| | Bend, Oregon, "the sunny side of Oregon," is one of few places that visitors can ski in the morning and golf in the afternoon. The Cascade mountains act as a protective buffer, giving Bend only 12 inches of precipitation per year. That compares to 42" for Portland, 36" for Seattle and 20" for San Francisco.At an elevation of 3,628 feet, Bend enjoys the predominately dry climate of the Great Basin. Sunny days, low humidity and cool nights provide the most common weather pattern.Bend was originally called Farewell Bend and received its name because it was at this place that travelers over the pioneer roads had their last view of the river.To the west Bend is surrounded by U.S. Forest Service land. The recreational opportunities are abundant; everything from mountain biking, hiking, rafting, golfing, fishing, rock climbing, camping, downhill and cross country skiing, snowmobiling, general sightseeing and much more. This makes Bend outdoor recreation capitol of Oregon, with snow-capped peaks dominating the skyline.Bird Watching in Bend: The Central Oregon area is a Mecca for birdwatchers and photographers. The best opportunity to see birds is in the vicinity of water. Some suggested areas for birdwatching include Drake and Pioneer Parks, near downtown Bend; Sawyer Park; Tumalo State Park; Fall River; Sunriver; Metolius River and Davis Lake. The High Desert Museum has a Wildlife Observation Pavilion. |  | | | |
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