We’re Paige and Mason. The Bend Banner is our way of keeping tabs on this wild, beautiful place we call home. To the mornings that start with coffee and mountain air, the trails that somehow always lead to a brewery, and the kind of small-town stories that remind you why you chose to live here in the first place.

Summer Mailer Shipping Next Week

Good news if you pre-ordered the Summer Mailer: it's finally happening. We're packing these up and sending them out next week.

If you haven't grabbed one yet, this is your last shot. Once these ship, that's it for summer.

Inside: a printed Bend bucket list, our summer picks, and a few surprises we tucked in just for you. Think of it as a cheat code for making the most of Summer.

Thanks for all your support. We hope it brings a little extra joy to your summer.

Summer Mailer

Floating in Bend, Worth It Everytime

Friday afternoon. The kind that basically demands you float the river.

We got in at Riverbend Park, like always. Except this year, the dirt overflow lot is gone. If you've floated before, you know that lot. It's where everyone parked when the main lot filled up, which on a hot summer day is basically always.

Now that it's a construction zone, parking is tighter than it used to be. On a busy day, you might drive right past Riverbend and end up parking on the hill instead. That happened to us. We were sure we'd have to circle back to the car, sweaty inner tube in hand, cursing the parking gods.

Turns out, it was maybe two minutes further than the old dirt lot ever was. Genuinely not a big deal. The only real problem is if you can't find a spot at all, but we went on July 3rd, which is about as crowded as Bend gets. If you're floating on a big weekend or holiday, get there early or be ready to walk a little.

None of that matters once you're actually in the water, though. The float is still the float. Cold, clear, ridiculous in the best way. You forget about parking within about thirty seconds of pushing off.

Our move: float to McKay Park, hop out, and walk back. About an hour on the water, no shuttle, no second car, no logistics. If you want the longer version, ride it out to Drake Park instead. That's closer to two hours, but you'll need a plan for getting back, either a second car waiting or a shuttle service if you rented your tubes.

Either way, it's the kind of Friday that makes the whole weekend feel like it already started.

Update: Stickers Sold Out

Remember Timmy Crawford and the High Desert Middle School sticker machine at Reed Crossing Market? Every single one of those student-designed stickers sold out. All 200 of them. Gone.

The good news: they just restocked. So if you missed your chance the first time, head over to Reed Crossing Market to support the Art Program.

This Week’s Conditions
☀️ Sunrise: 5:30 am
🌅 Sunset: 8:50 pm
High Temp: 88°F
Local Park of the Week: Big Sky Park
Local Produce this Week: Lettuce, Carrots, Potatoes, Arugula, Cucumber

🐾Bend’s Best Good Boys & Good Girls 🐾

🐶 Walter – 4 years, German Shepherd Mix
Walter is a smart and silly dude who will fall in love with you. Clever and smart, Walter is picking up training quickly.

🐱 Lucy – 7 months - Mix
Lucy is a shy sweetheart who just needs a little time to trust you. She's still coming out of her shell, but she's got a confident dog buddy in her future household to help her along. Patient people, this one's for you.

🐱 Candylynn – 7 years - Siberian Husky
Candylynn is part cuddle bug, part adventure buddy, and all heart. She's house trained, great with kids, and loves running around with other dogs. Just no cats or small critters in her new home, her husky instincts are strong.