Oregon Favorite Tips by richiecdisc Top 5 Page for this destination

man, that steak was good

Favorite thing: You have to see Crater Lake to believe it. The feeling you get when you come over the rim to first catch a glimpse of it is really on a par with the Grand Canyon. In some ways, it's even better as you don't have the high expectations to contend with.

Fondest memory: In 1994, Kristin, a long time girlfriend, and I were traveling around the US. We were on a tight budget and camping to save money. Of course, that budget seemed to hold no weight when it came to going to brewpubs. We had just discovered them and we hit 120 on that trip. Gas was cheap back then so we thought very little of driving hundreds of miles out of our way to find the perfect beer. Deschutes was reputed to be one of the very best in the Pacific Northwest so there was little question we would make the excursion to Bend where it was located. The scenery on the way out was as amazing as unexpected, a stark and bone dry contrast to the lush coastline.

The pub was great but the best part was we befriended a local sitting at the bar. He kept telling us we should try the Filet Mignon and that we shouldn't even think of camping. It was already late September and though it was quite warm during the day, he said it would be absolutely freezing at night. We were quite seasoned campers at that point so we gave little thought to his accommodation suggestion but we did decide to treat ourselves to the Filet after so many months on the road. The steak was fabulous and he was amused to watch us wolf it down hungrily. We enjoyed a few more beers with him but he eventually took off, warning one more time for us to get a room.

Room or campground we needed to get going as it was late and as he had promised, cold. I asked the bartender for our bill and he explained it was already taken care of. Our friend had treated us to dinner. I knew I should have taken that money and used it for a room but I was a lot more stubborn in those days than I am now. We camped and it was freezing. The next morning as I broke down the tent, my hands stung from the aluminum poles. I couldn't help but think of him. Man, that steak was good. I guess I should have known the local always knows best.