Trip Report

The Bend trip proceeded up the McKenzie and Santiam Pass to Sisters for a brief stop, then continued via Lower Bridge to Cove Palisades State Park with its grand display of natural wonders. Then we stopped at Smith Rock Park before checking in at our motel in Bend. That evening we drove to Pine Mountain where Mark Dunaway showed us the moon and two clusters of stars.

The next morning we drove to the High Desert Museum south of Bend and spent the morning viewing the animals outside and the very nice displays inside. After lunch we drove up Lava Butte then viewed the displays at headquarters before going up a rough road to the Lava Cast Forest where lava had surrounded and burned green standing trees. Vandals have thrown pieces of lava into the holes. We returned to Bend for the evening.

Our last day took us to the base of Bachelor Butte where we took the chair lift to the summit. It is in two parts with a short walk between. The view from on top on such a grand day was magnificent and we could see from Mt. Hood to Mt. McLoughlin. We could also identify the lakes and reservoirs and see the Three Sisters area with Rock Mesa.

After lunch we continued on around the Century Drive with stops at Elk Lake Resort and at Osprey Point where we walked to the margin of the Crane Prairie Reservoir. The ospreys were there but not close. We continued via Willamette Pass to Eugene arriving shortly before 5 p.m. The weather was very nice and we were fortunate in our star viewing and views from on high. It was a memorable trip. Our congenial driver was Alan Foss and participants were: Annette Aylworth, Margaret Baldwin, Mary and Richard Bentson, Jane and John Corliss, Clair Cooley, Bernice Claypool, Evelyn Hile, Jane Hilt, Micki Hutchison, Virginia Kapsa, Dee Kelley, Helen Knowlton, Bea LeFevre, Pauline McNiven, Bonnie Rickard, Lois Schreiner, Grace and June Smith, Marelton Schutz, Marguerite Schaefer, Hawk and Ruth Williams, and co-leaders Ewart Baldwin and Bill Eaton.