On our last morning in Portland Oregon we woke up to rain and still had to figure out where we were going to go next! After checking the weather forecasts for three different Oregon locations I finally selected Bend Oregon as our next stop since it had the least chance for rain. We had to scramble however to find a site within our budget. Since Bend-Sun River RV Resort had openings and was also a Passport America park we booked it for three nights and hit the road.
The drive through Portland was not a problem at all as traffic flowed continuously. Once we neared Mount Hood we began to climb and found a little light rain. The only complaint we had for this route on state route 26 was the low clouds didn’t allow us any views of Mount Hood. We drove 180 miles, found the sunshine, and pulled into the park scoring the last 50 amp site! There are no sewer hook ups in any of the sites here which we found weird but the sites are large and wooded. The park could use a little upkeep in branch trimming and brush removal but it will be fine for a short stay.
We set up camp and former RV’ers and friends Pam and Vic came over to welcome us to Bend. They brought goodies with them as well. We grilled some Wisconsin Brats and enjoyed happy hour sharing tales of what we have done since we last saw each other several years ago. One of our favorite parts of RV’ing has been reconnecting with people we have met on the road. We have been so fortunate in making so many wonderful friends along the way.
The next morning we were greeted with chilly temperatures and the light rain found us again. A little morning down time was rewarded with some afternoon sunshine so we hopped on over to do some grocery shopping and did a short downtown heritage walk we downloaded on my smartphone from www.visitbend.com We also had time on this chilly day to check out Pilot Butte, a volcanic cinder cone, and its great views of Bend and its surroundings. Later we were to meet up with Pam and Vic again for a pre-planned run to the farmer’s market and a follow up happy hour.
Well the farmer’s market wouldn’t happen as we had a flat in the CRV so I had to change the tire. Seems easy right? Not this time. I still had the bikes locked together on the bike rack in the rear of the CRV and had left the keys to unlock the bikes at home so I couldn’t open the hatchback to get to the spare. Since the back area of our CRV is really our garage it was packed to the hilt! To make a long story short I had to take everything out of the CRV to access the door panel to take it out to get to the spare. Using the very crappy stock car jack I finally managed to get the “donut” spare out and onto the car. Fortunately we were very close to a Costco (where we bought our tires) so after about an hour while they repaired our tire we were on our way!
Lesson leaned… Hopefully I will help someone else avoid my mistake. I sure will make sure I have our bike rack keys on my main keychain in case we have a flat and need to get to the spare!!! !…. I will continue the rest of the story in our next blog…
NOTE: We will be leaving Bend Oregon the 7th to spend a night or two boondocking at the Kla-Mo-Ya Casino near Klamath Falls, Oregon…
It is great that Pam and Vic settled in a convenient place for all of us to stop and visit:) Now that you have the bike key on your keyring, you won't be needing it:)
ReplyDeleteThat was my first thought too about the key!
DeleteI think Pam and Vic are great Bend ambassadors. We had a great time with them as well. Enjoy your trip south.
ReplyDeleteYes they are indeed great ambassadors...
DeleteHaving a flat tire anywhere and under any conditions isn't fun. Glad you got out of Portland before all the heavy rain came in. Wish we could get out!
ReplyDeleteI now carry a bottle jack in all the vehicles, even one for the RV. Hate to use those factory jacks! The Kla-Mo-Ya Casino has been our stop since it opened, great jumpoff spot for Crater Lake too.
ReplyDeleteNice that the flat was in the parking lot at least, I bet you have a key for the bike rack now !
ReplyDeleteLucky you to have met up with Pam and Vic. Sorry to hear about your bike vs donut problem. We've wanted to take our bikes off the car and didn't have the keys as well. For us it was after driving 85 miles to bike at Ding Darling National Wildlife refuge. I think you had the better outcome.
ReplyDeleteYou have to be very lucky to see Mount Hood. We were in that area for a week and only got a glimpse of it one day.
ReplyDeleteTake a Breedlove guitar factory tour. Oh, you might have left. We will be around Medford/Ashland on Sunday!
ReplyDeleteWhy not put a spare bike key in the glove compartment?
ReplyDeleteHey, John, we have been so busy with the moving thing that I haven't kept up on blogs! Glad you sent me a note. Hopefully things are going to be good, although there is no Costco in Klamath. And rumor has it that we are going to have sunny days till next Thursday, so you are on the right East side of the Cascades. Although you know all about Klamath weather already, right? Hope we can visit a bit.
ReplyDeleteAnd I do hope you found some of those famous Bend craft brewery's. I would love to meet at Crater Lake Brewing Company in Klamath Falls. Really like their Rebelliion red ale.
ReplyDeleteWe will be following your footsteps.
ReplyDelete