I've lived in Bend, Oregon for a very long time now. I've been around long enough to see it get below zero many times. It always makes laugh too. People are always so shocked how cold it is. Which, it really isn't that cold... due to the sun we get with it.The only time I consider our weather here in Central Oregon to be unbearable is when the wind is blowing with these cold temperatures. Then you are talking about the difference between maybe -8 degrees with no wind, and maybe -20 degrees. At least feels like that much of a gap.
The first Photograph in this post, was taken a few years ago. It is off of Highway 20, on the East side of Bend. The air was cold enough to freeze what little moisture resides in your nasal passage as you inhaled that night. You could feel a sharp, crisp, and almost refreshing tingle in your throat.
This next photo is from my mother's drive way. Also taken a few years ago, on the same night as the other. These are some Central Oregon Juniper Bushes, that lined her driveway at the time. These bushes probably stood about four feet tall, six in their longest areas. With this snow fall, they were weighed down to about two and half feet.When it gets into the lower temps like this, the snow loses a lot of its moisture qualities. It becomes dry, and crumbly. If you look at the photograph closely, you can see sparkles. This is very common when the snow reaches this consistency. It almost seems unreal.
I love Bend for all the seasons. The winter especially. The "snowbirds" (people who like the cold and winter activities Central Oregon has to offer) are always fun to hang out with this time of year. Mt. Bachelor always draws world famous skiers and snowboarders to Bend. It also produces them... With epic Bachelor runs like Old Skyliner, Red Chair (also a Deschutes Brewery IPA), Outback Express, Downunder West, West Village Getback and dozens more!
