Beneath the sun-scorched high desert just south of Bend, Oregon, a different world waits in total darkness—one carved not by water, but by fire. Lava River Cave stretches more than a mile through a lava tube formed some 80,000 years ago when molten rock from a nearby cinder cone drained away and left behind a hollow, cathedral-like tunnel of basalt. Step inside and the temperature drops to a steady 42 degrees no matter the season above; the desert light fades to black within a few dozen yards, and the only sounds are your own footsteps echoing off rock that's been waiting patiently since long before any trail led here. Whether you're chasing an underground adventure, an escape from summer heat, or just a genuinely strange corner of Oregon's volcanic history, this cave beneath Bend delivers all three.
The High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon, provides an immersive experience that blends regional history, natural wildlife, and cultural art. Visitors can explore diverse attractions such as the Autzen Otter Exhibit, the Birds of Prey Center, and a living history ranch that recreates life for 19th-century homesteaders.
Smith Rock State Park is recognized as one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon. Renowned as the birthplace of American sport climbing, offering over 1,800 climbing routes and an extensive trail system for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. The park serves as a vital habitat for wildlife such as golden eagles and prairie falcons. It is a stunning nature park that needs to be seen to be believed.
Discover the whimsical wonder of the Petersen Rock Garden, a four-acre landmark located between Redmond and Bend, Oregon. Hand-built by Danish immigrant Rasmus Petersen between 1935 and 1952, this unique folk art environment features an intricate miniature world of stone castles, bridges, and churches crafted from local minerals like agate, jasper, obsidian, and petrified wood. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the garden recently underwent a major restoration to preserve its "sense of wonder" for future generations. It is an incredible place to visit that you just can't adequately prepare for.
A return hike, but this time we did it in reverse. The elevation gain came faster, steeper, and harder going this direction. However, we knew the most beautiful part of the hike was going to be waiting for us at the end. This is one of our favorite Boise Foothills hikes. You cover a substantial area with creeks, grasslands, and wildflowers. We highly recommend it.
I had passed this pond a number of times while floating the river that runs along it. One time, we docked briefly, and I got out to examine the pond to see what looked like some small fish barely breaking the surface. However, I finally got to fish it, and I was not disappointed. It was a wild morning.
I had passed this pond a number of times while floating the river that runs along it. One time, we docked briefly, and I got out to examine the pond to see what looked like some small fish barely breaking the surface. However, I finally got to fish it, and I was not disappointed. It was a wild morning.
I had passed this pond a number of times while floating the river that runs along it. One time, we docked briefly, and I got out to examine the pond to see what looked like some small fish barely breaking the surface. However, I finally got to fish it, and I was not disappointed. It was a wild morning.
I had passed this pond a number of times while floating the river that runs along it. One time, we docked briefly, and I got out to examine the pond to see what looked like some small fish barely breaking the surface. However, I finally got to fish it, and I was not disappointed. It was a wild morning.
A subscriber suggested visiting this pond in Nampa, and I was finally able to make it out. The wind was wild and made fishing a little interesting, but the day was a huge success. Got into a couple of species of various sizes and had a blast. I don't know how many fish I caught in total, but it was quite a few. Changing to the smaller Crappie Magnet Jig Head significantly improved my hookset probability.
