Crooked River Ranch
While we stayed in Terrebone, OR at Crooked River Ranch, we updated our rig, saw a car show, and explored a canyon.
The Ranch
We stayed at Crooked River Ranch for a little longer than we expected, but we had no problem with that. It was beautiful, quiet, affordable. We're not golfers, but the ranch had a big golf course that our neighbors really enjoyed. The back of the property had access to an easy hike down into a beautiful canyon, which we loved.
We traveled into Bend several times from here to retrieve my drone, which I'd accidentally flown into a 100+ foot tree. We also purchased kayaks in Bend, and realized immediately after that we'd need to find a solution to storing them as we trekked across the country. Amazingly, on our way into Bend, we happened to catch a car show next door! Our stay at Crooked River Ranch was full of surprises.
View of the Crooked River Ranch Golf Course.
At our spot at Crooked River Ranch, in the truckbed with the kayaks.
Refining Our Rig
When we'd bought our kayaks in Bend, we originally thought Maribeth would be getting one. When we got there, Kyle decided he didn't want to be left on land while I kayaked around and luckily, we both found some that worked for us! We both bought ours used, and were able to test them right on the Deschutes River at the shop, Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe.
We'd originally thought that for just 1 kayak, we could just put it in the truck bed. As we carried both to the truck, we realized that plan was never going to work. My kayak was 12 feet, Kyle's turned out to be 14 feet, and both hung out the bed so far we had to hang a flag on them to drive them back home.
The guys at Tumalo Creek were great and helped us select the kayaks, PFDs, and emergency whistles, as well as straps to tie the kayaks down for the drive home and until we figured out a better solution.
When we got back to Crooked River Ranch, Kyle contacted the office and asked if we could send a package there.
We spent a couple days researching which racks would work on our truck, and trying to save some money, we decided on an off-brand non-drilling aluminum bed rack on Amazon. A few days later, we got a giant package from the Crooked River Ranch office, and assembled our new kayak rack.
It saved us probably 60% from the name brand options, and 6 months later, we still love it!
The guys at Tumalo Creek were great and helped us select the kayaks, PFDs, and emergency whistles, as well as straps to tie the kayaks down for the drive home and until we figured out a better solution.
When we got back to Crooked River Ranch, Kyle contacted the office and asked if we could send a package there.
We spent a couple days researching which racks would work on our truck, and trying to save some money, we decided on an off-brand non-drilling aluminum bed rack on Amazon. A few days later, we got a giant package from the Crooked River Ranch office, and assembled our new kayak rack.
It saved us probably 60% from the name brand options, and 6 months later, we still love it!
The guys at Tumalo Creek were great and helped us select the kayaks, PFDs, and emergency whistles, as well as straps to tie the kayaks down for the drive home and until we figured out a better solution.
When we got back to Crooked River Ranch, Kyle contacted the office and asked if we could send a package there.
We spent a couple days researching which racks would work on our truck, and trying to save some money, we decided on an off-brand non-drilling aluminum bed rack on Amazon. A few days later, we got a giant package from the Crooked River Ranch office, and assembled our new kayak rack.
It saved us probably 60% from the name brand options, and 6 months later, we still love it!
Our updated rig with the kayak rack and kayaks!
Cars In The Canyon
One of the days we headed into Bend, we happened to see there was a car show at the Crooked River Ranch Golf Club. We pulled over, parked, and poked around. Turns out, the car show, aptly named Cars In The Canyon, had beer, wine, BBQ, live music, and raffles. We chatted with folks from all over the country. They travel all around showing their prized vehicles.
We mostly walked around and enjoyed chatting with people, so I don't have many photos. Loved this one though.
Crooked River Canyon
My absolute favorite thing about Crooked River Ranch was the access to the canyon behind the property. There were several places from within the boundary of the ranch that had benches and decks to look out over the canyon. These were perfect for watching sunrise or sunset, or just relaxing during the day.
If you wandered far enough, you could find the entrance to a hike that led down into the canyon and right up to the river.
Walking to the back of the Crooked River Ranch property.
View from the edge of Crooked River Ranch.
Trail into the canyon.
The trail behind into the canyon is short, maybe a mile or two, but it is really beautiful. It's on a downward slope, but easy, too, which is great, because you can easily get to it without too much commitment.
It's dog-friendly, and Oskee enjoyed our traipse down to the river. I loved the desert flora, and seeing the bluffs from lots of different angles.
We hurried through the hike, as the clouds started blowing in and threatening rain. It started pouring just as we made it to the rim of the canyon, and Oskee and I ran back to the camper as quickly as we could—but it was so worth the little hike.
The Crooked River winds through the canyon.
Found a Pacific Chorus Frog.
Sunset over the canyon.
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The DecisionPersonal
Leaving San FranciscoPersonal