WE WERE LITTLE SCRUBS: We came to Bend to ride. Colorado was played out. We kept going and cross those rockies in Wyoming, going all the way to Bend to meet up with Derek D. It was Bry and I, with all of our belongings, packed into my shitty ‘84 Buick Skyhawk. “The Hawk” is what we called that hunk of shit. Anyhoo, we made a new life for ourselves in Bend that late summer of 1993. That fall, we got our passes and rode EVERY bit of Mt. Bachelor. That was our life. Up warly and up to ride, and back to town in the late afternoon to go to our respective, halfwit mountain town jobs. This was our new life. Loved that first winter out there. Derek, Bry, Campbell, Chad and Johnny. Just awesome.

Spent a couple moments today daydreaming about my days in Bend. I’m really excited to go down there tomorrow night, and then to tell my little story on Thursday to the high desert creative set. Proud as hell. A bit of a homecoming, in a sense. To me, at least. Spent five good winters kicking that town’s ass, and hope to say thanks for such a great run. I will. And other things! Gonna be a fun morning!

This Thursday, Bend: AdFed Central Oregon presents: February AdBite: “Tall Tales From A Large Man with Aaron Draplin of the Draplin Design Co.”