PointsWest River View!

Spend your mornings on the mountain. And your evenings on the bluff.  

During an epic ski season like this, you want to be the first one on the slopes. But not the last one home for a glass of wine in your favorite chair.

No place makes those two scenarios as easy as PointsWest Townhomes. Quite simply, PointsWest is Bend’s closest community to Mt. Bachelor. Since all of the snow removal and yard maintenance is handled for you, there’s nothing to keep you from leading the first-tracks parade up to Pine Marten. And at the end of the day, while the rest of snowriders are chilling in roundabout traffic on Century Drive, you can be warming up by the fire and watching the sun’s last rays linger on the Deschutes River below.

 

Preparing for the PPP

It’s only May, but it’s starting to feel like summer here in Central Oregon. Restaurants are opening up their patios. Fun seekers throughout the area are digging up their paddleboards, mountain bikes, and fly rods from the depths of their garages. And we’ve already spotted a few brave souls floating the river. Ski season may be winding down, but we’re not ready to put away the winter gear yet. Especially because the Pole Pedal Paddle is coming up.

The PPP is the epitome of everything awesome that Bend has to offer. It starts just up the road from PointsWest at Mt. Bachelor with an alpine leg to the exchange point at West Village Lodge. Then skate and classic skiers hit the Nordic trails for an 8 km dash to the cycling exchange, where racers enjoy a scenic 22-mile ride down Century Drive into Bend. The next leg is a 5-mile run along the Deschutes River Trail to a 1.5-mile canoe/kayak leg at Farewell Bend Park in the Old Mill District. As if all this weren’t enough, the race ends with a .5-mile sprint along the grassy banks of the river to the finish line. Pheew! Did I forget anything? They don’t have a skydiving leg. But they might as well add one while they’re at it.

You don’t have to be a pro to get your Pole Pedal Paddle on. Participants can compete individually, in pairs, or in teams. You can be as competitive as you want. Although incredible athletes flock to this race from all over the country, it is common to see teams sporting Jamaican bobsled outfits, military suits, tutus, and a plethora of other goofy paraphernalia. And if you don’t compete, heading down to Farewell Bend to cheer the racers on and to enjoy the booths, live music, awesome food (and beer, of course), is almost as much fun.

The PPP is the ultimate relay race. On top of taking advantage of the awesome outdoor activities we are blessed to have in our town, the event demonstrates the strong sense of community we have built. We’ll see you out there on May 18 poling, pedaling, paddling and cheering!

It’s only April… but floating season is approaching!

The weather is showing signs of getting warmer, and many of us are already looking forward to floating the river this summer—even though the water is still pretty chilly. My summers in Bend are not complete without a solid day of floating at Farewell Bend Park. There is nothing more relaxing than posting up in my favorite floatie and lounging in the lazy Deschutes catching rays and people watching—and maybe even ending the trip with a treat from one of my favorite food trucks, DaKine Grindz.

I initially started daydreaming (in April) about gettin’ my float on when The Bulletin announced that the Deschutes made the “Top 10 Western River Floats” in Discovery News. It’s true that Farewell Bend is a popular destination for a lazy kind of day, but the Discovery News article highlights the more adventurous side of water sports that Bend caters to: whitewater rafting and kayaking.

The upper section has the Big Eddy, which is perfect for rafting on your own or with a trip through Sun Country Tours. The lower section starts at Warm Springs and ends just before Sherars Falls—but be careful of fishermen! No matter what section you plan on visiting, you are bound to find an epic day playing in the water in Central Oregon.

Even though I am already looking forward to summer shenanigans on the river, I’ve got spring skiing to keep me content until then. And that right there is what I love so much about Bend—there truly is an outdoor adventure for anyone during any time of the year.

Paddle Boarding Pandemonium

Bend is a paradise for water sports, including kayaking, canoeing, boating, and rafting, just to name a few. But one of the more obscure sports, stand-up paddle boarding, is quickly making its way into the heart of Central Oregon culture. And the best part is you don’t need any prior experience. So it is easy to get out on the water and try something new and exciting.

Stand-up paddle boarding is an ancient Hawaiian sport, in which riders stand on a large surfboard and maneuver with a long, lightweight, single-blade paddle. On any summer day, you’ll see paddlers of all ages and fitness levels making their way through the middle of town on the Deschutes River. Sometimes there’s a dog on the front of the board, and always there’s a smile on the rider’s face.

Several outfitters in Bend offer stand-up paddle-board lessons and tours. For those already comfortable on a paddle-board, renting equipment and setting out on your own is another great option. Check out Sun Country, Tumalo Creek, Standup Paddle Flatwater and Stand On Liquid, which offer services ranging from two-hour group lessons to private and semi-private options. They provide all gear, including boards, paddles, life jackets, water shoes and even the tie-downs to mount the board on your car.

One, two, or three paddleboards are not uncommon to see strapped on vehicles driving around town. More adventurous folks can partake in yoga classes and moonlit excursions on their boards. The opportunities are endless. And it is the perfect way to explore the beautiful area from a fresh perspective. The spirit of Bend is captured in the sport, proving that the locals will always take advantage of their environment by embracing unique ways to enjoy the outdoors.

Bendites are adopting surf’s up attitude of Hawaii and SoCal without the travel expenses and the crowded interstates—or the waves.