Bend, Oregon - June 3- July 2 Part 1 - Activities

We left Rio Vista one day early because we could not take anymore of the high wind conditions.  We stopped at Durango RV Resort in Red Bluff, CA from May 29- June 2.  We played golf at this stop, but no true  "blogable moments."

We took a nicely paced trip from Red Bluff through California passing some stops from previous tours.

In 2009, during our first Seeing America Tour, we enjoyed a pontoon boat ride on Lake Shasta.  As we drove past this beautiful lake it brought back some fun memories.

The awe inspiring views of Mount Shasta helped us remember playing golf with this towering magesty in the background.  Too bad the clouds are covering the peak but its the best I could do!

"Go day" was the finals of the Memorial Golf Tournament. We wanted to watch the finals but if we drove on we would not get to see it as we don't have an inmotion satellite. No problem, we scheduled our departure so that we would hit a rest stop in time to watch the play. We pulled in, set the satellite receiver and watched Tiger's exciting win on our newly installed (by Mark) 40 inch TV. Four hours later, Tiger hit the winning shot and we set off for Bend, Oregon. One of the best rest stops we have ever had!!

We luckily had trouble reserving an RV site for a full month because our last choice, Scandia RV Resort, turned out to be the best option.  We are in a treed area and still get satellite reception from the dome on top of the coach. We are close to town and this community fireplace is the view out the front window of the RV.

We arrived in Bend and first thing we did was check out the Bend Athletic Center.  This is the most active center we have ever seen.  The good news is that they have 7 indoor tennis courts and its only 10 minutes away.  Mark and I enjoyed fun, great cardio clinics two days a week.  Jason, the pro there got me started on a two handed forehand.  Bend tennis has been lots of fun!  It was great that we could participate in the clinics without being a member.

We met up with Chuck and Pat Sanderson, friends from AZ, in their Redmond, Oregon summer home.  After a fun dinner at Madeline's restaurant we decided to meet again for some golf.  We went to Sisters to check out the quaint town and enjoy lunch.  Then we played the Challenge Course at Eagle Crest, the development they live in.  We had lots of fun and I played the best golf game of my life - it is only a par 63 (no par 5's but lots of par 4's and plenty of challenge) but I shot an 81 - it just doesn't get any better!

On another golf outing we took a trip out to Black Butte Resort and enjoyed a great lunch at Robert's Pub (bottom right).  Then we played a round of golf at the resort's beautiful Big Meadows Golf Course with the snow capped mountains as our back drop!

We had such a good time golfing with Chuck and Pat we decided to get together again and try out a golf course they have never played - Crooked River Ranch.  We enjoyed the amazing vista views of the crooked river, had lots of fun and enjoyed a post game glass of wine and some great appetizers - meat loaf sliders and a delicious prime rib appetizer at Sandbaggers.

In addition to Bend, Redmond, and Crooked River Ranch, Oregon we traveled around to other areas like La Pine and  Prineville.  In Prineville, we played at Meadow Lakes with its sparkling blue ponds, rock-rimmed buttes and green meadows.

We took advantage of some of the demo events at the local courses.  We went to a club demo at Awbrey Glen Golf Club with a complimentary lunch.  The best event was the Titleist ball fitting at the Pronghorn Country Club.  Mark hit balls at the practice range and the Titleist rep provided all kinds of statistics on his shots and recommended the ProV 1 as the best ball for Mark's game.  Best part was they gave us each 4 titleist Pro V golf balls!!  We also enjoyed lunch here and found the perfect fire pit for Palm Creek!!

We really enjoyed lots of beautiful golf courses but, without a doubt, our favorite is Widgi Creek.  It is a beautiful ponderosa pine tree lined course with mowed cart lanes for walkers.  The usual rate is $90 but they have a great twilight rate of $25 after 5:30 pm!  The best part of Widgi is the 68 we shot playing a scramble format!!  On the first hole, a par 4 (top right) we took my drive and then...yup,  Mark  hit it into the hole - 2 shots on a par four for an Eagle!!

There are just an unbelievable number of hiking and biking trails in and around Bend. Here I am on a hike along the Deschutes River. It was a beautiful evening... combine that with the fresh smell of the pines... add the relaxing sound of the rushing waters of the river and you have one great hike!!

But, that is just a taste of the activites that Bend offers.  The next blog entry will have some of the great sights in area!