It's been glorious this week despite some really cold nights. I've been walking around the neighborhood and can't seem to leave the house without a camera. Today, Ryan and I went with some friends on a Bend Haunts walking tour of downtown. Come along with me! Above, our house decked out for Halloween (pun intended). Actually, it's pretty light on Halloween, but I thought it would be nice to show where we started.
Around the corner is this lovely house, just dripping with fall leaves.
Shortly you come to the Newport Bridge, our gateway to downtown.
The tour started at the old Reid School, the first school in Bend. This historical building is now home to the Deschutes County Historical Society and museum.
Our tour guide told us many stories about local sites that have had murders, suicides and ghost tales. It would have been spookier at the later (night-time) tours, but then I wouldn't have these great photos, so just pretend it's dark and spooky.
McMenamin's Old St. Francis School has been remodeled and now sports a pub, hotel, theater and fabulous soaking pool. On a side note, I was watching old episodes of Oregon Art Beat online yesterday and found this great story about the artwork at the McMenamin's locations.
There are stories about ghosts and hauntings here. A couple staying at The Nunnery house (above) found the morning after they arrived, a photo of themselves sleeping, on their cell phone- creepy! They didn't stay another night. I wouldn't have either!
I just love the style here!
The old Bend Firehall has held restaurants for many years, but there are ghost tales here too.
Across the street is Hospital Hill (now hotel hill).
Yesterday's walk took me past some leaf piles
and the footbridge
to Baked, an afternoon bakery that had a lovely pumpkin display to keep Scrabble company while I was picking out my delicious fresh baked bread.
Hope you have a wonderful Halloween weekend! I'll be back with more spooky stuff soon.