What is 10th Month?

If you thought life in Bend was all about the outdoors, you're missing out! While we love our beer and bike rides, there is so much more! We also like to embrace the arts and have devoted an entire month to it. "Tenth Month" in Bend is a celebration of art, culture, film, tech, and business. This month-long series of events is definitely something you don't want to miss. A couple of events you don't want to check out:

• Bend Indie Film - 10/6-10/9
• Swivel Design Conference - 10/10-10/11
• Bend Venture Investment Conference - 10/13-10/14
• Bend Design Conference - 10/20-10/21
• TEDXBend Women - 10/29

Follow along and join in on the festivities! 

Then... drumroll... next month is Bend Ale Trail Month! Get a new passport or download the app and get started on the greatest beer tasting adventure you'll ever know! Complete the trail in November and win special prizes. 

Try Something New

With the first official day of fall coming this week, we'd like to share a list of a few new hobbies for you to try during the new season. The sun will be going down earlier and you need activities that will keep you interested through the cooler months of the year. This list is arranged by "required effort" from greatest to least. 

Rock Climbing: If you don't already rock climb, which if you live in Bend you probably do, ask anyone to take you on their next rock climbing trip. They're probably going tonight. While it's a great sport during the cooler months (you actually stick to rocks better - it's science), you can also start climbing in the gym. This is an all-body workout that will not only get you in great shape, but also keep you occupied for hours and days and years. 

Off-Duty Wanderlust Guides at Smith

Trail Running (or Trail Walking): The point is to get outside. Fresh air and quiet spaces are some of the best ways to start feeling better. It's a major plus if you can get in a workout at the same time! Skip the gym this week and head outside. Your body and spirit will thank you for it later.

Bike Riding: Go farther faster and get all the same great benefits of trail running - plus a bit of an adrenaline rush! We'd recommend booking a tour with Cog Wild. They'll make sure you have an amazing time. Hopefully you love it so much that you want to ride your bike everyday. And then, you'll start replacing your drives with bike rides and we're one step closer to saving the planet. Dreaming big here. 

Pie Baking: For those of you looking to bring the magic of fall straight to your kitchen. I don't know about you, but cooking and baking have always seemed like daunting tasks. All the measuring and setting timers were hard 

Beer Drinking: What? Is that a hobby? If you're in Bend it certainly is. There are so many types of beer; you really do need to try them all so you know what you like. The best way to learn about all the beer Bend has to offer is by completing the Bend Ale Trail. If you haven't been to all of them (where have you been?) get going! We offer the Bend Brew Bus as a great way to see four different breweries in an afternoon. There are new breweries popping up all the time - don't miss any! Speaking of new breweries, Immersion Brewing will be throwing their grand opening party next month! Get the details on their website or Facebook page. 

The Bend Brew Bus 

When Summer Ends

What do you do when vacation is over? Seriously, how are you supposed to go back to work after the best vacation ever? We won't tell you it's easy, but we do have a few tips for returning back to reality without kicking and screaming. 

Unpack right away. The moment you pull into the driveway, your to-do list that has been so quietly benign during vacation will suddenly be staring you in the face. Our advice, unpack quickly and get your house back to normal as soon as possible. You're already going to be grouchy; you don't need to add more annoyances like living out of a suitcase for two more weeks. 

Print pictures. But not all of them. We know you're not actually going to scrapbook your treasures because seriously who has time for that?? So instead of printing pictures that you'll put in a box and forget about, print just a few of your favorites and display them for a while. Sites like Artifact Uprising (they did not pay us to plug them; we just really like their product) will allow you to choose 25 photos to print on luxe, matte square paper. They come out looking amazing and it's just the right amount to share when people want to see. Can you find Sparks, Broken Top, Mirror Pond and Cascade Lakes Highway below? 

Have a Bend themed day. This may be my favorite suggestion. What does a Bend-themed day look like? It's totally up to you. Find a Bend beer distributing in your city (like 10 Barrel or Deschutes) and start enjoying. Then, be nice to everyone you see and be sure to do something outdoors! The more adventurous and off-the-beaten-path the better. Relive the best moments of your vacation and call it "BENDsday."

Plan your next vacation. And whether you choose summer, fall, spring, or winter, you aren't making a bad choice. We may all be a little sad that the long hot fun-filled days of summer are over... but look at what comes next!! 

If you joined us for a tour this summer, we were so lucky to have you. Thank you for bringing your excitement, your adventurous spirit, and your willingness to learn. We love doing what we do and hope that you had a wonderful time with us! Until next time,

CHEERS!