Saturday, June 4, 2011

Goodbye trusty Turtle!

Thursday 02/06/2011 Bend

Yeah! What a glorious day in beautiful Bend- blue sky and the sun shone all day! Still a nip in the air though.


We revisited Pilot Butte this morning to appreciate the spectacular 360 view of Bend. Stunning! and most of the mountains surrounding beautiful Bend were making a much appreciated appearance!
Click on the pics to enlarge.

East Bend and the Ochoco Mountain Range
The huge Costco mid ground
We came into Bend from this direction on H-20 on Monday  
St Charles Medical Centre, also East side, and
the Ochoco's lining up on the horizon
Smith Rock, world renowned for rock climbing
The Ochoco Range
North East Bend looking towards Redmond
Black Butte
To the right of Black Butte is Mt Jefferson peaking through the clouds -
it is the second highest mountain in Oregon
West side Bend with Greenwood Ave left and downtown Bend
nestled in front of Awbrey Butte
The Three Sisters pop up to make an awesome backdrop
The Three Sisters
Awbrey Butte - magnificent homes with fantastic views line the slopes.
Rivers Edge Golf Course to the right on the slope
West side
Downtown Bend and Drake Park on the other side of Greenwood Ave
Mt Bachelor is in the clouds waiting to peak through
Mt Bachelor
The Old Mill District
Two of the the Sisters
Paulina Range

Paulina Range and Newberry Crater
The Ochoco's as we descended Pilot Butte

Alas! It was time to say goodbye to The Turtle today - a very sad parting after our wonderful 12 weeks and 10,000 miles with her - what a wonderful job she did - comfy, safe and reliable! And a great conversation starter! She had lots of admirers!

A huge thanks to Luke and Amanda for letting us enjoy her company on our wonderful adventure around the spectacular USA! xoxo

A toast to the trusty steed - to The Turtle!
Reunited with the trailer and tucked away in the storage garage
Spic and span and shining, ready and waiting for Luke and Amanda!
We enjoyed a stroll around Tom and Betty's lovely neighbourhood this afternoon in the beautiful sunshine! The warmer weather is just around the corner!

Heading along Columbus Ave towards Tom and Betty's neighbourhood
The blossoms on the trees in Bend are beautiful as is all the other colourful foliage and flowers!
A beautiful, beautiful town!
The avenue of pines along Century Drive leading out to to Tom and Betty's turnoff.
The magnificent pines are Oregon's trademark!
The entrance to Tom and Betty's neighbourhood -  lovely homes, parks, gardens
and landscaping




Tonight we had a delicious dinner, Tom's famous Lamb Shanks highly recommended by Luke and Amanda. Absolutely mouthwatering! What a fabulous cook Tom is! We enjoyed the company of Tom and Betty's good friends Gordon and Leanne. A great evening with lots of laughs and some great vigorous discussion!
Tom preparing his scrumptious shanks!
Delicious salad starter
Enjoying the wonderful meal, wine and company!
The famous Lamb Shanks served with polenta and spinach!
Amazing and so scrumptious!
Thank you very much Master Chef Tom extrodinaire!

NO WONDER LUKE AND AMANDA LOVE LIVING AND TRAINING IN BEND,OREGON!
IT'S A GREAT TOWN!

Friday, June 3, 2011

Fun times in Bend!

Wednesday 01/06/2011

Another great day in Bend, Oregon with Tom and Betty!

I went to the gym with Betty and did a workout on the tready - time to get fit again! Lovely gym! Thanks Betty! - and you are very fit!!! Pete pampered The Turtle after her great road trip effort - a service at Jiffy Lube, and a wash and a vacuum - all spic and span to go back into the A1 stable ready for Luke and Amanda in a few weeks time! Will be a sad parting tomorrow with our comfy, trusty steed after all those miles together!

The weather! Cool and a bit overcast this morning, got colder at lunchtime and while we were having lunch down came the hail creating a fairyland! Not the huge damaging hail we get in Australia but small, light beads that danced on the ground and sat in the trees and gardens - very pretty!

Starting to hail

After 20 minutes it looked like it had snowed



After lunch and the hail had stopped we rugged up and Betty and Tom loaded us into the car and took us sightseeing, stopping for afternoon tea in downtown Bend at the famous Thump Coffee for a great coffee! Luke and Amanda's local haunt! Can understand why!


Great atmosphere in the coffee shop!
You can write a message and hang it on the roof!
Lovely downtown - even in the rain!
Out great friends and wonderful hosts - Betty and Tom
Enjoying our great coffee!
Pretty as a picture!
A fun afternoon tea! Boy we can talk!
 On our interesting little road trip around Bend we went to Pilot Butte and Awbrey Butte - great views but no mountains today because of the clouds -  and beautiful residential areas set in beautiful leafy streets and gardens. Next we headed out along Skyline Drive to beautiful Tumalo Falls, only about 10miles from town! - looks like a great hiking area! We came back home through new housing areas - Northwest Crossing and the Golf Estate of Tetherow. Loved our drive and love Bend!

View of Pilot Butte and downtown Bend from Awbrey Butte

Broken Top Mountain momentarily appearing through the clouds 
The Three Sisters trying to make an appearance!
Mt Bachelor didn't even want to play today!


Beautiful Tumalo Falls


 New  acreage housing estate
Tetherow Golf Course Estate - a links course


The Golf Club
 Our great day ended with a sensational meal at Joolz. What a fun night! Lots of laughs and good fun!


Joolz in the main street Downtown Bend


Great decor and atmosphere
As Joolz says - "Where  Mezze meets the Mesa"!


These lights come from Syria
Fantastic effect!
The Elk Burger was amazing! - we all had Elk!
Very tasty!
Our entrees and deserts were mouthwatering as well! 
A great fun night with amazing food and amazing people!