Part 2: Trip to Bend (August 2019)

TRIP TO BEND, OREGON
AGE 4, MONTH 12
AUG 14 – AUG 18 (2019)

See “Part 1: Trip to Bend (August 2019)” for the first part of this post.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 16

At mid-day, we went to Todd Lake for the first time. Grandpa, Karin, Ashley and Eli joined us.

The sign says,

“Todd Lake was named for central Oregon pioneer John Y. Todd. In 1860 he built Sherars Bridge, the first structure to span the Deschutes River. Todd Lake is nestled in an ancient dacite volcano that was last scoured by glaciers 18,000 years ago. The receding glaciers left behind a rock basin holding Todd Lake which covers 33 acres to a depth of 60 feet. The lake’s outlet disappears into permeable volcanic terrain about two miles southwest of here. Introduced Eastern Brook trout now support a popular sport fishery in this once fishless lake.”

As soon as the trail met the water, Todd was looking for fish to catch with his net. He pretty quickly caught a tadpole and examined it in his net before releasing it.

At the next little brook crossing, Eli found a full grown frog, but Todd wanted his chance to catch it with his net.

There were masses of tadpoles at the end of the lake.

Eli had the opportunity to hold a snake.

After our excursion at the lake, Eric rode his mountain bike to my parents’ house from the Swampy Sno-Park, while the rest of us had ice cream at Baskin-Robbins, (because I’d heard that B-R now has a vegan ice cream made from almonds).

Todd had scoops of ‘Raspberry Sorbet’ and ‘Watermelon Splash Ice’. I had the non-dairy and vegan ‘Chocolate Extreme’ ice cream (the Bend location didn’t have the ‘Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough’ flavor yet).

That evening, we gathered at Karin’s house for a spaghetti dinner. Todd actually tried some pasta shells with sauce…without being coaxed to do so! Todd mixed up Eli’s Lego figures while some of us played a card game. Eric snapped a good picture from their outdoor living space.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17

Happy birthday to Eli! Todd slept in long! At mid-day, we went to the Juniper Swim and Fitness Center because Todd had never been on the waterslide there. The slide is short but fun and fast.

After riding the slides, we went to the indoor pool, where Todd passed the swim test and jumped off the diving board a couple times. Mostly, though– he wanted to watch other jumpers and divers going off the low and high dives. They also had a rope swing.

In the afternoon/evening, we gathered at Karin’s house for a party to celebrate Eli’s 12th birthday and Todd’s 5th birthday. This included Nana and Grampy (Jason’s parents). Beforehand, Todd looked for fish in the pond/lake located across the street. We met two boys from Juneau (AK) who were catching/releasing fish, so Todd did, in fact, have the chance to hold a fish then release it back in the water.

I was able to coax Todd into the house with a promise of opening one of his birthday presents.

We had veggie burgers for dinner, and Grandma brought homemade vegan chocolate cupcakes for dessert. Todd spent some time upstairs with Eli playing Xbox car racing and mountain biking games.

Todd’s biggest birthday present was waiting for him back at home, so I wrapped up the picture of it. He seemed a bit perplexed!

We sang to Eli and Todd.

Todd is never interested in cake/frosting, but he sure loves ‘ice cream’ (raspberry sorbet in this case!)

We snuck in a game of Shark Bite before going back to Grandma’s house for the night.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18

We drove back home, and we had to stop at the Burgerville once again for lunch. This time, Eric had the Oregon Marionberry Bliss shake, and I tried the mint Oreo Bliss shake.

We’ve been spoiled by unseasonably clear skies this summer, thanks to the lack of forest fires. I couldn’t resist snapping a few more pictures of the scenery while crossing the Columbia River.

THE END…of a great trip!