This is another, “jump on bike and go” story…I hope you enjoy it Having recently been unencumbered of self-imposed ideas of commitment, I noticed an upcoming window in the seemingly perpetual rain that we’re having here in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, USA. I had wanted to take a quick trip to Bend, (who wouldn’t want to go there!) about two hours from my home in Eugene for a couple of reasons. Both of them sort of business, sort of pleasure. The rain finally quit yesterday and it looked good for at least 24 hours…So… jump on bike and go. After landing in bend at my friend Waylon Rhoads home, (more about Waylon later) I contacted my acquaintance and I think new friend, Jim Dailing, a designer, teacher, and goldsmith with a life that has many parallels to my own. Our paths had crossed a dozen times over the last several decades and we had just never had much opportunity to get to know each other. This was one of the goals of my trip so I headed out to his house and met him and his lovely new wife, Michelle. (Hey Michelle, I remembered!) It may be premature to say that Jim and I have a lot of things to discuss, but our conversation was animated and interesting…I look forward to exploring where this newly established connection will head. Met Waylon and Justine and their darling daughter Emaline at Bend Brewing Company for some adult beverages and food on the patio. I’ve heard Bend locals say that Deschutes Breweryis for the tourists, and BBC is for the locals…Jus’ so ya know! Then after dinner Waylon and I, well, yes, had another adult beverage or two. If you’re interested in watching talent emerge, watch this space for more about Waylon and his engraving. He promised to shoot me some pictures of recent work, didn’t yet, so I stole this from his Facebook page… he is becoming an incredibly accomplished hand engraver! No matter how late I stay up I tend to wake up pretty early so I was up and going for a while with no sign of the Rhoads family stirring. Need coffee, need nourishment, remember a breakfast from a long ago ski trip, head out! Chow …is a “farm to table”, sustainable breakfast and lunch restaurant located at 11thand Newport, across the river from downtown Bend. (1110 NW Newport Dr.) When I walked in the door and spotted a bustling Jolie Miller wearing this tee shirt, I knew I was in the right place. I grabbed a sunny table in the back and settled in. Coffee, cream and a pint of water… ah, now we’re talking! Ms. Miller was spot on with her cheerful service and when she says “everybody’s doing it”, ya just gotta have more coffee, really. I chose the Chicken Fried steak topped with caramelized onions and mushrooms, blu-cheese gravy served with two eggs and homefries…outstanding is the only word that comes to mind. As I look out the window next to my table I see Jon Sattler tending the plot of lettuces and vegetables growing on the lot that provides at least some of the produce served at the restaurant. Good stuff, this! On the way back to Eugene I took old 242, the McKenzie-Santiam Pass Scenic Highway and made the obligatory stop at Dee Wright Observatory. While there I talked at some length with a couple of bicyclists that had just ridden up from Sisters, which would comprise about 15 miles of arduous pedaling. One of these guys took my picture… …and then I took a picture of the other fellow’s tattoo… which although somewhat abstract, depicted his family circle. Apparently everybody in his family wears this design as a tattoo. I love stories…
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