Oregon

As we left California with its many spectacular views and experiences, we loved seeing Mt. Shasta along our way north.

Visible for miles and miles along IH 5, nothing says 'majestic' like a beautiful mountain!

We decided to visit Crater Lake while in Oregon and were pleased to settle in to an inexpensive RV park in Myrtle Creek. The landscape from the California border and continuing on our day trip to Crater Lake was stunning with the heavily forested mountains and crystal clear rivers.


Upon arriving at the lake, we found it to be a perfect backdrop for a few snapshots and loved taking in the deep blue reflection.

Can you tell we're cold? The temp was only 48 F! We were expecting the upper 60's. At times, weather forecasting reliability is sorely lacking!

We wanted this photo to demonstrate the scale of the lake - this is a NPS tour boat, probably at least 45 ft. long!

Isn't it something that God can create a lake of such beauty in the aftermath of a volcanic explosion? We continued through the park to the visitor's center and viewed old lodge facilities. Half of the video presentation was focused on Indian lore regarding the origination of the lake, but the exhibits and displays of the collapse of the volcano within itself was intriguing.

At the gift shop, the boys purchased a sledding saucer with an eye toward several snow covered areas along the entering roadway. The first stop was a fairly steep sloped pile that landed the guys in a muddy plateau of gravel. Here's Linda uncovering her eyes after Cory's descent - thinking about the proximity or lack thereof to any emergency facilities for severe lacerations or broken limbs!

See how worried our youngest looks?

Craig was trying to decide whether to help him stop or get out of the way...

He got out of the way.

Trying to slow the pace by dragging an arm and a leg..

Not so gentle a landing - but having a blast!

We found this fairly large area of snow that wasn't nearly as steep - also not as fast. The boys spent as much time pushing each other as riding. The thrill of sledding in July more than made up for any shortcomings of available ideal slopes and we left the park with messy, cold, wet kids!

The drive back was at least as pleasant through the forested mountains and rivers as the incoming route. We stopped at 'Colliding Rivers' and found it true to its name - two rivers converge at this basaltic formation.

We took a bit of time to savor the sound of rushing water. As peaceful as the rivers come together at this time, at flood stages the water is more than 20 feet higher and of course much more turbulent!

As beautiful as the Oregon coastline must surely be, we moved on to Washington state. We'll do some sightseeing along the Columbia River at the border and, of course, the Lewis and Clark terminal of their historic journey.