Cinco De Mayo!

So many things are happening on Cinco De Mayo in Central Oregon!

Here is some information about the Salmon Run that was found on the Old Mill's event website.

Salmon Run

5/5/2012

Join us for the 24th annual Salmon Run in Riverbend Park on Saturday, May 5. 
Enjoy a fun and festive post-race party with a variety of booths, beer and snacks. Hot chocolate and coffee will keep you warm during the awards ceremony and while you cheer on the kids in the Little Fry run. Come out and show your support for the Environmental Center!
Both the 5K and 10K run/walk are brand new for 2012. The courses will be single-loop, starting and ending at Riverbend Park.
Little Fry Run (10 and under) The Little Fry Run is for kids ages 10 and under and will consist of three age-appropriate distances. The Little Fry Run is also part of our brand new Kids Rock the Races program, a passport program that allows kids to collect stamps and earn prizes for participation in five specific races.

Visit Salmon Run for more information and to register for the event.

So if you love to run be sure to check this race out!

 Or, if you feel like doing a good deed, participating in the 20th Annual Smith Rock Spring Thing would be a good idea.

The Smith Rock Spring Thing is an annual clean-up event that helps keep Smith Rock a beautiful place for all. 

Volunteer efforts takes place from 8 am-2 pm at Smith Rock, in which those who participate will pick the projects that they would like to assist on.  These range from picking up trash to helping build new stairs on Misery Ridge. 

A volunteer appreciation dinner is held from 3:00-10:00 pm, which consists of climbing sponsor booths, free yoga, dinner, a slideshow, and an auction/raffle!  

Both Victoria and Vanessa will be out and about working at this event!

Come participate in local events during your stay here!

Vanessa Burdick for:
Alpenglow Vacation Rentals
Bend, Oregon
541.385.7100
http://www.AlpenglowVacationRentals.com

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

More Cowbell Mountain Biking in December

Every time I think Bend Oregon can't serve up a better day, I'm proven wrong on a day like today.  Clear blue skies, 51 degree temps in the beginning of December and the week of the Grand Prix Cyclocross races.

The time of year and the trails are perfect for mountain biking and running your dogs all throughout our pristine trail system off of Phil's Trail Head on the lower trails.  Today was special for my youngest dog, Dione, a muscular mix breed who turned two years old today.  We usually go out to BLM area to get out into open spaces, but today I decided to test him out on the open trails running along side, or rather way out in front of my mountain biking.  Donning a yellow cowbell I picked up from the last cyclocross races that were in Bend Oregon and a bark collar, we couldn't wait to hit the trails.  Talk about a kid in a candy shop with ants in his pants! His curiosity of the new sights and smells were beckoning him into the forest.

Off we went, with virtually almost the whole place to ourselves, perfect mountain biking trail conditions and sunny weather.  Winding through the trees, he kept looking back at me like I am holding HIM back.  With rarely another rider on the trails, the cowbell attached to his collar seemed to be a perfect way to let critters and fellow riders know he was coming.  Always greeted with a smile and appreciation for the cowbell, we rode into what felt like the sunset.  This time, we kept to Ben's trail and cut over to KGB, Kent's and then down Phil's.  Both feeling quite satisfied at the end of adventure, I drove home with him in the back of the dog mobile with his tail wagging.

Since moving to Bend many years ago, I have always known that dogs are happy here.  I think if Dione could comment, he would have to agree especially after a day like today, it just doesn't get much better.

Next time you are thinking of visiting Bend, Oregon, bring your dog and stay in one of Alpenglow Vacation Rentals' pet friendly homes.  We offer several vacation houses that will make your pet comfortable by your side while you are experiencing your next adventure in Bend, Oregon.

Happy Birthday Dione!

 
Victoria J. Smith
Alpenglow Vacation Rentals
Bend, Oregon
541.385.7100
http://www.AlpenglowVacationRentals.com

The Snow is Falling in Bend, Oregon

With the trails covered with snow and the incredible mountain biking season of 2011 is perhaps behind us in Central Oregon, we all agree how the trails were perfect and pristine thanks to Central Oregon Trail Alliance (C.O.T.A.) and its many volunteers. As we sigh, nod our heads and swap stories with each other about how amazing the riding season has been and those of us who participate in Winter sports look forward with great anticipation to the snow dumping all over the peaks and valleys in the Cascades.

The kick off of the season started with one of Bend locals’ favorite fundraiser of last years’ escapades in the snow, our very own PowderHound Preview presented annually by Dan McGargigle, owner of Pine Mountain Sports  Approximately 400 attendees showed up for the long anticipated Preview at the Tower Theatre last week.  Since the Winter of 2000, Powder Hounds has been fund raising for C.O.T.A. and Deschutes County Search and Rescue, (S.A.R.s, to which a few of its members were missing in attendance due to a rescue out at Smith Rock State Park that night), and this years’ raffle tickets were sold for approximately $4,000 worth of “shwag” and raised $2,700 this year for both of these volunteer organizations that ensure our safety while riding our epic Central Oregon trails.

Film submissions ranged from slide shows to the semi-professional with lots of laughter, friends and beer!  Since its humble but cozy beginnings in Pine Mountain Sports shop located on the West side of Bend, Oregon, Powder Hounds has been at the Tower Theatre located in downtown Bend since 2004.  Since its inception and the locals collaborative efforts, it has raised over $34,000.

Many of us who perform snow dances to the snow gods, it has worked!  Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort is opening this Wednesday, November 23, 2011.  And to those of us who enjoy the adventure of back country skiing, snowboarding and trekking, GAME ON NOW!

Written by Victoria J. Smith and plays, lives and works in Bend, Oregon

Owner of Alpenglow Vacation Rentals, LLC

The Snow is Falling in Bend, Oregon

With the trails covered with snow and the incredible mountain biking season of 2011 is perhaps behind us in Central Oregon, we all agree how the trails were perfect and pristine thanks to Central Oregon Trail Alliance (C.O.T.A.) and its many volunteers. As we sigh, nod our heads and swap stories with each other about how amazing the riding season has been and those of us who participate in Winter sports look forward with great anticipation to the snow dumping all over the peaks and valleys in the Cascades.

The kick off of the season started with one of Bend locals’ favorite fundraiser of last years’ escapades in the snow, our very own PowderHound Preview presented annually by Dan McGargigle, owner of Pine Mountain Sports  Approximately 400 attendees showed up for the long anticipated Preview at the Tower Theatre last week.  Since the Winter of 2000, Powder Hounds has been fund raising for C.O.T.A. and Deschutes County Search and Rescue, (S.A.R.s, to which a few of its members were missing in attendance due to a rescue out at Smith Rock State Park that night), and this years’ raffle tickets were sold for approximately $4,000 worth of “shwag” and raised $2,700 this year for both of these volunteer organizations that ensure our safety while riding our epic Central Oregon trails.

Film submissions ranged from slide shows to the semi-professional with lots of laughter, friends and beer!  Since its humble but cozy beginnings in Pine Mountain Sports shop located on the West side of Bend, Oregon, Powder Hounds has been at the Tower Theatre located in downtown Bend since 2004.  Since its inception and the locals collaborative efforts, it has raised over $34,000.

Many of us who perform snow dances to the snow gods, it has worked!  Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort is opening this Wednesday, November 23, 2011.  And to those of us who enjoy the adventure of back country skiing, snowboarding and trekking, GAME ON NOW!

Written by Victoria J. Smith and plays, lives and works in Bend, Oregon

Owner of Alpenglow Vacation Rentals, LLC