Cowboys Like Us

It had been a while since we had a vacation, so we decided to hit Central Oregon before school started. I found a deal at Brasada Ranch (let me know if you want details and my contact), so it was our jumping off point, a really beautiful and quiet spot with amazing sunsets. See roughly 250 pictures of our trip here.

A great book, "Bend, Overall" gave us a nice selection of kid-friendly activities to do:

Richardson Ranch - Madras, OR: There were at at least three great reasons for a visit: the shop's displays of polished rocks, geodes, fossils, spheres and thundereggs (Oregon's state rock which kids can pick out and get one cut for $1.50 each), the heaps of exotic rocks from around the world in the yard, and the emus and peacocks. It is an odd place, but the people running the shop are very nice.

Smith Rock State Park, Terrebonne, OR: We had driven by many times, but never stopped. What a beautiful place. The 700-foot walls rising above the Crooked River made us feel like we could almost be on another planet. We braved a three mile hike, which was a bit long for the kids, but we felt accomplished when we were finished.

Sunriver Pony Rides: We dropped $20 for two pony rides that probably lasted less than five minutes and would have been even shorter if the little guys didn't have to stop to relieve themselves! But, the kids liked it and it was on our way to Cascade Lakes Highway.

Sparks Lake: We took a short hike, and the kids enjoyed finding frogs, dragonflies and making fortresses with lava rock.

Elk Lake: There were a lot more people at Elk Lake (since it was nearly 100 degrees in town is wasn't surprising). We rented a little motor boat and Finn got to do some driving. At one point we dropped anchor and got in the lake. Then when we tried to leave the motor wouldn't start! Luckily we had Steve and he got it going. The kids preferred the area near the marina that was full of kids cooling off to the boat. Steve started diving in the COLD water to find crawdads. Finn joined him and they found quite a few. I still don't know how they put their faces in, burrr!

Fall River Fish Hatchery: The kids enjoyed seeing the Rainbow Trout fish production and feeding the fish. It was fun to see the fish in their native habitat in Elk Creek nearby. What beautiful, clear water.

High Desert Museum: It was worth the cost. There were many indoor displays more geared to adults than kids, but allowed our kids to see what people lived like 100 years ago and beyond. Our favorite part was the "homestead" that showed what pioneering life was like. Kids got to wash clothes the old fashioned way, water plants, see a food cellar, outhouse, etc. There were a number of animals you could see at very close range like a bald eagle, porcupine, and owls. There were many squirrels too.

Lava Butte: Here we walked among the lava and took the drive up to the Butte, 500 feet up. Steve didn't see the "Don't Feed the Animals" sign as you can see in the pictures. What a view!

Lava Cast Forest: I remember this place from when I was a kid. It is a dirty drive to a one mile hike, perfect distance for our kids (non whining). Here lava flows wrapped around trees, but cooled by the time they had fully burned, leaving little caves. Finn took over my camera for most of this hike and got a shot of mom and dad and some closeups.

Appaloosa Horse Show: There was a show at Brasada Stables, so we stopped in to see some pretty amazing horses (and all the gear that goes along with horses - talk about bucks). Of course Hildi was in love with the baby horse that looked like a Dalmatian. Steve's animal attraction . . . should that scare me? :)

We loved our visit, but were happy to get home! See roughly 250 pictures of the trip here.