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.

Bend has really gone to the dogs. And we’re all wagging our tails.

Central Oregon is not only a great place to live for humans, but for dogs, too. Every year, Dog Fancy magazine names the top “Dog Towns” in the country. And the winner for 2012 was…(drum roll)…Bend, Oregon!

The article sites Bend as “a place where dogs both work and play, ski and swim.” And rightly so. With “ruffly” 27,000 dogs to 80,000 people, the city has definitely warmed up to its canine companions.

First of all, we have countless beautiful places to take your retriever, shepherd, schnauzer, cock-a-poo or All-American mutt for a daily stroll – and almost as many bag dispensers for cleaning up after them.

In the summertime, it’s not uncommon to see dogs floating along on the front of a kayak or paddleboard with the locals, or jumping into the river after a Frisbee at the River Bend Dog Park. The city boasts six other off-leash areas, along with miles of dog-friendly mountain biking trails in the Deschutes National Forest.

In downtown Bend, residents can flaunt their dog at the annual 4th of July Pet Parade. Numerous restaurants, namely breweries, allow—even encourage—dogs on their patio areas. And numerous shops leave a fresh bowl of water outside their doors so Nugget can have a cool drink on a hot day.

Wintertime is just as much fun for dogs. The city’s dog advocacy group, DogPAC, has acquired a snowcat—renamed Sno-Dog—to enhance trail grooming at Wanoga Sno-Park, resulting in a two-mile loop of dog-friendly winter trails next to your own ski and snowshoe tracks.

Area residents and winter visitors can take dog-sled rides at the Oregon Trail of Dreams on Mt. Bachelor and maybe meet local Iditarod musher Rachel Scdoris. Mt. Bachelor Avalanche Rescue Dogs are skilled at locating victims under masses created by snow slides, while the dogs in the High Desert Search Dogs group focus on wilderness and urban tracking and trailing.

It’s easy to see why Dog Fancy has honored Bend as the best place for man’s best friends to have a healthy, active life. And it’s not too shabby for their owners, either.

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.