Crater Lake

Mon, Aug 22

We had camped at Cottage Grove, OR, which is a large logging-lumber center. Trucks like this come and go frequently around here.

The road to Crater Lake ran up and down the mountains along the North Umpqua River. So many glimpses of the river made for many photo stops along our route. At one point, I got so engrossed in the photographing, that I walked out of Grandpa's sight and he thought I'd fallen into the river! 

The river is a favorite of fishermen, drifting tubers, kayakers and rapids runners, because of it’s various currents along the way.

And appropriately, along Grandma Su’s adventure, there is a creek named in my honor!

We stopped for lunch at scenic Diamond Lake.

Arriving at Crater Lake West Rim Drive late in the afternoon, we got our first glimpse of the lake, which is 1,943 feet deep in the collapsed crater of the volcano, Mount Mazama which erupted 7,700 years ago. It was first discovered by gold prospectors and became a National Park in 1902. Filled by snow and rain over 5,000 years, with no streams running in or out, it appears to be a very deep sapphire blue because of it’s depth.

For a National Park, we were less than thrilled with their camping facilities. We’d made reservations several months earlier, but were told it was first-come, first-serve anyway, and by 3 PM the best campsites had already been taken. Only 10 of over 200 sites were large enough or had electricity. The “office” was only a kiosk, and the camp store was tiny. Even the restrooms need updating! But we got settled in, and after dinner went along the West Rim Road again, camera ready and looking for sunset views.

First the reddening sky colors the rock walls surrounding the lake,

 and the white bark pines lining the banks, 

Then it creates a stunning firelight in the sky!

Tues, Aug 23

This morning we arose early to see the East Rim of Crater Lake, first stopping to see Phantom Ship Rock.

A side spur road took us to the Pinnacles. These 100 ft tall spires were fumeroles, where volcanic gas rose up through hot ash deposits, turning them to solid rock.

At Cloudcap Overlook, 1,790 ft above the water, we saw Crater Lake from the highest point along the Rim Drive.

We even found the Pumice Castle, a layer of orange pumice rock that juts from the side of the rim and has eroded into the shape of a castle.

We got several views of Wizard Island and the small boat that tours the Lake from Cleetwood Cove.

That little white thing with a wake behind it is one of two boats allowed on the lake!

Continuing our tradition of eating in each National Park Lodge, we decided on brunch at the Crater Lake Lodge, before leaving the Park. It's perched among the trees at the top of a mountain above the lake.

The Lobby has a huge fireplace, which was burning nicely on this chilly morning, and plenty of fresh flowers. This young couple was enjoying breakfast on the veranda overlooking the deep blue Crater Lake!

Foggy Pacific Shore

Sun, Aug 21

Eager to get our first glimpses of the Pacific Ocean, we set out from Silverton on Sunday morning, over the coastal mountain range to the rocky shores of Oregon.

We were in awe as we watched the fog rolling in from the ocean, creating ethereal sights.

But the fog didn’t stop some folks from enjoying the beach at low tide.

And the birds and bees seemed comfortable.

Plants are plentiful also, growing between rocks or on windy hills. Note how the tree is bent over by the prevailing coastal winds.

Lighthouses and coastal villages were also blanketed in fog.

But the rocky shore still calls to us, so we’ll return on the northward portion of this journey.

Oregon Family

Aug 18-20

Grandpa Bernie’s brother and his wife live in Salem, OR, and part of our trip was to visit with them.

Dan and Lee

Silverton is a smaller city, rather “artsy” in Grandpa’s vernacular. In fact, we attended the Silverton Fine Arts Festival on Saturday.

There is also a classic Chevy owner’s meet here in town, some of whom are staying in the same RV campground. Very nostalgic for me, as my Dad was a Chevy man all my life, and I’ve owned a couple of classics myself.

Dan and Lee took us out to see their horses. These are French draught horses which they have “rescued”, along with several dogs and cats that are now their house pets. The horses are very large, as Dan is over 6’5” tall and needed a big horse for riding. But they are also quite gentle, and I soon overcame my anxiety around them.

Renny 

Chance

Later they drove us to Mt. Angel, a quaint little German tourist town, where we had dessert at The Glockenspiel (clock tower) and drove up to the Abbey.

We ended our weekend visit with a steak barbecue at their home in Salem, and it was a wonderful meal with heart warming conversation, an afternoon we shall long remember.

Dan & Bernie

The Rose City

We truly enjoyed our 3 days in Portland! What a vibrant city!

Day one, we took a walking tour of downtown, and waited in line with tourists and locals to buy an exotic  VooDoo Donut, a Portland landmark. I tried their infamous Bacon Maple, and Grandpa got a Dirty Old Bastard, covered with fudge, peanut butter and Oreo pieces!

We ate lunch at one of the many food trucks (street vendors) found at several locations around the city. Then we followed the Pink Tour Trolley, and went up to and through Washington Park, which includes the Rose Test Gardens, Zoo, and a Children’s Museum, among many acres of hilltop parkland.

The second day we went shopping at Costco, which is very like Sam’s Club and BJ’s. Along the way, we saw more of the city. Our campground is located in the NE, along the Columbia River, which is dotted with Marinas and “floating homes”, boat houses with living spaces and tiny front porches decorated with potted plants, very charming. Near our campground is the airport, with this marvelous view.

The third day we toured the SE section of the city, including Mt Tabor Park and the

Ladd Circle

area. One can actually feel the positive energy of the city here! Upbeat city streets with shops and restaurants, neighborhoods of well kept homes with pretty gardens in front, and traffic circle parks filled with….what else but roses?

I also had an opportunity to meet some Portland friends I had made online. Again, a room full of positive energy!

Today, onward to Silverton to visit with Grandpa’s brother and family.  

Historic Highways, Scenic Byways

Sunday, Aug 14

We wanted to split the distance between our camp and Portland, so we found a “first come, first serve” Oregon State Park and picked out a lovely pull through spot surrounded by trees and flowering shrubs.

Grandpa read up on the tourist attractions in the area, plus we had suggestions from family and friends, so we decided on a plan. Rather than take an excursion train to Mt Hood, $50.00 for 3 hours, we decided to drive. Along the way, we did see that train.

We started out along Historic Highway 30 along the Columbia River Gorge,

Which also happens to be the Oregon Scenic Byway,

And has views such as this.

This portion contains several waterfalls, Horsetails

And Wahkeena.

 Multomnah we’ll try to see tomorrow, when we might find a parking spot. (We did return, and her's the proof.)

We wanted to see Bridal Veil Falls, but the path was far to steep for us to hike in sandals and moccasins. Grandpa was impressed with the size of the pine trees in the area. Imagine how old these trees must be, if Grandpa can’t even reach all the way around a trunk.

Next we stopped in the town of Cascade Locks, to visit their Marina. There we saw the sternwheeler leave dock for a tour of the Columbia River. We also found the Native American fishing village, and we purchased some smoked salmon. Fresh salmon was also available, and we watched as the Natives cleaned and filleted them. And locals were picking black raspberries, which they allowed us to sample, yum!

 From here we took the Bridge of the Gods into Washington to the town of Stevenson. Off the pier we watched windsurfers and kite surfers. This area is the windsurfing capital of the world, according to the locals. They sell delicious ice cream in town too.

Near the pier is this marvelous kinetic sculpture called “Galaxy”, high on a post at the park’s entrance.

On this side of the river, the scenic route is Hwy 14, called the Lewis & Clark Hwy. Here trains and road run parallel along the rivers edge and up the slopes.

Our second motorhome, a Safari Trek, (we’re currently travelling in #4) was manufactured nearby in Salem, OR. One of it’s favorite features was the airbrush mural on it’s back panel, of an eagle soaring around Mt Hood. So we crossed back into Oregon at Hood River and headed down the Mt Hood Scenic Byway. Driving southward, we also saw Mt Adams in Washington in our rearview mirrors. That snow covered peak is 12,756 ft high.

As we rounded the bend, Mt Hood came into glorious view, rising 11,253 snow capped feet on the horizon.

As we drove back to our campsite, anticipating a dinner of grilled steak and smoked salmon, we agreed that this day, like each day previously, had been the best day so far!