Smith Rock Spring Thing

As a climber, Smith Rock State Park has been home to me (Vanessa) for little over a year now.  In the last 2 or 3 years of my climbing interest, I have met an abundant amount of people that will forever be in my heart.  Everyone knows everyone in this community, everyone has the same struggles no matter what experience level they are at and comes together when they are needed.

Beautiful Smith Rock State Park

Needless to say, the 20th Annual Smith Rock Spring Thing went off with a hit!  With a $4,000 grant from the American Alpine Coalition, the volunteers and the Smith Rock Group organization were able to put up new stairs to make access easier to the climbing areas.  180+ volunteers helped out this weekend and finished a ton of projects.  All of these projects help keep Smith Rock a beautiful destination for climbers, hikers, and mountain bikers alike.  It was great to see how many people wanted to help!

Grant Ortman and Ethan Holt lifting a heavy rock to help a wall settle in.

The Volunteer party afterwards was a ton of fun as well!  There was yoga, slacklining, tons of food, prizes and great company.  I can honestly say that I am looking forward to next year and to see all the projects that will come of it.

Myself discussing with Walker (BEA climbing team kid) the importance of community service.

Both Victoria and I are very excited to be apart of an awesome community!

Come participate in local events during your stay here!

Vanessa Burdick for:

Alpenglow Vacation Rentals

Bend, Oregon

541.385.7100

http://www.AlpenglowVacationRentals.com
(photos taken by Victoria J. Smith)

Bend Makes Top 10 Once Again!

An interesting article featuring Bend, Oregon and its anomaly to consistently make the "Best Of" lists nationally!

WhatTheBend - A Bend, Oregon Blog

Bend Oregon: One of the 9 Fittest Towns in the Northwest

by whatthebend on February 21, 2012

I think someone could start a blog called BendLists.com and write posts only about the various lists that Bend makes its way into on a regular basis. This time, we’re in Sunset magazines list of the “9 fittest towns in the northwest.”
Here’s what Sunset says about Bend:

What’s not to love about a high-desert town with about 300 days a year of sunshine and trails that start conveniently in the center? Rent a mountain bike from Sunnyside Sports (sunnysidesports.com) and head to Phil’s Trail, on the west edge of town, where the network of paths runs the gamut of difficulty and passes through ponderosa pine forests. Or hike or run through downtown and Drake Park on the Deschutes River Trail. Smith Rock State Park, north of town, has sheer basalt walls and welded tuff cliffs that make it a magnet for rock climbers.
Where the athletes eat: Get your morning brew at Backporch Coffee Roasters (541/617-3984). Jackson’s Corner ($; 541/647-2198) has wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, and, on Thursday nights, killer burgers with seasonal ingredients like local morel mushrooms.

The full list is below, with the story here:
1) San Diego, CA
2) Long Beach, CA
3) Boulder, CO
4) Boise, ID
5) Bend, OR
6) Flagstaff, AZ
7) Seattle, WA
Colorado Springs, CO
9) San Francisco
This reminds me of the great spot by BendBroadband – focusing on why many people choose to live here:

Thinking of visiting Bend? Check out our vacation rentals in Bend, Oregon. 

Alpenglow Vacation Rentals
Bend, OR
www.AlpenglowVacationRentals.com