Downtown Bend Decorations

In a place like Bend, the Winter holidays also mean an increase in tourism. More specifically, an increase in snow activity tourism (skiing, snowboarding, etc). So, while decorating for the holidays, why not celebrate both! As I turned on to Wall St, I saw some beautiful wreaths hanging, but what was above them surprised me. Skis (and in some places snowboards)!
It looks like other decorations are also on their way up, but I'll have to wait until I'm back from my trip "home" to check those out.
Happy Thanksgiving; hopefully everyone takes the time to really enjoy it and reflect.

Beautiful Sunset

I'm not sure if I've mentioned it, but I hate how early it gets dark now. It usually catches me completely off guard now, and I have to scramble to grab my camera (if I think it's worth it). Today I looked outside as it was getting dark, and thought there might be potential. I stood on our deck with a mug of peppermint hot cocoa, just waiting for some colors to appear. Just as I was giving up and going inside, I saw it. Where I was looking had gotten dark, but behind me there were beautiful colors above the neighborhood. I rushed inside, put on some shoes and scampered out to the street. I'm sure there's a lesson involved in that somewhere, but for now I'll just post the picture.

Swans at First Street Rapids

As I was walking near First Street Rapids, I looked into the river and saw 2 swans swimming my direction. I've always thought that swans were beautiful, so I was eager to try and photograph them. One cooperated, the other seemed to try its hardest to stay out of my pictures (must have been camera shy). The non-shy one swam closer and closer until it was about 2 feet from me (it was in the river, and I was on the shore). If swans can glare and send hateful looks, this one did. I'm not sure if it would actually get out of the river, but I wasn't going to take any chances. I packed up my stuff, and observed from a distance.

(Hateful look not pictured)

Electric Avenue

I've lived in Bend for almost 2 years now, but truth be told I don't explore as much as I should/like to. I usually drive the same roads, walk to the same places, and miss out on everything else. Yesterday was overcast, a bit rainy, yet for some reason I felt like getting out of the house and taking a few pictures. I had heard there was a wall that people create chalk art on in one of the Alleys, so I went searching for that. Well, chalk washes away so I was out of luck on a rainy day. As I was leaving the Alley I spotted the "Electric Avenue" painted sign and felt the need to take a picture (as I was singing Electric Avenue in my head). As I was taking pictures, a man stepped out of his car and asked if I liked his sign - turns out he is the owner of Let It Ride "Electric" Bike Tours of Bend, Oregon. He opened up his shop and told me all about electric bikes (I seriously had no idea such a thing existed) and the business. Maybe this will encourage me to get out and explore more, who knows what else I'm missing in this great town.

A Different Perspective

I wrote yesterday about my unexpected run-in with Herman the Tortoise. Honestly, I was more excited than I would have expected and took LOTS of photos. I got close to the ground and acted like the paparazzi, as I kept backing up to take more and more pictures. When I finally decided I had taken enough, I looked up and decided I was going to take just a couple more...not of the tortoise, but of a new perspective. I walk across this bridge several times a week, yet I've never really looked at it from the view that I was at, at that moment. Personally, I feel like it looked dreamy. The light was hitting it in a way that it seemed to glow! Just when I thought I was done with Fall, the park showed me exactly what I needed to see.

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Herman the Tortoise

Honesty time - I didn't plan on leaving the house at all yesterday. The plan was to have a nice lazy weekend enjoying football (both college and NFL), and just relax. That all changed when my college team (WSU) began playing...it was depressing to put it lightly.
I left the house out of frustration, and made my way to the park. As I got out of my car and made my way to the bridge, I was shocked (in the BEST possible way) at what I saw. Herman the Tortoise was slowly making his way towards me! According to his card, Herman is an African Spurred Tortoise born in the Spring of 2000 and weighs in at 41 lbs. He is a "resident" at Reptopia, but goes for Saturday walks around Bend. For someone who needed to be cheered up, Herman did the trick!

Here's another photo for a bit of a size comparison (and also if you don't believe he was just moseying across the bridge). Herman was fearless when dogs approached:

Also, get ready for a new post tomorrow! Of course as soon as I posted that there wouldn't be any more Fall/Autumn photos, I got a bit of inspiration! 

Fall Colors are Fading

I love going to Drake Park to clear my head. I know there are a lot of beautiful parks in Bend, but Drake is less than 2 miles from the house, and the views there are almost unbeatable. This is probably one of the last pictures I'll post of Fall colors this year...the trees have mostly changed colors and shed their leaves. It's sad (at least to me) that they change so quickly, but I'm sure the sights that Winter bring will be just as beautiful!

Happy Halloween Sunset

Today's weather is what I would consider typical for the end of October; cloudy, a little misty, and slightly surprising.  I wasn't really expecting much at sunset, but as I was preparing dinner I snuck a peek outside, and was pleasantly surprised!  The clouds had a slight glow to them that contrasted beautifully with the darkness.

The photo isn't super crisp since I was rushing to take a picture or two before the colors disappeared... but for being taken from the deck I'm pretty happy with how it turned out!
Happy Halloween!

Fall in Drake Park

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. Yes, I prefer warmer weather, but you can't beat the beautiful natural colors that the cooler Fall weather brings. I feel like I missed out on a lot of those colors this year; when I left for Maui, the trees had green leaves, and by the time I returned a lot of the trees near me were already bare. However, Drake Park did not disappoint me this morning.

PS - I know I posted a photo similar to this one last year, but every time I walk in this area (especially this time of year), it makes me smile. So, I think it deserves another post.

Central Oregon Pumpkin Co

First, I know it has been a while since my last post - I had a VERY last minute opportunity to go to Maui for 2 weeks that I just couldn't pass up. Now though, I'm back and re-settled!
Yesterday we went to Central Oregon Pumpkin Co. (Smith Rock Ranch) to pick out pumpkins, walk the themed "maize" (This year's theme is Pacman), and enjoy a beautiful fall day in Central Oregon! We did just that, and could not have asked for better weather!