Smith Rock SP - Bend, OR - May 2009

Since my last post we have had much improved weather. The sun is shining and things are warming up and drying out. Can you hear me singing "Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah" (ha ha -- you have to be a child of the sixties to get this!) That said, it's still not warm, at least by Texas standards (temps are barely getting in the 60s), but the sun feels good and we have been out exploring the area.

Our first adventure was to go check out Smith Rock State Park -- a day use only park about 20 miles northeast of Bend. Popular with rock climbers, this park also has several nice trails including one that goes down to and alongside the river.
Check out this fabulous photo (not mine) of climbers on top of Monkey Face Rock -- one of the favorite climbing challenges at the park.

Frank and I explored a much less challenging trail and trekked down the path to the river and meandered along it for a ways. The river was high and moving swiftly due to all the recent rains and snow melt. Sadly, we heard that a hiker was missing (and assumed drowned) after attempting to cross the river just a few days prior to our visit.

While we were exploring the canyon bottom, Mom & George were up on the top trail checking out all the overlooks.

In addition to Smith Rock and Monkey Face Rock, there are other neat formations in the park. This one looked like a maroon lizard climbing up the side of the rock.

From a distance, this rock formation looked like Snoopy.