Sunday, October 27, 2013

Travel day. Bend to Mammoth Lakes

For the drive from Oregon to Mammoth Lakes, California we decided to take US-97 to OR-39/CA-139, to US-395. This was the route recommended by the Good Sam RV Route Planner.


We were wrong! My recommendation is not to take this path. Oh, it was great at the beginning but is soon as we hit Nevada the fun stopped! More often than I could count, the freeway diverted through some sort of pop up town. Highway speeds became 20 mile an hour school zone speed. At one point, the freeway completely ended and the rest of the drive was through the mountains with semi-trucks on a single lane road.


Because of all the different diversions our 9-hour trip took over 12-hours.
So unless…
* You enjoy highway names and numbers changing at a whim.
* You never want to use your cruise control because of the speed fluctuations.
* You enjoy never ending pop-up towns.
* You want to drive the scary mountain road with semi trucks in the dark.
* You don't mind spending an extra three hours on your drive.
And, most importantly…
* You don't mind the possible trip to DIVORCE COURT.

Then I highly recommend an alternate route or just "Keep calm and carry on"

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Bend, Oregon (CrownVilla RV Resort)

If I said nothing else it would be..…"WOW"!! Oregon is so beautiful you would swear it was kissed by God. Bend is located in Central Oregon. Although, when I think of Oregon I also think of rain. That is not so much the case in Bend. They enjoy all four seasons but it's relatively moderate.

We stayed at the Crown Villa RV Resort. It is 5-Star amazing! The entire facility is wheelchair friendly. The landscaping is perfect. All sites have brick pavers and a large grassy area with beautiful trees on both sides. However, the resort is located in a residential area and you will need a car to get to restaurants and everything else.


The amenities include:
Full hookups
Bistro table and chairs
Lockable brick storage garage
Daily newspaper delivered to your front door
Wi-Fi
Tennis court
Horseshoes
Shuffleboard
Spa
Lounge
Laundry facility
Etc.

Crown Villa RV Resort
60801 Brosterhous Road
Bend, Oregon 97702
(541)388–1131 or (866)500–5300
www.crownvillarvresort.com

** Important info.
Get directions from the resort. Don't use your GPS directions because it will take you under a low bridge.

My only gripe about Crowne Villa was the Wi-Fi was hit and miss.

WHAT TO DO:
* Take a beautiful drive up Cascade Highway to Mt. Bachelor and Twins Lakes.

* Explore the Deschutes River Trail. The upper part is paved and easily accessible. There is also a dirt trail that goes along the river. From what I could see it looked smooth and accessible.
 

* Visit The High Desert Museum.

It is a rehabilitative facility for injured animals that can longer survive in the wild. They have wonderful exhibits, fascinating wildlife, living history and riveting educational programs. Have a close-up encounter with eagles, owls, and other birds of prey. You can also see a lynx, a bobcat and more.




** The upper main building is completely wheelchair friendly. In this building you will find tours, exhibits, a gift shop and plenty more. Outside the terrain is rough and steep. I recommend a strong assistant or a power chair for the outside parts.

* Spend a day in downtown Bend
You will find ice cream, pizza, great restaurants and lots of shopping. I recommend Pizza Mondo. Downtown Bend is easily accessible with a wheelchair or walker. The area is relatively flat with good curb cutouts. In the middle of downtown you will find the Tower Theater. It's a beautifully restored Art Deco building where they still show live theater.


* Drive to Sisters
Sisters, Oregon is beyond beautiful. Make sure you get some yummy stuff from the Sisters Bakery.

While driving through sisters we took a wrong turn. It was the most wonderful mistake ever! We found ourselves in the middle of the Deschutes National Forest.



The Dee Wright Observatory at the top of the lava field

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Lake Shasta, CA ( Grass Lake Rest Stop )

When in route to your next adventure there will come a point where you just can't drive anymore. When driving from California to Oregon we found a great rest area. It's the Grass Lake Rest Stop. Located just off the 97 in the Shasta area (still in California).


It's clean, quiet, flat and FREE. It has plenty of space to exercise your children or dogs. It is so wheelchair friendly that you will even find a handicap parking spot.