After visiting my family in Reno, we took a road trip up to Bend, Oregon. There was still a lot of snow in McCall, so we thought we'd check out the biking trails in eastern Oregon since we had heard so many great things over the years about it from friends.
Smith Rock State Park was a stunning place to hike.
Loved this State Park just a short drive out of Bend, where we stayed.
Gorgeous flowers in downtown Bend. We met up with our dear friend Stacie from Palmer Station for breakfast and a dinner in downtown. It was awesome, and well timed as she's headed off to Afghanistan soon for work.
We loved the Bend downtown area. We biked a long loop trail around the periphery of the city called the Twin Bridges route. It was through the city and ranch lands nearby, with views of the 3 Sisters Mountains.
After a fantastic time in Bend, we headed east to the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.
It looked a lot like the Badlands in South Dakota with the colorful hills.
We hiked a couple great trails to beautiful overlooks.
Hiking in John Day.
Loop hike in John Day.
Beautiful bentonite clay hills.
There was still a bit of snow left in McCall when we returned, but the lake was quick to melt.
We went biking with our friends on the Weiser River Trail and soaked in Starkey Hot Springs. Our first time! The entry is $3, open only to adults from 4-6, and have delicious mineral water onsite that Whole Foods now carries (the hot springs are owned by Whole Foods now).
After another three weeks at work, we went straight to Chicago. Loved being back!
We stayed steps from the Sears Tower (the black building in this photo).
There's a sandy beach on the shore of Lake Michigan.
I had been excitedly waiting for our opportunity to eat at Cafe Spiaggia, which features a James Beard award winning chef. It was such a delicious dinner! We had soft crab, wild boar, cured korobuta pork and kobe beef and an amazing appetizer with prosciutto, pan fried dough bread, a balsamic reduction and house made cream.
Downtown Chicago
Chicago at night
We took the train to Gary, Indiana where Dad met us to see Indiana Sand Dunes National Park for a couple days before heading to Fort Wayne for the rest of the week. We timed it just right because the wildflowers were in peak bloom.
A hike in the National Park
Lupine blossom in Gary, Indiana
Columbines and lupines in Gary
Such a beautiful sight to see!
Sunset hike with a Ranger in Indiana Sand Dunes National Park.
It became a National Park this year in February.
Railcar in Chesterton, Indiana where we caught a farmers market and had a lovely breakfast.
Dave making gnocchi from scratch for Memorial Day dinner. We got to see Uncle Deny and Aunt Judy, Uncle Paul and Aunt Doris, Dave's Godparents and the neighbors.
Gnocchi, pesto sauce, homemade tomato sauce, flank steak with Chimichurri, roasted eggplant dip, bacon wrapped jalapenos, tomato and cucumber salad and two kinds of pie.
Butterfly display at the Fort Wayne Botanic Gardens.
Hike in the Fort Wayne's Lindenwood Nature Preserve. Beautiful!
A historic building in Graegle, an Amish town outside of Fort Wayne.
Back in McCall, we hiked to the top of the Crestline Trail and encountered some snow.
Spring was progressing beautifully in the city.
We watched sunset and some osprey catch fish from a floating dock.
Spring is amazing here!
The trees outside our condo were gorgeous, but needed a bit of pruning, which Dave did.
We went on a hike up the East Fork of the Lake Fork river and found some lady slippers (orchids).
Always a beautiful viewpoint and gorgeous wooded hike along the river, East Fork of the Lake Fork.
We found some morels, which we cooked in butter and salt for an incredible appetizer.
The hot tub at Burgdorf Hot Springs. We went for our first soak at Burgdorf this year.
I spent a couple days in Boise before flying out since Dave was on an earlier flight. The foothills were in blossom. These are mostly corn flowers. And below some flowers in the North End.
We had a rich spring full of great sights, trips and beautiful flowers. Love you all!
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