An unscheduled walk in the park!

False start today! Luckily! As we headed out of beautiful Bend we stopped to take a pic of the magical Cascades - Bend's stunning backdrop mountain range. It snowed again last night and they were heavily layered with snow. As I walked back to the van I noticed water coming out of the engine- coolant! and so the Turtle is in getting a nip, tuck and a tweak before we head off tomorrow! We are so thankful we didn't get down the highway and cook the engine!!! Glad I'm a photo freak!!!!

So we had the opportunity to explore some of this beautiful town this afternoon. We strolled through historic and quirky Downtown Bend with its trendy boutiques and cafes and into Drake Park on the banks of the Descheutes River - a very nice area of Bend.

We knew we had ears and noses this afternoon as it got so cold - it snowed as we walked back to our motel and we could see the snow storm over the Cascades.

The Cascades

The photo that saved the day!

Downtown Bend - very  quirky and quaint area with lots of historic buildings.

Strolling around Downtown Bend

This poor man is frozen stiff!! 

Walking along the riverbank in Drake Park - the park

is named after the founder of Bend.

The Descheutes River runs through Bend

Snow storm over the Cascades

Homes along the river.

Lovely Riverside Drive community

Lovely home overlooking the park

Smart bear - he's got his scarf on to protect him from the cold!