Trailhead September/October 2020

VISITCENTRALOREGON.COM

TRAILHEAD A D V E N T U R E

C A L L S

fabulous fall EXPLORE WITH THIS ART-INERARY

3 SPOTS FOR ICE CREAM + GELATO

VISIT CENTRAL OREGON HISTORY & HERITAGE CROSSING THE CROOKED RIVER GORGE

VISIT CENTRAL OREGON

IN THIS ISSUE

COOL TREATS Some hot tips on where to pick up ice cream and gelato around Central Oregon this fall.

ADVENTURE CALLS Watch the second episode of the series spotlighting the region’s beauty and culture.

ON TOUR

Let an experienced guide lead you on the water, show off the local brewery scene or guide you on an off-road adventure.

EAT DRINK BEND

Try these outside dining gems across Central Oregon for open air dining and drinking.

SAVE VS SPLURGE

Unique experiences in Bend, no matter the budget.

TODAY’S ART-INERARY Get cultured with a day full of artsy fun in Central Oregon.

HISTORY & HERITAGE Crossing the Crooked River Gorge.

Adventures await in Central Oregon - but due to COVID-19, we are encouraging visitors to stay safe and hold off on visiting until the time is right and it is safe to do so. While we look forward to the day we can welcome you back to our beautiful region, here is some content that will remind you of every reason why you love Central Oregon.

The Team at Visit Central Oregon

Produced by Visit Central Oregon Email us: trailhead@visitcentraloregon.com

COOL

TREATS

When the warm weather lingers in the high desert, cool off with an ice cream or gelato from these Central Oregon shops

Sno Cap Drive In has served traditional drive-in and diner foods such as hamburgers, hot dogs and more since 1945 in Sisters. But the shop is best known for their twenty-nine flavors of homemade ice cream, such as their best-seller, Cascade Blackberry, or their sugar-f ree or dairy-f ree choices.

Eager treat-seekers can walk up to the window, order and enjoy their food on

the premises. Pick up a cone, dish, waffle or even a soft-serve ice cream of half vanilla and half chocolate. Customers can also order milkshakes, specialty shakes or a sundae.

When driving through Sisters, the Sno Cap Drive In is right on the main drag, and is usually busy with visitors and locals alike, especially on a sunny Central Oregon day.

Goody’s Chocolates & Ice Cream started out in Sunriver in 1984 and later branched out with a second location in Bend. The shop offers chocolate, ice cream, popcorn and candy, with about twenty flavors of ice cream. Many of their options are dairyf ree—such as the sorbets. Goody’s offers milkshakes, malts, sundaes, splits, ice cream soda and floats. For some Goody’s-to-go, the shops recently started offering Goody’s Bags—a selection of ice cream, popcorn and candy, bagged up and taken on the go. Also available are Goody’s Sundaes, bags which have ice cream and a variety of sundae toppings—everything to make your own Goody’s sundaes at home. For more information go to goodyschocolates.com.

T R A I L H E A D

|

FA L L

2 0 2 0

Photo @brightlightsbigplanet

Bontà Natural Artisan Gelato in Bend specializes in gelato using local, organic and fair trade ingredients.

Owners Juli and Jeff Labhart started Bontà out of their home and served their products out of a mobile cart at farmers markets before moving into their f irst storef ront in 2014. Bontà serves eighteen rotating flavors, including vegan and gluten-f ree options. Browse the menu and grab a cone or cup and choose f rom a selection of toppings. Or try a gelato cake, or a cookie or brownie gelato sandwich. Stop by and have a scoop of their best-sellers dulce de leche and sea salt and stracciatella. Bontà also has pints, half-gallons and premium pints that customers can take back to their house or rental available f rom their locations or in stores. Learn more about the company, and f ind out where to buy Bontà at bontagelato.com.

Water connects all things in Central Oregon’s natural world. In this episode of Adventure Calls, Chad Copland explores our rivers and lakes, discovering how the impacts of industry and technology affect the region as a whole f rom farming to f ishing and other recreational use. Follow the show and see special behind the scenes content at adventurecalls.visitcentraloregon.com.

All Episodes Available Here

T R A I L H E A D

|

FA L L

2 0 2 0

On Tour

THESE CENTRAL OREGON ADVENTURE GUIDES ARE READY TO SAFELY LEAD THE WAY tour opportunity involving sipping brews at a scenic alpine lake—the Brews & Views tour. Attendees have the option of driving themselves to the tour, following guides to the Cascade Lakes for a two-hour paddle, accompanied by tastings of Cascade Lakes Brewing Company beers. Paddle around and take in pristine mountain views during Wanderlust’s various kayak and canoe trips, and enjoy the cooler temps outside of town. “Our most spectacular trip right now is our canoe and kayak trips up in the high lakes,” said owner Dave Nissen. Trips to the Cascade Lakes are available through October, and Deschutes River kayak and canoe outings continue through November.

The company also offers custom hiking tours. Learn more at wanderlusttours.com.

While f reely exploring Central Oregon has its perks, guided trips can offer a window into f resh experiences, new locations and different activities to try. Due to COVID-19, tours may look a little different this fall, which could mean a more personal, group experience for a smaller crew or family. Here are a few Central Oregon tour experiences worth looking into for exploring the region’s rivers and lakes, trails and the brewery scene.

PADDLING AND SIPPING Bend-based Wanderlust Tours kicked off brewery tours around Bend this summer.

The company also offers a more unique

T R A I L H E A D

|

FA L L

2 0 2 0

RIDING AND RAMBLING Meet guides with Outriders Northwest at the trail to start an off-road adventure in Sunriver or Bend. Book a three-hour Lava Run Experience, cruising around Central Oregon’s volcanic landscape in your own off-road Polaris RZR, with room for up to four guests f rom the same group. The company has made a handful of operating changes to increase safety and cleanliness for guests, asking guests to pack in and out their own snacks and to wear their own personal helmets when possible. Guests and staff review the COVID-19 symptoms before starting a tour and those feeling unwell are asked to stay home. Learn more at outridersnw.com.

lasting memories, while people can feel safe knowing their contact is limited to their one group and single guide. At High Desert River Outf itters in Maupin, half-day trips and overnight adventures are available for booking for groups of at least four, with the group having its own single raft and being transported only with one another. At the Imperial River Company, also out of Maupin, trips are also limited to one household, with four to eight rafters all sharing a private raft.

Book a one-day getaway or an overnight weekend trip for the family and enjoy a relaxing and exciting time on the Deschutes River. Learn more at highdesertriver.com or deschutesriver.com.

RAFTING In light of COVID-19, rafting companies on the Deschutes River have shifted to offering only same-group rafting trips, rather than a mixed bag of rafters f rom multiple groups sharing the same raft. While this will mean less banter and comradery with new f riends, it also means a more private, special adventure with only one family or small group. While many have forgone big summer trips farther f rom home, a closeto-home rafting adventure is sure to create

T R A I L H E A D

Reach out to individual tour companies for full COVID-19 safety policies and the latest operations updates.

|

FA L L

2 0 2 0

E AT , drink ,O U T S I D E

Central Oregon weather couldn’t be better than it is right now—gather with your family at these outdoor-friendly breweries and food truck lots in the sweet fall air while adhering to proper distancing measures. by nancy patterson

The Patio at 9th Street Village 911 SE Armour Rd., Bend Bevel Craft Brewing anchors the food cart lot located on the large patio setting at 9th Street Village, a collaborative space for local makers. Four food carts enclose outdoor seating fire pit tables, pub and lounge seating, and disc golf. Choose from carts serving tacos, Southern cuisine, pub snacks, and Poke bowls. Don’t miss the opportunity to pop into Bevel for a Funday IPA.

Over the Edge Taphouse Three Creeks Brewing 13959 SW Commercial Loop Rd., Crooked River Ranch

The Bite

The Crooked River Ranch taphouse and food cart lot offers three fire pits, four food carts, and twenty taps.

Outdoor accommodations include seating within their airy greenhouse and across their half-acre courtyard.

Monday’s all-day happy hour specials make this destination a must-visit.

721 S Desperado Ct., Sisters The Crowdpleaser IPA was clearly named after the serene and woodsy setting on which this Sisters brewery is situated. Dine outside among the pine trees and roaring fire pits with a FivePine Chocolate Porter in-hand. Or, refuel on some Cajun-rubbed drumsticks after a day of blazing across the McKenzie River Trail.

General Duffy's Waterhole

79860 7th St., Tumalo String lights, fire pits, live music and local taps. What’s not to love? The Bite food cart lot offers outdoor picnic tables and an “indoor” fire pit inside of their all-weather taproom. Pull up a lawn chair, grab a bite—like a smoked gouda & roasted onion grilled cheese from Heidi’s Grilled Cheesery or an Everything Burger from The Rogue Chef—and enjoy some live music on select weekend evenings.

404 SW Forest Ave., Redmond Families and pets can gather at Veteran-owned taphouse and food cart lot for live music, great food, and wholesome fun. Their weekly markets draw local vendors from across Central Oregon every Saturday for an afternoon of shopping and sipping. Tap lists include 19 beer and cider options from Bend and Pacific Northwest breweries and a variety of food trucks and carts for every palate.

Eat Drink Bend features cocktails and plates from local eateries. They scout restaurants, breweries, and wineries to introduce you to the best and unknown dishes and drinks while sharing stories from our locally-owned Central Oregon establishments.

T R A I L H E A D

|

FA L L

2 0 2 0

save vs splurge Three ways to enjoy Bend on any budget

EXPLORE THE OLD MILL DISTRICT

TAKE A BIKE TOUR SAVE: Bring your own bike or stop by one of several bike shops in town for rentals to go. Cruise around in bike lanes or on the trails leading f rom the Old Mill District or with a mountain bike, head down Century Drive to link up with a vast network of nearby mountain biking trails. Visit bendtrails.org for more information.

SPLURGE: Book a guided mountain biking tour to explore new places and ensure you’re seeing the best of what Central Oregon has to offer. Bend’s Cog Wild offers private half-day skills lessons for individual and families.

They also offer expert-guided tours that include being shuttled to the trailhead and complimentary beer, spirits and kombucha. Learn more at cogwild.com.

SAVE: Enjoy a walk around the Old Mill District, crisscrossing over the Deschutes River and exploring the sights. Near the shops, f ind art on exterior walls, including a fun mural of dog portraits outside Strictly Organic Coffee. Find murals within the tunnels along the riverside walking path, and stop downstream to watch brave tubers crash down the rapids and surfers take turns on the man-made play wave. Learn more at oldmilldistrict.com

SPLURGE: Get in on the action by renting a paddleboard, kayak or river surfboard f rom Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe, which has storef ront location just downriver f rom the heart of the Old Mill or a popup concession at Riverbend Park. Reserve rentals in advance at tumalocreek.com and then get ready to explore the Deschutes.

CATCH A SHOW SAVE: Rent a f ilm virtually f rom Bend’s art-house style cinema, Tin Pan Theater. The movies can be watched on demand (no need to worry about catching the right showtime) and the rentals help support the small, single-screen theater, which reopend this summer with outdoor alleyway screenings.

Learn more at tinpantheater.com.

T R A I L H E A D

|

FA L L

2 0 2 0

SPLURGE: Enjoy live music or an entertaining show with f riends and family at Bend’s Volcanic Theatre Pub, a unique entertainment venue with a tasty selection of drinks. The theater reopened in mid-June for concerts and shows, with a limited number of presale tickets available for each event to promote social distancing. Ticket prices vary by show. Learn more at volcanictheatre.com/ pages/tickets.

Today’s Art-inerary SCHEDULING AN ART-FILLED DAY IN CENTRAL OREGON

Roadway underpass in Bend’s Old Mill District

Go on a Morning Mural Hunt

Central Oregon is home to many a mural, with more popping up on businesses, at schools and in roadway underpasses every year.

CROOKED RIVER BREWING 420 N MAIN ST., PRINEVILLE Oregon’s oldest city, Prineville, represents Central Oregon on the Oregon Mural Trail, a project Travel Oregon launched in 2018. This whimsical mural was painted on the side of Crooked River Brewing by Portland-based artists Gage Hamilton and Zach Yarrington and mural visitors are encouraged to tag their photos with #oregonismagic.

T R A I L H E A D

|

FA L L

2 0 2 0

WARM SPRINGS MURALS 2130 WARM SPRINGS ST., WARM SPRINGS 1136 PAIUTE AVE., WARM SPRINGS In 2020, Visit Central Oregon commissioned two new pieces of public artwork for the Warm Springs Community. The project involved collaborating with the Warm Springs Community Action Team and TanaAwit: A Community of Warm Springs Artists.

Pictured here, artist Winona Garrison’s mural, “Ta’Aminwa Nam Ap’xtat,” depicts a riverside nature scene with deer, horses and salmon. Jefferson Greene’s mural, “Shúkwat,” on Paiute Avenue includes a large eagle and horse. Both murals thoughtfully reflect and proudly share the identity and culture of their people. Because wildf ires have been active on and around the reservation, be respectful and avoid the area until it’s safe to visit.

RIVER’S PLACE 787 NE PURCELL BLVD., BEND One of Bend’s newest murals, sponsored by the High Desert Mural Festival, is at River’s Place, a tap house and food cart yard in northeast Bend. Artist Nicole Fontana began painting the colorful floral mural this August.

Take an Afternoon Roundabout Tour

Try not to get dizzy doing circles around Bend’s abundance of roundabout art, found in the center of more than twenty traff ic circles throughout the city. Go for an afternoon bike ride or drive around the city to see some of the unique pieces, many large in scale and created by local artists.

YAKAYA Start at Riverbend Park in west Bend to see Yakaya by Troy Pillow, a construction of nine colorful kayaks, jutting out in different directions. The display is at the center of a mini roundabout within the park’s parking lot. This is also a great starting point for a stroll along the Deschutes River Trail.

HIGH DESERT SPIRAL A spiral feels like f itting art for a roundabout, and at 39 feet in the air, the High Desert Spiral by John Fleming is the tallest public art sculpture in Bend. Find it at the intersection of Simpson Avenue and Mount Washington Drive in southwest Bend.

T R A I L H E A D

|

FA L L

2 0 2 0

See a public art resurgence in Redmond

The recent revitalization of Redmond’s downtown has led to a greater appreciation amongst residents for creative, public art. The Redmond Committee for Art in Public Places has placed new public art in the city, and is working to place more permeant art pieces. The committee’s Art Around the Clock program allows the city to cycle in new outdoor art pieces for display on twoyear showings. At the end of each showing season, the public votes on a favorite piece for the city to purchase and add to its permanent collection. Stop by Centennial Park to see the Clock Tower by artist Jerry Werner, or see the hand-painted f ireplace tiles by Redmond Prof iciency Academy high school students and local elementary students. The park also showcases some of artist Kim Chavez’s high desert bronze animals. While driving through town, keep an eye out for creative hand-painted electrical boxes, found throughout Redmond.

Spend the evening creating art

Ready to do it yourself? Studio Create in Bend has a studio space and offers take-home kits for various art projects.

For in-house visits, reservations are recommended, with limited space and a two-hour time limit for projects, which include painting and mosaics. For all the fun of a paint night, but on your own terms, get a take-home art kit f rom the studio, complete with designs and stepby-step instructions. There are kits for both adults and children, including clay projects, canvas painting, pottery painting and holiday-specif ic projects. Find more information at studiocreatebend.com.

T R A I L H E A D

|

FA L L

2 0 2 0

We encourage would-be travelers to visit only when it's safe to do so.

Shoulder season bliss 4 ways to explore Central Oregon in the “off season” Shoulder season—the special time between the popular summer and winter periods in Central Oregon has a charm all its own.

Cast a line The shoulder seasons are a great time to enjoy outdoor activities that might fly under the radar in summer and winter. Fall is an ideal time for a Central Oregon f ishing trip, with anglers eager to catch a steelhead arriving f resh f rom the ocean. Book a half-day trip with a local guide for insider tips to reel in one of your own.

Cycle a scenic bikeway With fewer cars on the roads and mild temperatures, fall and spring are ideal times to explore Central Oregon’s bikeways—scenic stretches of highway ready for two-wheeled exploration. Try the 29-mile Madras Mountain Views Scenic Bikeway, starting an ending in Madras and exploring scenic farmland and passing along the canyon rim of Lake

T R A I L H E A D

Billy Chinook.

Perfect weather While some visits call for snow to play in and heat to bask in, the spring and fall are delightful, relaxing times. Take a walk through Bend’s Drake Park and marvel at the fall colors—with typical temperatures in the high 60s and low 70s. Take a hike to the top of a wide, open butte to soak up the sunshine.

Fresh hop season Beer is bountiful year round in Central Oregon, but it’s not long after Labor Day each year that the f resh hop harvest begins, ushering in a wave of f resh hopped beers to enjoy, hitting taps, bottles and cans by early October. Look for the Conelick’r Fresh Hop Pale Ale f rom Three Creeks Brewing in Sisters, the WorthWild Fresh Hop collaboration between Wild Ride Brewing in Redmond and Worthy Brewing in Bend and varieties f rom Deschutes Brewery, Crux Fermentation Project, GoodLife Brewing Company and others.

|

FA L L

2 0 2 0

- History & Heritage -

Driving north of Redmond on U.S. Highway 97, there comes a dramatic moment in your journey that you may not even recognize. You’ll cross the Crooked River gorge, some 300 feet above the canyon floor. Blink and you could miss it. Stop at Peter Skene Ogden Scenic Viewpoint nearby and be rewarded with dramatic vistas and a good Oregon history lesson.

The Peter Skene Ogden Scenic Viewpoint is named for an explorer who traveled through the region as the head of a trapping party for Hudson’s Bay Company in 1825, and who also explored the Snake River area and the Great Salt Lake Basin (Ogden, Utah is also named for him). At the site you can walk across the Crooked River High Bridge, which was designed by Conde McCullough, a bridge engineer who built more than a dozen bridges along the coast of Oregon. There is also a memorial to Barber, who returned to Culver after his military service and served the city as a mayor and judge. You’ll also see the railroad trestle bridge, which was built in 1911 and was the first to open the area to travelers and business. At the time the railroad bridge was completed, it was the second-highest railroad bridge in the United States, and it helped open the region’s timber industry to the rest of the country.

The Rex T. Barber Veterans Memorial Bridge is the modern span, completed in 2000 to replace the Crooked River High Bridge, built in 1926 and not wide enough for the heavy traffic that travels along Highway 97 today.

The modern bridge, which is 535 feet long and has an arch span of 410 feet, was the first in the United States to use a “cast-in-place” segmented construction method— the bridge was built in small sections, then hoisted into place. It’s named for a Culver man who served as a fighter pilot in World War II and who shot down the plane carrying Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto in 1943.

T R A I L H E A D

|

FA L L

2 0 2 0

Photo Harris Photography

crossing the

crooked river gorge

As the pandemic continues, always follow all state and local protocols to keep our community safe and our businesses open

OUR PICKS COFFEE

BEER

COCKTAILS

BRUNCH

PRINEVILLE COFFEE CO.

BOSS RAMBLER

VELVET

PFLÃœCKE

DINNER

WINE

CHOPS BISTRO

MARAGAS WINERY T R A I L H E A D

|

FA L L

2 0 2 0

Boss Rambler Beer Club

DOG-FRIENDLY

SUNRIVER BREWING CO. ART

HOOD AVENUE ART

TRAILHEAD A D V E N T U R E

C A L L S

N

REGIONS MAP

W

Maupin

E S

R IVE R CAN Y ON COUN TRY Warm Springs Reservation

Ochoco National Forest

Black Butte Ranch Lake Billy Chinook

S I S TERS C O UNTRY

Smith Rock State Park

B EN D

G R E ATE R R E D MOND Pronghorn Resort

McKenzie Pass

Sister Rodeo Dry Canyon

Tetherow Resort

Redmond Airport

High Desert Museum Deschutes National Forest

LaPine State Park

ch

u De

Wickiup Reservoir

Sunriver Resort

iv

er

SUN R IVER

s

te s

R

Newberry National Volcanic Monument

N E W B E R R Y COUN TR Y

visitcentraloregon.com instagram.com/visitcentraloregon facebook.com/visitcentraloregon twitter.com/visitcentralor youtube.com/visitcentralor/videos pinterest.com/gocentraloregon

TRAILHEAD Trailhead is a bi-monthly digital publication from Visit Central Oregon.

VISIT OUR REGIONAL VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER IN THE VILLAGE AT SUNRIVER -ORGIVE US A CALL AT 1-800-800-8334 ©VISIT CENTRAL OREGON