Let's go to Central Oregon

The Three Sisters Mountains, part of the Cascade Range that runs north and south through Oregon and separates the Willamette Valley from the high desert area of Central Oregon.





Two of the Three Sisters photographed from the highway between Sisters and Bend.





Typical open spaces in Central Oregon's high desert.





The Deschutes River at Tumalo State Park between Sisters and Bend. There is a wonderful day use area at the park with picnic tables and play areas. Also camp grounds right next to the river. They say fishing here is excellent.




You will see lots of wildlife like this pair of Canadian Geese heading north for the summer months.




The Deschutes River where it passes through Redmond.




Deer are very comfortable and tolerant of humans at Eagle Crest Resort in Redmond. They don't seem to mind the golfers one bit.




The Stitchin' Post in Sisters is a fantastic quilt shop with hundreds (probably thousands) of bolts of quilting fabrics. I've driven over the mountains from Portland many times (about a three hour drive in good weather) just to spend several hours here and day dream about the quilts I could make. I know I'll never live long enough to finish the projects I already have but it is fun to think about buying more.



The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show is one of the best quilting events in the country. The whole town is draped in the most beautiful quilts one could imagine. This year's theme is "Cascade of Color" and over 1,200 quilts will be displayed in all their splendor. If you are a quilter this show is something not to be missed.

Most of the building in this quaint little town are covered with quilts.

An old, abandoned gas station on the highway between Sisters and Redmond. It must be from the 1920's.

And, of course, the car to go along with the station.


The High Desert Museum in Bend is a must see stop when you are in Central Oregon. This beautiful new facility is over 53,000 square feet and covers 135 acres. You can go inside a tipi and walk through a recreated mining town or visit a 1880's working ranch and sawmill.

The Museum contains over 30,000 artifacts from Native American headdresses to frontier firearms and is just 10 minutes from downtown Bend.



Handmade, hand beaded garments and accessories of the Plateau Indians.

Ceremonial Headdresses

An authentic stage coach from the late 1800's.




One of two wounded bald eagles that reside at the High Desert Museum. It was awesome to see one of these majestic birds up close.



A replica of a settler's cabin, tight living quarters during the long wintery months.




A replica of the style of tipi used by Native Americans in this area.





And this is the kind of change in weather that is so unpredictable and common here. I took this photo at 9:00 am and by 2:00 pm all the snow was gone and the sun was shining.


The central area of Oregon is so beautiful and is a striking contrast to the coastal areas to the west and to the fertile Willamette Valley that lies between the Coast Mountain Range and the Cascades. I hope you've enjoyed accompanying me on my Spring Break and will consider coming back for a visit someday when you can experience all this for yourselves.

Additional places you might like to visit while you are here:

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Crater Lake National Park, the deepest lake in North America