GoF WEST GAZETTE March 2016 WWW.GOFWEST.ORG Vol. 23, Issue 1 GoF West 2016 Has a Lot to Offer Boy, have I got a lot to tell you! By Larry Long My mother used to tell me, when I canyons so deep and sudden as to was a young lad: “If you think that, induce vertigo; air so crisp that it fills you’ve got another think coming!!” , as the senses; water that ripples in in “If you think you are going to drop mountain lakes so clear that boaters that water balloon on your sister, can see to the bottom. you’ve got another think coming !!” The primary river flowing And that’s just what I want to pass on through Central Oregon is the to you. You are going to have 3 or 4 Deschutes River. The Deschutes runs “ ‘nother thinks coming”. south to north, eventually flowing into Mike Campbell and I, along with the Columbia River. As the river con- Mike’s son Scott, just got back from a tinues north, it flows past the Eagle time to do a little exploring on your 3 day visit to the Eagle Crest Lodge at Crest Resort (where we will be stay- own, and we will take you to some of Redmond, Oregon, where we will be ing) and the city of Redmond. The the places on the rally. holding our 44th GoF West event. lodge property borders this river. What a surprise we had! If you think Majestic, snow-capped peaks Central Oregon has long been a fly- that the central part of Oregon is noth- adorn the high-desert skyline, making fishing centre and one of ing but a desert area, well, you’ve got the best trout and steel- another think coming! head fisheries is in the The Central Oregon region co- Deshutes River. You vers approximately 7,833 square might want to bring miles and sits at the convergence of along your fly rod and the Basin and Range, Cascades, Blue try your luck in your free Mountains, and Columbia River Plat- time. eau geologic regions. Because it is North of Redmond, the part of a historically volcanic region, Deschutes River has cut volcanic rock formations are a com- a 300 feet (91 m) deep for some of the best weather in Ore- mon sight, including lava beds and gon—think sun- volcanic buttes. drenched days and If you will look at the map on cool nights—along with page 6, you will note that Redmond, endless options for the town that is our host town, is in plenty of play time. the center of a lot of interesting places These mountains have to visit and things to do. Naturally, snowfields so white with a fun-filled week of GoF events, they sharpen the edg- there will not be a lot of time to visit all es of the mountains; of the places shown, but you will have canyon. West of Madras, Round Butte Take a look at the map again; with Highway 20 where it runs through Dam impounds the Deschutes River, even though we have a fun-filled town. The project increased sidewalk creating Lake Billy Chinook. This is week of events planned for you, you widths to make strolling the streets of not far from where we are staying, might want to explore some of these downtown Sisters a much more pleas- and you might want to take an after- other areas on your own, perhaps ant experience for pedestrians. noon trip to see this lake. either before or after the event. The City of Sisters provided The two largest tributaries of the Take Sisters, for example. You matching grant funds so that down- Deschutes are the Metolius River and may have visited this town on one of town businesses could invest in im- the Crooked River. You will be along our previous GoF events in this area. proving the facades of their buildings, side of both of these rivers as you do Take a small town with a slow pace of adding to the new look. the rally that we have planned. Both life and overlay an ever-expanding Sisters is only about 18 miles rivers merge into the Deschutes Riv- creative culture and a long-standing from our lodge, and you might want to er, becoming part of Lake Billy Chi- outdoor recreation tradition, and you explore this town on one of the free nook. have Sisters. In the shadow of the evenings. snowcapped Three Sisters Moun- Because this area is in the rain Then there is Terrebonne. This tains, the town is a blend of art galler- shadow of the Cascade mountains, bucolic hamlet just north of Redmond ies, music (Sisters Folk Festival) and the climate is dry and sunny. The cli- is home to one of the 7 Wonders of crafts (Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show). mate varies some among Central Or- Oregon, Smith Rock State Park. Many egon communities, but will see ap- Dining op- proximately 300 days of sunshine a tions include year, which is the areas real draw. superb bakeries, Summer temperatures range between a local brewpub 45 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit and restaurants Central Oregon has 26 brewer- that appeal to ies that contribute to the growing craft everyone from beer scene in Oregon. You might the French gour- want to visit Bend, and take in part of met to the steak- their Ale Trail during your visit; Bend and-potatoes is only about 20 miles from our resort. lover. There is also shopping (tax free) at The town designer boutiques, antique malls and has changed quite a bit since you of the world's top climbers come to shopping malls in both Redmond and were last there, however. The down- scale the towering spires, which also Bend. town core of Sisters along Cascade offer easy hikes to do with kids. You'll Avenue has a fresh spot climbers as well as golden ea- new look, thanks to gles, prairie falcons and river otters. a major highway Terrebonne is also a popular spot for renovation project. some of the best fly-fishing on the The Oregon De- Crooked River. We will be taking you partment of to this area on the rally, but you might Transport and the want to try the Terrebonne Depot res- City of Sisters part- taurant, housed in a renovated 100- nered up to reno- year-old train station, on one of your vate the entire free evenings. Or you could stop for streetscape along regional wine tasting at Maragas Win- ery and Faith, Hope and Charity growing brewpub scene, ample lodg- and public art exhibition. You'll notice Vineyards, which we will pass on the ing, vibrant parks and a bustling Redmond’s history is as unique as rally. downtown district. Redmond offers the residents. Finally, another option for you in visitors a true slice of Americana. I hope by now that you have the your free time is to visit Prineville, the Smith Rock State Park is a top desti- idea that there is a lot to do and see most historical town in Central Ore- nation to the north, while Redmond is in this small area of Central Oregon, gon. Prineville serves as the starting also the region's commercial air hub- and that it is not only high desert with point for fishing trips along the Crook- served by several Airlines. nothing but trees and brush. There ed River or the Prineville and Ochoco In 2010 Redmond's 100th Birth- is a lot more to see any way you go reservoirs. Take in local history with a day was at the forefront of every- from Redmond , but you will have to visit to the stately Crook County one's mind, as the community cele- do that on your own with a few extra Courthouse, Central Oregon's oldest brated this momentous occasion. days. public structure. Add in the Crooked The heart of the festivities took place OK, now let’s talk about the River Roundup and Horse Races, in Redmond's newly constructed Lodge. I’ll bet that you thought that and you get a sense of what makes Centennial Park, and lasting tributes the lodge that Mike selected as the Prineville authentic and Western. to this event are everywhere. Take a venue for this event was just another Fueled by economic growth from Fa- couple of cebook and Apple data centers, hours to ex- Prineville is experiencing a renais- plore Red- sance with more places to dine, a mond, and brewery, an artisan cheese factory check out the and choice lodging. clock tower OK, now that I have you hooked commemorat- on the Central Oregon area, let’s talk ing Red- about the local town where we will be mond's past, staying, Redmond. If you thought present and that Redmond was just a little Podunk future. It's a town in the high desert, as Mike and I stunning ad- thought it was, well now, guess what? dition to the park and is even the hotel. If you think that you are going You’ve got another think coming!! resting place of the centennial time- to stay in a rather normal, not-so- capsule, a treasure trove of life from Redmond is a community reju- elegant place for the week, well now, 2010, just waiting to be opened in venated with upscale restaurants, a you’ve got—yep—”another think the next 100 years. Take one of the comin’”. delightful We knew that the lodge would be walking a nice place by looking at the adver- tours, cel- tisements and reviews, but we were ebrating pleasantly surprised with the total Red- elegance and grandeur of the entire mond's resort.