Burns to Bend and part way to South Sister's Peak

We made it to Bend yesterday in time to drop Hazel at the Bend Vet for an overnighter.  Then to the Riverhouse for the night and prep for the South Sisters hike.  Prep meaning an expensive stop at REI (water bottles, snacks, some clothes) and a slightly less expensive one at Whole Foods for dinner, early AM breakfast and some more hiking food.  

Then out to the trailhead at 0530 at Devil's Lake for our trek up the mountain.  We managed to find our way with only one scary moment of feeling lost.  We were the only ones on the road but when we got to the trailhead, we had trouble finding a parking spot!  We were the first in our group, but the line of people heading up could have been a queue for a London City bus!  

I immediately ended up in the water, the only one who couldn't walk the two logs across a small stream at the start.  But that was the only mishap for me.  Ro fell once on the way back down but no serious harm to either of us.  We ended up going up slightly more than 4 miles and 9 altogether.  There were spectacular views of many Oregon peaks and some valleys, well worth the trip up though it was a steep climb and we both felt our ages.  

We are safely back with Hazel in the hotel and we also celebrated with two burgers and fries in downtown Bend.  Here are some photos of the last couple of days.

most of the hikers at the start.  a few were up ahead a few still coming along!

South Sisters!  I don't think you can actually see the top but still we are far awaay

Mount Bachelors--hot spot out here

Martha Nelson--Michigan raised Neonatologist who loves to hike in Oregon 

one of the spectacular views--my camera lens doesn't do it justice

Ro and an Alpaca at an unusual roadside stopover off the highway on the way to Burns

the other Alpaca

important Alpaca information!