Bend (Concluded)

There is really a lot to see in this area.

Sunriver Nature Center - this is Central Oregon's only native botanical garden featuring forest, stream, wetlands and high desert habitats.  What I found here that was so interesting was my talk with one of the rangers regarding bees.  She has hives and the center has an open hive so you can observe the bees as they go about their routine.  I was fascinated by how the queen is "grown" and selected.  I'm not going to go into the details, but I found it .... well, fascinating.  One of the exhibits is an eagle - blind (detached retinas in both eyes due to being hit by a car when 1 year old).  It is a beautiful bird.

High Desert Museum - this is a very pleasant walk (about 2 miles was my trek) through indoor and outdoor exhibits. The non-profit Museum opened in 1982.  They "strive to be the preeminent resource for exploring the historic and contemporary relationships between people and the High Desert landscape."  Again, very informative and well done.

There were several sculptures through the grounds, but I found the mare & foal the most interesting.  It is made entirely out of barbed wire, rather than solid metal.

One day I took a long drive and this is what I saw ....

I took a walk to Steelhead Falls ... this is one the falls on the Deschutes River.

and in a local state park, there was a walk to this tree ....


I drove to Camp Sherman - once a rest stop for weary Sherman County wheat farmers, this community of about 250 looks to be set up for the summer out-of-doors.  Mostly campgrounds or rental cabins, summer homes, and resorts; there is the Metolius River for fly fishing, etc.  The 85-year-old Camp Sherman Store serves as an informal community center.  It sells everything imaginable, plus has an attached post office and book exchange.  There is a darling little church next door.


Sisters was a very nice little town - and home of a large quilt festival in July.  It also gives this beautiful view of the mountains ....

One of the businesses at the end of the main street is called "Antler Art" and it is located in front of "Meats and Smoke House."  Coincidence? ha

There was an alpaca ranch along the road .... they were so cute you just wanted to kiss their little faces ... well, maybe not, but they were adorable!

The Petersen Rock Garden and Museum is a collection of rocks, minerals and rock formations.  I'm sure it was a nice place to visit in it's "day," but is in disrepair and there isn't much to see now.

I saw a herd of miniature horses grazing as I was leaving for my next stop.

The Fun Farm has a unique collection of bizarre, amusing, and just plain weird items, with over 100 costumes for rent and for sale.

I had no concept of the volcanic activity that has transpired in Central Oregon.  When I think of volcanoes or volcanic activity, Hawaii is what comes to mind, not Oregon.  Knowing Crater Lake is in a caldera, or that Mt. Hood erupted, just doesn't bring it home until you are here, walking in lava rivers.

The beauty of traveling to each state is to learn what makes each unique ....

I also managed a walk/hike to Benham Falls .... Benham Falls is a gradual cascade waterfall that falls from 25 ft. into Deschutes River. 

It looks like it is time to move to a new place .... my propane tank is empty, which means no heat and it is currently 28 degrees; my gray tank is full; and I'm out of Diet Coke.  I'm heading back to the Salem / Portland area of Oregon for a couple of weeks.  I hope to see Silver Falls and some scenic drives north of Portland by the Washington border.  I'll keep you posted (or blogged :))!