TB Adventure: Central Oregon - An Outdoor Playground!

Many people ask if we've found a place we could/would settle down. And so far we've both not hesitated in saying NO! We love PA and that is where we'd go back to (IF we decide to settle back down one day far down the road). Now, after seeing this area of Central Oregon (around LaPine, Bend, Redmond and Sisters), I'd have to hesitate a little on that question. I'm not saying I'd settle down and move here today but I'd consider it down the road. The only hesitation, besides being very far from home (PA), is that it gets pretty cold in the winter (and long winters). I do want to come back during the winter one year to get in some cross-country skiing as there are sno-parks everywhere.

With our love of the great outdoors we are not having a hard time finding something to enjoy each day. We met a local couple, Gisela and Stephen, who have been giving us great tips of where to go as well. We were happy to meet up with friends we last saw in Cottonwood, AZ and have been enjoying time with them.

Kayaking on Sparks Lake with views of South Sister Mountain and Mount Bachelor

Hi, Ann, Janet, Fred, Becky, Olan and Kathy

Paulina Lake and East Lake at the Newberry National Volcanic Monument

Paulina Lake - view from Paulina Peak

Paulina Lake - taken from the Obsidian Flow

Paulina Falls

Smith Rock State Park - This is a very popular destination for rock climbers from all over. We enjoyed a hike here and just stared, open jawed, at the rock climbers and the rocks they climb. People think we are crazy because of the mountains we climb but I think these rock climbers have us beat in the crazy category!

Monkey Face - yes, they climb this!

My cousin summited Mount Hood a month and a half after we did! We have not seen each other since I was around 13 and come to find we are both mountain climbers. My cousin, Susie, reconnected us when she found out we were both climbing Mount Hood in the same year. Donna and her climbing partner, Katie, summited Mount Hood July 12. She raised $52,000 for the American Tinnitus Association for this summit climb. They had a dinner after the climb and invited us to join them. It was great to reconnect with Donna and to get to know her and her husband,Gary, who live in Denver, CO. They plan to join us for a long weekend in CO.