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Bend and Fort Collins
  • Ashling's Log
  • Ashling's Log

Bend and Fort Collins

We decided that we wanted a longer visit to Bend in order to really get to know it. So we're leaving Ashling at Cape Charles and flying cross country, before heading back to the Bahamas. Read more
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  • Trip start
    October 22, 2024
    Ashling's LogBend and Fort CollinsTraveler
    New solar panels
    New solar panels!

    Leaving Cape Charles

    October 22, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    We had a last dinner at Don Valerio's Mexican Restaurant with Chuck & Jo (sv Beatrix), and missed with Dusty & Diane (sv Tribute) as they had been exposed to Covid and considerately declined. Beatrix and another boat, sv Life Above Zero are waiting for the travelift to be repaired so they can join the Salty Dawg rally to the Azores, from Hampton VA. Hope they make the start date!

    We spent a few days finalizing painting and winterizing Ashling. That's mainly about replacing water with antifreeze so your pipes, pumps, engines and water maker don't burst during a cold spell. It's probably not required, as we expect to return in early December, but this gives us flexibility in travel and peace of mind.

    This haul out has been very long (since July 8), but we did some big projects. We've more than doubled our solar production capability by adding five more panels, and we repainted all the non-skid surface (about 80% of the deck). We also repaired fiberglass damaged by close encounters with docks, other moored boats, etc. over the past 6 years. The boot stripe was a little sad, so we repainted it as well. We'll, we're off to Portland with the generous airport trip help of Chris and Sue Johnson, ex- cruisers living in Cape Charles.    Read more

  • Ashling's LogBend and Fort CollinsTraveler
    Deshutes Brewing has an N Porter beer! Quite good, using reverse osmosis to take out the alcohol.
    Todd Lake on a snowy dayAlexis, walking a lonely winter path.The lead-up to Halloween at the Campfire Hotel fire pitTodd Lake with Mt BachelorOn the path to Todd LakeMt BachelorIt almost looks like we're sailing at the base of Mt Bachelor (ok, squint a bit!)Salute Italian restaurant

    Bend (weeks 1-2)

    Oct 24–Nov 7, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 37 °F

    We arrived at about 5am our time, having landed in Portland and then driven 3 hours to Bend on Hwy 26, through the foothills of the Cascades and past Mt Bachelor, a 9000 ft peak. From sunny 60’s in Cape Charles, we plunged down to the low thirties as we drove, then back up to the high forties in Bend.

    The restaurants are many and varied here. We've enjoyed great pizzas, Portuguese, Mexican and other foods. The homeless are not a great issue here, as they've addressed the problem with a variety of solutions and taken lessons from other places, such as Amsterdam.

    I chanced on a Fjällräven store and found that they'll wax my pants and hem a longer pair for free! The top tailor in the company is at this store and he created the quick hemming procedure for these pants that have technical cuffs.

    We've looked at a good many properties, some amazing, others not. We've also found an incredible builder, should we go full custom. In the end, any property will have access to the outdoor fun, and we'd have many very nice neighbors (We've met a few). Many are from California, escaping the ultra-high taxation. One guy, a restaurant co-owner from Mexico, said that after the Californians live here a few years and trade in their one-season clothing for four-season clothing they consider themselves Oregonians and start to resent further immigration from Cali, LOL. But then he also said others leave to go to Boise, ID which has lower taxes than Oregon.    Read more

  • Ashling's LogBend and Fort CollinsTraveler
    Our new home!
    1The view from the bedroom balcony is gorgeous.2Night view from the bedroom, overlooking Bend2Pilot Butte is just across the Deschutes River.2A few of the buttes visible.2One of the lots we looked at to build. It was $$ and with a high HOA fee.

    Bend Redux (weeks 5-6)

    Nov 19–Dec 1, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 39 °F

    Having exhausted the likely housing offerings in Fort Collins, we decided that Bend was deserving of a second chance (third?) and we'd take a closer look at building a home on a property, assuming we could find a good lot. We'd already found a fantastic builder (Cascade Precision Builders) that we really wanted to work with, so that wasn't an issue.

    We narrowed down to a few lots, all in northwest Bend on Awbrey Butte, with the intention of having a view. But, it's hard to imagine a home when you're standing in the middle of Ponderosa pines, juniper trees, and boulders!

    Of course, we also kept searching for any properties new on the market. One day I saw one with that was two-story, had an auxiliary living space (one of our requirements), and an elevator! We quickly arranged to see the home and were impressed. One more visit and John said "I want to buy this property". The more cautious one assented with reservations.

    We proceeded and should close in January. Meanwhile, we are proceeding south on Ashling as we head for the Bahamas!    Read more

    Trip end
    December 12, 2024
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