Bend, Oregon

Near the end of summer we headed down to Bend, Oregon.  We were lucky enough to plan the trip together with our good friends, the Draper-Kunz family.  We had originally planned to meet them half way down to Bend in Hood River, Oregon.  I'm not as planned out as some members of my family (ahem, Kim) but I'm not as normally laid back enough to say - heck, let's just get a hotel when we get there.  This time we did.  And the night before we left we realized that even then there weren't any hotels left (within our price range) in Hood River.  A last minute plan to just stop in Hood River and then continue driving down to Bend that same night became our new and and even better than Plan A, Plan B.  

And what would a road trip be without snacks and videos. 

We happen to stop for lunch right in the neighborhood in Vancouver where I grew up.  Below is the house I lived in from age 4 until I went off to college and then my parents ended up selling it maybe 12 or 13 years after that.  Driving by definitely brought back fond memories of our house on 30th Ave. 

And finally we arrive at Hood River.  Where it was very warm and very wind thus making it the wind surfing capital of the world.

After some play at the park with our friends (who happened to arrive the night before and actually get one of the last rooms in town) and dinner we headed off toward Bend.  The weather was crazy complete with dark clouds, thunder and lightening. We arrived late at Grandma and Papa's house and went straight to sleep.

The next day Angie, Avery and Kevin came over and we had a nice time together and a yummy meal. Thanks, Mom.

Here is most of the group at our favorite pizza place - Flatbread Pizza Company

And after dinner the view over the Deschutes was gorgeous

Marty brought his remote control camera-ed helicopter and it was always a hit with the kids when he flew it.

Josie making a funny face but also looking like she is 12!!

More Bend adventures next....