B10 The BulleTin • Friday, July 30, 2021
TOP PICKS
WHERE TO EXPLORE
Out in the High Desert
David Jasper/Bulletin photos
This wish-filled decorative box
affixed to a tree is among the re-
minders that Overturf Butte is
very much an in-town hike.
Pilot Butte as seen from the top of Overturf Butte, located on Bend’s
west side.
Overturf
Continued from B1
Few would rate this the best
trail in Bend, but for an in-
town hike with some eleva-
tion gain and lots of bang-for-
your-buck views, it will more
than do. And there may be no
better view of Pilot Butte than
the one from there, at least
not one the general public can
access. Yet surprisingly few
locals seem to be aware that
this trail exists.
Bittersweet memory lane
For this reporter, this short
and simple hike was an emo-
tional journey.
There’s a lump in my throat
even as I write this because
this trail holds a special place
in our family’s collective
heart, even if we’ve seldom
ventured here.
For three years, from 2002-
04, when Lucy, her twin Lilly
and their older sister Caroline
were but babies and a toddler,
we lived in a little rental house
two blocks east on Fresno Av-
enue.
This trail was a destina-
tion on family walks, as were
Parrilla Grill, the long-gone
Dairy Queen across the street
and the erstwhile Galveston
Avenue coffee shop Cup O’
Magic, whose business model
begs for re-creation. It was
homey and brightly lit, with
comfy couches instead of the
here’s-your-coffee-now-go
metal or wood chairs that
seem to be mainstays in shops
today.
I digress, as older adults
will do. I was in my mid-30s
back then, and judging from
my breathing on this hike,
more capable of uphill climb-
ing than now. The first sec-
tion from the park plugs into
a service road, across which is
Overturf Dog Park.
Lilly and I made our way
up the trail — perhaps my
first time back here since the
days I pushed or carried Lilly
and her sisters up. Did I really
used to push the double baby
jogger up this thing, some-
times carrying a third child in
a sling?
Of course I did. I know I
did. It just that it seems im-
possible now.
Those days were over-
whelming. Everything felt
Sisyphean. We were two
working parents with no close
family in the area. One time,
as I stood in the yard with
Lilly nestled in one arm and
Lucy in the other, a neighbor
passed by and said what peo-
ple said often back then: “You
sure have your hands full.” Ha
ha, yes. Literally.
I know I wore the stress of
it all on my exterior way too
often. Would that I could, I’d
do it all over again, better this
time, maybe with a smile in-
stead of a grimace.
Today, Caroline is 21 and
a student at Portland State
University. Lilly and Lucy
are 18 and on their way to
Southern Oregon University
and University of Oregon,
respectively, in less than two
months. Where did the years
go?
I don’t know. All I know
is my once-too-full hands
are emptier now. My load is
lighter; my heart is a mix of
pride and sadness, joy and re-
gret. I think of them heading
away all too soon, and I know
that the empty nest that once
seemed far off and theoretical
was actually the destination
all along.
Nothing prepared me for
the rigors of parenthood, and
I’m not sure anything will
prepare me for the next stage.
Right now, I just try to savor
my kids’ company, and the
moments like those shared
with Lilly on this hike.
You can’t go home again,
but it sure doesn’t hurt to try.
e
Ancient Juniper Trail — With the recent rain, the Oregon Badlands might be in better shape, ter-
rain-wise. So head out early before the heat or hold off until after one of the rainstorms that may come our
way again this week and check out the old trees along the easy 3.1-mile loop. There is no shade, so if you do
decide to hike it, bring lots of water, sunscreen and a hat to keep cool. Park at the Flatiron Rock Trailhead and
keep left.
Has No Horse Trail — The 11.8-mile trail near Horse Ridge east of Bend can get pretty sandy in the sum-
mer months, but with the fresh, and welcome, rain this week, it may be a bit firmer to ride. Pick up the trail
at the end of Mad Max Drive and climb up the ridge for a pretty great view to the south then continue down
the backside along Crooked Arm where you can connect to Crazyhorse for an even longer ride. Most trails at
Horse Ridge have rocky and technical sections, and this intermediate trail is no different.
Otter Bench Trail — The 3.4-mile out-and-back trail near Crooked River Ranch takes hikers along the
Crooked River Canyon. There is limited shade, so start early and bring lots of water because the views are
worth the extra sweat. The trail is fairly easy unless you want to take the Pink Trail spur down closer to the
river or unless you want to continue on to the Opal Canyon Trail which adds an additional few miles to your
trip before it loops around at the Crooked River Arm of Lake Billy Chinook. Keep clear of the Horny Hollow
Trail as the area currently under its seasonal wildlife closure.
Mark Morical/Bulletin file
The Otter Bench trail system offers several spots to take in the views of the Crooked River Gorge.
Reporter: 541-383-0349,
djasper@bendbulletin.com
YOGA NIDRA CL ASS
Yoga Nidra means “yogic sleep”, and
this class is designed to help lull you
into a slumber.
THIS IS A
FREE CLASS ,
SPONSORED BY
THE NAMASPA
FOUNDATION.
Namaspa.com/GO
LES NEWMAN’S
QUALITY OUTDOOR WEAR
On NE Franklin Avenue across from Les Schwab
541-318-4868
Cocktail Cabaret: Duets
Friday, August 27 at 8 pm
Central Oregon’s best performers pair up to deliver
hits by Sheryl Crow, Kid Rock, Jason Mraz, and
show-stoppers from “Waitress,” “Rent,”
and “Dear Evan Hansen”!
UP NEXT!
AUGUST
6
Open House FREE!
11
Full Draw Film Tour
22-24 Godspeed, Los Polacos! PREMIERE
BodyVox’s Pearl Dive Project:
All 5 episodes streaming on-demand!
Info and Tickets at
TowerTheatre.org • 541-317-0700