Saying Goodbye to Bend

Liz Wolf – Untethered

Yesterday, our last in Ten’s high desert town of Bend, where he’s lived and raised his kids, was spent running trip prep errands, picking up last minute must-haves for the road. We also stopped in places we needed to just be one last time.

Like Bellatazza Caffè, a place he’s been frequenting, for a cuppa Mexican hot chocolate and croissant, for years. It’s located right next door to the Mockingbird Gallery, which I love. The place doesn’t feature NY, cutting edge art BUT there’s aways something interesting and/or flat out gorgeous to be seen.

Father and Son

We stopped in at Dudley’s Bookshop Cafe – a stunningly comfortable joint, selling new and used books. One more book for the road is always a smart idea. They have the most AMAZing coffee too.

Deschutes Brewery/Pub merited two stops actually. It’s, basically, where everybody knows his name. First stop was for lunch where I met his friend Howard who, it’s a small world after all, used to live in Hull – home to my fave beach, Nantasket.

Second visit to Deschutes was to meet one of Ten’s sons – Jaxon. WHAT an awesome young man! Jaxon advised me to be patient with his father as he’s likely to be a bit depressed. Ya see, Ten was primarily a single parent (with four kids). His children were and are his world. They’re all adults with kids of there own now. They want their beloved Da to explore, have adventures and a big fun life. They’re thrilled that he’s found love (MOI!) and psyched about his eastward move but, OF COURSE, they’re sad and a little afraid.  They’ll miss the hell outta the old man. Will they see him again?

I told his daughter, Pearl, that I’d give her father time off for good behavior. He’ll come out to visit and she and her brothers are always welcome in Valhalla.

Later this morning Ten and I will head on out for our big, BIG eastern trek. First brekkie with eldest son, Justin and his kids at the dive, biker bar with GREAT food and a pretty wholesome vibe...for a "dive."

The adventure begins.

Parked – Wendy Chidester