Other great rivers add power to you
Yakima, Snake, and the Klickitat, too
Sandy, Willamette and Hood River too
So roll on, Columbia, roll on

— Woody Guthrie, "Roll on Columbia" (1941)

I just returned from beautiful Bend Oregon after a week of action. Gerry went home on Monday. I stayed for a backpack. It was a nice break from "toasty" Phoenix.

For those of you that do not know Bend, it is located at the eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountains with unlimited recreational opportunities. To say that Bend is an energetic city would be an understatement.

This will be a short report containing only highlights because I have to reload and do a canyon trip for18 people from the UK.

Thanks to Peggy Shea for her tremendous hospitality and to Bob Shea for putting together a great plan and schedule of activities.

Highlights

-Evening cocktails/hors d'oeuvres/dinners on the Shea backyard patio; watching the Steller Jays, Hummingbirds, and even a large Owl.

This backyard is incredible!

-Downtown Art Walk and Shopping at Old Mill

-Moon Rise and Sunset on Pilot Butte

-Hiking to Tumulo Falls and paddling the Deschutes with Gerry

-Sunrise to Summit Race-up to the top of 9,000' Mount Bachelor-A personal best for the Mooseman!

-Lunch at Elks Lake Lodge-Black Butte Porters!

-Mountain Biking about 19 miles on the Skyliner, Phils and up and down the fun "Whoops trail" (muchos moguls)

-Smith Rock State Park

-A fabulous 26 mile backpack in the three Sisters Wilderness. (6 miles cross country up, and down some gnarly stuff)