To say that Bend Oregon has a vibe all its own is like saying...heat is hot. If you've been here, you know. But if not, ...take a quick stroll with me.
Where Dogs Are People Too
It didn't take long to appreciate Bend is one of the Wests dog meccas. There are seven spacious dog parks in Bend city limits, and even a doggy waterpark with knee high sprayers to cool off your animals.
Yep, that's plural because it is not uncommon to see people out with two or three dogs at once.
I usually have our three youngest (of 9) out with me and have often been greeted by the person with 3 dogs, wearing a look of utter astonishment as they ask "Are they ALL yours?"
"You have no idea," I think, as I smile and nod.
If all dogs don't actually go to heaven, Bend is a pretty sweet alternative.
Be nice, You're in Bend
The people here really are a new level of nice. I met a lady at Target one day who volunteered to drive with me to the local farm and feed after showing me the route on her smart phone.
Later, when I asked a neighbor for directions to the public library, she offerred to take me there, "Pick you up at three, okay?" And our first Sunday at church we had three, count em, invitations to dinner right after the meeting,
...like who has enough food simmering for an extra 8 people???
The lovely people in Bend.
One day Brett and Isaac came screetching around a bend in the road to find all the cars stopped, going both ways. They thought there'd been an accident.
People were waving arms to stand back, and pull over.
Who was hurt?
Was it serious?
They craned their necks to see...
Well, that's what came to my mind anyway when I heard the words "kittens" and "crossing the road by themselves."
We have no visual proof that it wasn't like this.
If anywhere, it could happen in Bend.
One Saturday we were invited by neighbors to join a frog rescue at Sun River 10 miles away. You see, frogs we're migrating right over the highway and cars were taking their toll.
The result... mass fabrication of fresh pressed frog leather spread over 50 yards of highway. We quickly gathered up buckets and ran to join "Save the Frogs" crusade.
Cause that's what people do in Bend.
Where Everyday is Earth Day
We have fully embraced the green-loving, grassfed, farm-to-table movement that thrives here in Central Oregon. We have range free egg purveyors, grassfed beef farms and organic restaurants to make any foodie's dreams come true.
I understand recycling your garbage is not optional as a city service... and the population is prone to getting out to hike, bike, run or ski. It's a healthy lifestyle for the most part.
Joss and Alex were invited to participate in the annual Earth Day Parade with their school's Unicycle Club.
Everyone came dressed as their favorite endangered or extinct species.
...to wish all the remaining species, a very happy Earth Day.
That's just so BEND!
Yep, that's plural because it is not uncommon to see people out with two or three dogs at once.
The people here really are a new level of nice. I met a lady at Target one day who volunteered to drive with me to the local farm and feed after showing me the route on her smart phone.
The lovely people in Bend.
One day Brett and Isaac came screetching around a bend in the road to find all the cars stopped, going both ways. They thought there'd been an accident.
People were waving arms to stand back, and pull over.
Who was hurt?
Was it serious?
They craned their necks to see...
We have no visual proof that it wasn't like this.
One Saturday we were invited by neighbors to join a frog rescue at Sun River 10 miles away. You see, frogs we're migrating right over the highway and cars were taking their toll.
The result... mass fabrication of fresh pressed frog leather spread over 50 yards of highway. We quickly gathered up buckets and ran to join "Save the Frogs" crusade.
We have fully embraced the green-loving, grassfed, farm-to-table movement that thrives here in Central Oregon. We have range free egg purveyors, grassfed beef farms and organic restaurants to make any foodie's dreams come true.
I understand recycling your garbage is not optional as a city service... and the population is prone to getting out to hike, bike, run or ski. It's a healthy lifestyle for the most part.
Joss and Alex were invited to participate in the annual Earth Day Parade with their school's Unicycle Club.
Everyone came dressed as their favorite endangered or extinct species.
That's just so BEND!
