FROM THE USAPA
pickleball-playing population has grown from 16 to 1,000.
There are 46 permanent and temporary pickleball courts in
the area (not counting some number of private courts in the
backyards of area residents).
There is also an indoor venue that’s active in the wintertime
and a brand-new pickleball complex of eight outdoor
permanent pickleball courts jointly funded by the pickleball
club and the Bend Park and Recreation District. The club is
exceptionally well-organized with a full-service website offering
incoming players information on where and when to play,
information on clinics, an active Club News blog, calendar of
events, and information on how to join. Residents enjoy living
in Bend and taking advantage of the many things they can do
in central Oregon. If you’re making your way to Bend, visit
BendPickleballClub.com for more information.
When you’re not playing pickleball, there are multiple events
going on in the area just about every weekend of the summer,
from mountain and street bike races, to foot races, to Bend
Brewfest (over 28 local breweries), to the Pole Pedal Paddle, to
Flashback (a huge classic car show), just to name a few. Oh, and
there are free music concerts, big-name music concerts at the
outdoor amphitheater, and access to river floating, kayaking
and paddleboarding along with the whitewater park on the
Deschutes River.
Must-See Road Stops in Oregon
• Travel along Hells Canyon Scenic Byway: Visit
America’s deepest river gorge, Hells Canyon, and “Little
Switzerland,” the Wallowa Mountains star on this
208-mile/335‑kilometer horseshoe route through the
state’s northeast corner. It is also the rich ancestral
homeland of the Nez Perce tribe.
• The Joseph Branch Railrider is a unique experience for
those individuals who like to bike ride. This 12-mile stretch
of railroad has you peddling your way through the fields
and taking in all of the scenery. It is truly an experience
you won’t want to miss.
• John Day Fossil Beds National Monument: Learn the
area’s stunning history, including 55 million years of plant
and animal evolution and a collection of 40,000 fossils that
represent one of the two most complete fossil records in
the world.
• Drive out on Cannon Beach: OK, not unless you’re in an
RV. Yes, Cannon Beach is one of those cool places to go and
relax – and watch an absolutely stunning sunset.
EXPLORING SOUTHWEST OREGON
From Bend, we head west across the Cascade Mountains to
Eugene and the hub of the USAPA’s Southwest Oregon District.
There you could easily connect with District Ambassador Roger
Schaljo and play a game or two at the Eugene Swim & Tennis
Club. The main population centers for the Oregon Southwest
District include the Eugene/Springfield area. Only an hour to
the beautiful Oregon coast and an hour to the glorious Cascade
Mountain lakes. The stretch of land from Eugene to Portland
Continued »
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016 |
MAGAZINE
21