May 1 - Newberry National Volcanic Monument

We had come this way specifically to see Newberry National Volcanic Monument, so off we went. Much to our chagrin most of the area was closed, and would not be open until mid-May. However, being the determined tourists that we are, we found a back road up the mountains to the trail head leading to Lava Cast Forest.
The first 500 yards of the trail there was at least two feet of snow (see picture of beginning of trail), but it had been stomped down into a passable trail so we decided to give it a go.
6000 years ago there were major volcanic eruptions throughout the northwest. The country then was much as it is today, standing pine forests. The lava from Newberry volcano flowed through the forests and around the trees. As the lava cooled it formed casts or molds of the tree trunks. Over the years, the trees, of course, died and rotted out leaving cylinder like holes in the lava bed. These holes ranged in depth from 13 to 15 feet to the soil.

Leaving the forest, we drove into Bend, had a delightful lunch at a full-service Chinese restaurant, no buffet, our food was freshly prepared just for us. We took enough food home for another entire meal. It was wonderful! From there we went to the Bend Public Library to publish our blog on the internet (finally), download over 150 e-mail messages (mostly junk mail) and other computer activities.
The Bend Public Library is probably the best we have encountered in our travels, and we visited many to take advantage of their internet access. The building was a two story structure with open glass walls, and in use by many people of all ages on a busy Saturday afternoon.
Leaving there we did mundane chores such as buying fuel and food (the two major expenses of our travels, just like home) and returned to our campsite.