Kryptic’s Thoughts

Bend, Oregon that is…
Meet Margot.

After losing contact some thirty odd years ago, these two sisters have been reunited.

The internet is a wonderful thing. A return to her maiden name, a write up in a local paper about her new business, a Google search and WALAH!! Reunion.

After the initial exchange of information and telephone numbers via email and a very long phone call, they agreed we all should meet in Bend and spend the day together. A nerve wracking (for Rose and Margot) week later we drove to Bend. We decided to meet at the restaurant across the street from the hotel on Thursday morning. All I could say when Margot got out of the car was, “Wow!”. The resemblance was uncanny. They both look very much like their dad. We sat down and they started catching up and filing each other in on the last thirty years. The conversation and laughter continued through breakfast. They were instantly comfortable with each other. If you didn’t know that it had been thirty years since they had seen each other, there would have been no way to discern it from their interaction. They fit together just like “peas and carrots”.

Margot’s husband Eddie was working, but would catch up with us “girls” in the evening; or so we thought. After breakfast we decided to go to Margot’s to see photos of her two boys, Eddie and his two sons. When we arrived, we got to meet Eddie in person! He hadn’t left for the job site yet and was blown away by the resemblance just like I was! Same body type, same movements, same facial expressions, similar voices and same whole hearted laugh. After an hour or so of interrupting Eddie’s time to work on his plans and bid proposal, we decided to head over to the “High Dessert Museum” and let Eddie get back to work.

If you ever find yourself in Bend, Oregon, make sure to visit this museum. This is the best small museum I have ever been to! It is thoughtfully designed to showcase not only the animals they care for, but to allow the natural wildlife to participate. The pathway through the museum guides your eyes to the best views of the natural of the landscape, allowing full appreciation of it. Along the path you will come across beautiful sculptures of various animal artfully placed to highlight the beauty of each location and draw you eye to a closer look at what otherwise might be missed. A stream stocked with trout meanders through the exhibits providing a bit of lush green contrast to the otherwise dry desert pine environment. The animal habitats are top quality and all of the animals I say seemed alert and engaged. A wonderful thing to see when you’ve seen so many animals at various zoos or animal parks looking miserably bored.

The living history part of the park was like walking into the past. Not one of the actors ever broke broke character. They were all very well knowledgeable and comfortable interacting with the guests. It was by far the best “living history” experience I have ever had. We stayed until the museum closed and enjoyed the place so much we hung out around the picnic tables outside of the enterance. We all enjoyed the scenery and chatted until it was time to go to Bend’s free music in the park offering at Drake Park, called “Munch ‘N Music”. There were 20 or 30 different food vendors and I swear half the town must have showed up! The place was packed! Eddie had arrived before we did with lawn chairs and had staked us out a place right up front. It was fun to watch people dancing, laughing and just enjoying the late afternoon turn into evening. We said our goodbyes and promised to keep in touch. We left Bend, Margot and Eddie exhausted and elated. We go back soon I’m sure.