'SUP dude?

 SUP on Hosmer Lake

SUP is Stand Up Paddleboarding. It's hugely popular here. Dana has wanted to try it since she saw someone do it on Donner Lake... so we went out for the first time for her birthday a few weeks back. 

Rented boards and took a lesson. It was great fun and not that hard to pick up.

Our SUPing so far has all been on the Deschutes River. Today we tried it on one of the many high alpine lakes in the Cascades.

Mama and baby ducks

Jim with the backside of Mt Bachelor in the background

Jim showing his good form, South Sister in the distance

Me and my shadow

Amazingly clear and shallow water makes for great visibility.

Jim practicing his Plank (I think our Pilates classes are paying off!)

South Sister thru the reeds

In the deep weeds.

Arrggh!

Fishies!

Mt Bachelor

Stopped for a lunch break, a lovely vista!

There are over 150 lakes along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway. More beauty and fun in Bend!

You can read about the area here

Suttle Lake

Suttle Lake

Today we rode the Suttle Tie Trail to the Suttle Lake Loop trail. Although this trail is only 45 minutes from Bend it has a different look than our local trails. We have sagebrush, this one has ferns. And there is a nice restaurant on the loop.

     Jim in the underbrush

 The Suttle Lake Resort & Lodge

 Mount Washington in the background

 Black Butte in the other direction

 For sure this area gets more rain than Bend!

 A long ride off a short pier?

Suttle Lake running into Lake Creek

The reward for our efforts at a famous landmark in Sisters

Crater Lake

First Time Ever!

The Park Service closed the road (except for a few miles) around Crater Lake to cars. Which meant cyclists could enjoy the ride without fear of being run off a narrow winding road by a car or motorhome.

Since this was an opportunity we couldn't pass up we rode it on Saturday since Sunday was predicted (and they were right) to be rainy.

You can read about Crater Lake

Here

This was our first visit and we were very impressed. It's a spectacular place. Hope you enjoy the photos we took of our ride.

The Lake is so clear that the reflections are amazing!

This little guy stuffing his already fat cheeks

Two Bikes, Two Riders, Two Skies

Still quite a bit of snow up there

Phantom Ship

 Wizard Island

Wizard Island

Wizard Island

Vidae Falls

The road..... car-free!

 Dana avoiding the falling rock

In the background: Mount Thielsen (9184ft/2799m) another volcano

Some guy with his bike

Pizza on the Barbie

We have a bit more deck space here so we got this barbeque. Mostly so we could make it in to a pizza oven. Made in Australia no less! So I guess we should call it a "barbie"

Tonight was the maiden pizza voyage...

The BBQ, A Beefeater Discovery

With the way cool shiny red pizza oven hood

pizza toppings

pizza dough

getting hot...579F/300C !

a well used pizza stone

pizzas ready to go in! (ok, so they aren't quite round...anyone have any tips for dough spinning?)

cooking!!

2 finished pizzas and oh, so yummy!

The maiden voyage of the pizza oven was a huge success! 

Pizzas were yummy! Dough was cooked well, and only took a few minutes in there.

 

 

We have tried a few other things on just the BBQ, and all were good!

Corn on the cob!

Corn and Chicken

Corn and fish on a plank

So far our grilling has been a great success. We haven't had to toss anything yet! But we are still learning so if you are are pitmaster please send your suggestions!