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Our columnist heads north to connect with nature in Bend, a lumber town turned outdoor playland.
In the high desert of central Oregon is the near-perfect town of Bend, freshly covered in snow. A young mother carries her new baby in a snowsuit on her chest, followed by a toddler relaxing in a sled that’s tethered to her waist. Their husky is on a leash also fixed to her waist, and gently pulls them all through the snowy streets of Old Town Bend. All four are happy and relaxed. It was impressive, humbling, and positive for everyone involved. A perfect example of making the most of what nature throws at us. Very Bend.
As a sun-drenched Californian, I cherish the can-do, no-big-deal attitude of folks in Bend and their insistence on and commitment to spending time outdoors, even when it’s “hard.” Nature lights folks up in Bend; weather is just a detail.
My family of six had the great fortune of living in Bend for a year during COVID, and now find ourselves returning here at every possible opportunity. Remote work and school vacations enable this to happen several times a year, particularly in the winter when we feel Bend is at its best.
Like Santa Barbara, it’s small but not too small; Bend’s population is 100,000. It has a legitimate but mellow airport (e.g., one boarding gate) served from major airports (e.g., SFO, LAX). It benefits hugely from high-functioning municipal services: green and clean parks, large and new libraries, numerous and well-maintained trails, good roads. A huge influx of people like us from other places has spiked housing prices in Bend, but its culture of diving into nature remains.
And it's that culture of outdoor adventure that’s the real draw for us and many of its residents. Minutes from the town center, one can surf, paddle, or float the Deschutes River; walk, run, or mountain bike hundreds of miles of trails; rock climb; downhill, backcountry, and cross-country ski; ice skate on various ponds and rinks; or just stay and walk through a vibrant downtown with healthy retail and a diverse food scene with a local craft beer in hand. As a fellow passenger exclaimed upon landing at Bend’s airport, “Bend is my happy place.”
As we spend more and more time in Bend, I’m learning that its combination of culture and outdoor opportunities is what makes Bend truly special.
As we spend more and more time in Bend, I’m learning that its combination of culture and outdoor opportunities is what makes Bend truly special. In trying to articulate Bend’s culture, two pictures come to mind: that family quietly gliding through fresh snow, and a local boy’s seventh birthday party.
This Sunday morning birthday celebration featured sledding, homemade cinnamon rolls, and hot chocolate with a campfire. No gifts. The event had the setup of a Southern California beach day, but with more technical gear, different snacks, and a better attitude. People of all ages dragged themselves up a steep sledding hill and came rocketing down, over and over again, to the cheers and delight of onlookers sipping hot beverages and enjoying fires before they too joined the sledding. Everyone wore their best hat and favorite ski bibs. There were about 40 people at the birthday party, 200 on the hill, and absolutely no territory disputes. It was good clean fun that required quite a lot of effort, but none of that effort dampened the mood. It enhanced it! There was joy in the work. Again, very Bend.
