Excursions Fall

With cooler temps and fewer tourists, fall is the perfect time to venture out

Story and photos by Joshua Savage

The kids have started school, the days are shorter and the daily routine has returned, but no need to stop traveling. In fact, fall can be one of the best seasons to discover new adventures.

Whether a day trip, a Saturday and Sunday or a long weekend (kids always seem to be getting an extra day out of school), we should always take advantage of the beauty surrounding us. Plus, Bend, being almost smack dab in the middle of Oregon, has the benefit of being close to countless activities throughout the state. Here are some ideas for a wide variety of excursions this fall.

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Cooler temperatures create the perfect climate for outdoor hiking. Starting close to Bend, my first thought is Smith Rock State Park. No matter how interesting and beautiful the terrain, hiking in midsummer can be brutal. Amazingly, the same hikes in autumn are blissful with zero complaints from the kids. Nearby farms like Smith Rock Ranch and DD Ranch have pumpkin patches, and as Halloween approaches, they offer a variety of activities for kids and adults. (The pumpkin cannon is my family’s favorite).

In the vicinity, trails leading to the Redmond Caves are often dusty and blazing hot during summer, but much more tolerable in the fall months. The same rings true for the Oregon Badlands Wilderness, a landscape of cool rock formations, bedraggled junipers and sage, stunning in its own right and best explored on cooler days.

Farther from Bend, but still within striking distance, take the family rockhounding. At spots near the Prineville Reservoir and the Ochocos, scavengers can search for agate and jasper. Glass Butte is the best place to find obsidian. Get a map online or at Visit Bend for more details about what types of rock are native and where to find them.

If the kids enjoy this type of activity, consider a visit to John Day Fossil Beds where they can view prehistoric rhinos, tapirs, alligators and other ancient wildlife and vegetation that once thrived in Oregon. If viewing those vestiges of history isn’t enough, why not dig for your own? A short jaunt to Fossil, Oregon leads to Wheeler High School, a location where anyone can dig for real fossils! I mean, how cool is that?!

Most of these destinations are less crowded during the fall, another advantage of traveling during this time of year. Crater Lake, Oregon’s only national park, comes to mind. Rather than waiting in line at the entry and hoping to find a spot to take photos, you can find space during the fall and admire the scenery without much interruption.

I haven’t forgotten the signature of autumn, the multicolored hues of changing leaves. The bright maples along Industrial Way and other trees in several parks around Bend are awesome, but for a larger concentration of colorful deciduous trees like birch, oak, ash and others, we need a road trip.

Spend the weekend in Ashland. Lithia Park and the surrounding environs are ablaze with vivid reds, yellows and oranges. Introduce the kids to a Shakespeare play while there, too.

Spots like the Japanese Garden and Hoyt Arboretum are an oasis of brilliant colors in Portland, only a few hours away. OMSI is usually a must visit for families, among other countless activities that come with big city life.

Near Springfield, the Mount Pisgah Arboretum offers nature walks and talks, some workshops and has a seemingly endless number of trails to explore. The lushness and diversity of the area always beckons me to spend more time in the valley. Nearby, Ranch boasts the distinction of a national historic site, a living history farm, a working filbert (aka, hazelnut) orchard and has numerous trails and a park. Plus, it’s always fun to visit the Simpsons while in Springfield!

I could go on and on with excursions to keep the fall months fun and exciting, but I’ll stop there for now. School schedules and such might make travel more difficult, but these are outweighed by the rewards and family experiences. We are lucky to live in such a huge state full of diverse climates, scenery and excitement at our fingertips. Living in Oregon, you are guaranteed to never run out of new places to discover.

For more adventures near Bend, check out Joshua’s entertaining travel guide, “100 Things to Do in Bend Before You Die V2”, available in local bookstores and on Amazon!

Beautiful DIY arrangements from nature’s bounty

By Nicole Blume | Photos by Maile Mason

There's nothing quite like cool, delicious fruit on a warm autumn day! Let’s take it to the next level and create a piece of art. Like a flower arrangement but made with cutouts of fruit, this DIY project showcases the colorful, plump bounty of the season.

These edible bouquets make great eco-friendly centerpieces for back-to-school pool parties, birthday bashes or riverside picnics. Need a gift for a friend or relative? Imagine showing up to your neighborhood block party or family Thanksgiving table with such a beautiful contribution!

Edible arrangements are sure to wow! While store-delivered arrangements can cost upwards of $75, simple DIY versions can be made for a mere fraction of the cost.

Thistle Learning Center

Three Sisters Adventist Christian School

We provide a Christ-centered academic environment where students are nourished both spiritually and intellectually. We offer a fully accredited academic program, Bible based curriculum, Spanish and music, Mt. Bachelor ski program, 6th grade outdoor school, PE, and community service opportunities 21155 Tumalo Road, Bend OR 97703 541.389.2091 threesistersschool.com

STEP #1

Gather the supplies. A simple vase, stylish mason jar or reed basket can be easily thrifted or purchased new. Consider tying on a wide, sparkling ribbon or twine for a little extra flair! You’ll also need some wooden skewers, cookie cutters and a good old-fashioned melon baller, plus a sheet pan, scissors and paper towels to keep everything clean and organized.

STEP #2

Buy the fruit. Take a trip to your local farmers market or grocery store to see what’s in season. Think about the color, texture, variety and theme you want to explore. For your classic multipurpose arrangement, aim for bright, vivid colors reminiscent of wildflowers, such as grapes, melons, apples, oranges, kiwis, plums, strawberries, etc.

STEP #3

One important consideration is your base material where the skewers will be placed. Slice a medium-sized cabbage, watermelon or cantaloupe in half and place it flat side down in your container. You could also experiment with a pumpkin or squash. If your base is relatively thick and sturdy, it should hold your skewers.

STEP #4

Wash and dry all produce and set out the paper towels and sheet pans. Slice fruit into 1” pieces and press firmly with your cookie cutters to create the shapes you want. Bright yellow pineapple flowers are a classic choice, and you can also include red watermelon hearts, orange cantaloupe stars, green honeydew leaves or any other fun shapes. Cantaloupe spheres made with melon ballers make great flower centers!

STEP #5

Next, attach your skewer to your base material (pro-tip: you may need needle nose pliers to firmly stick it in) and begin placing the fruit on the skewers. Vary the height of your pieces to create a fuller effect. Use grapes as fillers in between hearts, stars and flowers. If you want to add a dash of romance, you can even add some chocolate covered-strawberries in between!

As you put together your kitchen creation, talk to your children about their favorite fruits and vegetables. Luckily, this is one art project that’s 100% non-toxic and safe for little ones to munch on