A pondering question has flittered through the minds of my family this week, as we venture into the world outside of Bend.  What is different? Why are these people so very different?  This morning – it came to me.

Attitude.  The people in this town are not living with a Best Places To Live town attitude.

People move to Bend to size down, to family up, to exercise more, to explore. To Ski. To hike and bike. To spelunk. To Float. To join community. A fresh start. A change of lifestyle. They go there to become the best that they can be in Spirituality, Health, Fitness and Lifestyle.

People are eager to meet new members of the community. People want to know your journey – who/what/why are you there. What do you expect to get out of the move. Many a glass of wine has been sipped on the subject. The number one question asked is, “What brought you to Bend?”.  I soon learned that there were as many reasons spiritually as financially. It would be followed by, “How long have you been here?” if not included in your first answer.  We were there for almost 5 years. At first, most of my long time resident friends could only state 5-6 years. Now I feel like I have become a Bend-Ite.  

There is a feeling of sharing and growth. Everywhere I went people wanted to share the secrets of the mountains, rivers, caves. Share their knowledge of the rocks, science, history. Share their joy of a favorite 2 man run taco bar. Their favorite draft on tap. Favorite place with Wi-Fi and a fire. Books are written on it. Blogs are shared.

Here in this place, by the lake, near the ocean in Lincoln County, the pulse is different. They have made it through another season of tourists. I remember that feeling long ago when we lived in a coastal town before. The sigh of relief when the locals are able to walk into a store and get service without a line. They are tired and hardened by the constant need to find work. Downturned economy? It has been here since I remember as a child. Lines of people waiting for someone to post a job at the employment department. Hungry people waiting for food. Tired fisherman long lost the will to fight the government who constantly ups the regulations on their living. Moms in despair of the future of their kids should they stay in these towns. Young adults who feel set for life when they earn over $9.50 per hour.

The Bend-ites know that the tourists are the ticket to keeping the town. Find more people to join the ranks, have need of housing, have need of restaurants, and your way of life continues. I know from working with Economic Development companies and with the County’s department that people who move /live/stay in these coastal counties do not want change. Or growth. They lived it. Raised it. Earned it. Saved it. Time to rest. In peace. Without people or interference. They do not want to pay for the next generation who appears to not want to pay for themselves. They do not want to fund the infrastructure of roads and buildings for new businesses to come in tax free or deferred. They do not have the patience to wait at a stop sign, or the peace of listening to traffic easily.

But in these down times I see that both of these towns have ways to learn from each other. Coos/Douglas/Lincoln county can teach people how to dig deep, dig down.  Persevere in troubles. Live simply. Appreciate every penny and day. Cling to family. Hold on to tradition. Honor the fore fathers of the town. Acknowledge the elders. Loyalty to the pioneer families. Complete loyalty to local businesses.  Crook and Deschutes County can teach appreciation for the natural surroundings. An urgency to become better in health and spirit. An openness to different people and ideas. A heart that grows with new friendships. A love for the land no matter the weather. Support of new business and growth. The joy of learning about each other and supporting each other.

The daughter of a Coast Guard Retiree, and the wife of Coast Guardsman, the Daughter in Law of Air Force Retirees, and a fellow Coastie myself, I’ve done alot of moving. Been exposed to many a different American Cultures.  This has been the most shocking and un describable. Even the children comment. Are puzzled. I will continue to put a written typed finger on it, and will see what my role is in bringing the two cultures together.