Pilot Butte
Really bummed - such a clear blue sky would've been amazing views. We had read on FB that Central Oregon was really not wanting tourists and have shut down a lot of attractions.
So, onto next stop which was the Old Mill District where 2 thriving lumber mills used to be along the Deschutes River. It is now a very nice area of shops, eateries, and pleasant walk along the river. We got there just as stores were opening. I talked to the clerk in Chico's (no one else there) and asked about Pilot Butte. She again, mentioned they really are concerned about tourists coming and spreading the virus. She said just about anything to do with tourism is closed!
We walked around this very pretty area on this picture-perfect day and then as more people showed up, we were outta there!
Beautiful flowers along the river
Kayakers on the river
Mark's remote on Big Red gave a signal that it needed a new battery? Hm,,,,it's only 2 1/2 years old - we do not remember changing the battery in other car/truck remotes? Anyway, he had checked a few places and finally found one at Auto Zone.
Drove thru downtown Bend - oh geez....cute town and very bustling this Saturday - too many people, so didn't stop but my kind of place!
From Bend, we drove to Sisters about 20 miles NW. We had heard about this town and Mark tried getting an RV spot here, but no luck over the weekend. Well......I cannot tell you how adorable this little town is - just one cute shop after another, lots of eateries and of course, lots of people out and about. Many were wearing masks - many were not.
We parked Big Red and walked to BJ's for some awesome ice cream (one of those places that has oodles of delicious-sounding flavors and such a tough decision). Mark had Oregon black cherry and rocky road. I had huckleberry and kahlua crunch - all delish!!!
Boy what a disappointment to leave this charming little town - I'm saving Mark lots of $ this summer with no shopping! Before we left town, we stopped at Richard's Produce for some nectarines, blueberries, bing cherries and tomatoes.
Lovely blooms all over Sisters
Three Sisters Mountain Range - spectacular!
So, back to Redmond and checked out (Trip Advisor) what their major attractions were. The Smith Rock State Park is only 5 miles from here and one of the most breathtaking wonders of Central Oregon. (or so we read) But.....it is closed!!!!
Stopped at Coffee Depot for some iced coffees and drove around downtown - much quieter than Bend or Sisters.
Cute little spot with a very friendly guy as our barista
More pretties - they are everywhere in Oregon!!!
Back to Flo for a nice quiet afternoon - read our books, started the blog and had a delightful chat with Jean (Beth's Mom). It would've been so much fun to take her to lunch, chat and just be together, but these circumstances are so beyond what any of us could ever have imagined.
How interesting that we are near Sisters, OR with the beautiful Three Sisters Mountains nearby and I just happen to be reading a good book about 3 sisters "The Waratah Inn" based in Australia and this is the pretty "waratah" flower native to there.
We hit the jackpot tonight with carry out at Madaline's in Redmond. We shared seafood (shrimp, crab, and lobster) enchiladas, an oriental shrimp salad and coconut prawns - everything was excellent and plenty of leftovers!
Oriental shrimp salad
We walked in the park - boy...this weather is sooo awesome! After the low 80's for daytime temps (12% humidity), we have cool evenings, overnight in the 40's, cool mornings and then starts warming up. No AC yet !
Connor and his Raptors baseball team ended their "short" season last night with a record of 14-8.
That's our boy with the sling - 2nd row on the left.
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