25 things about Bend, Oregon…

1. Farewell Bend began as a ranch on the banks of the Deschutes River. Once an established city, the local post office shortened the name to Bend.

2. It’s against the law to pump your own gas in Oregon. I like to pump my own gas!

3. Pedestrians have the right of way. A car will quickly stop and let you cross the street.

4. It’s cold for most of the year. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.

5. During the housing crisis, homes in Bend lost more value than any other real estate market in the country. They have since regained their value and then some!

6. Beer is a way of life in Bend and in most of Oregon. Who ever heard of hop spa? Clothing stores, barber shops, art galleries; it seems almost every place serves beer!

7. The Deschutes River runs through Bend. Surrounded by forest and beautifully scenic, the river is perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding or just floating along…

8. You can even surf on the Deschutes at the man made Bend Whitewater Park (McKay Park)!

9. Phil Knight, the founder of Nike, is from Portland, and he donates significantly to the Bend and many areas of the state. His influence can be seen all over.

10. Bend is considered a high desert environment, meaning a higher elevation but still dry. Not many insects!

11. There is a misconception that it rains a lot in the area. On the west side of the Cascade Mountains this is true, but not in Bend. Sunny or partly sunny 300+ days.

12. Lumber mills used to dominate the area along the Deschutes River. Now, as the residents have become more environmentally conscious, the old mills have been torn down or turned into shopping centers. REI is located in one of them!

13. With such wintry weather, the growing season is very short in the area. Greenhouses are common.

14. Mount Bachelor is an inactive volcano that last erupted about 10,000 years ago. Today, it is considered the Central Oregon’s top ski area.

15. Cannabis dispensaries are more abundant than gas stations and probably every other business.

16. Between 1964 and 1966, astronauts trained on volcanic terrain in this area to prepare for trips to the moon

17. Driving a Mercedes Sprinter Van is like driving a Porsche in Bend.

18. Look for what is known as the car triumvirate — a bike rack, cargo box, and kayak rack — all on one automobile. More common than you would think.

19. Bend is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.

20. It’s funny, but not unusual, to see a ‘Bend sucks, don’t move here’ bumper sticker on a vehicle with out of state license plates.

21. With more roundabouts than regular intersections, I feel like I’m driving in Europe!

22. Wall Street in Bend was named for a lava rock wall that lined the street.

23. There are no professional sports teams in Bend, but the Bend Elks are a local baseball team. The actor Kurt Russel used to play for them!

24. Worthy Brewing built part of their local brewery with wood from the Oregon Sanitarium which was the filming location of One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest.

25. The beautiful Cascade Lakes are a short drive from Bend. The area is an outdoor paradise!

Stay tuned for more #funfacts about #Bend…