I’ve just spent several days in Bend, Oregon, and now I understand why people flock here in droves to experience the great outdoors.

My visit included a great hike up Black Butte, a popular 4.1 mile out-and-back trek about half an hour north of Bend (it’s just outside of the adorable town of Sisters). The hike involves going pretty much all uphill in one direction and all downhill in the other. The trail starts out in the trees and then breaks out into amazing vistas about halfway up.

At this point, most of the trail winds up switchbacks before swinging around the back of the hill as you head towards the fire lookout tower.

At the top, you can pay a visit to the tiny 1922 fire tower …

… and look out over dozens of different mountains, including massive Mt. Jefferson (yes, that is a functioning outhouse in the foreground).

As always, I found myself admiring not just the views, but also the flora and the fauna.

This is a great hike, strenuous without being too hard, and a good length for a morning and a picnic lunch. I’ve been warned that it’ gets crowded on weekends, but we had the top all to ourselves.

The next day, my friend Andrea took me padding on the Deschutes River. We put in just above Dillon Falls …

… and then paddled upstream.

It was a steady paddle that required work — nothing technical, just the challenge of fighting a not-insignificant current and the wind. But wow, was it beautiful! We did most of our scenery appreciation on the long, easy fl0at back to the put-in, where we passed one stunning scene after another …

… including a view of the lava fields …

… and this stunning stand of aspen trees.

I can’t wait to go back to Bend someday for more hiking and paddling —there’s so much to explore!