A Weekend Excursion in Bend, Oregon- Part 2

October 25, 2007


By Jamie Porter

This blog is a continuation of Jamie's last post, on her adventures in Bend.


You Better Believe I Can Carry a Canoe…
That’s right, I was put up to the challenge. We got to the storage unit where the 15-foot canoe was stored, prepared to lift it onto a brand-new white Jeep without making a mark. No problem, right? We managed to flip the canoe only a couple times, but left the jeep completely unharmed. Once the canoe was securely tied to the jeep, we hopped in and headed for a refreshing drive to see what all this Cascade Lake hype was really about. Turns out the Lakes are worth all the hype. We first stopped at Todd Lake. We found convenient parking as soon as we turned in and hiked a short ten minutes into the lake before deciding that we weren’t too big on the idea of dragging the canoe in with us. Our short jaunt was just enough to appreciate the beauty of the lake and meet some Cascade Lake gurus who were able to direct us to some canoeing hotspots.

They suggested Sparks Lake, Elk Lake, and Devil’s Lake. They mentioned Elk Lake having a restaurant, so where did we head to first? Elk Lake for some pre-canoeing grub. That’s right we ordered some juicy burgers at the cozy, cabin-like restaurant. Here we had the option (once again) to eat outside while gazing at the incredible lake view—we opted for the outdoors before we decided the wind was picking up so we headed back inside for a seat at the bar. The staff was friendly, the service was great, and our fellow grubbers seemed to be enjoying the outdoorsy atmosphere as much as we were.

The parking here is convenient, right between the restaurant and the lake for easy access to both. And for those who want a closer peek at the clear blue water, there is a dock just off the boat ramp. So after a quick, yet satisfying meal we headed to our final destination: Devil’s Lake.

We were able to park right along the road and carry the canoe down to the lake. We were greeted by a few frogs and some fellow canoers as we set off. The wind was just swift enough to get us out to the middle of the lake quickly. We paddled around for a couple hours, observing the semi-hidden camp sites along the shore. The lake was much more shallow than I had expected and it was rather small—perfect for a leisurely canoe trip. One tip to increase the fun factor: pack a small lunch and a blanket, pull up on shore for a picnic and make a day out of it!

As the seasons are changing, so are the endless opportunities to explore all that Bend has to offer! We’re packin’ up and movin’ out from the lakes to the mountains!

While you're busily exploring Bend's slopes, restaurants and other attractions, check out our Great Escapes section for a perfectly cozy winter getaway.

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Comments (1)

Mac:

That's a fantastic adventure!! I would really like to get over in that area sometime. Thanks for the story. I'm looking forward to visiting soon. Take care.

Posted by Mac | October 26, 2007 3:59 PM

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