Bend

Our last full day in Bend! It was a bit cooler, like almost 70, with a cool breeze. After breakfast Michael and my dad went to the driving range and my mom and I took Logan on a tour of some of the cool parks around the area. We went to Hillside Park (but it was for older kids) and then to Harmon Park, which was perfect for Logan.

For lunch we got food from Spork for takeout. We tried to go last time we were in Bend and it was so packed we couldn’t get an order in. But this time we lucked out! It was SO good! A new favorite for Bend, for sure. It’s a cool, funky Mexican/Asian fusion restaurant.

I got the Korean BBQ Short Ribs. They came on rice, arugula, sprouts, topped with seaweed, a fried egg and kimchi. Delicious!

My dad got the chicken tacos. Michael got the chilaquiles (I had a few bites and it was SO good) with steak. My mom got the best thing–the spicy pork noodles. I will definitely be getting that next time.

After Logan’s nap, the plan was to go rent one of the “Double Surrey” bikes for fun. It fits 4 adults and a kid. But unfortunately they were closed! We were one week early for their summer hours. BOO! Next time! So instead of biking we just hung out in the front yard of the house we rented. Logan played soccer and golf and we enjoyed the warm sunshine.

Then we went for a short walk for some shaved ice (at Dakine Hawaiian Shaved Ice.) 🙂

Even though our plans to bike got thwarted, it was a nice, chill day. Like, an actual vacation with RELAXING. What’s that?!? I actually got to sit on the front porch and relax and finish reading my book!

Dinner was burgers again. They were so good last time. With grilled asparagus, coleslaw and raw veggies.

And of course, once again, Boneyard RPM, hot tub, bed. 😀 We were definitely in a routine!

Tuesday morning I went for a run. It was nice out. Cool and quiet but not too cold. I ran down to Drake Park, crossed the bridge to the other side of the river, and had Drake Park basically to myself. Just me and the geese.

It was a nice, and flat, trail. I went through the park to one end and then the other. Then I crossed over the bridge on Galveston, ran through a neighborhood, crossed the wooden bridge back to Drake Park and did part of it again before heading back.

The water was like glass. It was so peaceful out that early (like 7am).

I got back to the house just in time for breakfast.

We all had breakfast, I showered and we packed and said our goodbyes. Boo. 🙁 It was such a nice vacation. We had a lot of fun, spent time with my parents, they got to spend tons of time with Logan…we all got in naps, a hike, I finished a book and had excellent beer. I call that a win for vacation!

It’s hard to say goodbye, to my parents AND the Bend house. We love it so much. The location is so perfect for us. Close to restaurants, bars, parks and the river downtown. So beautiful and quiet. I definitely recommend Bend AND the house we rented!

I’ve been waiting for a vacation for long time. We enjoyed ourselves so much in Bend last summer, we booked the house again with my parents. We met them at the rental house on Friday afternoon. It was a long drive for them (from Seattle) but they were excited to do it. Logan did pretty well in the car and slept for the first two hours or so, then he was fussy.

Friday we unpacked and then got some groceries.

We ended up getting pizzas for dinner and eating them outside on the deck. It was a nice, warm evening. The birds were chirping and there was an owl somewhere nearby.

Michael had gotten us some beer at Growler Phil’s (our favorite place) and we enjoyed some Boneyard RPM and then Logan went to bed and Michael and I got to relax in the hot tub for a bit before bed. It was nice and relaxing!

Saturday we got up early and had breakfast. Eggs, hashbrowns, sausage and lots of coffee.

Then made sandwiches headed up Mount Bachelor for a hike.

We chose Todd Lake. The reviews were great and it looked like a really nice hike (easy) for Logan.

It wasn’t very crowded, which was good, and we let Bella free-roam since we were basically the only hikers on the trail. We usually don’t do that but Bella LOVED it. She was doing zoomies up and down the trail. She did GREAT off leash.

It was 60 degrees and sunny. Not too cool, so that was nice. We set out on the trail and had amazing views of Mount Bachelor.

I LOVE the trees in Bend.

Logan did SO good hiking! He usually only has about 1 mile, maybe less in him when we do the neighborhood walks and then he’s done and wants to be carried. BUT he’s getting too big for his carrier and doesn’t want to be in it for long. I brought it just in case. He ended up walking about 1.6 miles before wanting to be carried. I put him in the pack for a bit, then he wanted to walk again, then he wanted to be carried. Then we were done. 🙂

The plan was to hike to Todd Lake and have our picnic lunch there. But we got to the lake, which was beautiful, and did part of the lakeside trail then encountered too much snow and lost the trail. We decided to turn around and go back. And by then it was too early for lunch.

So we went to Columbia Park in Bend and Logan played on the REALLY cool pirate kids toys, we walked by the river, and then we had our picnic lunch there.

Then home for nap. Logan crashed and slept for over 2 hours. (YAY!) So Michael and I got to escape for a little bit while my parents hung out at the house.

We went to Cascade Lakes Brewery for some samples. We’ve driven by it a million times on the way to snowshoeing but never stopped. It was nice sitting outside in the sun and checking it out.

We got back to the house and Logan was still napping so I got to relax in the hammock in the yard for about an hour before he woke up. Then we went to downtown Bend for a bit.