Whew , that was a hard walk up the butte this afternoon ! I’m sure it was the 73 degrees , not the fact that I haven’t walked it because it was Covid closed for months .

Absolutely beautiful !

I’m not saying where this is because then it will become crazy busy – like all my other favorite trails !

Another beautiful day out exploring !

The 4 new townhomes are for sale in Sisters , the Hens Tooth has reopened (gifts galore) and the views are endless .,. I love living in Central Oregon !

… for hiking up it , but no cars ! Beautiful day , incredible views all around .

On the way up the dirt trail , looking NE .

Black Butte has no snow – so we can plant our veggies outside ! We just have to cover them most nights , it’ll still get cold .

The city of Bend and the 3 Sisters to the west !

Looking to the SE .

Mt. Jefferson to the right of BB.

Waffles the hiking dog !

Heading back down the hill .

The view opens up to the 3 Sisters = thank you !

The first time I’ve ever known Pilot Butte to be closed – hundreds of people walk it each day for exercise – nice to be back !

Our trails have been closed for so long that I’ve forgotten what a long hike is like ! Walking around my new neighborhood in Sisters helped – wind through the trees , smell of the pines !

I took my last hike right before we were asked to stay at home safely , thinking that we’d be the only ones on the butte . Not ! The most people I’ve ever seen .

So last week I went to a trail very early in the morning , hoping to be almost alone . Not ! You’d think I’d learn .

The trail along the River out of the Old Mill area was a primitive trail years ago when I walked it with my malamute , but now it’s wide enough for a car . I was surprised to see that there were signs telling people which way to walk ! What country am I in ?!

Silly . Wearing a mask and gloves and staying 6′ away wasn’t enough outside ? I’d been to a store for the first time the day before , and only 2 of us had masks and gloves on , and now outside they want you to walk a certain direction ? Makes no sense .

Since I only had a short time and it was so early , I kept going , only to run into a woman who went off on me for walking the wrong way . She lost it , cussing , gesturing wildly , making strange comments about my dog . I told her that I’d pray for her , and to have a nice day, and kept walking .

Everyone else I met was wonderful and we had nice chats as we stepped away from each other . Just like the rest of life , some people are handling the quarantine with grace , and others are losing their marbles . I’m still praying for her .