Bend, Oregon at Labor day

We're here in Bend, Oregon With Sharleen's sister Ruby and her husband Jerry. It's the start of our annual migration North to the Pacific Northwest to see family and friends. We left home Thursday afternoon and made it as far as Redding. Friday it was Redding to Bend, Oregon for a 4 day visit.

On Saturday we drove to Fort Rock State Park East of La Pine. There was a fantastic museum with buildings dating from around 1915 with furnishings from the period. These were actual buildings that were inhabited by residents of the small community.


       
Inside the school house I found desks identical to the ones I used during my first four grades in school. Now I'm feeling every one  of my 70 years!







After spending some time at the museum we headed to Fort Rock for a short hike. Then home for some rest and dinner.




Monday we headed to Newberry National Volcanic Monument. It's a large caldera containing two lakes and a massive lava flow. Jerry drove us to the top of Pauline peak (about 8000 feet) where the view was spectacular. Here we see Pauline lake inside the caldera.

Sharleen and Ruby look a little chilly and they were. It was a pretty day but crisp at that elevation.






Looking East from the peak we saw East  lake in the distance and the Big Obsidian flow to the right. I've never seen such a dramatic example of lava flow. Most  of the flow seen here is Obsidian which is a black glass made of molten silica from the volcano.

Just to show that we are still speaking I had to include this picture. But..... it's early in the trip.







We drove down and hiked a ways on the lava flow. Again it's the most dramatic lava flow I have seen. The Obsidian we walked over was beautiful.





Today ( Tuesday) is our last day here so we drove to Smith Rock for a look at a unusual geological formation nestled along side the crooked river.  Tonight it's dinner and a game of cards with Jerry and Ruby, some rest and tomorrow it's off to Pasco, Washington and then on to Idaho of Thursday. More down the road.