Bend Thousand Trails RV Park, Bend, Oregon

 This is the view out our windshield at the Thousand Trails RV park in Bend.  That's a cabin across from us called a 'Yurt'.  There was another being built close by. 

Yurt under construction

They're not very large, but seem popular in all kinds of climates.  A large dome on top provides lots of natural light.  The floor is built directly on top of the concrete blocks.  

 As you see, the spaces can be pretty large.  Not all are of course, but didn't feel squeezed!

[ A word to our new visitors, a simple left click on a picture will make it larger if desired.]

This is Oregon after all, and to keep everything green it's got to rain.  It did.  The several days it didn't, we made count the best we could.  Managed several geocaching days, and got Eloise's bicycle repaired.  She had wanted the rear derailleur hand control replaced, so we took it to the 'Bike Barn' in Sunriver.  The clerk said it would cost $15 for the part, and $3 for installation.  We were very pleased with that.  We left it for a couple hours, and when we got back to pay up, the bill came to $9.  We asked why, and were told that he had a barely used one on hand, and hoped we didn't mind him using it.  I could have kissed him!!  Gave him a tip instead...

 It worked out that we were able to either round or square dance 9 days out of the 14 we were here.  Very friendly folks at all the events.  Not all clubs are so friendly to people just passing thru, but we were made to feel like we were members.  Mary Peterson was a great new friend, and enormous help in cluing us in on schedules.  She doesn't have a computer or cell phone (what?!!) so she won't see this, but we are grateful to her and miss her already.

Not far from the RV park is the High Desert Museum.

  
Not too sure we wanted to see yet another museum...imagine how many we've been to around the country in the last 22 years on the road!  Very glad we decided to go, and it was a cloudy day but not raining.  The price was $12 for seniors, plus a 10% discount for retired military.  This summer, active duty military and their families are admitted free.  What a great tribute to our soldiers! 

There was an otter pond, raptors, a raptor show (extra $3 and worth it!) and a desertarium.  The museum has some of the best dioramas we've ever seen.  A sawmill, and a primitive carpenter shop and actual woodworkers are on the grounds.  

 Just inside the entrance was this beautiful 1914 Model T.  The gas pump was identical to the one at my high school in Ojai, CA to service the oldest bus in the fleet that was my privilege to ride all thru HS.  Mr Ryder was our 

driver.  Every few months he would treat the busload to a free soda when he stopped at a refreshment stand in Miners Oaks.  The pump worked by cranking the lever until gas filled the glass cylinder.  Then it was gravity fed into the gas tank of the bus.  The other buses filled downtown somewhere.

 This is the area that the raptor show took place.  There wasn't any restraint on any of them, but they did have a radio wire on each...just in case.  They said the buzzard sometimes likes to head off to soar in the currents, but comes back voluntarily!!

Snowy Owl

 It's hard to get pictures because the birds fly fast and low to various points where assistants are placing raw meat for them.  Pardon my blurry ones please.

Kestrel Hawk

Harris Hawk

Harris Hawk

Buzzard Landing

Canada Lynx

1935 US Forest Service Fire Truck

1919 Caterpillar Model "Sixty"

 Indoor raptor demonstration very well done also.

Otter

 The otter pond.  Yep, that's an otter.  Picture won't win a prize, but it's the only one I've got.

Some Sort Of Snake...

Gila Monster

Desert critter demonstration.  Eloise there in the red pants.  I didn't get a seat...
Discussion included a desert turtle.  Did you know there were rings on these turtles that can tell its age, like the rings on trees.  All of the talks were well done by young people who really knew their stuff.

The following day was beautiful, and we had the privilege of  meeting up with Josh Jordan and his family for lunch.  Josh is Eloise's great nephew who recently moved to Bend from Orange County in So Cal.  He's doing a start up accounting business, and targeting 'start up' businesses to begin with.  Seems a sound proposition.  Kellie is a photographer sort of in limbo at the moment, and raising l6 m.o. Caleb.  A real live wire!

Josh, Kellie and Caleb Jordan

They went thataway!

Ha, just foolin'

I'll have one of each!

Yep, It's a real lemon...

  It was only lunch, but we definitely get the idea that Caleb is well-monitored, but not smothered.  He's allowed to be a little kid.  Good on you both, Josh and Kellie.  It was great to see you!

Pilot (lava)  Butte Plaque, Bend, OR

 This is a plaque on top of a lava cinder cone in Bend.  It names all the surrounding mountains.  Shown here only because it is what is known as a 'virtual' kind of geocache.  This type has no physical cache or log.  The cache owner requires that the geocacher perform some calculation or look for an item to convey to the owner via email in order to keep the geocache as a 'find'.  Some years ago these types of caches were disallowed, however the existing ones like this were grandfathered.  The requirement here was to relate the distance to Mt. Hood shown on the plaque.

Eloise heads down a trail we learned wasn't where we wanted to be.  Nice trail though!

Powered hang gliding is offered in the city.  Personally, heights terrify me, but next time here might just try this.  


The Segway tours look really interesting -- that too we'll have a good look at next time in town!!  That is if the sun shines!
 

To the west of Bend is a mountain road thru the town of Sisters called the Mckenzie Pass, or hwy 20.  It is not suitable for RVs over 35' because of the vicious curves and steep climb.  We decided to check it out in the Honda.  When we got to the top this is what we saw:

Pass Summit

Don Wright Observatory

A lava rock building was erected and called an observatory,  with windows looking out to the mountains

Meanwhile, back at the park...
Saturday evening entertainment was the one-man band Charlie Ferris.  He was fun, singing 50's, 60's, 70's hits.  Each one introduced with some interesting facts.  Love the oldies!

 Nearby at Sunriver, a restaurant sits right over the Deschutes River.  Out our window at lunch we saw this couple on stand-up paddle boards.  Photo with cell phone, so may have to enlarge the photo some.


Lastly, here's a place about a mile from the park.  Couldn't always see very far, but it was a beautiful sight when you could.  Mt Bachelor on the left, and the Three Sisters to the right.  

Mt Bachelor, South Sister, Middle Sister, North Sister

Moving from here on Thursday June 27th, heading for Seaside, OR., another Thousand Trails park.  Next update to the blog will be at least 2 weeks.  

Thanks for having  a look!