Oregon, the final frontier. Early in our nation’s history, the land west of the Mississippi River was unmapped and unexplored. Only the local indigenous peoples were familiar with the mysterious Pacific Northwest. The states we know as Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and parts of Wyoming and Montana were part of the vast Oregon Territory.
The history of the current Central Oregon region is filled with popular tales of Native Americans, fur trappers, sheepherders, cattlemen, homesteaders, railroads, lumber mills, and most recently, recreation. The lesser known but equally intriguing stories talk of ghost towns, mining, moonshine, cults, and everything in between.
Secret Bend, Oregon: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure weaves together these tales from the past with stories from the present. It delves deeper into history and local peculiarities to uncover why the region is so fascinating. From natural beauty to the origins of our towns, from pristine lakes to colorful alley art, and from fantasy Hobbit houses to astronaut training, the unique narrative of Central Oregon is enthusiastically shared in this book.
Both educational and entertaining, locals and visitors who read Secret Bend, Oregon will walk away with a greater understanding and deeper appreciation for the area. They will also have many new places to explore!
About the Author:
Joshua Savage is an avid traveler, writer, and educator who turned his passions into a fulltime lifestyle. Originally a native of the South, he, his wife, and his two daughters sold their possessions and began traveling the world. When they landed in Bend, Oregon, they immediately fell in love with the Pacific Northwest and made it home. With many new things to learn and endless natural beauty to explore, Joshua is always on the hunt for new adventures.
He has written two fiction novels, two children’s books, tons of short stories and two editions of the popular travel guide 100 Things to Do in Bend, Oregon Before You Die. He freelances for multiple magazines, newspapers, and other publications. Josh also teaches Spanish and writing courses. Many of his writings and adventures can be found at the Ultimate Scavenger on Medium.com.
Upcoming Events:
Presentation and Book Signing
Saturday, September 21, from 5-6:30pm
Roundabout Books
900 Northwest Mount Washington Drive #110, Bend, OR 97703
541-306-6564
Free and open to the public
Book Signing — First Friday in Downtown Bend
Friday, October 4, from 5-8pm
The Underground Book Gallery
Lower Level, 206 NW Oregon Ave Unit A, Bend, OR 97701
Free and open to the public
Book Signing
Wednesday, October 30, from 1-4pm
The Gear Fix
550 SW Industrial Way #183, Bend, OR 97702
541-617-0022
Free and open to the public
Book Signing — First Friday in Downtown Bend
Friday, November 1, from 5-7pm
Desperado Boutique
933 NW Bond St, Bend, OR 97703
541-749-9980
Free and open to the public
Talking Points from the Book
Central Oregon, a natural paradise, is more than recreation, tasty beers, food trucks and Suburus. The region is home to a rich history and many fascinating locations such as:
- Remnants of old homesteads like Riley Ranch where settlers attempted to make lives for themselves here in the West.
- Pilot Butte, an extinct volcano and landmark in the city of Bend. Once used as a waypoint for Native Americans and early explorers, the butte is now a spot to get amazing panoramic views of the city, watch the sunset, and to get some exercise hiking or running up and down the butte.
- A Shire inspired by Tolkien’s The Hobbitand Lord of the Rings.
- Alleys full of vivid art in downtown Bend and more and more colorful murals and sculptures constantly popping up across town.
- The Lava Lands, a surreal and otherworldly location filled with lava rock where astronauts trained for the first moon landing.
- Numerous caves waiting to be explored such as the Redmond Caves, Boyd Cave, and the Lava River Cave at the Newberry National Monument.
- Public land for all of us to explore, protect, and enjoy. The Badlands, Deschutes National Forest, Three Sisters Wilderness… The list seems endless!
- Numerous natural hot springs scattered across the region, like the small pools at Cougar Hot Springs or the more upscale experience at Breitenbush.
- John Day Fossil Beds where we can learn about Oregon’s ancient history or Wheeler High School in Fossil, Oregon, where true explorers can dig for their own fossils.
- The Deschutes River, the lifeline of Central Oregon both economically and recreationally. Whether fishing, floating, paddle boarding or simply taking in the views, the river flows for all of us to enjoy and appreciate.
Secret Bend is more than a TO DO list. It’s a guide for the curious who want to know more about the region. Sprinkled with a good mix of past and present, the book’s intention is to educate and entertain.