Bend/Sunriver is a major tourist destination area in Oregon, with skiing in the winter and lots of outdoor recreation in the summer. It also has great sightseeing.
Just to the south of Bend is Newberry National Volcanic Monument. We climbed to the top of one lava flow, passing through areas composed almost entirely of obsidian, the black rocks you see in the background. Interestingly, pumice, another common rock of the area, is just obsidian with lots of gas bubbles. Some of the pumice will float on water because of the bubbles. Not the obsidian.
The obsidian is sharp. No dogs on these trails, as they would cut their paws. The early Indians mined the area, as obsidian makes for great arrow heads.
A beautiful view can be had at the top Paulina Peak, also part of the Monument. On a clear day, you can see many snow covered peaks, including Mt. Adams in Washington State to the north, and Mt. Shasta in California to the south. Because of fires in the area, only Adams was visible. The peaks in the background of this picture are of The Three Sister, just west of Bend.
And then there is Bend which is a real tourist mecca. These people are floating down the Deschutes River; the temperature was in the 90's after all. In this high desert, hot weather in the summer is the norm, although it cools down into the 50s, or even 40s at night. We stumbled upon a quilt walk in the shopping center adjacent to where the picture was taken so Vera was in heaven.
Traveling home, there was the obligatory stop in Sisters, OR, another cute little tourist destination before climbing to the top of McKenzie Pass where these pictures were taken. Sisters is noted for a famous quilt show and is near some more famous fly fishing waters. Something for everybody. McKenzie Pass is traversed by yet another lava flow. There is a great little road stop at the top where you can walk around and see more spectacular views.
Now its on to Eugene, OR for the night, and then home to Mount Vernon.
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