Adventure // Bend, OR

You guys. Dating Ryan is seriously the coolest thing ever. I spent moooooonths just wanting to hang out with him and know him better and now I get to. AND I get to be open about thinking he’s really cute.

In 2013, I briefly dated a boy who wrecked me. He broke up with me via Facebook message, like a grown up.  The main issue of the whole thing was this weird tension between us where he would complain about me not being outdoorsy and I’d have no idea what he wanted from me, especially when the conversation was happening on a 6 mile hike.

It really messed me up. I don’t think we as people are meant to be so defined and put in a box. Our desire isn’t to be defined, it’s to be KNOWN.  I’m not either or, I’m yes and. Ryan is helping heal that leftover wound from Daniel, just by letting me be yes and. It’s awesome.

Anyway. We went to Bend. and it felt like summer, which made me SO VERY HAPPY.

First we went to Smith Rock, which is maybe one of the prettiest places I’ve been in my whole life. By the time we finished, it was dark enough to see the stars.

https://instagram.com/p/z_lgrYoujl/?taken-by=ry_thompson

 

I’m a big fan of this guy.

I’d also like to declare that Ryan and I played Chinese Checkers and I won 3/5 times. I’ll be getting a trophy made soon.

The next morning, we got coffee at Backporch Coffee Roasters (can I just say that thanks to Ryan, I’m PLOWING through the different coffee shops part of my 101 list). We drove around trying to find Tumalo Falls. After finding it… it was closed. But it was such a pretty day for a drive.

https://instagram.com/p/0BI9R7zUxM/?taken-by=stephanieorefice

 

Everywhere we went was closed, I’m not even kidding! Someone fell asleep while we were attempting to find something open (he is the cutest).

https://instagram.com/p/0Bg4TwzU71/?taken-by=stephanieorefice

 

We finally made it to the lava fields… which were closed, but only to vehicles. So we hiked up to the top. Which was absolutely beautiful and worth it.
https://instagram.com/p/0CWElyIuvE/?taken-by=ry_thompson
https://instagram.com/p/0DxFkaTU5e/?taken-by=stephanieorefice

No joke, I live in the most beautiful area of the United States. and I’m so glad I have such wonderful company to explore it with. SOON IT WILL BE SUMMER and adventuring can happen all the time. ASK ME HOW EXCITED I AM ABOUT THAT BECAUSE THE LIMIT DOES NOT EXIST!