What food can pass through the security inspections at airports? Any sandwiches made from home or bought before entering the airport?

Posted By Carol Hake on October 8, 2007, 6:15 PM

My wife and I stayed in Bend in August after visiting the Newberry National Volcanic Monument a few miles to the south. We took the Obsidian trail in the Monument, one of the few places in the world where such a large quantity of this type of volcanic material can be seen.

Posted By James Joseph Reid on October 8, 2007, 8:46 PM

Well Bend is a great town but a bit touristy. Skip all that and go explore the lava tubes in the area. Very cool-literally. Check out the Metolius River-it springs up right out to the ground

Posted By Lori L. on October 8, 2007, 10:35 PM

Bend has two areas for shopping. Check out downtown Bend for many small local shops. Also Drake Park and Mirror Pond are right there. For another fun shopping experience visit The Old Mill. Many name brand shops are located here, and the Deschutes River is at its edge. From the shops you can head out on a great urban river hike in two directions along the Deschutes River.

Bend has great restaurants! We have enjoyed meals at Merenda Restaurant and Wine Bar and Blacksmith. We have our favorites, which are the microbrew restaurants. Downtown, our favorite is Bend Brewing with an interesting menu and its location overlooking the Deschutes River and Mirror Pond. Also we like Mc Menamins Old St. Francis Pub. You can't go wrong with any brewpub you might try.

Bend hiking opportunities can be located at bendparksandrec.org.
We especially enjoy hiking down into the canyon at Smith Rocks just north of Bend. Here you can watch the rock climbers.

Late October may bring snow, so I won't mention any of the hikes we like that head into the mountains. Enjoy!

Posted By D. Edwards on October 8, 2007, 11:18 PM

Take a helicopter tour over Mt. St. Helens! It's in the absolute "trip of a lifetime" category.

Posted By N. Mead on October 8, 2007, 11:37 PM

If your going to Oregon you might like to visit Crater Lake, it's a huge lake that a crater made.All of Or is beautifull

Posted By pswanson on October 8, 2007, 11:47 PM

Smith Rock is beautiful and worth a drive to see, as is the area around Sisters. If you drive from Portland to Bend, go thru Mt. Hood one way, then on the way back go thru Sisters to Salem then up. Both are beautiful drives.

Posted By Brittney on October 9, 2007, 1:53 AM

Head into Sunriver, an amazing resort with miles of bike paths and hiking trails. Make sure to stop at Goodies in the Sunriver plaza area after a hike for amazing milkshakes and malts.

Posted By Karlee on October 9, 2007, 11:48 AM

From Bend, get someone with an RV to take you over to the Alvord Desert on the Eastern base of the Steen Mountains. Enjoy the absolute solitude, a soak in the primitive hot springs, take a dirt bike and ride on the dry lake bed and up some of the trails up the mountains, then marvel after sundown at the zillions of stars that form a canopy overhead (no man-made lights for miles)from horizon to horizon. It is the view of a lifetime on a clear night. Enjoy!

Posted By Jerry Leynes on October 9, 2007, 12:19 PM

I totally agree with the comment above about Crater Lake. We were there on June 1st and the snow banks were still taller than I am (5'5"). I recommend spending some time over on the coast and going on the Mailboat Run out of Gold Beach, OR. It is a great trip, 104 miles round trip, to a very remote area up the Rogue River. You actually deliver the mail to the town carrier there. Great views of wildlife, etc.

Posted By Judy Carpenter on October 9, 2007, 1:15 PM

Hello, Carol,
To answer your question, yes, you can bring sandwiches from home onto a plane.
More broadly: What are the TSA rules again?
You'll find the answers by clicking here:
http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2007/06/07/AR2007060701601.html
Regards,
Sean
Blog editor

Posted By Blog Editor on October 9, 2007, 3:32 PM

I'd stay at the McMennamins Old Saint Francis Hotel. It is a renovated schoolhouse and is very unique and not too expensive: http://www.mcmenamins.com. Advance recommendations for a weekend are a must. The turquoise Turkish soaking pool is beautiful and a real treat. Also onsite are hip restaurants and a brewery, pool tables at the hip bar and a movie theater. If you have extra time I'd recommend a trip over to Crater Lake - the deepest lake in the U.S. and about 2 hours away. The hike to the bottom is great! There are tons of other hikes around the area and the visitors center can help you identify the best ones for that time of year.

Posted By Julia Bahner on October 9, 2007, 6:18 PM

If they still have them take a balloon ride. It is wonderful to see the mountains, desert and river gorge all at once.

Posted By Janice on October 9, 2007, 8:41 PM

From someone who lives in Oregon and has family living in Bend - Bend is definitely not touristy! It is a fabulous town with tons of fun and inexpensive things to do. Downtown shopping is great. One of my favorite stores is Hot Box Betty. It has the cutest shoes and clothes. Merenda in downtown Bend has excellent Northwest cuisine. La Rosa is a fabulous new wave Mexican restaurant not far from downtown. They feature homade infused tequilas. The vanilla orange margarita is so yummy. Kayaking through town on the Deschutes is a fun way to spend an afternoon. Like some folks mentioned, the Lava beds south of town are great. Touring the Deschutes Brewry is very fun and delicious too. But the best part of all is the clear blue skies and cool, crisp clean air.

Posted By Sally R on October 10, 2007, 12:35 AM

just got back from there and a must is the dschutes brewery,the high desert museum and theres a trail at the end of nat'l volcanic monument that goes past beautiful waterfalls and rapids..

Posted By ronni luther on October 10, 2007, 8:03 AM

Lucky! You will be visiting the high desert part of Oregon, not the green/wet part, and in my opinion one of the most beautiful parts of our state.

If the snow hasn't yet closed it, drive part or all of the Cascade Lakes Highway - up past Mt. Bachelor and stop at a few of the high mountain lakes. There are tons of hikes there, and you can even easily get to parts of the Pacific Crest Trail. Close to Bend is the Dillon and Benham Falls trail - it follows the Deschutes River most of the way. If you can, get to the Metolius River (just West of Sisters) and hike along the trail near Wizard Falls - it is truly heaven on earth.

If you have the chance, try the spirits distilled by Benddistillery (Cascade Mountain Gin is my favorite, made with local juniper berries). I haven�t been, but they have a Martini Bar at 8850 NW Brooks Street, across from the historic Pine Tavern (good grub).

Posted By Cara on October 11, 2007, 8:34 PM

Funny i am traveling there at the same time...I used to live there..anyways
STAY AT
-McMennamins (concerts and good food too) or
-better yet Cascade Lodge small, cheap, clean, comfortable, wi-fi and friendly
-also try a yurt at Tumalo State Park not far from Bend and close to Tumalo Feed Company yumm
EAT AT
-breakfast victorian cafe!!
batter and beans (crepes and coffee)
-lunch La Rosa
good pizza and beer special at Pizza Mondo downtown
-dinner: blacksmith, cork, merenda, tumalo feed co
stay away from the italian food resturants
-i second the tour to the Deschutes Brewery and drinking at Benddistillery, wine cellar and try the Ruby at McMennamins
TO DO
-i would go on top of Pilot Butte 1st so you can get a nice view of surrounding area
-lava beds and High Desert Museum
(live animals) is pretty interesting
- be careful if u are driving at night lots of animals and if u are out in the wilderness I think it is still hunting season
-don't miss Tumalo Falls decent hiking too
-you may be able to catch the end of white water rafting
Shopping
dont waste your time shopping at the Old Mill it's just a typical outdoor mall, the shopping downtown or in nearby Sisters is much more interesting
Wild Birds, Devoure's, Newport Market,
great little shoe store downtown close to Starbucks
-Bend has a great concert venue Les Schwab Amphitheater, but it may be closed for the season at the end of Oct.
--If you are going to any surrounding areas go to Breitenbush Hot Springs, call ahead and get a lodge room or go for the day...best massage and all vegetarian menu I I have ever had.
-Crater Lake, Mt Bachelor and Mt Hood of course.

Posted By S. Burbidge on October 14, 2007, 8:04 AM

All of Bend is gorgeous. Go to visitbend.com. Don't skip the Old Mill Dist.Veto the trips to St helens, coast, stay in Deschutes Co. Try some local favorites like the Original Pancake House and Pilot Butte drive-in for the best burgers & shakes, both are decades old local hangouts.

Posted By jackie warrington on October 15, 2007, 1:57 PM

Went to Bend a couple of years ago and loved it!

Ate at Marenda and loved it.
The Bendistillery: The Martini Bar Very cute little place downtown. Just off the main street. They have a great "Happy Hour" $3 martini of the day. The best Lemon Drop martini I've ever tasted!!!
Have a great time!

Posted By Francene on October 15, 2007, 2:21 PM

Don't miss Lava River Caves, a few miles south of Bend on the HWY to KlamathFalls.

You'll explore on your own with a lantern. It's cool in there, same temperatur year round.

Posted By Werner on October 15, 2007, 3:25 PM

Have lots of film for pics.
At Newberry Volcanic National Park, take the hike to the waterfalls (you can hike to the bottom as well as the top), the Obsidian trail is all uphill, but worth it (we did it in the snow the last time we were there, & were glad we had our hiking poles w/ us), the narrow road to the TOP of Newberry is something else, but the view is a total 360 degrees (be sure and have a parka w/ hood as it can be pretty windy and cool up there).
There's also a great drive that loops around Mt Bachelor that has lots to see with short hikes.

Posted By Russ Batcheler on October 15, 2007, 3:41 PM

I haven't been to Bend,OR.but living in Florida for 35 years and originally comming from Eureka,California,Bend was the spot I picked out of the blue to wanting to move to that area. I remember Crater Lake, Klamath Falls and the most wonderful smoked salmon from a small shack in Brookings,OR. Still thinking of some how to get back to that beautiful country if health and money allows. Seen this on my e-mail could not resist to respond. It trully is gods country, and hope to get out of this god forsaken state of Florida and make it back that way someday.
Thanks Carla

Posted By Carla Deveny on October 15, 2007, 5:52 PM

The Pine Tavern in Bend is one of my favorite restaurants in Oregon. For budget or family travelers stop in for luch. Eat on the patio overlooking Mirror Pond for an elegant dinner.
Pizza Mondo is great for casual dining.
I especially enjoy the volcanic features in Central Oregon. Stop by the Lava Lands Visitor Center 13 miles south of Bend on HWY 97. You'll pick up maps and advice as well as a natural history lesson and great short loop trail.
There are a number of caves in the area. Lava River Cave is the most accessable. We like Skeleton Cave best. Be aware that caves are gated in the winter to keep hibernating bats safe.
Check distances and travel conditions before taking off for some the sights recommended above. Alvord dessert is very far away, and Crater Lake gets heavy winter snow.

Posted By Mylrea on October 15, 2007, 10:09 PM

If you are not too late in the season, you really must do the Jet Boat trip on the Rogue river. It is unbelievable, but dress warm and be prepared to get a little damp, it will be worth it!!!

Posted By Steve Anderson on October 22, 2007, 3:31 PM

Don't remember the name of the Mexican restaurant that we just ate at in Bend---BUT--it was the best food I have ever eaten at any Mexican restaurant. The restaurant is located across the street from the Rodeway Inn in Bend. Set back from the main street. Look for it and ejnoy!!

Posted By kathy on October 22, 2007, 4:44 PM

If you are looking for moderate hiking and an all around nice drive, McKenzie Pass is wonderful. It starts just outside of sisters and meanders and weaves it's way through lava fields, mountains and what I think might be a rain forest. The forest has some beautiful hikes. There is also an old observertory for a nice stop, it shows all the mountains in that part of the Cascade Range.

Sister's is a favortie stop it has an old western town atmosphere complete with wooden sidewalks. The Gallery Restaurant has homestyle country dishes and has absolutely the best Fish and Chips around. As for shops there is a western clothing shop that is very popular, some nice antique stores, off the beaten path (1 block north of the main street) is a glass blower that can rival some of the Murano glass of Italy. Sisters also has interesting art fair's in a little park just south of the main street.

Posted By Nancy on October 23, 2007, 1:11 PM