Brewery, refreshing libations from Plum Cocktails, and fine wines from around the northwest. The Source Weekly is sponsoring a plethora of fabulous entertainment and activities just for kids.

The Bank of the Cascades Bend Summer Festival is produced by is presented by The Source and hosted by the Downtown Bend Business association.

Unless there’s a locust invasion or perhaps an unexpected bout of leprosy, you have no good excuses for missing this amazing event.

So will I see you there? If so, buy me a corndog. Pretty please?

11:01

Crossings at the Riverhouse in Bend, Oregon offers varied fare and gorgeous views

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

I’ve lived in Bend for over 13 years, and I’ll admit it – I’ve always regarded Crossings at the Riverhouse as “that place with all the steak.”

Not that there’s anything wrong with steak. In fact, Crossings has been voted Bend’s Best Steak by Gusto Magazine three years in a row.

But there’s more to life than meat that moos, and Crossings has discovered it with their recent menu revamp. The new menus include more pastas, entrée salads, and seafood dishes. Prices are lower. The fare is a little lighter and more varied. There are 26 new items to choose from.

The gorgeous river view from the outdoor patio.

I had my fork in hand before our Operations Manager finished asking, “who wants to go to Crossings for lunch?”

Even if the food were terrible, it would be worth coming here just for the gorgeous riverfront dining on the outdoor patio. Luckily, you don’t have to worry about terrible food. Everything we sampled was absolutely divine, and left me determined to return very soon on my own dime.

We started off with a sampling of heavenly appetizers from the lunch menu. I was skeptical of the Vegitarian Ceviche at first, but found it to be scrumptious with hearts of palm, tomato, lemon, lime, cilantro, avocado, and tortilla chips.

The Dungeness Crab Cakes with saffron aioli, house made cocktail sauce, and stone ground mustard sauce were delicious as an appetizer, or you can opt to do them as an entrée with fries and coleslaw.

Tasty seafood pasta!

And speaking of fries, the sweet potato fries with warm Cajun aioli are TO.DIE.FOR. I’ll return to nibble these for happy hour (which takes place from 4-6 p.m. seven days a week). Though we didn’t opt to pair wine with our lunch, I was impressed to hear Crossings features Bend’s largest selection of wines by the glass, with 26 different choices available.

I’m making it my mission to get through all 26 by summer’s end. It’s good to have goals, right?

I agonized over my lunch entrée decision, but eventually settled on the Seafood Fettuccini with sautéed shrimp, scallops, salmon, garlic white wine cream sauce, roasted red peppers, and asparagus. It was the prefect balance of creamy richness from the sauce and seafood, and light crispness from the veggies.

My second choice entrée would have been the Snug Harbor Crab Sandwhich with Dungeness crab, cheddar cheese, tomatoes on an English muffin topped with hollandaise sauce. The Visit Bend volunteer sitting next to me ordered it, and I spent most of lunch waiting for her to turn her back so I could steal half. While this never happened, I can say it looked delicious and definitely worth ordering.

Don't forget the divine dessert!

We got to peek at the happy hour and dinner menus as well, and both looked scrumptious. I’ll definitely be returning for happy hour when their fabulous hot wings are just twenty-five cents apiece.

On top of all the great food, there’s also live music nearly every night and special Dine With Wine events each month.

Whether you’re a visitor looking for great food and views, or a local looking to try an old favorite with a new flair, Crossings at the Riverhouse is definitely worth checking out.

And let me know if you want to help me reach my goal on that wine list. We’ll make it a team effort.

10:56

Three great tours give you an insider’s look at Bend, Oregon

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

So you want to get to know Bend. Intimately, right?

There’s no better way to do that than with an organized tour. Lucky for you, there are several fabulous ones in Bend, Oregon. You don’t even have to choose between them, since you get a little something different with each tour. Try them all!

Here’s what’s out there:

Demy Schleicher, a Visit Bend volunteer, leads a free tour through Bend's magnificent Drake Park.

Introduction to Bend walking tours with Visit Bend (free)

This is a great way to get your feet wet at the start of your Bend stay. Visit Bend offers free one-hour walking tours on Mondays and Fridays at 11 a.m. The tours last approximately an hour, and start at the Visit Bend office at 917 NW Harriman. A knowledgeable guide will lead you through Downtown Bend for an overview of the area’s architecture, noteworthy sights, and other hotspots.

Though not technically a historical tour like the other options on the list, the commentary does offer some delightful tidbits of Bend history. It’s the perfect way to get started, and you can’t beat the price. Be sure to ask your tour guide to recommend favorite shops, restaurants, picnic spots, local hikes, or anything else that interests you.

Don’t forget your comfy shoes and sunscreen, and water isn’t a bad idea, either.

The timing of the tour works perfectly if you want to grab a quick lunch and then do the Des Chutes Historical Museum’s Heritage Walk at 1 p.m. on Friday.

Des Chutes Historical Museum Heritage Walk (free with museum admission of $5 for adults, $2 youth, or free for kids 12 and under)

Vanessa Ivey, Museum Manager for the Deschutes County Historical Society, kicks off a historical walking tour.

This one-hour walking tour of Downtown Bend offers an in-depth look at a handful of people and places that helped shape the city. Led by a museum staffer with a plethora of knowledge of Bend history, the tours begin at the Des Chutes Historical Society Museum and meander for 1/3 of a mile through scenic neighborhoods, into Drake Park, and past a number of historic downtown landmarks.

Your guide will not only be armed with oodles of historical knowledge of the city, but also with plenty of laminated photos to show the people and places spotlighted on the tour.

What’s great about doing this tour on top of the Visit Bend one is that you see different parts of the downtown area. There’s only one tiny area of overlap in the routes, and the information presented in both tours is totally different. Do the Visit Bend tour for an interesting overview of downtown hotspots with a sprinkling of history, and do the Des Chutes County Historical Society tour for a more intimate glimpse at Bend history and the people who helped shape the city.

Tours take place Fridays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 11 a.m., weather permitting, through Sept. 4. They leave from the Des Chutes Historical Museum at 129 N.W. Idaho Ave.

Let it Ride Historic Electric Bike Tours of Bend ($45 per person)

If you’re looking to cover a little more ground – and to have an absolute blast while you do it – this is the way to go.

Cruising with Let it Ride on an electric bike tour.

I’ll admit it, when I was first invited to try this tour, I was a little meh about the idea. Electric bike? How fun would it really be?

Trust me on this – it’s ridiculously fun. Like pee-your-pants fun (though I recommend cleaning the bike seat if that happens).

The tours start from the Let It Ride shop at 922 Bond Street in downtown Bend. It’s a guided tour that’s limited to six people per group. The bikes are standard cruisers with baskets and nice, cushy seats, but they have the added perk of a little electric motor and a throttle to control your speed.

A number of people in my group enjoyed peddling the bike like normal, which is a perfectly acceptable way to travel. However, if you’re lazy like me, you’ll be pleased to know it’s possible to do the entire tour without peddling even once.

The tour zips through downtown, along the Deschutes river, into Pioneer Park, along the First Street River Trail, back through Drake Park, and over to the Old Mill District. You not only cover a lot of ground, but get a lot of interesting trivia at each stopping point along the way. Stories range from historical facts (complete with photos and illustrations) to offbeat details about brothels and local fishing lore.

The tour lasts about two hours and departs daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Participants need to be at least 16, and helmets are required (and provided).

This is definitely one of those experiences I’d seek out if I were visiting an unfamiliar town. For that matter, it’s something I was thrilled to do right here in my own backyard.

So there you have it – three great ways to get an insider’s look at Bend. Which one do you want to do first?

10:24

Get ready to welcome summer with The Bite of Bend (and win a couple tickets to the Northwest Spirits & Mixology Show!)

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

The seasons in Bend, Oregon are always heralded in by certain milestones. With winter, it’s the first snowfall. Spring is here when the little sand lilies start to poke their heads up along the trails.

And for me, nothing screams SUMMER IS FINALLY HERE! like the annual Sterling Savings Bank Bite of Bend.

The Bite of Bend takes place each year in downtown Bend. This year’s event is scheduled for June 25-26, and it’s jam-packed with a lot of exciting stuff. Some of the hottest happenings include:

The Top Chef Competition. Two full sized kitchens will be set up in the middle of downtown. Local chefs will be presented with a mystery ingredient, and in 1 hour, must come up with a dish that wows the palettes of the panel of judges. The event will start with 8 chefs in a round robin format with the winners of each round advancing to the next stage culminating in the final round to determine the Top Chef.
The Northwest Spirits & Mixology Show. This is the Northwest’s pre-eminent celebration of craft mixology and the spirits culture. I’m soooooooo looking forward to it, and since I’m guessing I’m not the only one, you’d be wise to buy your tickets early. They’ll be $10 at the gate, but if you stop by the Visit Bend office and purchase them ahead of time, you’ll get a screamin’ deal of only $8. There will be competitions, tastings, workshops and a lot more. This is your chance to experience the cutting edge of the cocktail culture! Be sure to catch the Bartender’s Brawl, too! Want to win a couple free tickets? Keep reading to the end of this post to find out how!
The “bites.” This is one of my favorite parts of the whole event. Bend’s great restaurants, cafes, and eateries offer an array of specialty foods, including bite-size taster options. It’s a great way to sample food from a lot of different restaurants without breaking the bank or gaining 40 pounds.
The Performance Stage. The live music this year promises to be outstanding! The lineup includes Bill Keale, The Staxx Brothers, Leif James, the Moon Mountain Ramblers, and a whole lot more. Check out the agenda and make sure to plan your outing accordingly!
The 2^nd Annual Beer run: The three-mile race will begin at noon on Saturday, June 25, and includes a loop through Drake Park with three beer stops. The run starts and finishes at Bond and Minnesota. Late registration is possible on race day beginning at 11 a.m. Look for the inflatable arch at the intersection of Minnesota and Bond! Every pre-registered participant will receive a Beer Run growler at the finish!

The Bite of Bend also includes a children’s area, a beer garden, fine food and wine, and a whole lot more.

Mark your calendar, grab your sunglasses, buy your Northwest Spirits & Mixology Show tickets, and join me in welcoming summer to Bend.

It’s about dang time!

WIN! Want to win two tickets to the Northwest Spirits & Mixology Show? Leave a comment on this blog post telling us your favorite thing about Bite of Bend. Never been before? That’s OK! Tell us what you’re most looking forward to at the event. We’ll choose two winners at random on Thursday, June 23, and both will win two free tickets to the Northwest Spirits & Mixology Show

11:39

Whether you’re a standup paddleboarding enthusiast or a brand new beginner, you won’t want to miss these great events in Bend, Oregon

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Tawna takes her first spin on a standup paddleboard.

For years, I’ve wanted to try standup paddleboarding.

When I learned Bend would be hosting a brand new World Paddle Association sanctioned paddleboard race on Saturday, June 18, that seemed like the perfect reason to get my butt out on the river.

Er, not that I’m planning to race. But I am planning to spend many hours fantasizing about crossing the finish line to claim a trophy, and I can’t do that if I’ve never even tried standup paddleboarding.

Because I have the coolest job on the planet, I got to have my first paddleboarding experience with the race directors for Bend’s two major standup paddle races. Chip Booth is the guy running the Bend Paddleboard Challenge – that’s the new WPA sanctioned event I mentioned earlier. Randall Barna runs the Race for the River, another WPA sanctioned event now in its second season and scheduled for August 13.

Both guys were fabulously funny and sweet and knowledgeable about the sport of standup paddleboarding. I couldn’t have asked for better teachers.

After they provided preliminary instruction to make sure I wasn’t likely to drown or stab myself to death with the paddle, we took off from Bend’s Riverbend Park headed upstream on the Deschutes. That’s actually the starting point for both races, so it was cool to get an insider’s view of the course.

I learned to balance and turn and maneuver effectively through sections of river with a bit more current. Even better, they let me try both a regular paddleboard and a racing one. Though the racing board is a bit tipsier, I somehow managed to avoid dunking myself in the river long enough to appreciate the fact that it goes really stinkin’ fast.

Chip Booth (left) stands in front of a paddleboard used for racing, while Randall Barna (right) stands in front of one designed for regular recreational use.

I was most impressed by the number of standup paddleboarders out on the river on a Wednesday afternoon. Bend is becoming a mecca for the sport, and as Chip and Randall pointed out, it’s impressive that two out of six WPA sanctioned races in the Pacific Northwest are being held in Bend.

Overall, I loved my first paddleboarding experience. I’ll definitely try it again, though I may save racing for another time.

For those of you with a bit more experience under your belts, you’ll definitely want to register soon for the Bend Paddleboard Challenge on June 18. Newer paddlers might be more interested in the two-mile short course, while the hardcore folks will likely gravitate toward the six-mile course. There will even be free demos for newbies like me. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Bend Parks and Rec’s Recreational Scholarship Fund and the Bend Paddle Trail Alliance’s efforts to raise money for the Colorado Dam Improvement Project.

If you’re curious about standup paddleboarding in general, check out Visit Bend’s page on standup paddleboarding. We offer plenty of info and links to the great outfitters in town who can get you set up with lessons and rentals.

Questions? Comments? A burning desire to give me a trophy even if I don’t participate in the race? I welcome all of the above!

15:17

Try a fun-filled cave crawl with Wanderlust Tours in Bend, Oregon

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

I love caves. When I travel abroad, cave tours are near the top of my to-do list. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting caves in Slovenia, Mexico, Spain, Greece, Australia, and a few other spots I’m likely forgetting.

I tell you this not to sound like a travel snob, but so you know I speak from experience when I say the Lava Cave Tours offered by Bend’s Wanderlust Tours will knock your socks off.

OK, not literally – your socks will probably stay on, which is good since the caves are a constant temperature of 45-degrees and might be chilly if you went barefoot.

Those familiar with Bend know our area has a very volcanic history. Central Oregon is polka-dotted with dozens of hidden lava tube caves, which can be a little daunting if you want to explore but aren’t sure where to start.

Wanderlust tour guide Jeff Gartzke opens the gate at the entrance to Skeleton Cave.

While the Lava River Caves run by the U.S. Forest Service offer a nice beginner’s option complete with railings, concrete steps, and lantern rentals, the experience is much different from what you’ll get with Wanderlust Tours.

For starters, Wanderlust is the only guide company permitted in the lava caves you’ll be touring with them. You get away from the crowds and into the heart of the high desert to experience lava caves without artificial lighting, paved pathways, and parking lots.

Best of all, you get to experience it with an uber-knowledgeable guide.

Wanderlust’s Jeff Gartzke was the guide on my tour, and he didn’t disappoint. A professional naturalist with a degree in geology, Jeff told me on a previous tour that caves are one of his true areas of passion and expertise. This was evident from the instant our little group hopped in the van for our trip out to Skeleton Cave. Jeff talked the whole way out, telling us about local forest fires, answering questions about area cave systems, and generally making us laugh.

Tawna from Visit Bend inside Skeleton Cave. Notice the grafitti? That's one reason the cave is closed to the public, but Wanderlust Tours can get you in.

Once we arrived, Jeff got us all outfitted with helmets and headlamps before leading the short hike to the cave opening. As he unlocked the gate that blocks the entrance to the cave, he talked with us about some of the recent history. Skeleton Cave was open to the public until 2006, when the Forest Service stepped in and decided to protect the bats from harassment and the cave walls from constant vandalism.

Since we got a close look at both the graffiti and a lonely little bat, I could see the reasoning behind the decision.

Jeff led us deep into the cave, explaining geologic features like cave coral and basalt, and telling us about the few hardy creatures who reside there. We stopped periodically for photos or for an experiment with wintergreen lifesavers (way cool, trust me).

Our tour lasted just over three hours and included all the transportation, gear, and guidance necessary to make it an amazing experience. Though our group was comprised entirely of adults, the cave tours are popular with families and can be adjusted to accommodate the needs and interests of all ages.

Wanderlust’s cave tours run year round, since you don’t have to worry much about snow or sunstroke when you’re underground. You can find all the info you need about booking and cost on their website.

And on that note, I’ll leave you with a short video of Jeff talking with us about the formation of Skeleton Cave. Enjoy!

16:37

Sip your way through Bend, Oregon with these super scrumptious cocktails

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

I’m a wine snob. That’s my beverage of choice 90% of the time, though I’ll admit it doesn’t always pair well with Cheerios.

When I’m not sipping Pinot Noir at one of Bend’s amazing wine cafes, I’m usually sampling craft beer along the Bend Ale Trail.

But there are times wine or beer won’t do – when I want something extra special. Those are the times I’m grateful to live in a town with so many amazing cocktails. Here are a few of my favorites:

The simple sips

The divine Greyhound at 900 Wall.

If I’m looking for something delicious without a lot of frills, there’s no beating the Greyhounds at 900 Wall in downtown Bend. The grapefruit juice is freshly squeezed and mixed with the perfect amount of vodka and ice, and you can’t beat the $5 price tag during happy hour.

Another option is to venture into the Old Mill District where Anthony’s makes a positively divine Manhattan. It’s even more divine if you sip it outside on their patio while watching the Deshchutes River roll past on a lazy summer afternoon.

Something summery

Though the weather hasn’t warmed up quite yet in Bend, there’s no reason you can’t slip into your flip-flops and pretend you’ve just strolled in from a day paddling the high lakes on a summer day. Joolz in downtown Bend makes a wonderfully refreshing Pim’s Cup. Made with Pims #1, lime, lemon-lime soda, and fresh cucumber, it’s the perfect summery drink and pairs great with the restaurant’s tasty Middle Eastern/Mediterranean cuisine.

Just a few blocks away, El Jimador mixes up another divine cocktail I guarantee will leave you humming mariachi music and checking between your toes for sand. The La Chula is made with elder flower liquor, fresh lime juice, sweet & sour, jalapeno, and cilantro. The $10 price tag is admittedly steep, but it’s a great big drink and well worth the splurge.

Tawna with the fabulous Cucumber Lavendar Mojo at Asto Lounge.

One drink that falls perfectly into the category between “simple” and “summery” is the Cucumber Lavender Mojo at Astro Lounge. You’ll love the tidbits of fresh mint and cucumber in this tasty little martini, and you’ll really love the $5 happy hour price tag.

If you like it spicy

Not everyone loves cocktails with a spicy kick, but they’re a personal favorite of mine. Velvet makes an amazing concoction called the Spiced Mimosa. A blend of organic passionfruit puree, spicy Mazama Pepper Vodka, and champagne, this little $5 drink will have you kicking up your heels.

Not to be outdone, Tart Bistro offers a fabulously zingy cocktail called the Sweet Hot Tart. It’s made with pepper vodka, pineapple juice, and fresh squeezed lemon juice, then shaken to perfection. The little chili pepper garnish is an added perk.

Blacksmith Steakhouse Bar & Lounge has a few zingy options as well, including the El Scorcho with habanero-infused vodka, fresh ginger syrup, pineapple, and lime with a frothy jalepeno foam. There’s also the Sum Yung Gi (Red Curry) with coconut rum, Mazama Pepper Vodka, ginger confit, & fresh-squeezed lime.

For the sweet tooth

I’m not generally a fan of the sweet cocktail, but I’ll make an exception for a few special beverages. 10 Below has a scrumptious drink called the Mello Yellow. Made with marshmallow infused vodka, champagne syrup, and fresh squeezed lemon juice, you can have it for dessert or just for solo sipping.

The chocolate indulgence is a great option for chocoholics visiting The Blacksmith. It’s made with chocolate syrup, molasses cream, and chocolate liqueur with a dark-chocolate peanut rim. Yum!

Got a favorite cocktail in Bend? Where’s your favorite spot for sipping? Please share!

And please don’t feel the need to sample all my suggestions in one evening. You want to be able to remember your visit to Bend, preferably without referencing your prison mug shot.

16:12

Get oriented (or disoriented?) with a hike up Pilot Butte in Bend, Oregon

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

At least once a week, someone asks me where to hike near Bend. Since I have entirely too many favorite hiking spots, I often blather without taking a breath until I’ve named every gorgeous trail within a 100 mile radius.

Sometimes, that’s what the person wants.

Other times they’ll frown and do that scrunchy-forehead thing that means I’ve provided entirely too much information.

“How about something – simple?”

Hey, I can do simple. If that’s what you’re after, or if you just want to orient yourself to the layout of Bend, look no further than Pilot Butte State Park.

Here’s how easy it is – from almost any point in the city, stand outside and turn in a circle. When you spot the 500-foot, brownish cinder cone jutting up from the northeast part of town, stop moving. That’s Pilot Butte.

Technically an extinct volcano, Pilot Butte is a 100-acre State Scenic Viewpoint that was acquired by the city in 1927. You have several options for reaching the top. One hiking trail is a steeper, shorter route on a dirt path that leads all the way to the peak. The other offers a more gradual ascent that follows the paved road for a portion of the climb.

You can also drive to the top between mid-April and late fall when the road isn’t icy. Though I’ll admit I’ve driven it once or twice with out-of-town guests who aren’t physically able to hoof it, I encourage you to get out of your car and walk to the top if you can. The hike isn’t tough, nor is it long, and you’ll get a 360-degree view of the city as you make your way up the trail. There are benches along the way if you need to stop and catch your breath or just check out the scenery. It’s roughly a mile (depending on route) and you can generally make it up and down in under an hour.

No matter how you opt to reach the top, you’ll want to spend some time savoring the view once you get there. To the west, you’ll see the Cascade Mountains spread out in all their snow-capped glory. You’ll spot Mt. Bachelor, Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, Broken Top, Mount Hood, and a variety of other peaks.

You can also survey the layout of the city itself, which is a great way to get oriented. To the east, you’ll see the Forum Shopping Center with Costco, Old Navy, Barnes and Noble, and a variety of other shops. Beyond that is the endless Oregon Badlands Wilderness.

Face west and you’re looking toward downtown Bend and the Deschutes River. To the North is Redmond. To the South is Sunriver. There are oodles of homes and trees and cars and shops in between, and you can spend hours up there just staring down at the city like it’s your own private ant farm.

Dogs are welcome at Pilot Butte on a leash, though keep in mind there’s no water at the top. There’s a drinking faucet at the bottom, but it’s only turned on in warmer months. There’s also a great playground at the bottom for the kids or the adult members of your party who’ve never outgrown their fondness for slides.

Once you’ve made it back down to the bottom, consider rewarding yourself with a stop at Bend’s Popular Pilot Butte Drive-In. Their breakfasts are huge and delicious, and their burgers are the best in town.

Plus you’ll be able to gaze up at the cinder cone itself, shake your fist in triumph, and shout through your mouthful of French fries, “Oh yes – I have conquered you!”

Big thanks to Craig Zagurski for the lovely Pilot Butte photos!

14:49

Get funky May 7 at the 2nd annual Chicken Coop Tour in Bend, Oregon

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Those of you familiar with Oregon may be aware of the Keep Portland Weird movement. While it’s true Portland probably corners the market on weirdness, I’d like to point out that Bend has its own unique brand of quirky culture right here in the high desert.

Don’t believe me?

For evidence, look no further than this weekend’s second annual Chicken Coop Tour.

Two things strike me as odd there – one, the obvious fact that local chicken coops are an actual tourist attraction, complete with booklets, a tour etiquette guide, and organized bike tours and shuttles to keep people moving between coops.

And then there’s the fact that the event was clearly popular enough the first time to warrant a second one.

Am I the only person who’s absolutely enthralled with this idea? Obviously not, or there wouldn’t be so much buzz (or should I say squawking?) about the event.

Bend’s second annual Chicken Coop Tour takes place Saturday, May 7 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Participants can visit their choice of local coops and see hundreds of chickens and their owners who “graciously invite you to meet, greet, bawwk, gawk, and learn about the wonderful world of poultry.”

(That’s taken right from the website, folks – I swear, I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried).

This year, 35 coops will be available for viewing in Bend and Tumalo. The tour includes a wide variety of coop styles custom built out of everything from recycled materials to straw bales. Some coops house 3 chickens, some house 60, and the wide variety of styles and breeds will have you clucking with pleasure.

In all seriousness, there are a few legit reasons behind the Chicken Coop Tour. There’s been a big focus on going green and eating local lately, and chicken coops can be a big part of that.

There’s also a charitable element to the Chicken Coop Tour. It’s raising funds for Together for Children, Healing Reins Therapeutic Riding Center, and NeighborImpact Food Bank. That means the $10 you spend on a tour booklet will go to a good cause. Ditto that if you opt to pay with six cans of non-perishable food instead.

You can also do an organized bike tour with Bend Velo starting at 10 a.m. or the GETIT Shuttle tour kicking off at 9:45 or 12:45.

Even local restaurants are getting in on the action. If you flash your bright orange Chicken Coop Tour booklet on May 7 at CHOW or Café 3456, the restaurants will donate a portion of the bill to the aforementioned non-profits.

I can vouch for the fact that both restaurants are FABULOUS, so that right there makes it worthwhile. Be sure to order an omelet. Or eggs benedict. Or scrambled eggs.

Visit the Chicken Coop Tour website for more details on how to buy your booklets or sign up for an organized tour. Whatever you do, be sure to venture out this Saturday to sample a bit of Bend’s unique brand of weirdness.

Bawwk!

16:44

Get sauced at Baldy’s Barbecue in Bend, Oregon

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

When the Visit Bend crew has the divine pleasure of dining at local restaurants, we fill out review forms. It’s a great way to capture everyone’s input, but I couldn’t help but notice the forms from our recent visit to Baldy’s Barbecue captured a little something extra – barbecue sauce. Oodles of it. It’s smeared on every page, along with a few distinct tongue-shaped marks I suspect are the result of diners not wanting to miss even a drop of tasty goodness.

The man himself, Baldy.

Baldy’s Barbecue has been a fixture on Bend’s westside since 2005, though they’ve since expanded to an eastside location and a new spot in Redmond.

The fare is everything you’d expect from a barbecue joint, with a lot of little extras thrown in to shake up your taste buds and make sure you know you’re getting something special.

Take the appetizers, for example. Baldy’s offers standard hot wings prepared to perfection with their scrumptious homemade sauce, but for those who want to deviate from fried wings, they also offer smoked ones. They’re spice-rubbed and served hot out of the smoker, tossed with either original or Cat’s Meow sauce.

Baldy made the grave tactical error of setting both platters at my end of the table. I sampled the fried wings. Then I sampled the smoked wings. Then I sampled the fried wings. Then I sampled the smoked wings. When my dining companions suggested that they, too, would like to sample the wings, I snarled and bit someone on the arm. Then I grabbed both plates and jumped on an adjacent table and screamed, “you’ll have to kill me first!”

OK, maybe I didn’t do that. I wanted to.

Baldy's has a great selection of local beers on tap, including this Sinister Dark Ale from 10 Barrel.

Another great surprise was the fried okra. It’s something I’ve seen on the menu countless times, but never got around to ordering. When Baldy first brought it out, I thought it was mini calamari. Then I took a bite. And another. And another. These things are addictive, with the perfect texture combination of squishy and crunchy and a nice little dollop of ranch to add some zing. I’ll definitely be ordering fried okra again.

Then the entrees started rolling out. Baby Back ribs. Pulled Pork. Beef Brisket. AuGratin Potatoes. It was like a parade of deliciousness making laps around our table. I gave up taking notes and just devoured everything. The sauces were divine, the meats so tender I considered not even chewing (which was partly the result of my desire to eat as fast as I could so I’d get more than my share).

There was plenty to go around though, which is another thing to love about Baldy’s – the portions are huge. Be sure to save room for desert though, since the southern bread pudding with a cracked caramel crust is worth loosening the top button on your pants.

The Visit Bend crew passes the grub, including this delicious platter of sweet potato fries.

It’s also worth pointing out that vegetarians won’t feel out of place at Baldy’s. Our resident non-meat-eater devoured the okra, the salads, the potatoes, the beans, and was feeling pretty stuffed when Baldy brought out a spicy black bean burger topped with fresh, grilled veggies. Suffice it to say, no one went home hungry.

If you’re looking for cozy, casual barbecue fare, look no further than Baldy’s. Just don’t look closely at any of your fellow diners. Their faces will be smeared with sauce and they’ll be wearing identical, goofy, satisfied grins.

Hey, what happens at Baldy’s stays at Baldy’s. Don’t judge.

11:09

Is it a bar? Is it a bike? Yes! Catch a ride on Bend, Oregon’s new Cycle Pub

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Stopping at Boneyard Brewery to refuel.

We’ve all been there. You’re sipping a frosty microbrew and find yourself staring at your barstool musing, “I really wish this thing had pedals.”

OK, maybe not.

Still, that doesn’t make Bend, Oregon’s new Cycle Pub any less cool. In fact, the oddity of this rolling bar on wheels is what makes Cycle Pub so deliciously awesome.

The concept is simple: as many as 14 riders belly-up to the bar and park their butts on bike seats. As they pedal and sip, the bar begins to move. With the aid of a skilled (and sober) driver, the contraption winds its way along Bend’s picturesque streets.

I had the opportunity to join the Cycle Pub on its third official outing, and I’ve gotta say – this thing rocks. We started off peddling our way from McMenamins toward Boneyard Brewery where we replenished our Silipint silicone beverage glasses. From there, we sipped and pedaled back downtown where we cruised the streets for the First Friday Art Walk.

Sipping from a Silipint aboard the Cycle Pub. Photo courtesy of Craig Zagurski

This thing couldn’t possibly have drawn more attention if we’d had the entire Bend City Council strapped naked to the roof. People waved, stared, shouted, laughed, pointed, cheered, and in one memorable instance, chased us down the street groupie fashion. We doled out stickers and waves to adoring fans, all the while making sure our beverage glasses stayed topped off and the Cycle Pub kept moving along.

When I bragged to everyone I knew shared with a few select friends that I got to join the Cycle Pub on one of its maiden voyages, everyone had the same question: “how is that legal?”

Think of it like a limousine or a party bus (except eight million times cooler). Riders can’t step off and meander around with drinks, and Cycle Pub employees can’t serve you. It’s strictly BYOB, though the Cycle Pub crew will be happy to arrange for food, music, or pretty much anything else your tipsy little heart desires.

The Cycle Pub has been booking up fast for weddings, birthday parties, and team-building excursions. Tours start at $300 for two hours, but there are plenty of options for longer outings or smaller groups that want to buddy up and split the cost.

Gorgeous finishing touches adorn the Cycle Pub both inside and out. Photo courtesy of Craig Zagurski

The Cycle Pub is sponsored by the fabulous Old Mill District, and tours kick off from the storage facility right on the fringe of it. There are several pre-selected routes with plenty of stops along the Bend Ale Trail. You can also pick a scenic journey of your own (though you may want to reconsider any ideas that involve big hills).

Got any questions about Cycle Pub? Feel free to ask them here, or mosey over to their website where you’ll find their reservation form and all sorts of other good info.

And be sure to wave when you see us out cruising!

P.S. I just got word that (by popular demand) Cycle Pub t-shirts are going to be available just in time for summer. Keep an eye out for those!

12:02

Feeling oh-so-good in the Oregon Badlands Wilderness east of Bend

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

I’ve lived in Bend for more than 13 years, and though I’ve heard of the Oregon Badlands Wilderness, I had never spent time exploring it. I suppose I thought it sounded like a place I’d be sent as punishment for bad behavior.

David Eddleston shows off the Badlands Volcano to the Visit Bend team.

Not that I don’t deserve it, but the Oregon Badlands Wilderness east of Bend is really the opposite of punishment. With raw, volcanic landscapes and craggy, ancient junipers, it’s a side of Bend not many people get to see.

The Visit Bend team had the amazing opportunity to explore this area with David Eddleston, manager of the volunteer stewardship organization the Friends of Oregon Badlands Wilderness.

At just under 30,000 acres, the area is vast and wild, but still simple for the average hiker to explore in small chunks.

We started off with a visit to the Larry Chitwood Trailhead, which we accessed by heading east on Highway 20, north on Dodds Road. That trail offers a fairly flat 4-5 mile loop with some lava flows and ancient junipers. The trail is marked, but stupid jerks people keep stealing the signs, so pay attention. Be sure to grab a brochure from the box at the trailhead, since there’s a map inside.

Next, we made a stop at the Flatiron Rock Trailhead just off Highway 20. Hikers can take the Ancient Juniper trail about two miles to where it connects with the Flatiron Trail. You can turn around there, or continue in a loop on Flatiron Trail to see Castle Rock and Badlands Rock – both fascinating rock formations. Looping back on Flatiron Trail makes the whole trip about 8 miles.

For me, the best hike was an off-trail loop we took starting right at mile marker 15 off Highway 20. Heading due north, we walked through something that looked like very fine sand.

“Volcanic ash,” David informed us, explaining how it traveled there when Mount Mazama erupted around 5,677 BC to form Crater Lake. The ash has broken down to the delightful consistency of powdered sugar, though I don’t recommend sprinkling it on pancakes.

I do recommend walking abreast instead of single-file through these off-trail areas to avoid forming new trails.

About ¼ mile from the highway, we came to the Badlands Volcano. This is where the underground vent that supplied the lava flow from the Newberry Caldera to the Badlands Wilderness developed a hole in the roof at its highest point. That became the source of the lava flow in a general northeast direction.

Even without knowing the history or geology, it’s cool to look at. So are the gnarly, ancient junipers that seem to spring up out of impossible rock formations.

Behold, the packrat poop.

Heading north from there, we came upon a pressure ridge (also known as a tumulus). That’s where we witnessed one of the more fascinating natural marvels.

“Packrat poop,” David said, pointing out a rather sizeable pile of it.

Whether you’re interested in rodent excrement, trees, rock formations, or just a whole lot of glorious silence and solitude, it’s definitely worth visiting the Oregon Badlands Wilderness. There’s an excellent map on the Bureau of Land Management website. It’s also smart to have a compass or a GPS unit to keep yourself oriented.

Water is a must, particularly in warmer weather (and don’t forget water for Fido, who is welcome to roam without a leash). Horses are welcome, too, but the area is closed to bikes and motorized vehicles, so leave the motorized barstool at home.

Any questions about the Oregon Badlands Wilderness? Ask away! I may not have the answers, but I know a guy who does. If you ask really nicely, he might even show you the packrat poop.

16:34

Trattoria Sbandatti offers heavenly, authentic Italian dining in Bend, Oregon

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Admit it. At least once in your life, you’ve thought, “Should I really go out for Italian when it’s so cheap to make spaghetti at home?”

I’ll confess, I’ve probably even said it aloud.

But there’s Italian food, and then there’s ITALIAN FOOD.

Sort of like the difference between seeing photos of Venice and lying in a gondola trailing your fingers in the water as you sip Chianti and listen to a throaty serenade from your gondolier.

I’ve spent time in Italy, and while I may be struck dead for saying so, I’ve never had Italian food done as superbly as what’s served at Bend’s Trattoria Sbandati.

A bold statement, though a quick conversation with chef Juri Sbandati makes it clear he’s not too far removed from his home country, where he mastered Italian cuisine.

Every morsel of food at Trattoria Sbandati is exquisitely prepared. Take the bread, for example. Bread is bread, right?

Wrong. At Trattoria Sbandati, the focaccia is perfectly dense and salty on the outside, airy and warm on the inside, and drizzled with the most heavenly olive oil you’ll ever taste.

Then you have starters – salad is simple, isn’t it?

Again, not so simple. The Insalata alla Gorgonzola is served with gorgonzola dolce, walnuts, and golden beets over fresh greens. Then there’s the Insalata alla Porchetta – succulent pork rib meat over arugula dressed with lemon and olive oil.

Our party of three quickly gave up all pretence of being polite and just started shoveling salad onto our plates to make sure we each got our fair share.

Next, we were craving pasta. We opted for the Tagliatelle al Gorgonzola – a wide noodle so tender I wanted to wrap myself up in it like a blanket. The other diners were staring, so I opted for eating it instead, savoring the creamy gorgonzola, walnuts and arugula.

Then came the Gnocchi – handmade and served with porcini mushrooms and parmiggiano reggiano with a hint of truffle and sage. It wasn’t actually on the menu, but our server recommended it so enthusiastically we had to try it.

As a rule, I’m not a fan of mushrooms. After eating this dish, I decided to rethink that rule. The gnocchi were soft little pillows infused with so much flavor I think I whimpered when I put one in my mouth.

Though we were seriously stuffed by then, we had to keep going. There was no way we wanted to miss a morsel of food. We ordered the Melanzane all Parmigiana (otherwise known as eggplant parmesan) and a plate of Polpette – the chef’s famous Italian meatballs with a side of sautéed spinach.

We summoned our server after the first bite of meatball. “What on earth is in these?” we asked. “They’re the most amazing meatballs we’ve ever tasted.”

She smiled, politely ignoring the fact that we were all drooling. “It’s a secret. He never tells.”

We glanced toward the kitchen, all thinking the same thing. If two of us held him down, and one person tickled him, maybe we could get him to tell us…

But we weren’t prepared to forgo dessert, which was a delectably creamy tiramisu dusted with bittersweet chocolate. We all insisted we didn’t have room, yet somehow managed to wolf down the entire thing in about 30 seconds.

Overall, I have to say that Trattoria Sbandati not only offers one of the best meals you’ll find in Bend, but some of the best Italian food you’ll find…well, anywhere.

Make sure you call for reservations, as the space is small and they often host special theme dinners and wine tastings.

And if you think of a way I can get that meatball recipe without resorting to torture, let me know. I’ll be stalking the chef in the parking lot.

10:22

Dreaming of a white spring break in Bend, Oregon? Check out Springtacular at Mt. Bachelor!

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

12:06

Shhh….I’m sharing my secret hotspots in Bend, Oregon

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

My parents spend several months a year on Kauai, and when I visited recently, they showed me their secret spots – a hidden beach, an off-the-beaten path farmers’ market, a secluded place to watch the sunset.

They’re protective of their secrets, and threatened dismemberment if I shared. While I’m not willing to risk a limb for Kauai, I am willing to cough up some of my own favorite secrets for Bend, Oregon.

For hiking

Bend has amazing hiking trails, and while you can’t go wrong with common spots like Tumalo Falls or the Deschutes River Trail, my personal favorite isn’t as well known. The trailhead for Blow Lake is right off the Cascade Lakes Highway about a mile south of Elk Lake. It’s a 1 mile hike to Blow Lake, and another 1.5 miles to equally beautiful Doris Lake. Besides being gorgeous and fairly easy to hike, the trails are often empty. I seldom encounter other hikers even in peak season, which makes it a peaceful place to let my dog run without the risk she’ll tackle small children. It’s also a great spot for a picnic if you don’t mind foregoing tables and tossing a blanket on the ground.

For picnic fixins

Speaking of picnicking, that’s one of my favorite Bend activities. My secret spot to buy picnic goodies is Bend’s locally owned Grocery Outlet on 3^rd Street. This bargain store is a hodgepodge of food and household goods at insanely low prices. You never know what you’ll find, but I have great luck scoring unique cheeses, tasty prosciutto, seasonal fruit, and crackers for a fraction of prices at other places. The best feature is the wine. Many times I’ve taken a gamble on a $3.99 bottle of something mysterious and foreign and returned for an entire case. If you’re a serious bargain hunter who likes sampling new things, this is the place for you.

For lunch

If you’d rather have someone else assemble your lunch, two of my favorite spots are Parilla Grill and Croutons. Neither is in the middle of Downtown or Old Mill where visitors tend to gravitate. Instead, they’re a few blocks apart on 14^th Street (technically, Croutons is on SW Century Drive…don’t ask me why the road randomly changes names). Parilla specializes in amazing wraps, and my favorite is the Bombay Bomburrito. Croutons features fabulous soups, salads, and sandwiches. Try a combo and sample a tasty Santa Fe Salad paired with a Granny Smith Chicken Salad Flatini.

For fashion

I have a tough time keeping up on fashion trends, and a tougher time paying the prices required to be trendy. A wise person once shared a secret: if you splurge on a few high-end accessories, you’ll look fashionable no matter what you’re wearing. That concept makes me a huge fan of Clutch: a handbag boutique on Minnesota avenue in Downtown Bend. They specialize in handbags and wallets by designers like Hayden Harnett, Rebecca Minkoff, Kooba, Lauren Merkin, Mar Y Sol, Elaine Turner, Ellington, Hobo International, and more. I can buy a sassy little clutch or a gorgeous leather shoulder bag and feel like a million bucks without having to purchase an entire outfit. Their prices are surprisingly reasonable, and the owner is great at helping you find exactly the right bag to match your style or budget.

That’s it for my roundup of Bend secrets. What are yours? Share if you can (without risk of dismemberment, of course).

12:10

900 Wall promises delectable dining in Bend, Oregon

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

The email arrived last week:

We have been invited to a Visit Bend dinner at 900 Wall on Wednesday, March 2^nd at 6 p.m. Please let me know if you will be able to attend.

I was jumping up and down squealing before I even finished reading the message. Dinner at 900 Wall? Are you kidding me? It’s only one of my favorite restaurants in the whole entire galaxy.

Suffice it to say, I accepted.

If you’re familiar with the dining scene in Bend, you might remember 900 Wall as the restaurant that used to be Merenda. Though the food and ambiance was terrific then, it’s even better now.

Our group kicked things off with drinks and appetizers, and many of us chose to order from the restaurant’s great selection of wine flights. I opted for the Pinot Envy flight, which gave me four glasses of incredible Oregon Pinot Noir. Each one was fabulous, though none of us seemed to agree on which we liked best. I expected fistfights to break out at several points.

The Pinot Envy wine flight.

A few others at our table ordered from the cocktail menu, and I saw at least a couple Greyhounds. No surprise there, since 900 Wall makes the best in town.

One of my favorite appetizers at 900 Wall are the fried green beans with parmesan and aioli. Don’t even think of leaving the restaurant without trying these. Even the folks at our table who turned up their noses at the idea were seen upending the basket to make sure they got every last morsel.

The seared albacore sashimi was spectacularly tender, and my roasted beet salad was simply divine.

Choosing an entrée was difficult only because there are so many great options. Columbia river sturgeon? Flatiron steak? Risotto? Imperial stock ranch lamb shoulder?

Ultimately, I opted for a roasted quail special with pureed potatoes and eggplant. I would have patted myself on the back for my fine choice, but there was no way I’d consider setting down my fork. Everything was marvelously prepared and beautifully presented.

The fabulous roasted quail special.

One of the things I love best about 900 Wall even when I’m not dining for free is the service. The wait staff here is friendly, attentive, and always happy to answer questions or make recommendations.

Treating yourself to dinner at 900 Wall should be near the top of your to-do list for any Bend vacation, but if you don’t have time for a full meal, consider checking out their happy hour. I’ve blogged about it before, and still consider it one of the best in town.

Have you been to 900 Wall? If so, what’s your favorite dish? If you haven’t been, why are you still reading? Contact them now and make a reservation. Now.

14:40

The ultimate dog date in Bend, Oregon

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Tawna and Bindi.

I had a hot date the other day.

The fact that my date has a tail and walks on four legs didn’t make it any less magnificent.

Bend boasts one of the highest rates of dog ownership per capita in the U.S., which means it’s among the most canine-friendly towns you’ll set foot in (er, watch where you set that foot – the occasional loser forgets to pick up after Fido).

On my recent dog date, I decided to show Bindi a good time Bend, Oregon style.

We started off with a stop at Bend Pet Express to grab a bag of kibble and a replacement for her beloved Fire Hose Stretch Toy. We hit their northeast location near Costco since that’s closer to our house, but they have another great shop on the west side of town.

By the time we finished up there, Bindi was gunning for a little off-leash time. Bend is fortunate to have seven (yes, SEVEN) off-leash dog parks in the city. Our favorite is the Pine Nursery Park, an 18-acre fenced area with amazing trails just off Purcell in northeast Bend. We hiked and fetched and sniffed butts for an hour, with Bindi enjoying some of those activities a bit more than I did.

Bindi at the dog park.

The highlight for Bindi was a rousing game of Frisbee with her Hover Craft from Ruff Wear (a Bend-based manufacturer of products for active canines).

Though the dog park has drinking fountains for dogs in warmer months, it’s too chilly for running water right now. Fortunately, Bindi and I thought ahead and brought a water bottle and our collapsible silicone bowl from Bend-based Tazlab.

Once we had our fill of fresh air and exercise, we headed downtown for a little girl time. Bindi has a taste for the bling, and who am I to discourage it?

Dog Patch Boutique on Minnesota Avenue has a great selection of dog accessories ranging from Swarovski Crystal collars to leashes to beds to dog apparel and cologne. We picked out a snazzy new collar for Bindi, who also insisted on some fresh biscuits from Polka-Doodle Dog Bakery for an afternoon snack.

Shopping for dog bling at The Dog Patch.

During the summer months, no dog date would be complete without lunch outside at one of Bend’s many dog-friendly dining establishments. Chow, Bourbon Street, Parilla Grill, Flatbread Community Oven, and Brother Jon’s are just a few great spots that allow dogs to dine with their owners at the outdoor tables.

At the end of our date, Bindi and I headed home for a bit of snuggling on the sofa in front of the fire. Though we live here and have the luxury of dog-friendly lodging every day of the week, there are tons of pet-friendly Bend hotels for visitors who need a home away from home. Check out the Visit Bend Pet Travel page for all kinds of great canine-related resources.

Do you have a four-legged companion? What are your favorite Bend hotspots to enjoy with your furry friend?

I hope to see you around town for a tail-wagging, butt-sniffing good time!

15:58

Acrobatic dinner and show combo will thrill your tummy and your mind!

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

15:17

It’s an amazing weekend for Oregon travel if you’re a beer fan – and Bend, Oregon is the epicenter of fabulous!

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

If you’re in Bend this weekend and you love beer, we have a huge treat for you.

Wait, why would you be in Bend if you didn’t love beer?

OK, here’s the news – Visit Bend just became the first destination marketing organization in the Pacific Northwest to launch a smartphone app. Its purpose? Helping Oregon travel hounds navigate the popular Bend Ale Trail.

You can download the free app (free! Did I mention FREE?!) from iTunes or right here on the Bend Ale Trail page. This fabulous travel app offers an interactive geolocation based map, one-touch access to brewery information, contact info for taxis, tours, and lodging, and even a quiz that lets you test your beer knowledge.

The app is available right now if you have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. Android users will get their turn in April when we release a Droid version.

Not-so-coincidentally, the app is out there just in time for Zwickelmania this President’s Day Weekend. Sponsored by the Oregon Brewers Guild, Zwickelmania is Oregon’s statewide brewery open house and tour taking place February 19.

Because Bend’s breweries rock so hard they make me seasick, they’re all throwing open their doors this Saturday to offer tours, tastings, and more. Zwickelmania goes from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Wanderlust Tours is offering a free shuttle bus that will rotate between the breweries on a 70-minute circuit. Go here to see a map and schedule.

Want more great ways to navigate the Bend Ale Trail? Here are a few options:

John Flannery of GETIT Shuttle (also known as Green Energy Transportation & Intra-area Tour shuttle) offers both private and scheduled tours.
The Bend Brew Bus provides a behind-the-scenes “beerventure” experience along with some Bend area background and highlights. Reservations are required.
The Buckboard & Biscuits tour lets you explore the Bend Ale Trail in style while sitting atop hay bales in a horse-drawn carriage.
The Cycle Pub of Bend lets you and up to 15 friends pedal while sipping pints and taking in the sights of Central Oregon.

Whatever you do, don’t forget to take your Bend Ale Trail passport so you can collect stamps and earn prizes for visiting all the breweries.

Oh, here’s a special shout-out to Old Mill Brew Werks. They’re the newest brewer in town, which means they’re not technically part of Zwickelmania or The Bend Ale Trail just yet, but they’re still worth a visit if you’re bopping around the Old Mill District this weekend.

Do you have a favorite brewery in Bend? Have you tried out our new app? What do you think of it?

And most importantly, will you buy me a beer if I see you out on the Bend Ale Trail this weekend?

14:01

Come for the mountains, stay for the Alpenglow (café, that is)

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Living in Bend, I have a lot of out-of-town guests. After they spend a few nights in my guest room enjoying home-cooked meals between hiking and skiing, they inevitably extend an invitation:

The Visit Bend crowd enjoys breakfast at Alpenglow.

“We’d love to take you out to breakfast,” they’ll say. “Where should we go?”

Before they even finish the question, I’m waiting in the car ready to point the way to Alpenglow Café.

Alpenglow has been one of my favorite spots since I arrived in Bend 13 years ago, and things have only gotten better since they moved a few blocks to their roomier space on Wall Street and Newport Avenue in 2006.

Specializing in fresh, made-from-scratch dishes, Alpenglow boasts no canned or frozen ingredients. They offer a $1000 reward if you can find a can opener on the premises (though there’s a thinly veiled threat of death if you attempt to cheat and bring your own).

They make all their own breads and buy their milk, yogurt and cream from Central Oregon dairy cows. All bacon, beef, chicken and salmon are smoked in Deschutes County, and their pancake and waffle batters are made fresh daily with Oregon fresh eggs, milk, buttermilk and flour.

My favorite treat on the breakfast menu is Zeus’s Favorite Frittata. It’s made with fresh oregano, kalamata olives, caramelized onions, fresh tomatoes, feta, cream cheese and scallions and served with a side of Alpenglow’s amazing home fries. You also get your choice of fruit, toast, or their unbelievable coffee cake.

I’m not ashamed to admit I once stabbed someone with a fork after he tried to take one of my home fries. Consider that a warning.

Other great Alpenglow breakfast dishes include their divine Eggs Benedict or their scrumptious Potato Pancakes served with house-made applesauce.

A chalkboard displays daily specials at Alpenglow.

Though I tend to think of Alpenglow as a morning hotspot, they’ve got incredible lunches as well. I’m a huge fan of their Smoked Salmon Quesadilla. It’s made with fresh house-smoked salmon, cream cheese, fresh dill, and scallions melted on a crisp flour tortilla and garnished with hollandaise and lemon.

No, that’s not a typo – hollandaise on a quesadilla. It sounds odd, but trust me, it’s fabulous.

Alpenglow is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. They don’t take reservations, and I suggest getting there a little earlier on weekends when things can get a bit crowded.

If you want to buy me breakfast at Alpenglow, I’ll gladly take you up on it. If you promise not to touch my home fries, I won’t even stab you.

14:25

It’s tea time all the time in Bend, Oregon!

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Oregon is a coffee lovin’ state, and Bend has plenty of great spots to grab your cuppa joe.

Hanging out at Townshend's Tea House in downtown Bend.

And though most of them serve tea as well, sometimes tea drinkers just want to feel special. Indulged. Like we’ve got a little something of our own.

Luckily, Bend’s got it covered.

Townshend’s Bend Teahouse is in downtown Bend next to Great Harvest Bakery on Bond Street. With warm lighting and cozy brick walls, it’s the perfect place to curl up on a retro sofa with a mug of some of their special brew.

One of my favorites is their Rose Tea, which is a black tea scented with rose petals and lychee. The Strawberry Sencha is a divine green tea flavored with tiny bits of strawberry. You can drink your tea there, or get it to go. They also have a fabulous selection of teapots and tea accessories.

Another great option for tea drinkers who like to brew their own is Inspired Leaf, a Bend-based company offering a wide array of unique tea blends. When I say unique, I’m not kidding. There’s Caramel Popcorn, with real bits of corn and caramel pieces. There’s Carrot Cake which has tiny shreds of carrots, cloves, walnuts, and maple brittle in the mix. My favorite is Cucumber Mojito, though Chocolate Strawberry Saffron runs a close second.

You can buy their teas online or shop in person at Ray’s Food Place on Century Drive or Serendipity in the Old Mill District. If you want to taste before you buy, Café Sintra in downtown Bend serves several of their teas.

Playing dress-up with Treasured Tea Parties

For those seeking an extra-special experience for the kids, Treasured Tea parties offers Tea Parties to Go. They’ll deliver and set up everything you need to throw the most amazing tea party ever – tables, chairs, tablecloths, chair covers, napkins, and all the fancy serving pieces. Best of all, they offer craft activities and costumes for participating kids. Children can choose from fancy dress-up, fairy outfits, princess attire, or ballerina costumes.

Sorry, grown-ups – no costumes for you, but if you want to slip on a feather boa and prance around a bit, no one will tell.

How do you like to enjoy your tea in Bend? Are you a fanatic, or just an occasional sipper? Please share!

17:37

Some things get better with age! Let’s go prowling for secondhand bargains and green goodies in Bend, Oregon

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Once upon a time, it wasn’t cool to admit you wore used jeans or got your curtains at a secondhand store.

Gorgeous vintage boots from Cowgirl Cash.

Lucky for me, those days are long gone. I’m a fiend for previously loved treasures. I want my shoes to be broken in, my furniture to have a history, my shopping bags to be “upcycled” into something new and fabulous. It’s the ultimate form of green shopping, and I totally dig it.

There’s no shortage of shopping for Bend visitors with a fondness for goodies with a past. One of my favorite clothing hot-spots is Rescue Moderne Consignment. They’ve always got a fabulous selection of designer denim, ultra-cool accessories, and even local labels.

No visit to Bend is complete unless you go home with a pair of hot cowboy boots. Cowgirl Cash in downtown Bend specializes in vintage and pre-owned western boots, apparel, and accessories. The instant you slip your feet into a pair of previously-loved boots, you’ll understand what the fuss is about. Check out the video clip at the end to hear Cowgirl Cash owner Rebecca dishing about what makes vintage boots so special.

While you’re in the downtown area, be sure to hit Feather’s Edge Finery. The shop is an eclectic mix of handmade goods – including oodles of things made from eco-friendly materials – along with quirky salvaged items like vintage suitcases, rickety ladders, and funky old doors.

This lovely apron is one of many things Sara Bella Upcycle can make from old shopping bags and banners.

My favorite spot for antiques and furniture doesn’t have a website and can be a bit tricky to find. Iron Horse is one of Bend’s best kept secrets, with an eclectic inventory that seems to change daily. The owner, Eddie, is always eager to chat and make you a deal if you find something you can’t live without (like the funky Mexican chair I snagged almost ten years ago and still adore!)

Other great hotspots for used furniture, antiques, and one-of-a-kind household goodies include Redeux, Déjà vu, Pomegranate Home & Garden, and Casarama.

If you’re really craving a unique gift with a history, check out Sara Bella Upcycled. Located in The Old Mill District, this quirky shop features a wide array of materials made from recycled plastic bags and banners. Aprons, tote bags, wallets, belts – you name it, they probably make it, and out of trash no less. Now that’s green shopping!

Be sure to check out Visit Bend’s listing of thrift stores and consignment shops at this link. You can also read more about going green in Bend right here.

Do you have a favorite secondhand store or consignment shop in Bend? Please share!

15:45

Blissing out at Boom Boom Beauty room in Bend, Oregon

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

I was smitten the instant I heard the name of Bend, Oregon’s newest day spa, Boom Boom Beauty Room. How cute is that?

Of course, one can’t judge a day spa based solely on an adorable name. One must experience the day spa. A hardship, to be sure, but I was willing.

The fabulous pedicure station.

The great thing about Bend’s many day spas is that each one has its own unique vibe. Jinsei Spa features a decidedly Asian feel, while Anjou’s niche is organic and green. At Boom Boom Beauty Room, you feel like you’re walking into the stylish, cozy home of your very best girlfriend.

Well, that’s assuming your very best girlfriend is a fabulous aesthetician with 18 years of experience and oodles of amazing products for pampering.

Boom Boom Beauty Room is located on Colorado Avenue in a remodeled home built in 1916. It opened just over four months ago, and features warm wood floors, big windows, crystal chandeliers, and gorgeous, artsy décor.

I instantly wanted to curl up on the luxurious chaise in the lobby and have shirtless men feed me peeled grapes, but that wasn’t what I came for. I came for a facial, and owner Kathleen McDonald delivered.

Visit Bend Marketing Director Lynnette Braillard gets checked in while chatting with owner Kathleen McDonald.

I’ve had facials before, but I can say without fear of contradiction this was the best one I’ve experienced. Kathleen started by taking a close look at my skin to determine the best products and treatments. Every facial is customized, something Kathleen takes quite seriously.

Once my hands were dipped in paraffin and I was bundled snugly in a cocoon of warm blankets, Kathleen began to work her magic. I relaxed while she massaged, lotioned, and steamed me to perfection.

When I confessed it had been awhile since my last brow wax, she cheerfully took a few minutes to remedy the situation before continuing with the facial. She also provided my first microdermabrasion treatment to exfoliate dead skin cells and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

“Not that you have any,” she assured me. “You look so young.”

I would have gotten up and hugged her right then, but I wasn’t wearing a shirt. Besides, I was nice and cozy in my blanket cocoon.

Visit Bend Communications Manager Tawna Fenske enjoys an amazing facial.

The facial lasted well over an hour and included a foot massage, shoulder rub, and so many yummy smelling potions and lotions I wanted to lick them off my face when no one was looking.

Besides facials, Boom Boom Beauty Room offers manicures, pedicures, massage, all sorts of waxing, brow and lash tinting, and a variety of hair and makeup services. You can check them out on Facebook here.

If you go, be sure to tell Kathleen that Visit Bend sent you. Also, could you give her that hug for me?

14:11

Brave outdoor vendors shiver through winter months to offer warm, delicious fare in Bend

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Sampling street vendor cuisine is my favorite thing to do when traveling, so I’m thrilled by how many food carts have debuted in Bend lately.

In warmer months, you’ll find one on nearly every downtown corner, offering fare that ranges from Greek to Thai to good old-fashioned barbecue.

Bundled up for the cold, the owners of Soupcon and El Sancho dish up piping hot food for downtown Bend visitors.

In the winter months though, only a handful of vendors brave the chill and wheel their carts out to offer tasty, hot, deliciousness for all to enjoy.

Just up the street from the Visit Bend office on the corner of Greenwood and Harriman are two of my lunchtime favorites. Soupçon (pronounced soop-sawn) features creative soups, salads, sandwiches, and Knödels, all of which are guaranteed to leave you swooning.

If you’re expecting ordinary soup fare like split pea or chicken noodle, think again. Try these on for size: Lemongrass & Saffron Butternut with Coconut and Mango Salsa. Smoked Cauliflower Bisque with Gorgonzola and Bacon.

Drooling yet? And I haven’t even mentioned the sandwiches and salads, which are equally exotic and delicious.

If your taste buds are craving something more like Mexican street food, take two steps to the right and you’ll be standing in front of El Sancho. Offering tacos, tamales, and enchiladas, El Sancho makes me believe, if only for a moment, that I’m standing on a street corner in Puerto Vallarta wearing flip-flops and a bikini.

Then I remember it’s 28-degrees and put my clothes back on.

The tamales at El Sancho are made from scratch with two types of masa. They’re wrapped with corn husks and banana leaves and filled with ridiculously delicious things like Pork Chile Verde, Pineapple Chile, Cactus Paddle Tomato.

Can’t decide between Soupçon and El Sancho? Grab a combo that lets you pick something from each. Now that’s a brilliant business merger. Both carts are open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

If you’re en route to or from Mt. Bachelor, there’s convenient street food out there for you, too. Check out The Pizza Cart in front of Pine Mountain Sports on Century Drive.

The Pizza Cart!

Open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., The Pizza Cart offers hot brick oven pizza. You can get thin crust personal pies made with hand-rolled dough, homemade sauce, local meats from the Redmond Smokehouse, hand roasted vegetables and fresh delicious cheeses. After 4 p.m., all pizzas are only $5.

So now you’re covered if you’re strolling downtown or visiting Bachelor. What about when you’re doing the winter weekend pub crawl downtown?

Check out Dump City Dumplings on the corner of NW Bond and Oregon. They’re open Thursday through Saturday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. – perfect for when you need something warm and delicious en route one pub to the next. They offer scrumptious dumplings like southwest chicken, samosa curry, or even pumpkin pie. Selections vary seasonally, which is all part of the fun.

Do you have a favorite treat on the Bend street vendor scene? Please share!

And please support the brave souls out there shivering on the street corner making sure your belly is full of warm, delicious grub!

14:52

Where the rubber meets the snow: The Mt. Bachelor Snowblast Tubing Park

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

We all know the skiing at Mt. Bachelor is ridiculously, magnificently, brain-numbingly, pee-your-pants fantastic.

But there’s only so much good stuff you can take before your head explodes.

Head explosions are something to avoid on vacation, which is one reason the Snowblast Tubing Park at Mt. Bachelor is such a great thing for snow enthusiasts of all ages.

My mom (foreground) and I (behind) head up to enjoy the Snowblast Tubing Park at Mt. Bachelor.

My extended family is an odd mix of hardcore ski bums and slugs who’d prefer to sit in the lodge sipping schnapps-laced cocoa. The Snowblast Tubing Park was the perfect option for all of us.

Here’s how it works: buy your ticket, grab a tube, and head over to the rope line where you sit your lazy butt in a big rubber donut and wait for the friendly attendant to clip you in. Then you watch the world go by as you’re pulled to the top of the 800-foot slope.

Certainly beats hoofing it up your neighborhood sledding hill.

Once you reach the top, you head for of one of the runs and get ready to fly. Since the Fenske family seeks every opportunity to secure bragging rights over one another, we soon turned it into a competition, with several members racing head-to-head on different lanes. There was much discussion about which slope is fastest, which colored tube is the best, and the advantages of different body positions and tube inflation levels.

The Snowblast Tubing Park, as seen from above.

The debate may have concluded with the forceful application of snowballs.

The great thing about Snowblast Tubing Park is that it’s perfect for all ages. My retired parents loved it as much as the grade-school kids in line behind us (though if you think we let them beat us in head-to-head races, you’re sorely mistaken – when playing with small children, play to win).

Sessions on the Snowblast Tubing Park hill do sell out, so check the website for ticket prices and info on buying them ahead. Kids must be at least 42” tall, and those under 18 need a signed parent/guardian release.

Snowblast tubing is open Friday through Sunday and during holidays (including Dec. 18 through Jan. 3). Sessions go from 10 a.m. to noon, noon to 2 p.m., and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

If you want a break from your other forms of snow-play, I can promise the Snowblast Tubing Park is a great option.

I can also promise that if I see you at the top, I will show no mercy. Prepare to be defeated in a head-to-head race. That’s just how we roll.

14:38

Rockin’ the Bend Ale Trail™ with some help from the Bend Brew Bus

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

I’ve lived in Bend, Oregon for 13 years, so I’ve always had a dim notion we’ve got lots of great craft breweries.

The “dim” part of that isn’t the result of beer consumption – it’s just that I never put two and two together and realized there are seven (count ‘em, SEVEN) great breweries within stumbling staggering walking distance of downtown Bend.

The impressively huge bottling operation at Deschutes Brewery.

Fortunately, Visit Bend did put two and two together when they launched the Bend Ale Trail last spring, giving beer aficionados a chance to collect passport stamps and prizes for making the rounds to local breweries.

Even more fortunately, Wanderlust Tours created the Bend Brew Bus to enhance your Ale Trail experience. For just $45, you get complimentary beer samples, a guided tour of local sites, appetizers at the last brewery, and round-trip transportation from your home or hotel to the breweries. Talk about the ultimate designated driver!

Wanderlust has partnered with all seven breweries on the Bend Ale Trail, but to ensure tour guests don’t end up drooling on themselves in the back of the bus, they limit the tour to four. The selection rotates each time, but my recent adventure with Wanderlust included stops at Deschutes Brewery, Cascade Lakes Brewing Company, Boneyard Beer, and McMenamins Old St. Francis.

It was the perfect combination.

Deschutes Brewery gave us amazing samples and a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of Oregon’s largest craft brewery. Cascade Lakes offered more great beer and a rousing dart game that, surprisingly, left all tour participants still in possession of both eyeballs. Though I hadn’t set foot in Boneyard Beer or sampled any offerings before the tour, I left with a 64-ounce growler of their fabulous “Girl Beer” and a wild appreciation for this small-but-growing operation. Last but not least was our stop at McMenamins, where we got a guided tour from the brewer himself, capped off with more beer tasting and tater tots.

Quirky little Boneyard Beer makes some impressive brews!

If you’ve ever considered doing The Bend Ale Trail, I can promise The Bend Brew Bus is worth every penny for the entertainment, transportation, and more beer than you can possibly consume in an afternoon. Our guide – James Jaggard – was informative, funny and charming (becoming more so with each beer I consumed).

For other alternatives on the Bend Ale Trail experience, try John Flannery of GETIT Shuttle (also known as Green Energy Transportation & Intra-area Tour shuttle). He offers Bend Ale Trail tours the first Saturday of each month as well as private large group tours. The Cowboy Carriage Company gives you the opportunity to make the rounds while sitting atop a hay bale in the back of a horse drawn carriage.

If you want a culinary twist to your Bend Ale Trail experience, check out the Pub Crawl Tour with Chef Bette at The Well Traveled Fork.

No matter how you choose to do the Bend Ale Trail, I can promise you’ll have an incredible time. Just remember to drink responsibly, OK? Bail isn’t included with brewery tours.

15:57

Loving the winter landscape, thanks to Wanderlust Tours

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

I’ve not much of a skier. The idea of whooshing down the slopes at high speeds is as appealing to me as removing the skin from my forearm with a carrot peeler.

I do, however, like snowshoeing. I like it even better when someone else handles the driving, the gear, and the decisions about where to go and what to see.

Jeff Gartzke, one of the naturalist guides for Wanderlust Tours, talks to our snowshoe group about lichen.

Throw in a thermos of cocoa and you’ve just described my perfect outing.

I was lucky enough to enjoy such an outing when Wanderlust Tours took me snowshoeing recently. The company offers a variety of custom snowshoe adventures ranging from a Moonlight and Starlight snowshoe tour to the microbrew-themed Shoes, Brews, and Views to the Bonfire on the Snow to just a plain old snowshoe outing.

It was the latter I got to enjoy, though I’d hardly call the experience “plain.” Our guide was Jeff Gartzke, one of several professional naturalists employed by Wanderlust to lead all their outdoor tours.

Once he got us suited up and offered some pointers on snowshoeing, we headed off into the Deschutes National forest next to Mt. Bachlor. I was impressed with Jeff’s ability to gauge the group’s fitness and areas of interest right off the bat. Where families or adventurous twenty-somethings might have been more keen on playing games and leaping off lava flows into deep powder, Jeff knew our group of mature (snicker) women would be more interested in a slow, scenic hike peppered with interesting nature trivia.

OK, we liked watching Jeff jump off the lava flow. We just weren’t up for it ourselves.

Jeff shows us how to leap off a lava outcropping into a giant pool of powder snow.

He talked with us about trees and lichen, and how weather impacts snow layers. He gave us tips for tackling the different types of terrain. He even capped it off by giving us extra marshmallows in our cocoa.

Based on this adventure, I’ll definitively recommend any of the Wanderlust snowshoe tours to my visiting loved ones. Because everything’s customized, it would be as enjoyable for my baby-boomer parents as it would for my cousin and his young kids.

You can learn details about the tours on their website and get specifics on the schedule by checking them out on Facebook. Book early before holiday crowds nab all the spots.

Just save some marshmallows for me. I’m coming back for more.

14:20

Seeking something unique to do in Bend? Check out culinary tours and classes from The Well Traveled Fork!

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

What’s better than a cooking class from The Well Traveled Fork featuring ingredients and cocktails from Bendistillery?

That’s a trick question, because duh—the answer is nothing.

That was my experience the other night when I had the divine pleasure of attending Chef Bette’s Cocktail Party Cooking Class. With 20 years as a professional chef and caterer who trained in Italy, France, and state-side, Chef Bette knows a thing or two about creating culinary ecstasy.

Chef Bette kicks off the Cocktail Party Cooking Class by introducing Alan Dietrich from Bendistillery.

As if the prospect of Chipotle Shrimp Cocktail with Mazama Infused Pepper Vodka or Tiramisu with Cofia-Hazelnut Espresso Vodka wasn’t enough to leave me drooling, Alan Dietrich from Bendistillery paired the perfect cocktail with every single dish (mango martinis with the shrimp dish and Cofia vanilla coffee with the tiramisu, in case you’re wondering).

We heard about different types of salt and the best way to roast fennel and onions. We discovered Chef Bette’s secret ingredient for great tiramisu. We ate and laughed and drank and had such a good time it was easy to forget we were all there to learn.

The class was one of many offerings from The Well Traveled Fork for locals and Bend tourists alike. Chef Bette offers a jam-packed calendar of regular cooking classes and culinary tours in and around Bend.

Chef Bette explains how to strain ingredients for the Tomato Soup with Cascade Mountain Gin.

Classes change regularly and range from kids’ cooking to holiday desserts to wood-fired pizzas.

The Well Traveled also offers a wide array of culinary tours. The Farm and Ranch Tour gives guests a close-up look at where their food comes from. The Round-About Bend Tour is a chance to see Bend’s best roundabout art, while en-route to the best bakery, coffee shop, grocery store, cookware shops, and wine café in town.

You can find a complete listing of all tours and classes on The Well Traveled Fork website. Both require 72 hours notice and make an excellent break from all your Bend recreation.

Oh, and here’s an added bonus this winter – flash your Mt. Bachelor lift ticket and get two culinary classes for the price of one. Grab a friend and bring your appetite!

15:22

For breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Jackson’s Corner is a well-deserved local favorite

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

I’ve long been a fan of Jackson’s Corner as the perfect lunch spot for tasty salads and sandwiches or a casual dinner of homemade pasta.

But a recent outing with the Visit Bend team was my first exposure to the breakfast offerings at this quirky little café.

To put it simply, I’m in love.

The delicious roasted red pepper scramble

Jackson’s Corner offers Bend’s best home cooking away from home. With its casual atmosphere and commitment to organic and locally grown products, Jackson’s Corner is a favorite among Bend locals.

During our recent breakfast outing, I ordered the roasted red pepper scramble. It’s a hearty mix of fresh organic eggs, roasted red peppers, Tumalo Farms chevre goat cheese, and fresh organic spinach served with home fries and Italian country toast.

Nearly everyone at our table got the home fries, and if I had a nickel for each time someone took a bite and swooned, I could buy six more breakfasts. These potatoes are AMAZING (which is an odd thing to say about potatoes, but trust me—they’re delicious).

The scramble itself was also wonderful, with tons of great flavor and a hearty portion.

Scrumptious biscuits and gravy

Another member of the group ordered the biscuits and gravy, which he described as delicious and perfectly textured. They’re made with Redmond Smokehouse chicken sausage gravy and fresh baked biscuits, and if the guy who ordered them hadn’t guarded his meal closely, I probably would have stolen it.

Several members of the group opted for breakfast burritos, which looked positively scrumptious. The burritos were filled with two eggs, choice of meat or veggies, home fries, mozzarella and provolone cheeses, sour cream, avocado, and fresh salsa. The presentation was almost too lovely to eat, though no one had any difficulty doing so. I may have even seen one or two people lick their plates, but I’m not naming names.

Everything tasted supremely fresh with a special flair that made it obvious the chef takes pride in choosing herbs and flavors that perfectly complement each dish. The restaurant’s commitment to using organic and locally grown products is admirable, and they even go out of their way to acquire meats produced locally in sustainable, humane ways.

The ambiance at Jackson’s Corner is that perfect blend of funky-casual, with large, homey tables and wooden benches. Since the place doubles as a market, there’s a huge cooler packed with beer, wine, and other interesting beverages.

Not that beer and wine are the best choice with breakfast, but hey, I’m not here to judge.

Prices for breakfasts range from $4.50 for a half-order of biscuits and gravy to $9-12 for most other offerings. Portions are hearty and service is casual—you order at the counter and food is delivered to your table.

All in all, I have to say Jackson’s Corner is one of the tastiest breakfasts I’ve had in a long time.

And fine, I’ll admit it—it was me who licked the plate.

10:53

Get your tropical fix with the High Desert Museum’s Butterflies exhibit

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

10:20

Scouting for Bend’s best happy hours

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Maybe I’m cheap. Maybe I’m old enough that I’ve now joined the ranks of the early eaters.

Whatever the reason, I’m a sucker for a good happy hour. Fortunately, Bend has a veritable cornucopia of fabulous ones to choose from.

The happy hour menu at 900 Wall is one of my favorites. My husband and I can order a Caesar salad ($4), a pepperoni pizza ($6) and the beef carpaccio ($9) and have plenty to eat for the both of us. 900 Wall makes the best Greyhounds in town, with freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and vodka for just $4. Their happy hour goes from 3-6 p.m. daily.

One of the delectable cocktails at Astro Lounge.

Another favorite downtown happy hour is the one at Astro Lounge. The ambiance here is a bit cozier here than at 900 Wall, and their happy hour menu includes a number of hearty options like sandwiches and burgers. My favorite is the chicken, bacon, swiss sandwich with basil mayo and fries for $6. Their antipasto plate is a steal at just $4, and their rotating selection of happy hour cocktails and wines for $4-$5 is great chance to try something new. Happy hour here goes from 5-7 and 10-closing seven days a week.

Venturing out of downtown toward the Old Mill District, [Anthony’s Restaurant] has another amazing happy hour. Nab a table with a view of the river, and order a plate of their scrumptious Ahi Nachos made with sashimi-grade ahi tuna, wasabi & pineapple chutney served on taro chips for $5. For just $1 you can get a shot glass oyster shooter or shrimp cocktail, and their $5 wine flights are a perfect way to sample a few different wines that pair well with seafood. Happy hour here is from 3-6 daily.

The gorgeous dining room at Greg's Grill.

Just a block downriver is another great spot right on the Deschutes, Greg’s Grill. Aside from gorgeous architecture inside and out, the added bonus here is that their bar menu is available whenever you’re dining outside or in the bar. My favorite treat is the Prime Rib Quesadilla for just $5.95. The generous order of sweet potato fries is a filling option for $5.95, and their wine and beer menu has dozens of great selections. Happy hour/bar menu pricing is available from 3-closing daily.

For a complete list of Bend eateries, check out the Visit Bend restaurants page.

Do you have a favorite Bend happy hour? Please share, I’m always on the lookout for good ones. In the meantime, I lift my glass in a happy hour toast to you!

12:04

How’s business in Bend? Just ask these guys!

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

There’s been a lot of buzz about Visit Bend’s new campaign encouraging business owners to relocate their lives – and their businesses – to the community.

We’ve heard from tons of business owners considering a move, which doesn’t surprise us much. After all, we’ve got the perfect balance of idyllic lifestyle, natural beauty, and vibrant entrepreneurial spirit. Who wouldn’t want to live and work in Bend?

For those considering a move, it’s reassuring to hear how other businesses have grown and thrived here. There’s no shortage of examples, but here are two worth sharing:

Deschutes Brewery
Owner Gary Fish started the company in 1988 with just three beers and a small pub in downtown Bend. Today, Deschutes Brewery is the largest craft brewer in Oregon, and the sixth largest in the United States (from a pool of 1,500!)

Despite the sluggish U.S. economy, sales of Deschutes Brewery beers are up 13% over last year. “We sell our products in 16 western states and our business is growing in all of them,” noted Mark Hegedus, Sales and Marketing Director for Deschutes Brewery.

So what makes Bend the ideal place to operate? “The location, the educated workforce, and the availability of great housing make this area a great place for a business,” Hegedus explained. “For companies doing business in the west, this area offers a better quality of life than most western markets in the U.S.”

Ruff Wear
Patrick Kruse started Ruff Wear in 1992 as a one-man, one-dog operation out of his home in Southern California creating products for active canines. In 1995, he heard the siren call of Bend and moved his business here.

Today, the company has 21 employees and has grown every year they’ve been operating. Ruff Wear sells their line of performance dog gear in all 50 states and in multiple countries around the world.

Bend offers the perfect location for several aspects of Ruff Wear’s business operations. “We do all of our product testing and product photography here,” noted Susan Strible, Director of Marketing for Ruff Wear. “It’s an excellent place for any business that’s outdoor-oriented.”

And according to Strible, Bend is teeming with resources for the business-minded. There’s The High Desert Enterprise Consortium (a community of independent manufacturing businesses committed to helping each other strengthen their competitive position) and The Advertising Federation of Central Oregon (active for over 20 years in Bend, and part of the American Advertising Federation).

“There’s so much support here from a business standpoint,” Strible noted. “We’ve also found the workforce in Bend to be very talented and very diverse, eager to make a difference in the companies they join.”

***
Looking for more information about relocating a business to Bend? Leave us a comment, or visit bendforbusiness.com

12:10

Fill your belly, help the hungry, get some gorgeous pottery

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

How many opportunities do you get to support a terrific cause, eat amazing food, and take home a one-of-a-kind souvenir?

I can think of one, and it’s happening November 14 in Bend.

Empty Bowls is a fund-raising event for NeighborImpact, which does great work in the community feeding the hungry and supporting programs like Head Start, energy and rent assistance, tutoring homeless kids, and more. This will be Bend’s 9th annual Empty Bowls event, and it’s happening at Central Oregon Community College’s new Campus Center.

I’ve had the pleasure of attending before, and you can bet I’ll snap up tickets early this year since it almost always sells out.

Here’s how it works: you walk in and choose from over 750 hand-crafted bowls created and donated by local potters. Then you fill your bowl again and again with delicious gourmet soups created by Chef Julian Darwin of the Cascade Culinary Institute.

My favorite treasure from a past Empty Bowls event.

There are usually four soups to choose from, including vegan and gluten-free options. Word of advice? The curried cauliflower and potato is TO DIE FOR.

Local bakers and restaurants get in on the act as well, with Flatbread Community Oven, CHOW, and Sparrow Bakery donating breads and desserts. There’s even a commemorative cookbook for sale, and tons of raffle items that support the great work NeighborImpact does in Bend.

The highlight, though, is the bowls. “The ones we have this year are beautiful,” said Sandy Klein, development specialist for NeighborImpact. “Last year’s bowls were a little smaller, but this year we’ve got some gorgeous medium to big ones.”

Personally, I’ve got a special shelf at home for the ones we’ve collected. They’re great showpieces for nuts and appetizers, and friends always ooh and ahh when I bring them out.

Want to attend? There are two seatings at 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Tickets are $18, and you can find all the details for purchasing them right here.

Just leave the prettiest bowl for me, OK? And don’t eat all the soup.

11:18

Bend’s Vintage-to-Urban Vibe

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Level 2 Global Restaurant and Lounge

There are roughly eight billion great restaurants in Bend, Oregon and when there’s a new kid in town, they’ve got a lot to prove. All eyes are on Level 2 these days, the Global Restaurant and Lounge in the Old Mill District. My two favorites things about Bend’s newest hot spot are as follows:

1. Location, location, location. Level 2:

1. is located in the very hip Old Mill District

2. has a balcony overlooking the Deschutes River

3. sits on top of a JEWELRY store (yes!)

2. Small, Medium, Large and Dessert: The Four Basic Food Groups.

I don’t cook much, but I love good food. So my family and I happily gorged ourselves on Level 2’s expansive menu the other night. We shared a titillating range of selections, including small plates (spring rolls and ahi poke) to medium plates (ettoufee and BLT salad) to full-on steak and potato-esque dinners.

To Expound:

The Building: Level 2 takes up the intimate second floor the old pump house – an historic building in the Old Mill District that has been re-purposed into a very cool, mindustrial (modern industrial) retail building. With exposed brink, turquoise leather booths and splashy art throughout, revelers at Level 2 enjoy a great urban vibe.

The Balcony: Everyone loves a balcony, especially in a city like Bend, where the Deschutes River runs through the middle of it. But particularly in the Old Mill District where the buzz of shoppers, diners and recreationalists filters along the promenade next to the river. From Level 2’s deck, you can view it all, including live music in the summer months at the nearby amphitheater.

The Jewelry Store: Walking into Saxon’s Fine Jewelers [www.saxonsfinejewelers.com] is like walking into a splendidiforous candy store, with sparkling confections in every corner: Rolex, Pandora, Hearts on Fire diamonds, the gems go on and on. Part and parcel of the historic building and hip vintage-to-urban vibe, Saxon’s is not a place you want to miss when you visit Bend and the Old Mill District.

The Food: Finally! With eight billion great restaurant choices in Bend, a successful restaurant has to offer more than a hoppin’ atmosphere. Which brings us to the food.

The menu at Level 2 comes in four basic food groups, small, medium, large and dessert:

The Small Plates range from $3 to $7 and the offerings include smoked salmon crostini, marinated tiger prawn gazpacho coolers, cheese steak egg rolls with gorgonzola mornay sauce and many others fit to share or savor alone.

The Medium Plates are more filling, costing $9-$10, and include steamed mussels, udon noodle soup, and the Level 2 Burger – no ordinary burger affair. For dinner, my favorite dish was the pork tenderloin medallions served with sweet potato purée, cippolini onion mango chutney, caramelized tomato, red wine jus, and dressed baby greens. Other choices include New York steak, risotto with oven-roasted chicken breast, and macadamia nut-crusted halibut. These Large Plates range from $11 to $22.

Drum roll please: it’s time for Dessert! We shared, and equally loved, house-made chocolate ice cream, pumpkin cheesecake, brownie cheesecake with chocolate ganache and a red velvet cupcake.

We rolled ourselves out of Level 2, dallied in the jewelry store, and then walked along the river to our car: completely delighted.

20:54

I Do, I Do, I DO Believe in Ghosts!

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

13:26

Tales of Hallows Eve

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

13:52

Rock Star Authors

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

9:15

I am Indie!

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

BendFilm Festival
October 7-10, 2010

The first time I went to the BendFilm Festival – in its 2003 premier – it blew my socks off. O.F.F. That our little town of Bend, Oregon had the cache to score this type of event made droves of Bend-o-philes very proud indeed.
Now in its seventh year, this celebration of independent film has evolved into a “must-attend event. It brings together independent filmmakers and savvy media consumers for a life-enriching experience that educates and entertains. The work of BendFilm has drawn acclaim from both the film industry for its bold support of alternative cinema, and the Central Oregon community for its jammed-pack, four-day event of film viewing, lectures and other special events.” Source: [www.bendfilm.org]

News Hot of the Press: BendFilm has nabbed the indie opus “Meek’s Cutoff,” a critical darling of the Venice and Toronto festivals, which will show in Bend one night after its U.S. premiere in New York. Kelly Reichardt’s made-in-Eastern-Oregon film of a Jon Raymond script chronicles the fateful journey of a band of Oregon Trail pioneers. It stars Paul Dano, Bruce Greenwood and Michelle Williams.
BendFilm is also featuring indie hits with big-name Hollywood actors. The festival just secured “I Love You, Phillip Morris,” for example, which stars Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor as jailbirds in love.
The Oregonian’s film critic, Shawn Levy, calls the pair of bookings “worth a trip to Central Oregon to see,” adding “it’s SO worth the trip.”

About BendFilm

Michelle Williams in Meek's Cutoff

BendFilm is a non-profit group inspired by the opportunity to open doors for artists and to cast Bend, Oregon as the cultural and economic beneficiary. The BendFilm Festival runs every October in downtown Bend, Oregon at the historic Tower Theatre, McMenamins, and, new this year, The Oxford Hotel. Plan now to attend the long weekend of films, lectures and parties as filmmakers compete for cash awards in Bend’s charismatic setting of mountains, rivers and screaming blue skies. For more information, call 541- 388-FEST, email info@bendfilm.org or visit their website.

20:23

It’s Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Autumn

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Deschutes River, Photo by Valorie Webster

My Top 3 Autumn Trails (and the 3 Best Reasons to Get on Them, Now)

It smells like autumn now in Bend, Oregon. And it feels different … outside and in. As in “within.” What is it about the change of season each fall that makes all my senses do back flips?

Glad you asked.

Reason # 1: New colors explode on the scene in screaming shades of orange, red, yellow and deep dark gold. Reason # 2: The weather in Central Oregon is fantastic this time of year, with gorgeous, glittering afternoons and mild evenings. Reason # 3: No mosquitoes, no summer vacationers, and no dust. It’s just you, your peds, the ground beneath you and the sky above.

Tumalo Falls, photo by Studio 404 Photography

Here are three of my favorite Bend, Oregon autumn trails for hiking and mountain biking – scattered with leaves and the musty smell of a new season.

1. Tumalo Falls is just 20 minutes from downtown Bend, Oregon and the trail is littered with yellow Aspen leaves – in the trees, on the ground and in the air. One if the best things to know about this hike is that it’s a leash- free area. Great news for dogs and dog lovers. Toddlers: not so much. The waterfall is four miles from the trailhead. Map

2. The Upper Deschutes Trail follows the banks of the Deschutes River past three dramatic waterfalls: Lava Island Falls, Dillon Falls, and Benham Falls. Your starting point for this trail is Meadow Camp, less than 10 miles from downtown Bend.
Map: Link to MapQuest directions from Bend to Meadow Camp.

3. Paulina Lake /Peter Skene Ogden Trail has the added attraction of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, which is a major tourist attraction in the summer and a quiet and compelling stop in the fall. Starting 26 miles south of Bend, the trail (#3956) follows Paulina Creek for 8.8 miles uphill, passing footbridges and waterfalls. Note: mountain bikes are welcome uphill only. Hrmph! But a mountain bike around Paulina Lake or East Lake: nirvana. Read more.

Photo by Valorie Webster

More Trails: For details on other trails in Central Oregon, link here to Visit Bend’s website.

Leaf Peepers: If you prefer to take a drive and see the stunning Oregon colors from the comfort of your car, check out the Oregon Fall Foliage blog at [oregonfallfoliage.wordpress.com] Weekly postings let you know where to find the best and brightest colors throughout the state. Not online? No problem: call the Fall Foliage Hotline at 800-547-5445. Yeah. It’s that good.

16:45

The Labor of Love: Deschutes Brewery

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Q: Why would the keepers of Deschutes Brewery dump $250,000 worth of perfectly good beer down the drain?
A: Because it wasn’t perfectly good beer. It was good beer. But it was not perfect beer.

This – plus many other interesting beer-esque tidbits – I learned at a recent media presentation at Deschutes Brewery – Bend, Oregon’s first and most successful craft brew house.

When the master brewer at Deschutes Brewery makes a presentation, he does so with a beer in his hand and the good humor of someone who loves his product. Jimmy Seifrit knows pretty much everything about the mixology of barley, hops and malt. And the effect of cherries, chocolate, orange peel, pepper and other surprising ingredients on his concoctions. And that’s just the start. Don’t even get him started on cold-steeping dark malts. It’s enough to make a grown man cry.

Such is the dedication that guides production at the sixth largest craft beer company in the country. Twenty-two years ago, the vision of Deschutes Brewery owner/president Gary Fish was to operate a cozy little brewpub in heart of downtown Bend with four labels: Cascade Golden Ale, Bachelor Bitter, Black Butte Porter and Mirror Pond Pale Ale, all named from the region from which his dream sprung. Today, you can find seven year-round varieties of Deschutes Brewery beer and their three seasonal ales, in 16 states and British Columbia. Add to that, three “hoppy” beers in their Bond Street Series, and four brews under their under Reserve label. And despite the downward economy, sales of Deschutes Brewery beer is up 13% from last year – double their expectations.

There is a great buzz around the brewpub this week, as the much-anticipated release of Jubelale, Deschutes Brewery’s wildly popular seasonal ale, is right around the corner. This crowd pleaser is only available from October to December and sells out every year. Read more about the history, art, awards and ratings and of this celebrated ale.

Perhaps it’s not surprising to find a pretty happy crew at Deschutes Brewery, given their products’ financial and critical success. Says Seifrit, of Jubelale for example, “It’s a labor of love.”

12:06

Playing with the Queen of Hearts

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Science Meets Art at Oregon Spirit Distillers

Brad Irwin has always been a gambler, a player of games. Former owner of Gambit Games in Bend, Oregon, Irwin let the spirit move him one fine day, and he began the process of launching a new label in town: Oregon Spirit Distillers. Perhaps it’s not surprising that Irwin started a boutique distillery here in Bend—home of seven craft breweries within walking distance of each other. He and 15 of his pals, the Bend Spirit Club, had been meeting once a month to study and educate their palates on the finer aspects of vodka, bourbon and other fine spirits. Given his entrepreneurship and connoisseur-ness, it wasn’t a huge leap for him to roll the dice on a distillery. “Besides,” he says, ”anyone can make beer.”

Today Oregon Spirit Distillers specializes in vodka that blends effortlessly into any cocktail and also can be enjoyed neat or on ice as a sipping spirit. Their tasting room is open on Saturdays from 11-4 or by appointment and can accommodate groups of 6-10 people. In additional to free tastings, Irwin will give you a tour of the facility on Bend’s east side.

One of the proudest pieces of machinery in the distillery is a 400-liter still that arrived in Bend via boat from Germany. The still heats the raw alcohol, derived from Pendelton wheat, to 73 degrees Celsius, alcohol’s vaporization point. From there the vapor returns in various stages to its liquid form, ready for fine tuning. While the exact process of turning wheat into vodka escapes me, the sublime taste of the final product does not.

Look for new releases of marionberry liqueur and absinthe later this year. In the mean time, Oregon Spirit Distillers Vodka can be found at these Bend area liquor stores in a very unique bottle.

When it came time for design and packaging, Irwin chose to display a playing card inside the bottle. ”I love seeing light through spirit,” he says, adding, “The Queen of Hearts must be lucky.”

Photography by Brenda Barnes

9:24

Fall is in the Air, the Streets, and the Parks

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Scout is about two feet long, fluffy, with a pointed nose and a stance approximately three inches off the ground. He’s also a mighty athlete, motivated through practice sessions by high-octane treats. Which is going to come in handy for him on September 25, when dozens of miniature daschunds take to their lanes for the chance to become top dog in the annual Wiener Dog Races. Such are the revelries of Autumn in Bend, Oregon.
Bend enjoys beautiful fall days of stunning color, bright skies, and mild temperatures. Vine maple is Oregon’s state flower for a reason: the brilliant leaves herald a new season from high atop the mountain passes, which trickles into the streets, parks and walkways of Central Oregon, where festivities reign supreme.
Kicking things off this autumn season: The Bend Fall Festival brings a fabulous array of music, art, food and fun to downtown Bend on September 18-19. On September 24-25 Oktoberfest, also in downtown Bend, celebrates the new season with events for grownups and kids. In nearby Sisters, Oregon, in the shadow of three mountain peaks called Faith, Hope and Charity, revelers enjoy a trifecta of events: The Fall Street Festival, Sisters Stride into Autumn and Sisters Hop Festival September 18-19. The height of the bacchanals: The Wiener Dog Races in Bend’s Drake Park on September 25.

Bend Fall Festival
Downtown Bend, September 18 – 19
Highlights include the Family Harvest Area with pony rides, maze, hayrides, playhouse neighborhood, face painting, apple bobbing, and pumpkin painting. At the Whole Foods Market Produce Row, a cornucopia of fresh harvest items from local vendors will be available for purchase. Topping the entertainment options, the Clear 101.7fm Mainstage and the KPOV Locals Only Stage feature ongoing live music performances.

Bend’s Annual Oktoberfest
Downtown Bend, September 24 – 25
Friday evening activities include traditional Bavarian music, beer, food and games (21 and over only). The Family Fest on Saturday includes puppet shows, balloon twisting, face painting, and the legendary Wiener Dog Races. On Saturday evening enjoy live music, celebrity yodeling contests featuring local personalities, hammer schlagen competition (race to hammer a nail into a log) and the awarding of this year’s Oktoberfest Brewery of the Year. Brews will be provided by Cascade Lakes Brewery, Columbia Distributing, Deschutes Brewery, Silver Moon, Three Creeks and 10 Barrel.
Sisters Fresh Hop Festival
Village Green Park, September 25
Check out the latest from the Pacific Northwest breweries. Hops are picked and brewed the same day. Admission is $5 for a mug and $1 for each 4 oz. taste. Food court, live music all day, vendors and the best brew in the west. Sponsored by the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce.

Bend Ale Trail
Great beer is a hallmark of Oktoberfest and Bend, Oregon is not in short supply. In fact, with seven local craft breweries within walking distance of each other, this charming mountain community is home to a bastion of beer lovers. Use the Bend Ale Trail Map and Passport available in the latest Discovery Map of Central Oregon to discover Bend’s seven breweries – and for extra credit, head to our neighboring brewery in Sisters to visit the eighth. Be sure to get your passport stamped at each location. When you get all seven stamps, stop by or send your completed passport to the Visit Bend Welcome Center and receive a commemorative Bend Silipint made especially for beer drinkers on the go. And, if you do your extra credit and visit Sisters, you’ll receive a special surprise.

Beer-Boiled Bratwurst Recipe
Celebrate Oktoberfest with beer-boiled bratwurst and upgrade your ordinary hot dogs to something spectacular.

13:11

An SEO and SEM Girl’s Dream: Jill Whalen and Bruce Clay Hit the Town of Bend, Oregon at Bend WebCAM 2010

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

12:41

Over the River and Through the Woods

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

XTERRA Trail Running National Championship

Bend, Oregon: September 17-18, 2010

Those of us who live in Bend know full well the beauty and recreational opportunities afforded by our urban trails, as they wind along the Deschutes River and through pine forests. Now, an entire nation of trail runners will know. The XTERRA Trail Running National Championship takes place in Bend, Oregon this year, with hundreds of runners hitting the dirt to compete for the coveted title.
But what is XTERRA?
Self described, XTERRA produces “the most recognizable, enjoyable, root slipping, mud hopping, tree ducking, river crossing, hill climbing, dirt on your shirt, sweat in your eye trail runs this side of Grandma’s house.”
And there is no better place for the national championships than Bend, Oregon, with a 5K, 10K, and half marathon. Kids have the chance to participate in the free Kids Sprint, and also to enjoy the XTERRA Kids Zone challenge stations.
Launching from the Old Mill District, the half marathon will serve up some of Bend’s finest scenery on a fast and fun course, including lots of switchbacks on sandy, rocky, and dirt-strewn single and double track trails. Runners will make their way along the Widgi Creek Golf Nationals Runner course, on single and double track trails along the rim of the Deschutes River Canyon, and then head upstream along the Deschutes River to Meadow Camp.
The return takes them back down the same track they embarked on and into an XTERRA-style celebration at the finish line located smack dab in Center Plaza of the Old Mill District (between Anthony’s and the Gap).

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday, September 17
12:00-6:00pm – Registration & packet pick up @ Fleet Feet Bend (1320 NW Galveston)
12:30pm – XTERRA University, presented by Paul Mitchell, featuring Rod Bien, the owner of Fleet Feet and one of the nation’s best ultra runners.

Saturday, September 18
7:00am – Packet pick up at XTERRA Expo in the Old Mill District (Sorry, no race day registration)
8:00am – XTERRA Expo open
9:00am – XTERRA Trail Running National Championship Half Marathon Start
9:05am – XTERRA 5km and 10km Trail Run starts
9:00am-2:00pm – Paul Mitchell Hair Cut-a-Thon, a benefit for the Challenged Athletes Foundation
9:00am-2:00pm – XTERRA Kids Zone challenge stations open
9:20am/9:40am – 5km/10km winners expected
10:06/10:19am – Men’s and Women’s National Championship winner expected
11:00am – XTERRA Kids Sprint (free)

10:28

The Great Rotary Duck Race

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

It’s time to get your ducks in a row and head to Bend, Oregon! The Great Rotary Duck Race returns to (aptly named) Drake Park in downtown Bend for its 21st year, on Sunday, September 12. And, for the price of a $5 duck, you just might win the grand prize of $20,000 toward a Chevrolet, Cadillac or Honda from Lithia Motors. Or, you could win a pair of diamond earrings from Saxon’s Fine Jewelers, tires from Les Schwab, golf at Awbrey Glen, or one of the other great event prizes.
Post time is 2 pm at the Galveston Street Bridge, when 30,000 ducks bob and weave their way downstream to the Mirror Pond Foot Bridge, on behalf of children’s charities.
To clarify: The ducks are plastic, the prizes profuse, and the fun extends to kids and adults alike. Even if you don’t win a prize, you’ll enjoy the outrageous display of frenzied spectators cheering on 30,000 unruly ducks. Tickets are on sale now. Link here for details or contact your favorite Bend Rotarian directly.

The Schedule:
11:00 am: Festivities begin in Drake Park, including music, food & activity booths
12:00 pm: Kids Race (1,000 Free Ducks)
2:00 pm: Ducks hit the water
2:23 pm: Estimated time when Ducks begin to cross the Finish Line
3:00 pm: Winners & Awards are announced at the staging area in Drake Park
4:00 pm: Festivities end

The Prizes:
Lithia Motors: Retail voucher toward purchase ($20,000)
Lakeside Lumber: Gift Certificate for AZEK composite decking ($2,000)
Saxon’s Fine Jewelers www.saxonsfinejewelers.com: Diamond Earrings (1/2 ct. total weight-$1,000)
KBNZ TV: Weber Genesis E320 Grill ($800)
Les Schwab Tires: $500 Gift Certificate
Les Schwab Tires: $500 Gift Certificate
Combined Communications: 2 Nights Oregon Coast Lodging ($360)
Awbrey Glen Golf Club: Golf for Four ($360)
Mirror Pond Cleaners: Gift Card for Cleaning Services ($200)
Xtreme Car Wash: Gift Card ($200)
KOHD: Dinner at Crossings at the Riverhouse ($100)

The Beneficiaries:
Bethlehem Inn
Boys and Girls Club
Deschutes Children’s Foundation
Education Foundation for Bend-LaPine Schools
Family Kitchen
Grandma’s House
Healthy Beginnings
KIDS Center
Saving Grace
Shots for Tots
Volunteers in Medicine

23:10

Choices, Choices: The Dissident, the Hammerhead, or the Knotty Blonde?

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

9:46

To All the Songs I’ve Loved Before

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Willie Nelson in Concert, Bend, Oregon, September 17

The first time I experienced Willie Nelson live in concert I was in a kayak on the Deschutes River in Bend, Oregon. My friend Ande and I couldn’t afford tickets at the time, but we had kayaks, determination and a handy river running right past the venue. True story. We packed snacks and (ahem) “beverages” and rowed upstream past the concert, so we could lazily float downriver to the sounds of Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow up to Be Cowboys, On the Road Again and To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before.
The Les Schwab Amphitheater is a jewel on the landscape of Central Oregon, with the Cascade mountains on the horizon and the Deschutes River at its feet.

The sun sets over the Les Schwab Amphitheater during a live concert in Bend

Named after the tire magnet, this outdoor stage was built in 2001 by Bill Smith as part of his Old Mill District – the reincarnation of a neglected industrial area into a vibrant shopping, dining and entertainment center. At the Les Schwab Amphitheater, enthusiastic crowds have seen the likes of Coldplay, the Steve Miller Band, John Mellencamp and many more music luminaries.
Returning to the stage on Friday, September 17, Willie Nelson will rock the river and the happy crowd inside the amphitheater. Nelson has been touring throughout the summer with his long-standing troupe of musicians, or “family,” to present a new album of country standards, Country Music, which was released last spring. Tickets and information.

The Cowboy Junkies

Willie Nelson closes the outdoor concert season in Bend. As the school year ramps up and the weather cools down, eyes are turning to indoor venues, including the Tower Theatre in downtown Bend – another treasure of our community. Coming up at the Tower: Trace Bundy (Sept. 10), Blind Pilot & Sara Jackson-Holman (Sept. 29), The Cowboy Junkies (Oct. 5), Greg Brown (Oct. 6) and Judy Collins (Oct. 12). Link here for a complete list of upcoming performances at the Tower Theatre.

Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up without music!

14:17

Smith’s Pleasures

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

If you want to go to a “Pleasure Palace” for a little off-line recreation, I’ve got great directions for you. Drive 26 miles north of Bend, Oregon. Head to the west of Misery Ridge and past the Red Wall. Then climb 100 feet upwards. You won’t be disappointed. And the scenery: Ooh la la!
Pleasure Palace is just one of over 1,000 bolted routes at Smith Rock State Park, where travelers to Central Oregon find world-class rock climbing year round. Some other popular climbing routes with intriguing monikers include Monkey Face, Morning Glory and Spiderman Buttress.

Yes, the shape and character of Smith Rock captures the spirit of many travelers, with its rust-colored walls, dramatic spires, and the Crooked River at its feet. This geographical wonder rises from the land like a mammoth ship, beckoning to recreationalists of both extreme and sublime sensibilities. How did it get here? Over a million years ago, basaltic lava roiled from Newberry volcano and flowed down the canyon of the Crooked River leaving behind steep, cragged, cliffs.

Today, travelers come from all over the world to climb the heights of Smith Rock. Sightseers picnic in its shadows and hikers, bikers, scramblers and walkers of all bent take to its trails. Autumn is a fantastic time to visit Smith Rock. The crowds have disbursed and the soaring 100-degree temperatures have cooled to down to invite you up.

Photos courtesy of Smith Rock Climbing Guides.

What You’ll See and Do There
Hike, walk, mountain bike, picnic, bird watch, boulder, cave, fish in the Crooked River, and – if you’re a hardcore local, regional or international rock climber – you can always rope up and climb. There are thousands of climbs and 1,700 established routes.

Resources
Smith Rock State Park Website
Smith Rock Climbing Guides

Location: Smith Rock State Park is located in Central Oregon, off US 97, 26 miles northeast of Bend. It encompasses 651 acres and hovers 3,000 feet in elevation. Link to Google Map.

Fees and Parking: $5 daily day-use fee or buy a 12-month permit for $30. Good at all state park day-use areas.

15:21

Real. Live. Theater.

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

13:07

Day & Night at the Museum

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Wells Fargo living history encounter

I recently had the good pleasure to write a feature story for the national magazine, Cowboys & Indians, about Bend’s High Desert Museum. It was a great opportunity to shout out all the great work the museum does. Here are some of my favorite things about the museum, and you don’t have to buy a magazine to read about them!

Living History: One of the most engaging aspects of the High Desert Museum is the living history “exhibit.” Authentically inspired characters from the old west stroll the museum and talk with visitors, citing the challenges of prairie life, for example, or boasting the stagecoach ride of Horace Greeley. Their stories, accents and costumes follow history, right down to the buttons on their underwear.

Wildlife Exhibits: Visitors to Bend’s High Desert Museum have the chance to meet wild animals every day, including Ochoco the bobcat, McKenzie the great horned owl, and Thomas the river otter, who plays in a habitat that includes underwater viewing. There are many more wildlife exhibits, including the Donald M. Kerr Birds of Prey Center and the Desertarium, where visitors can see are kinds of creepy, crawly, fascinating things.

Ochoco, the bobcat, was rescued from a home where he was being kept illegally as a "pet"

All of the animals at the High Desert Museum have been rescued due to injuries or human imprinting. They cannot survive on their own, so the Museum provides them a safe home and visitors can see them close-up. On a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum one day, I got to witness the wild animals’ “kitchen,” and watch culinary operations of the museum. Frozen mice, birds and other natural food is shipped regularly to the museum. It was sort of gross, but also fascinating. It taught me how much attention these amazing animas require – day and night, 365 days a year. If you want to “adopt” a wild animal at the High Desert Museum, and help provide its care and feeding, the museum offers an Animal Adoption Program.

This covered wagon is part of the "Spirit of the West"

Permanent Exhibits
Through detailed experiential dioramas in Spirit of the West, visitors can witness how fur traders lived, the tribulations of traveling the Oregon Trail, and how a buckaroo spent his time.
By Hand Through Memory gives visitors a look into Plateau Native American life in the Reservation Era, showing how Plateau tribes have retained their identities by continuing traditions while actively participating in the rapid changes of a century.

Historical image of a gambling hall

Sin in the Sagebrush: Closes September 26!
Experience life in frontier saloons, gambling halls, and bordellos of the Old West. Sin in the Sagebrush is one of the most in-depth exhibits examining the lives of those who sought opportunity, fortune and community on the Western frontier. Understand how trappers, tracklayers, buckaroos, sheepherders and other workers’ dreams were replaced with lonely, harsh lives, and how they found community and escape in saloons, gambling halls and bordellos.

Rimrock Café
The Museum’s family-friendly cafe has indoor and outdoor patio seating, and offers a wide selection of dining choices – including sandwiches, grilled Oregon beef hamburgers and hot dogs, wraps, salads, chili, soups, pizza and a variety of beverages.

Silver Sage Trading Store
Everybody loves souvenirs. If you’re looking for art, books, jewelry, toys, cards, ornaments, home decor and apparel that speak to your love of the high desert, Silver Sage Trading is where you can find it all in one place.

Upcoming Event: August 21
21st Annual High Desert Rendezvous Gala and Auction
The best of the West awaits you. Don your Western gear for dinner, a hosted bar, live music, dancing and a live and silent auction to benefit the Museum’s educational programs.

The High Desert Museum is a bright shining star on the Central Oregon horizon. We locals are very proud of it and, really, could 150,000 visitors a year be wrong? The Museum is open 365 days a year except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Link here for hours of operation, membership and admission fees.

11:35

Splash A-Bout

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

The Cascade mountain lakes offer limitless summer swimming spots

I have a confession to make: I can’t swim. Yeah. I plug my nose when I jump into water over 5’7” deep. Or if I fall into water accidentally, which is more likely. The nasty truth: I don’t want to get my hair wet. Faced with the prospect of being in the water, and needing to get from Point A to Point B, I resort to dog paddling.

Yet, I’m tremendously intrigued by water. I’m a Pisces. Which might explain it. I was born under a water sign. My personality is characterized by two fish tied together by their tails, swimming in opposite directions. I’m naturally conflicted.

Which perhaps explains why swimming fascinates me. Particularly when I see kids jumping off boats and docks, arms outstretched, plunging into the great unknown.

I recently asked Sue Boettner – national swimming competitor, recreation program coordinator for Bend Parks and Recreation, and mother of two – about the best places in Central Oregon to splash around.

Scout Lake photo courtesy of Willamette.edu

I don’t know if anyone has ever counted the number of lakes in Central Oregon. But there are a lot. Let’s call it eleventy hundred. In other words: a whole lot. Here are Sue’s top picks for mountain lake swim spots, and a little dip into the details of each one.

1. Scout Lake: Kids will like this warm little lake, with a large beach just 50 yards from the parking lot. A picnic area and nearby campgrounds make this a perfect gathering place for families and groups. To get there from Bend, Oregon: Take Highway 20 west, approximately 13 miles past Sisters to Forest Road 2070/Suttle Lake Road. Stay left until you see the signs to Scout Lake. Nearby Lodge Suttle Lake offers exquisite lodging, dining, spa and event facilities, and as well as rustic cabins.

Cultus Lake

2. Cultus Lake: A great swimming lake for younger kids because it has a nice beach area and sandbar. Nearby Cultus Lake Resort offers lodging, dining and marina rentals. Visitors also have three nearby campgrounds to choose from: Cultus Lake Campground, Cultus North Shore Camp

ground, and West Cultus Campground. To get there from Bend, Oregon: Take Highway 97 South to Sunriver. Exit onto Highway 40, continuing past Sunriver to Highway 46. Turn left (south) and travel approximately 2 miles to Cultus Lake Resort.

Elk Lake

3. Elk Lake: With great views of Mt. Bachelor, Broken Top and South Sister in the background, Elk Lake makes a great summer swimming spot. A small offshore swimming dock floats near the marina. Elk Lake Resort offers dining, marina rentals (kayaks, canoes, standup paddle and paddleboats) and lodging. Lodging includes cabins, camping and RV spots. To get there from Bend, Oregon: Take 14th Street/Century Drive south 30 miles (turns into the Cascade Lakes Highway). Pass Mt. Bachelor and continue on approximately 10 miles until you see the Elk Lake Resort sign. Turn left at the sign.

North Twin Lake

4. North Twin Lake: The northern twin of two lakes south of Bend offers nice warm water, primitive camping, a swimming beach, and a dirt boat ramp (no motors allowed). The campground has latrines, but no drinking water. Twin Lakes Resort is at South Twin Lake. To get there from Bend, Oregon: Take Highway 97 south 17 miles to Vandervert Road. Exit right. Take the 3rd left onto S. Century Drive, stay right on S. Century Drive. Continue onto Foster Road/#4205/S, Century Drive (16 miles). Turn left at Road 4260.

South Twin Lake

5. South Twin Lake: Good swimming in this mountain lake, with the bonus of rowboats, kayaks, canoes and paddleboats for rent, at Twin Lakes Resort. The resort also offers lakeside dining and a general store. To get there from Bend, Oregon: Travel south on Highway 97 for 23.4 miles. Turn right on Burgess Road and go approximately 11 miles to stop sign. Turn left on South Century Drive (Highway 42) and travel 4.5 miles. Turn left on Forest Service Road 4260 and go approximately 2 miles.

Juniper Swim & Fitness Center

6. Juniper Swim and Fitness Center: For those wanting an urban splash to cool the kids off, Bend Park and Recreation has built a fantastic swimming facility: Juniper Swim and Fitness Center. In addition to indoor and outdoor pools, Juniper offers swimming lessons, a fitness center, group exercise classes and personal training. To get there from downtown Bend, Oregon: Go east on NW Greenwood Avenue approximately 1 mile to NE 6th Street. Turn right and travel .1 mile to 80 NE 6th Street.

17:34

Must-Do Mountain Biking: Phil’s Trail

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Who is Phil and Why Should I Care?

Photo Courtesy of Central Oregon Trail Alliance

Phil was a Bendite back in the day when cyclists wore tube socks, neon spandex and bucket-shaped helmets. He also happened to be a monster mountain biker. He and a bunch of his hammerhead pals went west of Bend, Oregon and carved out a single track trail full of bumps, drops, jumps and turns, right through the Deschutes National Forest.
Nice. Great. A bike trail. Wahoo. So what?
Today, Phil’s Trail is a complex of intersecting trails of varying degrees of difficulty offering hundreds of miles of sweet singletrack. It is THE local’s choice for mountain biking. The trailhead is still just minutes from downtown Bend, but the opportunities for exploration are endless, as riders span out west toward Mt. Bachelor. The system reaches its apex at Swampy Sno-Park on the Cascade Lakes Highway.

Photo Courtesy of Pine Mountain Sports

For my Phil’s Trail adventure, I chose the van-ride-up, gravity-down, beer-at-the-end option. A very groovy local company, Cog Wild, which leads mountain biking tours all over the state, hosts a bike and brew shuttle. They rack your bike on the roof of their van and shuttle you 12 miles uphill to Swampy Sno-Park. Then they cut you loose. At the end of your ride you’ll land at the Cascade Lakes Brewing Company, where you can enjoy a Blonde Bombshell. That would be a beer, my friend. Other microbrews on tap: Rooter Tail Ale, Monkey Face Porter, 20” Brown and more.
If the van-ride-up, gravity-down, beer-at-the-end option sounds easy, it isn’t. I earned that beer! And the steak salad that came with it (medium rare, bleu cheese vinaigrette on the side). The Cog Wild shuttle costs $10 cash per rider and bike and leaves the Cascade Lakes Brewing Co. parking lot on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. sharp. Come ten minutes early to load your bike. On Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. the shuttle leaves from the Athletic Club of Bend, just a mile up the road. All riders enjoy a discount for bar menu items and $2.50 pints at Scanlon’s, the restaurant at the Athletic Club.

Trail Map: Link here for a map of Phil’s Trail.

Getting There: Phil’s Trail trailhead is approximately three miles from downtown Bend. From Drake Park, travel west on Galveston Avenue (becomes Skyliners Drive) past Mt. Washington Drive until you reach a paved road on the left. Look for a sign with a biker icon. The trailhead is a half-mile further down this paved road.

22:44

Hiking the High Roads

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Deschutes River, courtesy of Oregon State Archives

On my first trip to Bend, back in the 1980s when I still lived in Seattle, I spent my first high desert hour meandering along the Deschutes River Trail. This urban hike, five minutes from downtown Bend, and surrounded by Ponderosa pine trees, captivated me.
One year later, after a decade of moving around the west, Bend became my permanent home.
With Bend as your starting point, every direction you look beckons you to a hiking trail. Stroll the promenade in the Old Mill District or charge up Pilot Butte. Hike the upper Deschutes from one dramatic waterfall to the next, or conquer the 10,358 height of South Sister.
It’s hard to visit Bend without strapping on your walking shoes, if not your full-on hiking boots and backpack. And the best news is this: Bend offers trails near and far, steep and flat, in lake, river and desert territory. Below are some of my favorites. Link here for more fantastic hiking spots.

URBAN HIKES

The Deschutes River Trail meanders through the city of Bend.

Deschutes River Trail
This river trail allows nearly uninterrupted access to the beautiful waterway that is the heart of the community. Once complete, the trail system will encompass 19 miles of trails. The current trail system is divided into five “reaches:” Awbrey Butte, River Run, Pioneer, Old Mill and South Canyon. The upper Deschutes trail system takes you outside the Bend city limits into the Deschutes National Forests and endless miles of fantastic hiking opportunities.
Pilot Butte
Power walk this steep, two-mile round trip, paved trail. The top of this 480-foot butte offers panoramic views of the Cascade Mountains to the west and the high desert to the east, with the city of Bend laid at your feet.

Sparks Lake, courtesy of Oregon Blue Book

LAKE HIKES
Sparks Lake
Located about 25 miles west of Bend off the Cascade Lakes Highway, Sparks Lake offers camping, fishing, paddling and hiking opportunities. My favorite walkabout is the Ray Atkeson Memorial Trail – an easy 2.5 mile loop with gorgeous views of the Cascade mountains.
Mirror Lake
Located 30 miles west of Bend off Century Drive, this moderate hike passes beautiful mountain streams and lava flows, ending at the Pacific Crest Trail. The entire trail is seven miles round trip, so take plenty of water and snacks with you.

RIVER HIKES
Metolius River
There are many exquisite hikes in the Camp Sherman area. If you start at the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery you can hike upstream or downstream for miles in either direction. A short walk from your car will take you to the headwaters of the Metolius, where the river seems to seep up from ground, cool and clear and calm. From the Camp Sherman Store you can walk the river’s edge past some charming little cabins, two miles to the Allingham Bridge and back.

Smith Rock
While the rising basalt spires of Smith Rock State Park draw hardcore rock climbers from all over the world, kinder gentler hikes are available to the less extreme among Bend visitors. Hike along the Crooked River or climb the many routes through the steep canyon walls. Look for wildlife, including otters, eagles, deer and falcons.

THE BEND ALE TRAIL
Wherever you go, when the sun goes down on your adventure, you might want to quench your deserving thirst at one of Central Oregon’s many homegrown brewpubs. Link to Bend’s Ale Trail – featuring eight local breweries – here.

NOTE: Northwest Recreation Passes are required at some of these trailheads. More here.

22:23

Golf in the Kingdom of the Sun

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

The Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at Pronghorn

The sun was low on the horizon, casting a warm light across the fairway. This is the bewitching hour, before twilight, when anything is possible.
We mortals were playing nine holes after work one recent evening, just two of us. Our round was coming to a close with one hole left to finish. It was then that my husband – a self-confessed hacker – happened to hit the best shot in golf history.
75 yards from the green, Mike hit his approach shot straight into the water, where it skipped across the surface, landed on the green, and went screaming 12 feet past the pin and onto the fringe, where it rolled to a stop. Except not. With a mind of its own, the ball rolled straight back down the green, gained momentum, curved to the right, and stopped inches from the hole.
Just another magic moment in Bend, Oregon. With 300 days of sunshine each year, a banana belt running though the land in the shoulder seasons, and 26 golf courses to choose from, Central Oregon draws golfers like bees to honey.

Widgi Creek Golf Club

They come to experience the red sands of Aspen Lakes Golf Club, the snow-capped mountains rising above Sunriver’s four courses, and the ghost trees surrounding Pronghorn. Or they may choose the Scottish links of Tetherow, the dramatic pitches of River’s Edge, or lush, forested slopes of Widgi Creek.
These courses represent a mere a sampling in the breadth and variety of Bend area golf courses. Each course also offers a 19th hole, where the conquests of the day can be celebrated and mere mortals can raise a challis to the magic in the kingdom of the sun.

CENTRAL OREGON GOLF COURSES
For a complete list of Central Oregon golf courses and links to their websites, click here.

Crosswater Golf Course at Sunriver

UPCOMING GOLF EVENTS

August 16 – 22
Jeld-Wen Tradition
Crosswater Club at Sunriver Resort
A four-day, 72-hole major championship, preceded by the JELD-WEN Tradition Pro-Am Championship and NIKE GOLF Junior Day.

August 30 – September 4
Northwest Dodge Dealers Pacific Amateur Golf Classic
A field limited to 775 players participates in the three-day, net, stroke-play tournament, culminating in playoff competition at Sunriver Resort’s Crosswater. The Tournament is played on the finest courses throughout Central Oregon, which has been ranked #23 in the Top 50 Golf Destinations in the World by Golf Digest.

14:55

A week to remember!

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Biking in Bend!

Bend, Oregon is often touted as a place where you can do anything you can think of, Bike, Run, Climb, Fish, Ski, Hike, Golf….you get the point. No matter what you are into there is something for everyone in Bend and that something is usually done extremely well!

I was fortunate to have one of those weeks when this became more apparent than ever. My week started as a normal ho-hum week struggling to drag myself out of bed after a great weekend and get to the office for a cup of coffee and a quick clean up of the email account. At noon I got the call I was waiting for to get the week on a roll! James from Wanderlust Tours invited Erin (my fiance) and I to join a group of travelers to paddle around sparks lake under the full moon. What an amazing experience and one I will not soon forget. Great company, great scenery and great memories!

Tuesday proved to be another difficult morning after the late night on Sparks Lake however I had things to look forward to, namely my first Bend Elks game with a friend who was back in town on a short leave before heading to Iraq. It was great for Erin and I to see our first Bend Elks game and even better to see our friend before he returned to duty. The night was splendid as the field is backed by one of the best backdrops of any ball park I have been to. Mt. Bachelor, Broken Top and the 3 Sisters provided a scenery you wont find anywhere else. If you haven’t experienced an Elks game 2 dollar Tuesdays is the night to go with 2 dollar tickets, 2 dollar beers and 2 dollar hot dogs each Tuesday night!

Wednesday was a busy day at work and I wanted nothing more than some piece and quiet and a little time on the bike. I had always heard about the Cog Wild Shuttle but had yet to take it. What a great way to get a ride up the hill and be able to ride 20+ miles back to Bend on some of the best single track anywhere in North America. Thank you COTA for all the great work to keep the trails clean and fun!

Thursday the weather got back into the 90’s and nothing sounded better than getting on the river. A quick phone call around 4pm got Erin and I on the last Big Eddy Thriller white water rafting trip of the day through Sun Country Tours. Both of us have rafted a lot but never had rafted on our home waters of the mighty Deschutes. It turned out to be just what the doctor order and cooled us down after a hot day. The fridge was empty so off we went to Munch and Music in Drake Park for some local craft beer and some great live music…I can’t think of a better way to end a day.

Friday was here again and the thought of fly fishing filled my mind. The problem is where do you go with all the possibilities Bend offers? This is when it pays to have a friend who owns a guide/outfitting business and has access to some of the best waters around Bend. Thanks to Damien and Deep Canyon Outfitters in didn’t take us long to decide a night of large mouth bass on the fly was the appropriate choice.

Saturday and Sunday had been in the works for a while as we were to house/dog sit for some friends in their house along the river. My down time had finally arrived! Lazy floats on the Deschutes river, hidden cell phones and the great company of my future wife. We attempted to go off the grid with a cooler full of our favorite beverages, 4 happy dogs and all the recovery time in the world to rest up and get ready do it all again next week in Bend!

Fishing with the boys!

13:01

Crater Lake: Just You, the Lake, and the Heavens Above

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Crater Lake is the deepest lake in America and one of the clearest in the world

Your first live view of Crater Lake will take your breath away. You may have seen pictures of its crystal blue water enclosed within a vast and glassy bowl. But nothing can prepare you for the punch in the gut you’ll feel when you’re standing on the rim in person – just you, the lake, and the heavens above.
The stunning vista of Crater Lake draws people from all over the world who come to explore the ancient landscape and tread the mysteries it holds. They come for recreation, inspiration, relaxation and contemplation. In droves they come.
At 1,943 feet (592 meters) Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and the ninth deepest in the world. Its fresh water is some of the clearest found anywhere in the world. So powerful is it, that people have been drawn to this same place before the eruption of Mount Mazama, 7,700 years ago.

The Lodge at Crater Lake

The reconstructed lodge, first built in 1915, was opened to the public in 1995.

A hundred years ago, however, not many travelers were able to experience Crater Lake. The lake was remote, largely unknown, with unpaved roads and no creature comforts. Then a fellow named William Gladstone Steel came along and everything started to change, including its designation in 1902 as a National Park, and the construction of a lodge overlooking the lake.

Crater Lake Lodge opened summer of 1915, built expressly to encourage tourism to the area. While its patrons included people from all over the world, the lodge lacked many amenities in comfort, privacy and service. Rooms were incomplete, landscaping neglected and safety measures substandard. The lodge also suffered the yearly structural impacts of 15 feet of snow.
Eighty years later, under the direction of the National Park Service, Crater Lake Lodge was gutted and reconstructed to the tune of $15 million. On May 20, 1995, the Lodge reopened to the public in an atmosphere reminiscent of the 1920s. Today visitors enjoy fine and casual dining in the lodge, breathtaking vistas, visitor information and a bookstore and gift shop. The lodge offers 71 private rooms, normally available May 21 through mid-October.

Visitors can take 2-hour, guided trolley tours of Crater Lake

Trolley Tours

There are many guided tours at Crater Lake, including boat tours and star parties. New this year, however, visitors can enjoy trolley tours in historically modeled trolleys to unique areas of interest around the lake. These two-hour tours are guided by a park ranger who provides insights and information into the history, culture and geology of Crater Lake.

Other Things to Do
The most popular thing to do at Crater Lake is to look. While they are at it, visitors, hike, bike, camp and drive the rim. For more information on places to go, guided tours, events and nearby attractions, click here.

The Legend of Crater Lake
More than 7,700 years ago, the Klamath people witnessed the catastrophic destruction of their revered Mt. Mazama and the creation of Crater Lake, attributing it to a cosmic fight between the mighty gods of the Above and Below worlds. Read more here.

Events: A detailed list of upcoming event can be found below. See all Crater Lake events here.

Newsletter: Sign up here for the monthly Crater Lake email newsletter.

All images courtesy of the Crater Lake Trust and the National Park Service.

Upcoming Events of Interest

The upcoming Crater Lake Rim Run is just one of many organized events in the National Park.

Crater Lake Rim Run
Join us in the running the Annual Crater Lake Rim Runs and Marathon held in beautiful Crater Lake National Park, Oregon.
Choose between runs of 6.7, 13.0 miles and the Marathon, or if you are a walker, the 6.7 mile walk. All courses are along the very rim of majestic Crater Lake and are at altitudes ranging from 5,980 to 7,850 feet above sea level. Be challenged by rugged mountains and breathtaking views.

Star Party: August 14
Experience the magnificent beauty of the night sky and the spectacular light show of the Perseid meteor shower from one of the best viewing points in Oregon – the rim of Crater Lake. They will provide assorted telescopes, Dagoba hot chocolate, and an expert astronomer to help you understand what you are seeing.

Fly Fishing on Wizard Island: August 14-15
The weekend of August 14-15 marks the start of a unique exploration for five very lucky fishermen/women. Join Crater Lake guides for fine food, fishing expertise, as well as education on the ecology of the fish at Crater Lake. This is a rare opportunity and a chance of a lifetime. Check online now for a discounted special price on this full package.

RASA Yoga Retreat: August 20-22
Explore the natural wonders of Crater Lake while you delve into your own personal sanctuary. This all-inclusive weekend from August 20-22, entails lodging, healthy and delicious meals, restorative yoga sessions, and hiking to your heart’s content. Enjoy gentle and rejuvenating yoga sessions led by Rasa’s own Natalie Stawsky – ultimate relaxation and renewal with the amazing backdrop of Crater Lake.

8:44

A River Runs Through It

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

The Deschutes River flows through the Old Mill District in Bend. Photo courtesy of Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe

Bend, Oregon: Hike, bike, kayak, float, fish, shop, dine, and listen to music. All within the greater Bend area, and most right here within the city limits. True. Here’s your snapshot to the Deschutes River, which flows though the heart of Bend – and carries us with it.

Biking & Hiking
The Deschutes River Trail allows nearly uninterrupted access to the beautiful waterway that is the heart of the community. The Bend Metro Park & Recreation District is at work building a fully connected river trail between Tumalo State Park and Meadow Camp. Once complete, the trail system will encompass nineteen miles of trails. The current trail system is divided into five “reaches:” Awbrey, River Run, Pioneer, Old Mill and South Canyon. Read more and download a trail map here.

Fishing
Originating from spring-fed headwaters in the Cascade Mountains, the Deschutes River ends its northward journey at the Columbia River, offering an astonishing 252 miles of fishable waters. The Deschutes offers everything from small stream fishing for Oregon’s native Redside Rainbow Trout to epic multi-day float trips for trophy trout and Pacific Steelhead. Read more and find outfitters and supply stores here.

Floating
Hot? Put your inner-tube, kayak, canoe, paddleboard or air mattress into the Deschutes at Riverbend Park and float your way cool. Take out at Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe or portage the bridge and float all the way into Drake Park in downtown Bend.

Whitewater rafting on the Deschutes River. Photo courtesy of Ouzel Outfitters

Kayaking, Canoeing & Whitewater Rafting
For a more thrilling water ride, the Deschutes River offers whitewater opportunities for novices and experts alike. Guides such as Ouzel Outfitters and Sun Country Tours will take you down the river on adventures lasting a few hours or a few days, including the Big Eddie Thriller.

Live Music
Two outdoor venues on the Deschutes River draw national acts and crowds galore: the Les Schwab Amphitheater and Drake Park. Paula Cole gave a free performance in Drake Park last week and we’ll see the likes of John Cougar Mellencamp and Clint Black at the amphitheater in August. See below for a complete list of upcoming performances.

Illustration of the Old Mill District, courtesy of The Shops at the Old Mill

Dining & Shopping
The Old Mill District is a splendid resurrection of land once belonging to logging operations. Over time, the industry that most brightly fuels and finances life in Bend has evolved from logging to tourism. No more clearly is that reflected than at The Shops at the Old Mill, where locals and visitors flock for food and shopping with a view. Some of my favorites in this district include: Anthony’s Home Port, Café Yumm!, Greg’s Grill, REI, Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic and the Regal Cinemas. This list is only the beginning. Find your favorites here.

UPCOMING RIVERSIDE EVENTS
Not a week goes by without one or more events smack dab on the Deschutes River. Here are some of my favorites:

July 29, August 5, and August 12: Munch and Music
Enjoying its 20th anniversary, the Drake Park Munch & Music free concert series continues to be a summertime favorite. This weekly summer series provides the community of Central Oregon with a great chance to strengthen their bond while enjoying the arts, outstanding food and free music. July 29: Orgone; August 5: Jah Sun; August 12: Crazy 8’s.

August 1: Free Summer Sunday Concert Series: Stolen Sweets
Swing/jazz: Listen to free live music at the Les Schwab Amphitheater in the Old Mill District as the Deschutes River floats happily by. Join a family friendly afternoon of great music from 2:30-4:30pm. Bring a picnic, the kids, your dog and some sunscreen for a fun filled afternoon in the sun.

August 5: Michael Franti & Spearhead
Michael Franti & Spearhead bring their blend of hip hop, funk, reggae, jazz and rock back to Bend for a night of much jumping up and down. In concert at the Les Schwab Amphitheater in the Old Mill District. Ticketed.

August 7: Race for the River
Grab your paddle-boards, canoes, kayaks, rafts, floaties, friends and dogs to support the Deschutes River Conservancy by participating in the first annual Race for the River in Riverbend Park. $15 per person, $20 with your dog (All participants racing with their dog will receive a Ruff Wear Float Coat as part of their entry fee). $50 per corporate team (5-6 people).

August 8: Free Summer Sunday Concert Series: Dangermuffin Americana/rock/reggae: Listen to free live music at the Les Schwab Amphitheater in the Old Mill District as the Deschutes River floats happily by. Join a family friendly afternoon of great music from 2:30-4:30pm. Bring a picnic, the kids, your dog and some sunscreen for a fun filled afternoon in the sun.

August 14: Deschutes Dog Days
Food, drink, and fun dog games; Saturday, August 14, 4 to 8 pm, at Riverbend Park in Bend. Free.

August 27: Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp
Folk music legend, Bob Dylan, draws from songs such as Mr. Tamborine Man, Tangled Up in Blue, Like a Rolling Stone and Times They are a Changing and many more. John Mellencamp joins him, performing his many hit songs including Jack and Diane, Pink Houses, Small Town and other great songs. In concert at the Les Schwab Amphitheater in the Old Mill District. Ticketed.

August 29: Clint Black with very special guest Luke Bryan
In their only Oregon concert of the year, a great double header with legendary country artist Clint Black who joins forces with up and coming country star Luke Bryan. In concert at the Les Schwab Amphitheater in the Old Mill District. Ticketed.

12:05

Full Moon Canoe Tour on Sparks Lake with Wanderlust Tours!

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

10:59

Cascade Cycling Classic – Wrap Up

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

The Cascade Cycling Classic captivates all of Central Oregon

While Alberto Contador (Spain) was busy winning the Tour de France – “beating” Luxembourg’s Andy Schleck by a whopping 39 seconds (the blink of an eye in the three week event) – 172 riders from all over the world descended on Bend, Oregon for the Cascade Cycling Classic. The CCC is the longest consecutively run elite stage race in the country, and an event where Lance Armstrong made an early appearance and (perhaps ironically) Floyd Landis made a recent one.
For six days and as many grueling stages, riders on super-thin wheels sped through town while the city watched in fascination. How could they ride so fast, all clustered together in a pack (peloton) wheel to wheel? But ride they did, in stages ranging from 14 to 83 miles.
At our house, Adam and Tyler, two riders we hosted from the Yahoo! Cycling Team, gave us inside cycling tidbits – about the races in France and in our own back yard. They had their own vernacular, these guys, with phrases like: The race just exploded, and, Is that Sastre off the back? My favorite: So what? He’s a sprinter; what’s he going to do? And Dopers suck.

In an ABC Nighline interview, dethroned Tour de France winner comes clean about drug use, accusing fellow rider Lance Armstrong

Speak of dopers, while Lance Armstrong was spinning his wheels in his final TdF, Floyd Landis, dethroned winner of the 2006 Tour de France, showed up in Bend and raced in a t-shirt. (Which seemed weird – like, can’t he find a normal biking jersey without a logo – even though he’s banned from endorsements?) The fallen star redeemed himself – at least in many eyes – in an interview for ABC’s Nightline “Did Lance Cheat?” in which Landis finally came clean about his use of performance enhancing drugs while on the U.S. Postal Team in France. The same team and the same alleged abuse he shared with Lance Armstrong. “It’s accepted,” he said. “There is one rule for the outside world and a different one for the peloton.”
Our two riders were glued to the TV screen during the interview. Then they ate copious amounts of carbohydrates, took naps and got ready for the evening ride: the Twilight Criterium.
The “Crit” is an adrenaline rush for riders as well as 10,000 spectators, as the cyclists speed around four tight corners in downtown Bend again and again until 75 minutes tick by. Citizens crowd the streets with cheers and cowbells as the riders scream past them.
At the end of the week, our Yahoo! guys were not on the podium. But we expect big things from them. And hope to see them again next year as this most popular event continues its own Central Oregon winning streak.

Race Results:
Rory Sutherland, riding for United Healthcare, won the pro men’s event. Twenty seconds back, Ben Day of Fly V Australia took send, and his Fly V colleague, Darren Lill came in third.
On the pro women’s side, Mara Abott continued her winning streak with another yellow jersey. The CCC championship crowned a stupendous year for her, as she took the American National Championship as well as Italy’s prestigious Giro Donne overall title.
In France: Bend, Oregon native Chris Horner took 10th place, while Lance Armstrong topped off his swan song at 23rd place saying, “I need a cold beer.”

Yahoo! Cycling Team's Adam Switters takes the King of the Mountains jersey in a recent race

Jersey Wrap Up:
What’s all the fuss with colored jerseys and why are they so coveted? While colors vary in different international races, these are the colors and their significance in the Tour de France and the Cascade Cycling Classic:
Yellow: Awarded to each stage winner as well as the overall winner of the event
Green: Points leader
Polka Dot: King of the Mountains (fastest climber of each stage/overall)
White: Youth Leader
Red: Intermediate sprint leader

Codes and Traditions of the Tour de France:
Lanterne Rouge: The “red lantern” is a phrase given to the competitor in last place, referring to the red lantern hung on the caboose of a railway train.
Hors Catégorie: An incredibly tough climb that is “beyond categorization.”
Flamme Rouge: The red pennant (kite) hanging from an archway that signifies the final kilometer of the stage/race.
Champs Elysees: Leaders sip champagne as they ride the most famous boulevard in cycling: the ceremonial final ride into Paris.

Unwritten Code of Cycling Honor:
• Whenever reasonably possible, one allows a rider to lead the peloton when the race passes through his home village or on his birthday.
• One does not attack a leading rider who has suffered a mechanical breakdown or other misfortune.
• One does not attack another who is eating in the feed zone or one who is enjoying un besoin naturel (roughly translated to a natural need, the practice of answering nature’s call).
• Riders do not launch attacks on the leader of the Tour de France on the final stage, giving the leader one final day to bask in the glory of the yellow jersey.

17:15

Summer Music in Bend

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Paula Cole in concert, tonight, free (!), at Munch and Music in Drake Park

Rock your summer in Bend, Oregon with a crazy schedule of live music. The marquis are lighting up with the names of such notables as Clint Black, Willie Nelson, John Cougar Mellencamp, and Bob Dylan. Bend music lovers flock to their favorite venues: Drake Park by Mirror Pond, downtown’s Tower Theater, the happy sloping lawn of the Athletic Club of Bend, and the outdoor Les Schwab Amphitheater with the Deschutes River floating by. Here’s the summer lineup:

Clear Summer Nights Concert Series
at the Athletic Club of Bend – Ticketed
July 24: Los Lonely Boys
August 15: Robert Randolph and The Family Band
August 24: John Hiatt
Produced by C3 Events
Presented by Clear 101.7fm
Sponsored by Boys & Girls Club of Central Oregon

John Cougar Mellencamp will be appearing in concert with Bob Dylan this summer at the Les Schwab Amphitheater

Les Schwab Amphitheater – Ticketed
August 5: Michael Franti & Spearhead
August 27: Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp
August 29: Clint Black with very special guest Luke Bryan
Sept. 17: Willie Nelson
Les Schwab Amphitheater tickets and information

Summer Sunday Concerts
at the Les Schwab Amphitheater – Free
July 25: Great American Taxi – Americana/Jam
August 1: Stolen Sweets – Swing/Jazz
August 8: Dangermuffin – Bluegrass
August 15: Victor Johnson – Folk/Americana
Presented by St. Charles Medical Center

Munch and Music
In Drake Park – Free
July 22: Paula Cole
July 29: Orgone
August 5: Jah Sun
August 12: Crazy 8’s
Produced by C3 Events
Presented by Clear 101.7fm
Sponsored by Boys & Girls Club of Central Oregon

The Cowboy Junkies will be coming to the Tower Theatre in Bend in October

Tower Theatre
In Downtown Bend – Ticketed
July 22: Portland Cello Project & Loch Lomond
July 27: Leon Russell
August 5: Dar Williams
August 7: David Bromberg
October 5: Cowboy Junkies
October 6: Greg Brown
October 10: David Grisman
October 12: Judy Collins
Tower Theatre tickets and information

Insider’s Tip: The Domino Room
There’s a local’s hot spot, a little known club called the Domino Room in downtown Bend. One August 24 you can experience Mat Kearney’s solo acoustic show in an intimate venue. Ticket information here.

10:07

An Ancient Hawaiian Sport Surfs Into Bend

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Since going to Hawaii a few months ago, I was dying to try stand up paddle surfing along a serene Maui beach. With one rental car, a short window of time, and conflicting activity schedules within my travel group, my stand up paddle dreams were crushed. Flash forward to being home in Bend again and I’m finally able to check this activity off my life list. Stand up paddle boarding has found its way from the isles of Hawaii to the middle of Central Oregon.

The Visit Bend team met up with Mike and Tom from Sun Country Tours—one of few companies in Bend offering both instruction and paddle board rentals—on a warm July evening in River Bend Park in the Old Mill District along the Deschutes River. Mike and Tom were paddle pros with years of experience in the ocean on typical surf and paddle surf style boards. The biggest question looming in the back of my mind was “how hard is this?”

I'm making my way up the Deschutes River

We carried the boards to the river’s edge, kicked off our flip flops and slipped into the water. With my paddle straddling my board, I immediately hopped up and began to paddle my way upstream towards the Farewell Bend Park bridge. The on-the-water instruction and advice provided by Mike and Tom came in handy when we hit strong currents under the bridge, which left us working up a sweat and going no where fast. Best advice of the day: stay close to the edge of the river where the current isn’t as strong.

Once we arrived at a placid area along the Deschutes River, Tom showed me some advanced tricks and tips for paddle surfing on the ocean. Then, it was time to head back down stream which was much less of a work out and gave me some time to perfect my surf skills.

The sport of stand up paddle surfing is definitely a relaxing way to blow off some steam, burn off my lunch, commune with nature, and stay cool on hot summer day in Bend.

Now we're cruising!

Tip: Sun Country Tours offers inflatable paddle board rentals that are incredibly stable and rigid. You can collapse them into a vehicle and hit a high Cascade Lake for some paddling. No roof racks or tie straps required.

Tip: Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe offers women’s stand up paddle surfing every Monday night through the summer and special fitness classes (with personal trainers) every Tuesday from their river front location in the Old Mill District.

Tip: Good enough to race? Join the race series August 6-8, 2010 at Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe

Tip: I highly recommend it to anyone of all ages and skill levels. It’s really much easier than it seems. Wondering what to wear? Bring your life vest (if you have your own or one will be provided by Sun Country Tours), water shoes or shoes you don’t care about if you toss them to shore, and board shorts over your swimsuit. Leave your sunglasses behind or get one of those cords.

The Visit Bend Team Conquers Paddle Boarding!

Happy paddling!

9:08

Signature Event at Tower Theatre Featuring Author Kelsey Collins, David Santangelo & Terri Daniel with Music by Susan Werner

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

12:44

Bend, Oregon: Launching Pad for a Stellar Summer Weekend

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

The Steve Miller Band rocked the Les Schwab Amphitheater Friday night

My arms are tired, my skin is burnt and my brain is fried. I have only one question: When can we do it again?! Here are the highlights of my weekend, spent with my husband, some friends, kids, and our dogs. All true.

Friday Night: The Steve Miller Band in concert
Saturday: Kayaking with the dog on Hosmer Lake
Saturday Night: Sagebrush Classic Feast/Barenaked Ladies in concert
Sunday: Boating on Lake Billy Chinook
Sunday Night: Barbecue on the deck
Monday: Arrival at our home of the Yahoo! Cycling Team

Friday Night: The Steve Miller Band played to a raucous crowd of about 5,000 people at the outdoor Les Schwab Amphitheater in Bend. While the sun set over the Cascade mountains on a hot summer night, we listened to great music, sang songs, danced, and closed down the show, hollering for more. Not entirely satisfied, we capped the night off under the starts, with crab cocktails and wine at Anthony’s Home Port, just a short walk across the Deschutes River footbridge, from the amphitheater to the Shops at the Old Mill District.

Hosmer Lake is a great place to kayak with the whole family

Saturday Morning: We packed up three kayaks, lunch, and the dog, and headed to Hosmer Lake, about 45 minutes outside of Bend, Oregon. We strapped a life jacket on the dog and put in amongst the lily pads with Mt. Bachelor looming in the background. We paddled through a trout-infested canal, and past an island surrounded by shallow, emerald green waters. Here is where the dog, leapt out of the kayak and bounded like a bunny through the silt to greet other adventurers. (Getting a dog out of a kayak is easy, getting the same mud-soaked pup back in the kayak … not so easy.) We proceeded upstream along a narrow creek to a waterfall surrounded by wildflowers. An hour and a half after we launched, we lunched: artichoke bruschetta on rustic Italian bread with fresh sliced tomatoes, plus mixed nuts, dried fruit, apples, cheese and iced tea. A short time later we noticed the time and paddled as fast as we could back to civilization. We had party plans!
Saturday Night: The Sagebrush Classic Feast is a great summer event in Central Oregon. Chefs from all over the country and as far away as France and Viet Nam, come to share small plates with guests who gather at Broken Top Club for a night of festivities. While the adult beverages flowed from Deschutes Brewery and regional wineries, we enjoyed oysters from Hog Island with “Hog Wash” sauce, sirloin steak, Kobe beef, and sea scallops with fois gras, to name a few. Then came the desert choices. Just when we thought we couldn’t have more fun, the live band started and we danced until we dropped. Others in our party went to see Barenaked Ladies in concert, again at the Les Schwab Amphitheater. We all fell into bed whilst visions of boating danced in our heads.

Alex and Zoe Barnes (21 and 11 respectively) towed on a "biscuit" with Mt. Jefferson in the background

Sunday Morning: Paddling a kayak takes work. It was time to do a little speed boating and let the motor do the hard part. We called some friends, packed them up with their children, their dog and our dog, and headed to Lake Billy Chinook, about an hour north of Bend. Three rivers converge at this reservoir: the Deschutes, the Metolius and the Crooked. We launched the boat on the Deschutes arm and headed out into the wild blue yonder, full speed ahead. Zoe (11) has named our boat King Julian, from the Madagascar movie, because when we’re being pulled in the biscuit, it’s more fun to put your hands in the air. Alex (21) rocked the wakeboard and the rest of us took turns trying to stay on the biscuit (now dubbed Moto Moto), while my husband spun us in circles. Gads of fun!

Sunday Night: By now we’re hot, sunburned and totally spent. But not to tired to eat, of course. We ended our day on the back deck with barbecued chicken, spicy rice, fruit and berry salad, and grilled corn on the cob. I slept that night like a stone, glistening happily in the bottom of a stream.

The Cascade Cycling Classic returns to Bend, Oregon for its 31st consecutive year

Monday Morning: My arms are tired, my skin is burnt and my brain is fried. As I write this I am awaiting the arrival of the Yahoo! Cycling Team, who will be staying in our home for the duration of the Cascade Cycling Classic, July 20-25. Six days of elite stage racing lie ahead, with courses woven throughout the Cascades, culminating in the thrilling Twilight Criterium in downtown Bend. The 31st annual Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic is the longest consecutively run elite stage race in the country and has attracted most of North America’s top cyclists and teams over the years.
Next up for me: I’ll stock the pantry with pasta and sauce and load up the fruit bowl. Then maybe I’ll take a teeny little nap.

15:11

Dining at the Top of the World

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Lisa enjoying the food and the view

One of the ways we know that summer has arrived in Central Oregon is that Mt. Bachelor has opened for summer operations. It’s great to ride up during the day for hiking and disc golf – and maybe to sit on the deck and enjoy one of Bend’s local micro-brews in the sun – however, I was really excited to check out the sunset dinners last Saturday evening.

Fellow “Bend Expert” Lisa and I rode the chairlift up to the Pine Marten Lodge around 5:00pm and had a fantastic view of the Three Sisters and Broken Top. It’s amazing how close they look! Upon arriving at the lodge, we were blown away by how the lodge has been transformed for summer dining options. There is a bar and lounge area set up for cocktails and appetizers (which are half off during happy hour 4:30 to 5:30 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights when the restaurant is open). The main dining area is positioned to take advantage of the incredible views. Lisa and I sampled a glass of Northwest wine from the bar before heading to our table.

It was difficult to decide on dinner since everything sounded delicious! We split the Oregon chevre with rosemary, caramelized onions and figs appetizer and the arugula salad with citrus, watermelon and feta cheese. I could have stopped eating right then, but we just had to try the pacific halibut with garlic and orange served over a grape tomato and tarragon salad and the New Zealand baby lamb over mashed potatoes and asparagus.

I don’t know if I can do the dessert justice by explanation – it was a handmade smore – a rich chocolate brownie with a graham cracker crust topped with perfectly broiled marshmallows. It was served with a side of vanilla ice cream, of course!

Three Sisters from Mt. Bachelor

Since it was still dusk when we left, hiking down the mountain would have been an option, but it was nice to sink into the chairlift and watch the rosy glow on the mountains on the way down. Sunset on Mt. Bachelor is definitely a Bend summer must-do!

10:05

Let the Games Begin! Summer Season at Mt. Bachelor

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

7:46

Golfers, Chefs, and Shellfish are heading to the Sagebrush Classic

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

Golfers at Broken Top with the mountain of its namesake in the background

Some notable chefs and shellfish on the cuisine scene are heading to the small recreation town of Bend, Oregon this summer for a prestigious culinary event. In the shadow of the dramatic Cascade Mountains, the Sagebrush Classic Feast draws chefs from around the world to raise money for children in need. These chefs, with the help of local volunteers, serve distinctive small plates that are paired with Deschutes Brewery craft beer and regional wines.
With help from local volunteer entourages (including the high school football team), 18 chefs from Portland to Paris prepare unique dishes in individual food stations for more than 1,000 guests in Broken Top Meadow, in sight of the jutting mountain from which it took its name. While it’s often quite difficult to get a reservation at many of these chefs’ acclaimed restaurants, at the Sagebrush Classic Feast guests can meet the chefs in person, chat about their restaurants and recipes, and maybe even take a turn with them on the dance floor.
Terry Sawyer, co-owner of San Francisco-based Hog Island Oysters, for example, returns to the Feast for the 11th year, serving his own creations as well as providing shellfish to other chefs. “As in past years, we’ll be serving a raw bar; this year with sweet water oysters, Kumomoto oysters and our sauce we call Hog Wash,” says Sawyer. This minuette (oyster sauce) is a combination of seasoned and unseasoned rice vinegars with a limejuice base, jalepenos, cilantro and chopped shallots. Says Sawyer, “It’s so wildly popular it would be crazy to serve anything else.”
While the celebrity chefs are busy strutting their culinary stuff, area golfers are teaming up for the best ball competition that kicks off the weekend. Cash, trophies and bragging rights are the prizes at stake for up to 52 teams competing in this fierce but friendly golf tournament at one of the top golf courses in Bend, Oregon. Golf course and scenery compete for your attention, as the immaculate Weiskopf-Morrish course has gorgeous views and a wide variety of holes. All groups of players will tee off simultaneously from different holes in two shotgun starts. Golf includes cart, golf balls, tee gifts, select golf clothing, breakfast and/or lunch, beverages, team photo, and tickets to Saturday’s Classic Feast.
What started two decades ago as a showcase of craft beer and world-class food pairings has evolved into one of the most prestigious “parties” in the Northwest. Golf tickets cost $650 or $850, with one or two Classic Feast tickets included, respectively. Individual tickets to the Feast cost $195 per person. Table patrons and golf sponsorships are also available. Link here for more details.

11:24

2nd Annual Orvis National Fly-Casting Competition in Bend, Oregon at The Old Mill District

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

12:23

What’s a Jackalope?

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

6:37

Our Own Private Forest…A Morning of Mountain Biking in Bend

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

22:41

Farm Fresh Strawberries – Four Pints isn’t nearly enough.

» ‎ The Bend Buzz Blog

With high hopes of serving strawberry shortcake to our dinner guests on Thursday night, I bought a few pints of strawberries from the Bend Farmer’s Market on Wednesday afternoon. Four pints would be plenty I thought, to enjoy Wednesday evening and still have enough for our friends the following night. As I sliced up a few large berries and took a bite, I realized I was mistaken.

I had forgotten the taste of a real strawberry, one that had been picked that morning; by the hands of a fellow Oregonian. There is something fabulous about a farm-fresh strawberry. It tastes different than one that comes out of the refrigerated case at the grocery. Full of flavor and satisfying in a way a store-bought berry could never be. It is a bit messy to eat, dark red strawberry juice covering your fingers as you reach for a third or fourth.

After a winter of eating hearty greens and store bought fruits, these strawberries were a real treat. I couldn’t help myself. With my lack of self-control combined with Ben’s love of just about any type of produce, we quickly devoured a pint and a half of berries. Four pints was not nearly enough.

I guess the strawberry shortcake will have to wait until next week… when 6 pints of strawberries will be on my Farmer’s Market list.

This is going to be a very good summer!

A Summer Strawberry Shortcake Recipe:

3 pints fresh strawberries

1/2 cup white sugar

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

2 tablespoons white sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup shortening

1 egg

2/3 cup milk

2 cups whipped heavy cream

Directions

1. Slice the strawberries and toss them with 1/2 cup of white sugar. Set aside.

2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease and flour one 8 inch round cake pan.

3. In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, 2 tablespoons white sugar and the salt. With a pastry blender cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center and add the beaten egg and milk. Stir until just combined.

4. Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Bake at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool partially in pan on wire rack.

Slice partially cooled cake in half, making two layers. Place half of the strawberries on one layer and top with the other layer. Top with remaining strawberries and cover with the whipped cream.