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Let the fun begin
Published: November 27. 2009 4:00AM PST
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Rather than eat the rest of the pie that's leftover from your Thanksgiving feast, today is the day to get out and do something — and quick, before your pants become too tight.
We here at GO! Magazine feel your pain (we ate too much, too). And just in case you get tired of shopping or hearing Uncle Joe's political views again, we've compiled a list of activities the whole family can enjoy. So head out to Central Oregon's most interesting, beautiful or just plain fun places. Then hurry home for those leftovers.
Science Party
The High Desert Museum, located south of Bend, is a not-so-secret trove of Western culture and history, where settler life and American Indian artifacts are displayed alongside critters such as otters, birds, lizards and snakes.
At 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. today, the kids can have gooey, hands-on fun without even jamming them in the leftover cranberry sauce. The museum will host a Science Party, with experiments related to obsidian glass formations, lava flows and volcanic eruptions. Activities include making “ooblek and slime.” Whatever that entails, it doesn't sound pretty — but it sounds pretty fun.
Today and Saturday, the museum will also host a craft fair of Native American and locally crafted art and jewelry, photography, local gourd artistry, embroidery, knitting, candles, dried floral arrangements and wreaths made of pine cones and other natural materials.
The Science Party costs $5 for members, $7 for nonmembers, plus museum admission ($6 for kids ages 5-12, free for ages 4 and younger).
Contact: 541-382-4754 or www .highdesertmuseum.org.
—David Jasper
Metolius Headwaters
Most out-of-towners want to catch some of the natural beauty of Central Oregon while they're in town — and just pointing toward the snow-capped mountains probably isn't good enough.
Once everyone in your family has digested their meal enough to take a stroll, take them to the headwaters of the Metolius River. Just outside of Camp Sherman, the day-use area has an easy quarter-mile path down to a viewpoint from which you can see the pristine waters of the Metolius emerge from a bank of rocks and spread out into the Ponderosa-dotted landscape beyond.
The clear water seems to bubble up out of the ground, rolling over stumps and bright green algae. It's an idyllic place and benches at the viewpoint allow visitors to sit back and enjoy the view.
Keep to the well-marked path, as the land on either side of the viewpoint is private. Rustic restrooms are available at the parking area.
— Eleanor Pierce
Smith Rock State Park
There is possibly no more exposed example of Central Oregon geology than Smith Rock State Park.
The eroded cliffs of the park flank the Crooked River as it meanders through its rocky canyon, giving rock climbers, hikers and viewpoint oglers a chance to check out the long-ago volcanic eruptions that created the bedrock of the region.
For a post-turkey outing, it doesn't get much better than this. Park at one of two day-use parking areas above the river. The one to the west offers a flat, short loop of a trail along the rim of the canyon, allowing walkers to check out the incredible views of the rock faces across the river and the river itself below.
Park at the eastern area (both areas require a $3 day-use fee) to hike the steep trail down into the canyon. From there, cross the river and attempt some of the more grueling trails (Misery Ridge, anyone?) or stick to the south side of the river for a more relaxed amble through the shale, brush and juniper of one of the state's prettiest river canyons.
To get there from Bend, head north to Terrebonne on U.S. Highway 97 and follow the signs to Smith Rock State Park.
— Julie Johnson
Hyzer Pines Disc Golf
There are several options for disc-golf enthusiasts in Central Oregon, but none are as friendly to your whole family as the Hyzer Pines Disc Golf Course in Sisters.
Disc golf is played just like ball golf, except you throw Frisbee-like discs at metal baskets. And like ball golf, disc golf can be enjoyed by just about anyone — no matter the shape, size or age.
That's particularly true at Hyzer Pines, which is located on eight acres on the west end of Sisters. The 18-hole course winds around a flat, wooded patch of ground that's blanketed with Ponderosa pine cones and needles and boxed in by state Highway 242 to the south and Sisters High School to the north. There's even a water hazard near the 14th hole, but avoiding it is pretty easy.
All in all, a trip around Hyzer Pines is a perfect way to spend an afternoon, whether you thrive on the thrill of competition or just want to take a walk through the woods (with the occasional stop to hurl a disc).
The course is owned and operated by the Sisters Park and Recreation District, which even has discs you can borrow on weekdays if you don't already have them.
Contact: 541-549-2091 or www .sistersrecreation.com.
— Ben Salmon
First Street Rapids
Whether you like to stroll casually or go for a power run, the Deschutes River Trail is one of the best places to do it. With miles of trails close to downtown Bend, it offers varied terrain and beautiful views. For a portion of the trail gentle enough for the whole family, head to the First Street Rapids portion, just past Portland Avenue on First Street.
The trail follows the river for much of the next three miles, mostly on dirt or wood chip surfaces. Botanists will enjoy the placards identifying the various native bushes and trees along the way. And you can spot waterfowl — including duck, geese and swans — feeding in the shallows. There's a couple of street crossings and even a golf course to walk through, but much of the trail feels like you're out in the country rather than right in town.
If you're up for a greater challenge, veer off onto the Upper Sawyer Trail. The path climbs steeply to a park bench under a tree with a bird's-eye view of Bend and the river.
— Markian Hawryluk
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