A small town, with a lot of funky flair

My day starts at 9:04 am with a knocking on my hotel door.  Apparently, the hotel cleaning staff are early risers.  I send them away with an overly exaggerated grunt to let them know I am still interested in sleeping.  I have the complementary breakfast (wheat bagel with cream cheese, a mixture of orange and apple juice, and hot chocolate).  I don't really have a destination in mind, I just know I should explore another area of Bend (it isn't really THAT big).  I wander over to McMenimans (supposedly a hostel).  The place turns out to be a combo hotel/pub/movie theater...and they no longer have hostel beds available.  $140 is the cheapest room available.  A quick peak at the movie listings outside and I realize I have already managed to see everything they are showing.  The woman at the desk gives me directions to the Mill Inn Bed & Breakfast, where they have dorm rooms as well as private rooms.  I head towards the Mill Inn, but I get distracted by a coffee shop across the street called "Simply Organic" and I head inside for a whole wheat breakfast burrito with egg, cheese, avocado, tomato, onions, potatoes, and salsa.  Now, I am simply stuffed for the day.  I head across the street to the B & B, which is directed with hubcaps on the door, has various shiny metal objects on its facade, and the fence surrounding the property is really old brass bed head and foot boards.  The woman inside tells me the dormitory beds are booked, but I can get a two twin bed room for $60...if I had a friend it would only be $30.  But, I don't have a friend.  Well, I mean, I don't have a friend traveling with me!  I head back towards town, so that I may visit Drake Park (a beautiful park following the edge of the Deschutes River, that I visited once before in August 2002, with a bunch of friends after a week long Smith Rocks climbing adventure).  The park looks different without the summer heat, flowers, tents, and people camped on its once-green lawn.  I take photos of ducks, swans, and Canada Geese and of the surrounding area, including an intriguing bridge.  I see a guy about my age standing on the bridge and have him take a snapshot of me there.  We get to talking about how we are both traveling (he lived in Bend about 5 years ago and is visiting a friend who apparently was still back home in bed).  He invites me to lunch at the Deschutes Brewery (the first brewery in the area) where his friend is the Master Brewer.  I order a portabella foccacia sandwich with goat cheese and caramelized onions, but the carrot-ginger soup I substituted for my fries was the highlight of my meal.  It is St. Patrick's Day and the brewery and all surrounding bars are full of celebrating locals.  I part ways with my new friend, and I decide to head up to Mt. Bachelor to see what makes this ski destination so popular. At 9060 feet it is smaller than its "nearby" neighbors of Mt. Hood, Broken Top, and Mt. Jefferson, but the slope is clearly a top ski destination regardless and the energy on the mountain is electric.  I don't spend a full day on the mountain, because I have other things I want to see, so I find my way to an area out beyond the Old Mill District where new development is taking place.  The old mill itself has been turned into an REI store and I "play" for a few hours.  I compare tents and read statistics and daydream about new gear and all the things I am adding to my wish list.  I check out the movie times at the theater there and decide against seeing anything.  I walk through most of Bend on my way back to my hotel.  At $53 a night, I think now how ridiculous it was that I was trying to find a cheaper place, when this one is clearly a great place.  I pass (probably) the entire population of Bend and Sisters, Oregon on my walk home...everyone is partaking in the St. Patrick's festivities.  I almost turn around a few times just to see what sights accompany the joyous sounds of laughter I hear pouring through the streets.  I don't however, and I resolve myself to walking back to spend the night reading or watching a movie on television (since I am in a hotel after all).  I spend my evening catching up with a good friend on my cell phone and thinking about my plans for this upcoming year.

I manage to fit a lot of things into one laid back day. Only when I write about it, does it seem so busy.