THE CROOKED RIVER CANYON

We drove both Jeeps into Bend, and left Nancy's with the local Jeep dealer.  While she was getting her work order written, I checked with the parts department, and discovered that they did not have in stock, the part that I needed.  However, after looking at the schematic, and at Nancy's hood support rod, I figured that I could fix our Jeeps bent rod myself.  We had breakfast at the local Black Bear Diner, and shortly thereafter, Nancy got a call from the dealer.  The problem with her drivers power window, was the electric motor was shot.  They were going to order a motor, and have her Jeep done by 10:30 this morning.  If that indeed happens, it will be pretty darn good service.

We left Bend, driving north through Redmond, then northeast to the Crooked River Ranch.  This area is an old cattle ranch that has been converted into a rural residential community, complete with golf course, RV parks, and several small businesses.  Situated in, or near the Crooked River Canyon, the location is very pleasing to the eyes.  We stopped at one of the RV parks near the rim of the canyon, where we walked to a viewing platform located 350' straight up on the canyon wall above the river.  The gal at the RV park told us that the trail directly below the viewing area was used years ago, as a movie set for a period western entitled The Way West, that starred  Kirk Douglas, and Robert Mitchum.

When we were in this area 3 years ago, we seriously looked at property, and almost pulled the trigger on a home with some acreage.  Considering our desire to be closer to family, that probably would have been a mistake.  This high desert of Central Oregon has always been a magnet of sorts for me, and given different circumstances, it's not hard to picture living here.  The scenery that we saw yesterday, didn't do anything to take away from that visualization.