The lengthy roadtrips we’ve done in the Basecamp over the last few years have been a great ‘introduction’ to the US. As in, they’ve allowed us to appreciate many different places, albeit fleetingly. A week here, a few days there, all while working full time. An awesome and enriching period in our lives – however the urge to see so much and experience different places has limited our in-depth intimacy with the towns and cities along the way.

One thing our road trips have given us (over and above a much improved knowledge of American geography) is insight into where to go back to. It’s a bit like a cruise that way… you get to visit lots of different ports and/or countries and can decide where you’d like to go back to for a longer vacation.

All this by way of background as to why we decided to leave the Basecamp behind for a change and spend three full weeks grounded in one spot. That spot being Bend in central Oregon. Go back to any of the Bend blogs from our previous road trips and you’ll find that “we love, love, LOVE Bend”.

The 800 mile road trip from Santa Clarita to Bend included a pit-stop in Chico, California for an all-important almond croissant or two from Stobl coffee shop, and an opportunity to stretch our legs in Sisson Meadows in Mount Shasta. Both familiar to us from our road trips and conveniently located along the way.

The method in our madness of driving up over Memorial Day weekend meant that we still had some weekend left to do stuff by the time we arrived. Top of our list was nearby Smith Rock State Park. A friend had described it as ”insanely cool rock formations” and he was not wrong. The jagged basalt Smith Rock rose 600 feet over the Crooked River in a sheer cliff-face, with other impressive rock formations beset by the eager climbing community.

We chose to hike Misery Ridge (that of steep wooden steps clinging to a rough, crumbling trail with crazy hairpins), definitely worth it for the rewarding views. Sheer ’tuff’ pinnacles in the foreground, the wide meandering Crooked River in the valley far below, ‘tiny’ mansions and homesteads dotted among vibrant green fields and farmland, and on the distant horizon – the immaculate snow-cloaked peaks of Mount Bachelor and the three Sisters (plus a couple of other mountains I don’t know the names of).

And then you have Monkey Face rock. Which kind of looked a bit like a monkey face if you squinted at it the right way. More impressive were the insane climbers about to attempt the sheer walls of its non-monkey body.

Our home for the next three weeks was an Airbnb nestled among the pine trees of the Mount Bachelor Village Resort. It provided an alternative workspace when we fancied a change from the co-working office, it had a cozy fire for the few evenings that turned chilly, and there was a spacious balcony large enough for not only the grill/BBQ but also the three bikes we’d brought with us.

Before and after work, recreation was heavily centered around the Deschutes river, which ran past our apartment complex and all through town. A trail ran alongside, the perfect setting for many a training run, a commute to/from work or a stroll to check out the wildlife.

Darren even managed to get a bit of Stand Up Paddle-boarding in.

All of this bookended the working day but let’s face it, there’s worse environments to be working in. Even the Haven co-working space had a view of the river. Not to mention an open deck and beer on tap, perfect for a happy hour drink after work.

And when we were not recreating or working, there’s always eating and drinking to be done, including a couple of upscale experiences. My favorite was probably the steakhouse Rancher Butcher Chef or RBC. The steak tartare was sublime and the hangar steak delicious but that’s not why it was my favorite. That space in my heart was reserved for the piece de resistance, the sherry flight. I don’t know who was more excited about this, me or the lady serving me who had spent a couple of years in Jerez and was passionate about her sherry choices. And let’s face it, I don’t think she sells many.

We were also very fortunate to bag a table at Ariana for their six course tasting menu and wine pairing.

The extra time we had from being centered in one destination for three weeks allowed us to really embrace the experience of living in Bend. And yet we still got to explore a little further afield. Including Palisades Cove State Park, Tumalo Falls, the Cascade Lakes scenic byway and for old times sake, a walk up Pilot Butte.

It was a good job we brought our bikes with us, because there was no shortage of mountain biking, road biking and pootling along bike paths to be done. And then there’s the McKenzie Pass. At an elevation of over 5,000 ft, this road is snowbound and closed in winter. Come the spring and there’s a magical window after which it’s been ploughed and before it’s open to cars. Bingo.

It’s a most spectacular ride, starting with a lung-piercing incline and the lowest of the low gears. There’s thick forest on both sides, eventually emerging at Windy Point to a stark, barren moonscape. The rocky ex-lava flow extends as far as you can see. The view is awe-inspiring – once you catch your breath.

Given the ride was all along the road, it was fair to say it was somewhat dominated by road bikes. And more than the odd electric bike thrown in. Needless to say I was on the only mountain bike I saw all day. It’s a good job I have no ego as cyclist after cyclist overtook me. I just trundled on at my own pace, loving the fresh air and the sense of achievement.

And then there’s this little spot, less than a mile from our place but sometimes it’s just easier to bike. A secluded hideout on the rocks, with an awesome view of the river and just perfect for chilling out with a beer and people watching. Aka watching the crazy people jump into the river.

On the more casual side of eating and drinking, Bend outdoes itself with food truck hubs and breweries. It’s a bit like chilling out in a beer garden of an English pub, with picnic tables scattered on a lawn… sitting in the afternoon sun sipping a cold beer and trying to decide between wood fired pizza or spicy Mexican tacos.

And when the weather’s not all that, there are perfectly acceptable inside options too…

Good job we like to balance all that eating and drinking with something a bit more energetic. Our last weekend entailed the finale of what we’d been working up to with our training – a one mile ’run’ up Pilot Butte hill, a half marathon for me and a sprint triathlon for Darren, courtesy of Pacific Crest Endurance Events. Well organized, perfect weather and a lot of fun.

All that was left was to celebrate our event successes and close out a fabulous three weeks at Bangers & Brews. And yes, I can confirm that we still do love, love, LOVE Bend!