They're going by choice. Her grandmother lives in Bend along with a bunch of her aunts and uncles and cousins. Her and her mom usually go up there to visit every 2 years or so. Her grandmother turns 92 years old next week, and this will probably be her last chance to go visit her. The grandmother is doing pretty well overall, but when you're that old, you're definitely on borrowed time.
Jessica is well aware of the heat up there right now. None of her family up there have AC, so she actually got a hotel room at the Best Western just to have a nice cool room to retire to.