Breakfast with Santa at Brasada Ranch
Hello Bend! In keeping with our theme of trying out a new Breakfast with Santa venue every year, our third year in Central Oregon, we …
Sunriver’s Brunch With Santa
Hello Bend! A few years ago our Christmas Elf brought us tickets to Sunriver’s Brunch with Santa as a special treat. What a spectacular event…Sunriver …
Breakfast with Santa at Pine Tavern
Hello Bend! Sunday, December 8 is the 29th annual Breakfast with Santa at Pine Tavern. This is one of Bend’s oldest, most historic restaurants overlooking …
Breakfast with Santa in Bend and Beyond!
Hello Bend….Tis the Season! Thanksgiving isn’t quite behind us, and I already have Breakfast with Santa in Bend on my mind. The holiday festivities start …
Bend Children’s Book ~ The Busy Birds Adventures
Hello Bend! I would like to introduce you to one of my ultimate top “Local Favorites” here in Central Oregon. Kristen Riggle is an author, …
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Tumalo Riverfront Estate ~ 65057 Hopper Rd
Just Listed! Tumalo Riverfront Estate – 65057 Hopper Rd in Tumalo with Stunning Cascade Mountain and Deschutes River Views. Conveniently located between Cline Falls Rd …
Powder Palooza Pre-SeasonDeals on Winter Gear!
Hello Bend! One of our favorite pre-winter events, Powder Palooza, is coming up this Saturday. We stumbled upon this event at the Powder House our …
BENDover Wax Studio Beauty Services
Hello Bend! I know the struggle to find high quality service providers when you move to a new area can prove to be a bit …
2626 NW Three Sisters Drive ~ Offered at $1,598,000
Hello Bend! Have you been looking for a stunning modern home that offers warmth and functionality? Are you in search of a high-end property that …
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Creating Memories at the Smith Rock Pumpkin Patch
Hello Bend! Fall is in the air and the pumpkins are here! If you currently live in Bend, undoubtedly you’ve already been to the infamous …
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Fun for Everyone at the Bend Fall Festival
Hello Bend…Fall is officially in the air, and I sure am happy about that after last week’s winter blast. Now that the snow in September …
New Price on this Deschutes Riverfront Property
Have you been dreaming of owning Deschutes Riverfront Property? Have you been thinking about making a move to Central Oregon, but you’ve been waiting for …
Bend First Friday with Photographer Jesper Hilts
Hello Bend! Please join me tonight at Cascade Sotheby’s Int’l Realty as I host Bend First Friday featuring local photographer Jesper Hilts. He will be …
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July 4th Bend Pet Parade & Festival
Hello Bend! Who is planning to take advantage of the 4th of July festival and Bend Pet Parade in Bend this year? The day starts …
Northwest Crossing Farmers Market
Hello Bend! Start your Saturday morning strolling through the lively Northwest Crossing Farmers Market in Bend. This popular event kicks off at 10am, and if …
Family Fun with Michael Franti in Bend
Hello Bend! The Bend Summer Concert Series is something we look forward to every year as summer approaches. One of our all-time favorite “family fun …
Introducing~Hello Bend Oregon Blog
Hello Bend! I am so excited to write the first official blog post for the new website. I hope you enjoy the new look and …
Keep Your Kiddos Safe This Summer at Bend Parks
My nine month old baby is constantly putting things in his mouth, especially his yummy fingers and toes. Lately, he has spent lots of time …
Keep the Kids Busy at these Bend Summer Camps!
This school year has flown by and with only 20 days of school left this year, the clock is ticking! Summer break is fun for …
Deschutes Brewery Jubelale Art & Beer Tastings
Deschutes Brewery Jubelale to be featured at First Friday Artwalk! December 1 marks the final First Friday Artwalk of 2017. With downtown Bend bustling and …
Fun for Everyone at the Bend Oktoberfest
School is back in session and the morning air is cool, all signs that Fall is just around the corner. The best way to kick …
Thank You for Voting Living the Bend Life as Best Local Blog!
Thank you to everyone! I am honored to have been voted Best Local Blog in The Source Weekly’s annual Best Of Central Oregon 2017 reader’s …
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Lotus Naturals ~ All-Natural Health and Wellness Products Made in Bend
It’s no secret that shopping in Central Oregon can be a challenge. One of my first concerns when I moved to Bend was how on …
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Find your Adventure at Sparks Lake
With so many beautiful lakes surrounding Central Oregon, and each lake with its own unique characteristics and charm, you could visit a new one every …
Hydro Flask Growler Giveaway Contest!
Bend Friends~It’s that time of year again! The Source Weekly’s Best of Central Oregon ballot is live. Let your voice be heard and vote for …
EMW Fusion ~ Bend’s Premier Korean Fusion Food Truck
For being a small town nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, Bend has no shortage of food trucks. You will find them at …
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First Friday Art Walk with Artist ~ MaryLea Harris
Looking for something to add to your calendar this Friday? Downtown Bend offers a nice evening out with the First Friday Art Walk. Dozens of …
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Steelhead Falls ~ Family-Friendly Hike Close to Bend
As you may be able to tell by my other “The Great Outdoors” write-ups, I have a passion for the many waterfalls within our beautiful …
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ATLAS Cider~A Passion leads to the BEST Cider in Bend
Living in small town Bend, it seems like everyone knows everyone, and you certainly run into someone you know just about everywhere you go. So …
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The Art of the Brick Exhibition at OMSI in Portland
* Our family loves spending time in Portland for little weekend getaways. There are so many cool places to visit, shopping to be done, and …
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Plan your Family Getaway at the Great Wolf Lodge
This Spring Break my husband and I decided it was finally time to take our kids to the illustrious Great Wolf Lodge, and we are …
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Youth Mountain Biking in Bend
Spring is approaching and my son is anxious to get back on his mountain bike and hit the trails! We are fortunate that there are …
Summer Fun at the Jordan Kent Skill Camps!
The longer we’ve been in Bend, the more impressed we are with the various opportunities this town provides. One of our favorite discoveries last summer was …
Mt. Bachelor Ski Lessons with Ski or Ride in 5
New to Bend and want to give skiing or snowboarding a try? Want to get the kids involved in a winter sport without the commitment …
Breakfast with Santa in Bend
The Christmas Season is upon us and I am amazed at the wide variety of holiday events and activities available here in Bend. For being …
Don’t Miss the Sunriver Grand Illumination
* Sunriver Resort brings on the fun this Saturday at their annual Sunriver Grand Illumination event. This is an outdoor event featuring a “North Pole” tent, which is heated …
Ski Gear & FREE Beer at Powder House!
Trust me, you don’t want to miss Powder House’s annual Powder Palooza event. Is there a better way to launch the biggest pre-season winter snow gear …
Online Grocery Shopping in Bend with ClickList!
Did you know that online grocery shopping is now available in Bend? Yes, that’s right…you can order your groceries online and pick them up at …
Pumpkin Patch Fun at Smith Rock Ranch
Fall is in the air & pumpkins are everywhere! I experienced the coolest pumpkin patch I’ve ever been to last fall, just outside of Bend. …
Exclusive Smith Rock Farm to Fork Dinner
Are you looking for an idea for a special date night? Or maybe wanting to try some delicious local food in Bend? Here is a unique …
Add Proxy Falls to your Bend Bucket List!
Proxy Falls is a stunning set of waterfalls located an hour and a half from Bend, over the Mackenzie Pass. The drive is equally amazing, …
Explore Paulina Peak and Paulina Falls
If you have not yet made the trek out to the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, it is well worth the trip and something you should …
Munch and Movies
* Munch and Movies debuts this Friday at Compass Park in Northwest Crossing. This is a fun event for the family and runs every Friday …
Bend Brewfest
* Are you ready to get into craft beer mode? Bend Brewfest is just a couple days away, and man does this town know how …
Living the Bend Life Wins for Best Local Blog!
Thank you to everyone for your votes and support! I am honored to win 1st place for Best Local Blog in the Source Weekly’s annual Best …
Hiking Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls
We had the most amazing experience hiking Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls recently. This little slice of heaven, located on the McKenzie River, is just an hour …
Floating the River in Bend!
Now that the new Passageway Channel is Open, I wanted to offer some tips for floating the river in Bend! One of the most popular …
Check Out Bend’s Family Friendly Art Scene!
Sharing art experiences with our kids makes for wonderful childhood memories, family bonding, and quality family time together. That is the reason I am so …
Let the Good Times Roll at Munch and Music!
Head on down to Drake Park Thursdays this summer to enjoy the free concert in the park. July brings back one of my favorite events…Munch …
You Must Experience the Freedom Ride!
As part of 4th of July in Bend, our friends said we MUST experience the Freedom Ride at least once! Of course, since the premise …
4th of July Parade & Festival
The 4th of July in Bend is amazing! And it’s a lovely reminder that we live in a small town with festivities that are fun, …
Bite of Bend
It’s the beginning of summer and that means the beginning of festival season here in Bend! I don’t think there is a better way to …
Mt. Bachelor Pond Skim and Summer Activities
What’s the best way to close out the ski season on Mt. Bachelor? With a massive party, of course! The sun was shining, the temperature …
Let’s Run…It’s Race Season in Bend!
As I continue to embrace the Bend lifestyle, I decided (or should I say let my girlfriend talk me into) running the annual Happy Girls …
Get Your Fill at Big Dog Growlers
My husband and I are in love with our neighborhood tap house and growler filling station, Big Dog Growlers! We’ve stopped in a few times …
The Vegetable Man…Fresh, Local Produce Now Available!
Great spring-time news here in Bend….The Vegetable Man fruit and veggie stand is now open for the season in Bend! If you’ve been in Bend …
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Mountain Biking with Bend Endurance Academy
Moving to Bend I was not surprised by the wide variety of outdoor activities available, and we wanted to jump right in and experience as …
Mt. Bachelor’s Ski or Ride in 5
It’s official…I’m a skier! Well, more like I’m well on my way to being a skier! I have officially graduated from Mt. Bachelor Ski or …
The Bend Escape Room
We were looking for something to do for a fun night out with friends beyond just dinner. Well, we found a great option! We took …
Barrio~New Location, Same Delicious Food!
Looking for a unique dining experience in downtown Bend? Look no further than Barrio! With an impressive selection of Latin inspired eats & the …
Climbing High at the Bend Rock Gym!
We have a new obsession around our place…indoor rock climbing! The Bend Rock Gym makes it easy to become hooked with their awesome facility …
Family Fun at Oregon Winterfest
Our family got to experience another Bend first over the weekend… Winterfest! So many fun things to do, there really is something for everyone! We …
Deschutes Brewery Tour & Tasting Room
We got a group together this past weekend to check out the Deschutes Brewery Tour. Being the first brewery to introduce craft beer to Bend …
Get In Shape at Rev’s House!
I recently stumbled upon one of the “best kept fitness secrets in Bend”! It took me over 9 months to find this place, so I …
Nerf Battle & Skating Party!
We celebrated my son’s 8th birthday over the weekend with a birthday party at Cascade Indoor Sports Complex. It was an epic Nerf battle and …
Learning Fun with the Children’s Museum of Central Oregon
The future Children’s Museum of Central Oregon held their first pop-up event last Saturday at the Armature to introduce Bend to the hands-on fun that …
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Sledding & Tailgating at Wanoga Sno-Park
We took our kids sledding at Wanoga Sno-Park over winter break and had so much fun! We’ve been anxious to go back ever since. On …
Ice Skating Fun in Bend!
We’ve been anxious to check out the new Pavilion in Bend and take the kids ice skating ever since the opening in late December. Sunday …
Bend’s Must See Fashion Show!
We had the pleasure of experiencing the 6th annual …
Blockbuster Video…A Blast from the Past!
In the mood for a blast from the past? When’s the last time you went to a true old school video store? In these days …
Bend’s Local Celebrity…the Little Caesars Lady
If you’ve spent anytime on 3rd Street in Bend, then I’m sure you’ve been fortunate enough to see the Little Caesars’ Lady dancing around like …
Snow Tubing at Mt. Bachelor
We had a blast at Mt. Bachelor’s Snowblast Tubing Park! Get the adrenaline pumping and excitement flowing with this FUN mountain experience! This is a …
The Great Christmas Tree Hunt
As most people, as soon as Thanksgiving dinner was over, I started thinking about getting the Christmas decorations out and finding the perfect Christmas tree. …
Christmas Tree Shopping in Bend
It’s the time of year to get your tree! There are several options available here in Bend when in search of the perfect Christmas tree. …
Breakfast with Santa at The Pine Tavern Restaurant
The kids were super excited when they found out we had tickets to Breakfast with Santa. This weekend was the 25th annual Breakfast with Santa …
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Bend Christmas Parade
The place to be on Saturday at noon was downtown at the annual Bend Christmas Parade! Parade Floats and participants ranged from Smokey the Bear, …
Keep Your Family Safe with Exobright Visibility Garments
There are so many wonderful outdoor activities in Bend! People love to walk, bike …
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Sunriver’s Grand Illumination
We spent the day after Thanksgiving at the North Pole! Sunriver Resort brings on the fun at their annual Grand Illumination event. A blanket of …
Indoor Winter Fun at Cascade Indoor Sports Complex
Hello Bend! Living in a town that places a huge emphasis on outdoor activities year round, I continue to be impressed with the vast number …
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Delicious Burgers, Fries & Shakes at Bend Burger Company!
Hello Bend! Are you hungry for an amazing burger? We’ve found it at the Bend Burger Company! With a downtown location near Drake Park and …
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Ski Gear, Free Beer, and Live Music at The Powder House!
Hello Bend! We had a blast this weekend at The Powder House annual Powder Palooza. Is there a better way to launch the biggest pre-season winter …
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I’m in Love…with Dutch Bros.!
Hello Bend! If you’re not from the Pacific Northwest, California, or Arizona, you’ve probably never heard of Dutch Bros. Coffee. That was me when I …
Family Fun in Downtown Bend
Hello Bend! Even in beautiful Bend it rains, and we found a fun way to spend a rainy day at Vector Volcano Classic Arcade. My son …
Great Beer, Food & Atmosphere at Crux!
Hello Bend! Not only does this place have a super-cool name~ Crux Fermentation Project ~ it has great food (including 2 food trucks out back, …
Black Bear Diner-A Perfect Spot for Kids!
Hello Bend! What I thought would be a typical diner experience, felt more like having breakfast in a log cabin in the company of black …
Bend’s Whitewater Park
Hello Bend! The safe passage channel of the much anticipated Bend Whitewater Park open recently so we had to float the river on opening weekend …
An Eclectic Mix of Food Carts at The Lot
Hello Bend! What is a Bend Mom to do when the kids are in school all day & there is nothing in the house to …
Lava Cast Forest
The Lava Cast Forest is located just south of Bend and is not to be missed by locals & visitors alike. This area was formed …
Metolius River & Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery
Hello Bend! Spent the day exploring another beautiful area in Central Oregon…the Metolius River! The Turquoise Blue waters near the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery were …