Derek CarlsonOver Labor Day weekend, we watched helplessly as smoke from nearby wildfires enveloped the entire cascade range. This meant that one of our two 7-day cascade wilderness passes we had secured earlier in the year would go unused. Sad face. After spending some time on Purpleair looking for areas where the smoke wasn’t, we noticed … Read more
Derek CarlsonWhen it comes to U-pick farms, Bend is considered a bit off the beaten path compared to areas like Hood River, Sauvie Island, or the Willamette Valley. While we have a ton of fabulous farms in the area (seriously, check out the farmer’s markets, and you’ll see so many incredible people supply us with fresh … Read more
Derek CarlsonWhen it comes to hiking in Central Oregon, there may be no better option, at least during peak wildflower season, than the hike up the Canyon Creek Meadows trail to Three Finger Jack. This hike checks almost every box: wildflowers, stunning mountain vistas, a lake for a post-hike dip, and a long bumpy dirt road … Read more
Derek CarlsonLooking at the backs of cars traveling to Bend during the summer months tells the story of how popular mountain biking is in this town. It feels like every car, truck, van, and camper has a set of mountain bikes strapped to the back. The popularity is well deserved as the Bend area has 100s … Read more
Derek CarlsonBend has a bit of a reputation, and there is definitely some truth behind it, of having a restaurant scene comprised primarily of brewpubs. While that may have been true 10 years ago the restaurant scene has exploded over the past decade. This means there are tons of options for various cuisines that simply did … Read more
Derek CarlsonBend is full of great hikes for families but one of our absolute favorites is the hike around Todd Lake. Todd Lake is a small lake near Mt. Bachelor that, when the snow finally melts out in the summer, features an easy-to-navigate trail, warm waters for swimming or paddling, wildflowers, and a huge population of … Read more
Derek CarlsonThe Tumalo Falls Hike is one of the quintessential waterfall hikes in all of Oregon. Even more amazing is the fact that it is only a 30-minute drive from downtown Bend, Oregon! Tumalo Falls is a 90-foot waterfall fed by Tumalo Creek approximately 20 miles west of Bend. Tumalo Creek originates in the Broken Top … Read more
Derek CarlsonTumalo State Park, not to be confused with the similarly named Tumalo Falls, is located on the north side of town between Tumalo (the town) and Bend. While this park isn’t exactly a secret, it doesn’t get nearly as much attention as many of the bigger ticket outdoor experiences surrounding Bend. If you’re looking for … Read more
Derek CarlsonBend is one of the best winter sport destinations in the country. And although skiing is the first sport to come to mind for many Bend offers a great selection of ice skating options as well. Whether you’re new to ice skating and watch to enjoy an evening with the family or you’re looking to … Read more
Derek CarlsonThere may be no other state in the country that has a better selection of waterfalls to visit than Oregon. Despite its high desert location, Bend and the surrounding areas are home to many beautiful waterfalls. Some you can drive right up to, while others require a bit of a trek. But at the end … Read more