Bend

We’re staying in Bend, OR for two nights at Bend Sunriver Campground. We have a little cabin with bunk beds that the kids are stoked about and two other beds for us. Yesterday because we got in too early to check in, we went over to Descutes Brewery for dinner. We got the kids down for bed and went out to our neighbors campground to bum their fire. They are on a year long camping trip and renting their house! I dunno if I could do that!

In the morning we went to the Lava River Cave which is a mile long lava tube formed by Newberry Volcanos massive eruptions about 80,000 years ago. It was completely dark so we had to make sure to pack our lanterns and flashlights!! We got down into the cave and Andrew was creeped out so I took him back up.  But Nana, Daddy and Addison continued on and got about halfway before they were really cold, it’s only about 42 degrees!

We then went to the Lava Butte which rises 500 feet above the 9 square mile lava flow. It erupted 7,000 years ago and is one Newberry’s many cinder cones. It is fascinating to see how all the lava flowed and has now dried up. There is pretty much nothing growing where there was lava.  I’ve learned that central Oregon is pretty much covered in giant trees, so if you see a patch where the are no trees, it’s where lava once flowed.  There was a tower on top of the Butte that gave you a great view of all the mountains and volcanoes in the area. It’s was beautiful and probably not everyday you get to see because I guess tomorrow is supposed to have thunder and lightning!

After having enough lava talk, we went to the Old Mill District in Bend, literally the bend in the Deschutes river.  We brought out the scooters, and rented bikes for Steven and Nana. We went so far, and the kids continued to want more so we did another loop. They were so worn out after!

We BBQ’d some chicken and played Go Fish and Animal Rummy the rest of the night!