Beautiful Bend: 2015

I love to visit my sister, brother-in-law, and nieces and nephews in Bend, Oregon. On two previous visits my nieces, Sarah and Thea, graduated from high school. This year, my nephew, Joe, graduated. As before, family from Alaska, Oregon, and California descended on Bend to attend the ceremony and celebrate this milestone and accomplishment!

Antique farm gear

Recall my sister and brother-in-law are gentlemen farmers, with a 30-acre spread in Eastern Oregon. The place looked beautiful as always. A few  cattle roamed the green acreage and stopped to graze, or rested in the cool dirt during the heat of the day. They have plenty of fresh grass to eat, and fantastic scenery all around.

Happy cows

Late rains, and an early warm season conspired to make Bend especially green and beautiful this year. Even the Bureau of Land Management land that borders the property was green with temporary grasses. At night, frogs chirped their chorus, by day birds. I love the big sky, and puffy clouds.

The BLM land is lush and green this year

We saw beautiful sunsets, and moon rises; and experienced temperate weather by day, with cool temperatures at night. Best of all, we had the chance to catch up on everyone's news, and spend time together. It was a treat to see my brother and folks from Alaska, as well as extended family from all over Oregon. What a great family (and one more graduation to go in a couple of years)!

Sunset view of the Three Sisters