Happy Saturday! I didn’t get this post put together yesterday with all of our sightseeing, so I hope you get a chance to view this post today.
This is my first trip to this part of Oregon, and I love it! It is high desert which means warm, dry days and cool nights. Throughout Central Oregon, there are lakes, hiking, and biking trails, rock climbing and a myriad of outdoor activities. But there is also lots of shopping and restaurants!
Here are some great places to visit:
Smith Rock National Park and the Crooked River
If you are a rock climber, this is the place for you! If not, it is still magnificent to see. There are a few hiking trails that wrap around the rock as well.
Situated in the middle of the flatland are these majestic spires that seem to rise out of the desert floor. When you get into the park, however, you see that they are surrounded by a river–the Crooked River–that has cut a deep path around the rock formation. The peaks formed from volcanic ash that hardened and was then worn down by the Crooked River and other elements through millions of years. It is truly a spectacular sight.
And to honor the occasion, I am wearing my graphic tee that says,” Baby, Let’s have an adventure.” And this trip is truly an adventure!
Bend
Bend is the largest city in Central Oregon. It started as a logging town in the early 1900’s but is now identified as a gateway for many outdoor sports, including mountain biking, fishing, hiking, camping, rock climbing, white-water rafting, skiing, paragliding, helicopter tours, and golf. It is a beautiful little town with both a modern shopping area, called the Old Mill and the older downtown area. Both are situated along the Deschutes River. You can see it is a fun place for a vacation with lots to do!
In terms of staying cool in the 90-degree weather, I am wearing my scalloped hem shorts and my floral top from Stitch Fix. (Check out the Stitch Fix program by clicking on the Stitch Fix photo in the sidebar.)
Sisters
Named for the trio of towering peaks to its west, Sisters is a vibrant, artsy community with charming 1880s western facades. It is known for its annual rodeo and quilt festivals. There is great shopping and lots of restaurants to choose from. And, of course, lots of camping, fishing and bike trails. They have a couple of great jewelry stores where my husband has picked up original pieces for me before–on this trip, we worked with the designer to make a new setting for my wedding ring. (Can’t wait to see the final result!)
Redmond
Redmond is one of Oregon’s fastest growing cities. It has a homey, small-town feel, with cattle farms and large homesteads along with newer homes. The main part of town is full of industry, shops, and restaurants. We stayed there with relatives and enjoyed seeing the many animals–cows, llamas, goats, sheep–along the country roads. Just down the street is the amazing gorge you see below. Such beautiful high desert country!
Madras
Madras has been identified by many Solar Eclipse experts as one of the premier viewing locations in the US. Located at the center of the path of totality, Madras will be engulfed in 2.02 minutes of total darkness. They are expecting over 200,000 visitors to this small high-desert town on August 21st! Unfortunately, we will miss it, but those of you who are following this historic event will certainly hear about the Oregon town of Madras! You can also view the eclipse from Portland, Eugene, and Bend.
I hope this post has inspired you to visit a new part of the country. I know you will enjoy it as much as we have. The state of Oregon has lots of diversity in the environment so is a great place to see some beautiful country.
Thanks for taking the time to check out today’s post. Thanks for LIKING and SHARING my posts. I also appreciate that so many of you are following me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook.
Until next week…happy travels!
Darlene
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