Central Oregon Road Trippin' - Part 2: Bend with Mooreheads/Dixons

After Waldo Lake, the boys and I checked out the bike park at Bachelor.  Just the kiddie zone.  That was fun for a few hrs.  

The Bridges came up and met up with us for the next few days.

I believe this is Tumalo Falls... that Shasta and I ran to, while the fam biked.  

Floating down the Deschutes...

Aaron had this crazy contraption...

We stayed with Lou Doo, Joel, & Mary pretty close to downtown.  We had some great walks into town to check out the sights.  

And some great morning runs.  Shasta at the tippy top of Pilot Butte with the Sisters in the background.

Then we went up to Smith Rock area and found some camping behind it.  This was during a morning run.  

Top of Grey Butte

Nikko enjoying the water at Smith

And we cruised over to Steelhead Falls which was a nice swimming hole.  

Grabbing food & brews at Sisters

Lots of snacks on this trip...

A quick visit to Sparks Lake... which was really really low... 

And there were leeches... 

I love the "canyoneering" at Sparks Lake.

Found a mtn bike feature in one of the neighborhoods in Bend.

More treats

And more... 

Joel got some too

Strava links

• Aug 5 - Bachelor
• Aug 6 - Shevlin Run/Tumalo Falls
• Aug 7 - Pine Ridge/Grey Butte run from camp
• Aug 8 - Pilot Butte Run
• Aug 9 - Sparks lake canyoneering; Gelato Run

Next time

• Ride Bachelor more... season pass next year?
• Three Sisters Marathon link up
• Find more swim holes.  
• Lots of day trips from Bend... 

Yosemite with the boys!

Kimbo was a conference at the Tenaya... so I begrudgingly went...jk

Yosemite is the reason I moved to Cali, so I try to go whenever the opportunity presents itself, and I try to force that presentation.  Especially if lodging has been taken care of, which is often the crux.

Fri - cruising the valley with Kai and Nikko
This was the highlight.... plus I got to squeeze in an 18 mile day while exhausting the boys.

started the day off with a pic at Tunnel View

And a quick stop at Swinging Bridge

I love cruising/jogging around the Valley, especially on a weekday in the offseason.  

I threatened Nikko that if he mis-behaved he'd be tossed in that cage.

Half dome and balancing Kai... he's actually quite high up.  10 ft?

This is at Mirror Lake.  This is in the fall, so there's no water.

The boys and Half Dome!

moving on...

Chocolate Milk break!

The hiking portion of the day.  Up to Nevada Falls... 

Trail building art... 

Top of Vernal

more "wild"life

Back at the village.  Kai would ride with the camelback while I ran.  The boys eating their well deserved popsicle after the 5 mile hike

nice fall colors

Sentinel

Nudy Booty time

Day 2 - Sugar Pine Railroad/Nelder Grove/Tenaya Pool

started the day at the near by Sugar Pine Rail Road

Takes you out to a place to hike around and picnic, then cruises back.  Probably worth it until they are like 5.  

After the train ride, we "mtn biked" to Corlieu Falls.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1920012757

Nikko struggling... 

a decent spot... but with Yosemite near by, I'm sure not many folks come here.  

And there was MUD!

after I got the kids de-mudded... we went further down the road to Nelder Grove.  

https://www.strava.com/activities/1920012737

the shenanigans continued at Tenaya Lodge

the boys loved the pool

and boy oh boy were they tired!

Sun - Day 3 - Mariposa Grove with Kimbo/Pleasanton Bike Park

https://www.strava.com/activities/1920012742

They had just re-finished Mariposa grove. They did a great job and it was a very different feel compared to Nelder Grove.  

ID-ing pine cones

Banzai!

Yup... that's a big one.  

Now you know why they are called the "faithful couple"

Check out that grove up by Tahoe.  Crazy egh?  That's the Placer Big Trees Grove.  

The boys are great car nappers.  A fact that I absolutely love... 

On the way home stopped at the Pleasanton BMX park.