Labor Day Weekend in Bend

We had a terrific time in Bend on Labor Day weekend.  Barb and I flew from Ontario where it was a balmy 95 degrees.  We got into the Portland Airport early enough  (8:30AM--yawn) to do some shopping.  Below is some of the fantastic artwork by Susan Murrell in Terminal A.  I thought this piece was three dimensional until I walked up to it and realized it was tape on the wall!

We got to Bend about noon.  Mom and Dad were out when I called so we had lunch on the patio of a micro-brewery and watched the other patrons with their dogs.  It really is a dog-friendly town.

We split a fried chicken wrap and tator tots.  Yummo!

After lunch, we did a bit of grocery shopping for the important things: wine, M&M's, bananas, and milk for breakfast, then went over and visited Mom and Dad at Touchmark.  We both nearly fell off the couch when Dad remarked that, "it was a pretty good place for old people."  Since Barb and I had gotten up at 4AM to catch the plane, the visit was brief.  We went back to the house, had a glass of wine, and Barb went to bed before 8PM (and slept for 10 hours).  George showed up and wanted attention; Figo made an appearance but would not come in, of course.

Next morning, I went for a walk around the neighborhood and collected real estate flyers.  For the price of a condo in San Clemente, one can buy a "charming" (it was) 1863 sq.ft. home with a 1600 sq.ft. detached, heated garage on a 1/2 acre in Bend.  You bet I was drooling!

Saturday morning, we hit a Bed & Bath place, Costco and Safeway and then had Mom & Dad as well as Barb from across the street, her mother, her sister, and her business partner over for an early dinner.  Zach did most of the real cooking--making a spinach salad as well as a corn & bean salsa.  We purchased a couple chickens from Costco, potato salad and broccoli salad from Safeway.  To celebrate Dad's birthday, we got Red Velvet cupcakes as well as a selection of cookies from Costco.  Oink!

George came up and let Mom hold him.  Unfortunately, we dummies could not get the "smart TV" to work so Dad missed his football game and wanted to go home right after dinner.

After Jamie took Mom & Dad back to Touchmark, we headed out to an art walk that Barb had found on the internet.  It was at The Workhouse in an industrial part of town.  We toured the artists individual studios--very cool--and posed for a few photos.

Barb

Deb

There were musicians outside, a small bakery, and a cart selling "Dump City Dumplings" though we were too full to indulge.  We all bought a few things and enjoyed talking with the artists.

Sun was setting and moon rising.

The next morning, Barb and I went for a 4 mile walk along the Deschutes River Trail, Jamie went for a bike ride, and Zach slept in.

Barb on the trail.  It felt great to have to wear a jacket!

The trail goes under this bridge and then becomes a rougher dirt trail.  We saw a group of Stand-up Paddlers taking a lesson on this part of the river.  One of them is under the bridge in this photo.

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Obviously, the SU-paddlers turned around before this section of the river...

After a couple miles, we warmed up and the jackets came off.  Amazingly, Barb, the neighbor from across the street, and her partner passed us on the trail.  (We were poking along taking photos while they were power walking.)

After the walk, Barb and I drove up to Touchmark and went for another--much shorter--walk with Mom and Dad.

  Dad only wanted to go around the courtyard loop while Barb, Mom, and I went further.

Barb and I stayed for lunch and had BLT's, salad, and a big cookie in the dining room at TM.  We headed home afterwards and got cleaned up.  Jamie arrived from her bike ride and we convinced her and Zach to quickly clean up and we headed downtown before the stores closed to get a sweater for Dad's birthday.

Unfortunately, Roberts, the old department store downtown was going out of business, so we settled on a cozy black sweater jacket from Patagonia.  Zach modeled it for us and looked quite handsome.  After a bit of power shopping at McKensie & Co (to get Jamie some new clothes without Gracie's toenail holes in them), we had Thai food at a place as funky as it was good.  I forget the name but it had something to do with roses.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo of the food but it was yummy, especially the soup.

Barb and I flew home the next day--nearly missing our flight from Seattle to Ontario as we were sitting at the wrong gate.  Yes, we'll be ready for TM soon.  Fortunately, Barb's sharp ears caught the PA announcement and we made a run for the gate with five minutes to spare.  NO, WE WERE NOT SHOPPING!  Though I did take this photo of the gift shop window...

We did have breakfast with Mom & Dad before we left.  The sweater fit Dad perfectly and we hope it will work for him.