Fish Tacos & Paddle Boarding at the Old Mill 

Paddle Boardes on the river at the Old Mill District in Bend



We   decided to  visit the Old Mill District in downtown Bend for  lunch at Anthony's .
This is the perfect place to enjoy yummy fish tacos with mango salsa and a cup of delicious clam chowder.  While your taste buds are being treated to this delight, you can also enjoy the view of the river and be entertained watching the paddle boarders on the river.    The Old Mill District is a great shopping area with all the best shops and eateries and movie theaters in one location.  There is plenty to do if you don't shop, there is a walking bridge that connects  the Old Mill to the Amphitheater area, and a park where you can rent paddle boards and inner tubs to play in the river:)

Yummy fish taco  with mango salso and clam chowder!  Delicious

Walking Bridge at Old Mill

Anthony's on the river at the Old Mill

"Outdoor Playground of the West"

Cycles of all kinds!  We even saw a Pub Cycle styled like a Trolley serving drinks while riding

Bend  Oregon is world famous for both its outdoor pursuits and pristine beauty.  Downtown mixes "Urban Cool" with  "Bohemian Granola" and quaint shops and hometown friendliness.   This is a high desert climate  just below snow capped mountains, the city of Bend  has towering pine  trees and the Deschutes River running through it.   For the beer drinker,  there are 14  award -winning craft breweries.  Throughout the town there are numerous restaurants to enjoy, including  the Pine Tavern which is famous for the pine trees right in the center of the the dining room.   Bob and I visited the Pine Tavern for lunch and we were not disappointed.  Amazing view of the river and the snow covered mountain in the distance.  We both chowed down on the Carmelized Red Onion Burger & chips :)

The Pine Tavern

Pine Trees the dining room is built around

Carmelized Red Onion Burger with homemade chips

Following our lunch at the Pine Tavern we took a delightful stroll along the river.

Walking paths and Parks are dispersed through out Bend along the river

Our View at lunch

Beautiful Benham Falls and Bend Oregon

 Beautiful Benham  Falls 

Benham Falls 

"Love your life a little more in Bend , Oregon" is a "tag" line I saw on the "Visit Bend Magazine".  This is an Outdoor Enthusiasts'  Dream.   With 300 days of sunshine a year in this  high desert area, Bend is a place for  most every outdoor actvity.  Hikers, bikers, rock climbers, rafters, paddle boarders, fishermen,  skiers,  & golfers will love it here.   Did  I fail to mention breath taking spectacular mountain views and water falls?   

We  have been enjoying  mild temperatures and beautiful  sites since our arrival.  We  took a short drive out Century Drive to  go hike at Benham Falls.  We drove a gravel road to the Meadow Camp  parking area,  This is an easy 8 mile one way hike that parallels the Deschutes River through lush meadows, aspen groves and thick pine forests.  We didn't hike the entire trail, we  did however take in the beautiful falls and enjoyed our afternoon hike with Georgia,

Val & Georgia on the trail at Benham Falls

White Water Rapids on the Deschutes River

Bob and Georgia taking in the view at the  Falls Overlook

Val in front of the Falls

Crown Villa RV Resort, Bend Oregon

Crown Villa RV Resort 

Bend, Oregon 

View from Pilot Butte overlooking Bend and the Cascade Mountains

We arrived at Crown Villa Resort on May 28,2013.  This will be our home for a month.  This is a very nice park located in the South side of Bend.  Each site has a paver brick pad,  a bistro table with 2 chairs and it's own locking brick storage  shed. Full hookups  are included at each site and they also have cable TV and free wi fi (the wi fi reception is excellent).    The amenities do include tennis courts, horse shoe pits and a covered spa, but no pool:(

The Clubhouse Area has a beautiful  patio area  complete with  patio tables, grill and fire pits.    There is a guest lounge next to the Laundry and shower area. The Resort does have an  off leash dog park   but it is mostly dirt and  up hill. This is not a big  issue as Bend has 10 off leash dog parks and is a very pet friendly town. The rest of the park is filled with beautiful grassy areas and lots of pine trees.   Only negative I can find is the sap from the pine trees is an issue when it gets on your clothes or your pet, and the pine pollen has been very high so Zyrtec is my best friend right now.

One other nice feature is  a "Park Model"  they have just added, that they will be renting,  Like a cute little mini cabin, Our son and family will be the first to rent it later this month.  We are looking forward to that visit.  We will move sites and "camp" next door to them.

Bend is beautiful, and so far we are really enjoying our stay here.

Outdoor Patio area by clubhouse

Tennis Court

Our site #477

The Park Model

Typical site 

Laundry & Shower rooms (L) and Office & Clubhouse area (R)

Spa

Clubhouse Kitchen area

Clubhouse Lounge and Fireplace

Fitness room