Texas senator and one-time presidential hopeful Ted Cruz spent his Independence Day weekend vacationing among the rivers and trees of central Oregon.

Many members of the U.S. Senate, including Oregon's, are taking time off before they're to vote on a controversial proposal to repeal ObamaCare, which could cause millions to lose health coverage. The vote could be as early as next week.

According to social media posts and eyewitnesses, Cruz visited the High Desert Museum, floated the Deschutes River and roomed at the upscale 400-acre gated community of Caldera Springs, 15 miles south of Bend.

Cruz's staff did not return requests from The Oregonian/OregonLive to confirm the senator's visit. Caldera Springs does not disclose its guests, per their privacy policy, staff said.

The senator's vacation comes as several of his Republican colleagues have taken vitriolic criticism from constituents for their support for the health care proposal. U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., spoke with constituents Friday about flood relief efforts, only to be interrupted by audience members wanting an explanation of his health care vote. Oregon's own U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, an architect of House Republican's health care plan, got an earful at town halls earlier this year, including during one in Bend.

Though spotted in Oregon Sunday, Cruz needs to be in Texas by Tuesday, as he has a town hall scheduled in the southern border town of McAllen.

-- Gordon R. Friedman

503-221-8209; @GordonRFriedman