Spring Break 2019

It was that time of year. Everyone headed south to San Antonio, Cancun, or one of about 36 different beach town in Florida. It was Spring Break. The Runnells crew opted, however, for the beautiful Northwest. We decided to do our spring breakin’ in Bend, Oregon.  

Seen on our walk through SEA TAC - a baby in motion likes to nap

BR was in Portland for work, so he he arrived in Bend ahead of the rest of our crew, which included my parents. He did some biking was kind enough to test out the skiing. More importantly, he retrieved our crew upon arrival (and we were not traveling lightly: two large suitcases, a stroller, a car seat, a backpack carrier, and a toddler). 

We spent our first evening in Bend adjusting to that time change - it was an early, early morning - and watching a little March Madness. Neither Dad nor I could fully appreciate the tournament since both  our teams failed us in the first round...but otherwise our trip was off to a good start. 

Bring on Bend! 

Someone got the star treatment 

We took full advantage of our first full day in Oregon and made it a triple sport day: hiking, climbing, and straight-uphill-stroller-pushing (you opt for the stroller when you have gear to carry and a toddler whose snuggled up and ready for nap time). Smith Rock was 

Next on our agenda was a little volcano exploration. We visited the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Our Lava Lands hiking adventure started roadside as the parking lot was inaccessible thanks to lots of snow this season, and though it was cloudy and cool, it was quite worth the bundling up. 

Later, and with beverages in hand, we ambled about the Old Mill District and made the rounds at REI (though, much to my surprise, we didn’t add another instance of “we go in for something for AJ, and BR leaves with something new and more expensive”). It was another full and fun day on our second day in Bend. 

Then, we were off to the slopes...and eventually the store. BR and I enjoyed exploring a new mountain - and I did my best to get my ski legs under me once more. As a highly competitive person who has only ever skied with far more experienced and skilled individuals, I’ve had to practice humility and speed (nobody wants to be dragging the team down on its quest for new downhill speed records). BR is a patient teacher, and I - with more confidence now - appreciate a bit of quiet, so we did a little duo shredding and also split up to explore Mt. Bachelor. It was a great, full day. 

On one of my routine (read: excessive) check-ins on HQ, Mom told me Nonno had found shoes my tiny human really liked - I’ve been searching for shoes with soles AND sans sparkles and bows, creatures, or cartoon characters. Thanks to my generous cousin, H has a pair of crocs she adores, but contrary to what the average teenager may think, crocs are not all-weather shoes. So, back in Bend, Mom and Dad took me to check out what they had found....HQ got new shoes, and I got new ski pants (yay, end of season sales).  

We woke up to snow but were able to enjoy an afternoon of exploration at the High Desert Museum. Major hits included: a bobcat, the turtles, the owls and eagles, and walking all by herself in her new boots. The otter feeding extravaganza - a little info on the creatures and a bin full of smelly frozen fish - was equally entertaining for our little adventurer. We made it back to the car just as a storm dumped sheets of rain, and were greeted by sunny skies moments later. We ambled about downtown Bend and again made it back to the car just as another rain/sleet shower descended upon central Oregon.  

After our tiny human was settled into bed for the night, BR and I visited the local gym, BRG, and enjoyed a few hours of indoor rock scaling. It didn’t tell king for us to be thoroughly worked and for it to be past our bedtime, but it was a nice little outing, and it was fun to climb at a new gym. 

otter watching

Thanks to better-than-expected weather, we spend a whole lot of time outdoors Thursday. I ran the Deschutes River Trail and into the Old Mill District; we all hiked Pilot Butte and enjoyed a picnic lunch in the park (and some nearly private playground time); and, while BR biked, I gave Mom, Dad, and HQ my novice tour of the local trails. 

Deschutes River Trail 

Views while hiking Pilot Butte

Summit selfie 

We bookended our time in Bend with climbing. For our final outing, however, we flew solo, leaving HQ to entertain Grandma and her Nonno - and is free to hike in and out without a stroller or a baby backpack. After a fun day of climbing in the sun - how does anyone climb at Smith in the late spring or summer?! - we dragged our sore and tired bodies back to our hike for the week, scooped up our tiny human, and tackled not one but two parks before enjoying dinner at a local brewery.

Look familiar - it's the Clif Bar logo

Happy climbers!

Tomorrow, I’ll be greeted by that look that comes from the special combo of too much vitamin D after a Wisconsin winter and not enough SPF. And I will greet my students with the look the comes only the perfect combo of family time and outdoor goodness  - that and the knowledge that we are mere weeks from a full recharge: summer break! 

If only I could start every day this way (and not have to get up at 4am to do it)!