Meandering Around the Metolius

Today was our last chance to hang out with Mike, who's still a poor, unfortunate working stiff.  We had brunch with Mike and Les at a local cafe and then they suggested we drive over through Sisters and to Camp Sherman on the Metolius River.  Leslie volunteered, as often during this visit, to be our tour guide and driver, for which we thank her!

Camp Sherman is an outdoors dream:  rustic cabins situated in the woods along the Metolius River, with a traditional general store.  After perusing the merchandise in the general store, we took a short walk along the river.  We found a pretty bridge spanning the river:

Kathy and David were in ecstasy imagining all the wonderful trout that thrive in this special river.  Les caught this photo of them enjoying the spot:

Here's a view of the river, sparkling in the midday sun:

Walking back to the car, we passed a tree trunk that had been carved into a modern-day totem - really quite striking.  Note the majestic eagle on the top.  A rearing bear graces the reverse side.

From Camp Sherman, we hopped over to the Head of the Metolius, where the river appears out of the hillside.  Its actual source is subject to some dispute, but there is no dispute how clear, frigid, clean and healthy the water is as it burbles north toward Mount Jefferson in the distance:

Reluctantly leaving the Metolius, we drove back through the town of Sisters, where we stopped to stroll through some of the shops and, ultimately, found ourselves at the Crews' favorite ice cream store, Sno Cap Ice Cream.  We each slurped our favorite versions of ice cream:  Les a chocolate and vanilla twist soft-serv, Mike a dish of rocky road ice cream, Kathy a blackberry and Sierra Mist ice cream float, and David a thick-as-sludge peanut butter milk shake.

With tummies so full we could barely conduct conversation, we rolled back home to Bend, only to have to say our goodbyes with Mike.  We plan to see Les one last time Tuesday for dinner.