Exploring the state of Oregon

 We were so excited for Oregon because this was the first place we have booked an Airbnb for a couple of nights to explore the area of Bend, OR. Our first time in a bed in over 3 weeks! We drove straight to Smith Rock State Park, a really known state park for mountain biking and climbing. This state park also has a campground at $8 a night (first come, first serve). 1,800 routes (more than a thousand are bolted), ranging from 5.5 to 5.14, we were pretty excited for what we had to see! We got to the state park at about 9 am and gathered our climbing equipment and went down to a crag called Rope de Dope Block (we only did some top roping). We got some good climbing in for a couple of hours and was able to say we have successfully done our first outdoor climbing in the west! 

Smith Rock State Park, Oregon

We headed to Redmond, Oregon, which is about 25 minutes north of Bend (where we have booked our Airbnb) and grabbed a beer as we waited to check in at Wild Ride Brewing - a brewery in Redmond that we enjoyed. Right in downtown and surrounded by 4-5 food trucks to choose from. They do have a beer that won several awards and tastes just like a nutter butter! also... if you go to breweries in the east beer is at least $6, but here... its $4 for a pint!

We headed to Bend as soon as we got to check in and shower and headed to some places that I have saved as I was researching what to do here in Bend. Here are some of our recommendations. (Yes, this is our only time we have been here, but I did heavily research on these places.) Our main focus in Bend, OR is food and going to places that have a great atmosphere. 

• Wild Rose  - a very authentic Northern Thai cuisine restaurant that is in the heart of Westside. I personally have never been to a place in the USA like this and reminds me of foods I have had in Chiang Mai. Restaurant has an extensive menu with also some Thai inspired cocktails. Food was absolutely awesome. Reasonably priced. Good level of spice as well! (You can choose from 5 different levels of spice!) Oliver was super excited to try this restaurant as it is very difficult to find places like this in the USA, and it did not disappoint! *also strongly suggest making a reservation, there were people outside with a 2 hour wait time. 
• Velvet Lounge - a unique cocktail bar in westside. Small place when you walk in and you order from upstairs (unique right?). The bartenders make the drinks right in front of you and they do such a good job! Plenty of unique cocktails as well!
• San Simon - A trendy bar in the heart of downtown Bend that feels somewhat like a hidden speakeasy! Low lights, great outdoor seating, happy hour from 4-6 pm with $7 cocktails. You can also make your own charcuterie boards!
• Dogwood Cocktail Cabin - not as it sounds… not a cabin, BUT a super cozy, woodsy-chic choice for inventive craft cocktails & New American small plates (popcorn, bruschetta), plus DJ nights. Great cocktails and super nice atmosphere!
• Bangers and Brews - You’d be missing out on an unassuming joint that was ranked high on Yelp and other great reviews. You’d also miss out on the water buffalo sausage. This Argentinian sausage joint is located in the Eastside of town (which is a great hip area that Oliver and I really enjoyed!). Super nice and caring staff and portions were HUGE! Best bang for your buck!

Cocktails at the Dogwood Cocktail Cabin

p.s. Oh! While we were leaving Bend, Oliver insisted that we stop and see the last Blockbuster as well! 

the last Blockbuster!

We absolutely loved this area and even talked about maybe getting a job here and living here for a time in the future! But for now, we had to be on the road. 

We headed down the Oregon coast until we hit San Francisco, and I absolutely recommend doing this! Driving on route 101 was an absolute blessing! We were able to walk on and explore the beaches in Oregon and it is so different from being on the east cast for so long! Here are some pictures Oliver has took!