RV Adventures

We had heard good things about Bend, Oregon over the years.  So we decided to make it our next destination.  At the end of our three days, we decided that three days was NOT enough time to explore the area.  Bend has microbreweries, mountains, a river, an excellent RV park, volcanoes…what’s not to love?

Leaving Portland, we had to drive over the Cascade Mountains.  On the west side of the mountain range, it was damp, drizzling and green.  The minute you go over the crest of the mountain range, the sky turns blue and all the green landscape morphs into brown.  This is called the Oregon Rain Shadow. <– Click on that link to read the scientific explanation.  I knew the Rain Shadow existed, but this was the first real startling demonstration of it I had seen.

On the west side of the Cascade Mountains, it is WET!

But once you cross over the crest, it is nothing but blue sky and sunshine!

Over the summer, I had picked up this guide book. It has been our guide these past few weeks of where to go and what to see.  I highly recommend it!

Turning to page 433, the book details the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, a 83 mile loop through the Cascades with vistas, lakes, and hikes.  We packed a lunch, put on the hiking boots and set out for the day!

An early morning hike around Todd Lake.

A meadow at the far end of Todd Lake.

Towards the end of the scenic byway, you come upon the Newberry National Volcanic Monument and within it, Lava Butte.

Lava Butte as seen from the air (thanks Pinterest). It is a volcanic cinder cone that you can drive up onto. Note the red cinder road that winds to the top. In the summer, you have to pay to take a bus up. During the off season (which is when we were there), you are given a time slot during which you can drive yourself up and walk around the top of the cone.

At the top of the cinder cone, there is a small parking lot and a short hike that takes you to the uppermost level.

At the top level, there is a fire watch tower.  It was DEFINITELY manned when we were there.  It was dry, dry, dry.

The cinder cone looks out over a lava field.

From the top of the cinder cone, you can see Mt. Bachelor, the peak on the left.  The three peaks on the right are the Three Sisters, three more volcanic peaks.

Looking inside the cone.

Wow, what a sight. After that tiring day, it was time to reward ourselves. Beer!

Microbrewery 1 – Deschutes Brewery (pronounced De-Chutes).

Also part of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument is the Lava River Cave, a mile long lava tube you can go into.  You are instructed to bring your own flashlight, extra batteries, water and warm clothing since it is always 42 degrees in the cave., Crawling around in dark places is not my thing.  But it is Jim’s!  So the next morning he took off solo to visit the Lava River Cave.

Entrance to Lava River Cave.

Looking back at the entrance of the lava tube.

Unfortunately, that’s all the pictures of the lava tube that came out.  Apparently our little point and shoot camera is not cave friendly!  It was just too dark and the flash did nothing.

After visiting the lava tube, Jim decided to hike the trails of the lava field that we saw from the cinder cone the day before.

Taken from the lava field, looking up at the cinder cone.

The lava field is huge.

The buck stops here…or rather the lava flow stopped here.

Mt. Bachelor in the background.

What’s up with this tree?

I thought you would never ask…scroll down to be able to read the explanation.

The explanation.

The day ended with us at the Crux Brewery.  We serendipitously ended up being seated next to the brewery’s marketing manager.  He helped Jim build his flight of beer to taste.  He also recommended we try the Pig Newtons.

Microbrewery #2 – Crux Brewery.  Here is our appetizer of Pigs Newton.  They are billed as “Drunken figs wrapped in bacon.”  Who could resist something like that?!?

All in all, our time in Bend was too short.  There was more of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument to see.  Crater Lake wasn’t far away and is on our to-see list.  And oh so many beers to try.  And we never got to explore the Deschutes River.  Bend, we will be back some day!