Crater Lake

We actually got up early this morning and were on the road by 10:15 because we had a 200-mile drive to even get to Crater Lake and then another 100 or so miles further to get to our stopping place for the night. We drove a little while to give the restaurants a chance to open for the lunch crowd and then stopped in Albany, OR for a Sizzler lunch.

We also looked for a Post Office or UPS Store to mail the redwood windmill we bought last week. (Did I tell you about that? No? Well, you’ll just have to visit us to see it.) There’s no way we can get it on the plane, so we’re just going to ship it home. Dear stopped in at an Army Recruiting place to ask if there was such a store nearby and the Army person gave some sketchy directions. We never did find it. I hope that guy isn’t on a SAR team! (Just for K, that means Search And Rescue. Love. I hear that your paint job is coming along nicely.)

Anyway, Albany was the first town where we’d actually seen an A/G church on this trip, so naturally we had to have a photo. They had a fireworks stand on their parking lot (great fundraiser!) and I figure that the female in the picture was standing on the sidewalk to make sure that drivers-by knew that the fireworks were available – just in case they didn’t see the giant white tent or the FIREWORKS signs every 3 feet along the road.

We made the rest of the trip to Crater Lake in pretty good time. Got there about 4 p.m. Along the way, we passed the Lowell Covered Bridge, the Blue Pool camping area, and Diamond Peak. There are pictures of each place. Then we paid the entrance fee for yet another national park and drove the last few miles to Crater Lake.

All I could say was, “Wow.” Check out the photos and you’ll see what I mean.

Crater Lake was formed when the volcano Mount Mazama erupted 7,000 years ago (so they say) and the top of the mountain collapsed in on itself. Eventually, the rain and snow runoff filled the hole and became what was dubbed Crater Lake. (What? Did you think it was formed by a meteor that hit the earth?) The deepest point of the lake is 1,943 ft. and the average depth is 1,148 ft. It’s the deepest lake in the US and one of the deepest in the world.

Wizard Island is one of two “islands” in the lake and is actually a volcano-in-progress forming upward from the floor of the lake. The other island is called the Phantom Ship because of its appearance. One more interesting thing is that Crater Lake is called a closed ecological system because no stream runs into or out of the lake. Isn’t it amazing how “nature” is self-sufficient and perfectly balanced? Hmmm, I vote that it’s all part of a creative plan. Amen.

Entertaining AND informative. I should get an Emmy.

I took way too many pictures, but it was so awesome that I just couldn’t stop. Flip through quickly if you get bored. I’m especially proud of a couple of them and plan to ooch my buddy, Buddy, into painting one of them to add to our, um, I mean HIS collection.

We stopped at the Rim Village Visitor’s Center to take care of some necessities and then looked around the gift shop. I bought a couple of things, including a Christmas ornament to commemorate our 2008 vacation.

Back on the road toward Phoenix (Oregon, not Arizona) – our destination for sleeping tonight. Along the way, we passed some interesting shops. Moozie’s Café and Catering boasted “Udderly Delicious Food” and was next door to the Longhorn Saloon. I found that immensely amusing. Then we saw the Purple Parrot that declared they had White Castle burgers. They lied. Well, they had the frozen ones, but that’s just cruel.

The hands-down winner for the day was the drive-through coffee stand in Eagle Point. I wanted to get a bunch of their cups just for the shock value. “Hi, welcome to our home. Would you like some coffee??” You’ll have to look at the pictures to get it.

We had dinner at Miguel’s Mexican Restaurant in Eagle Point. After the hilarity of their other retail establishments, we figured the food would probably be worth the effort. We all had various flavors of burritos and they were great. Knock on wood. We’re 2 for 2 with Mexican food, so I think we should quit while we’re ahead and are not regretting those choices. If you get my drift…

We made it to the Super 8 in Phoenix before dark and are settled in for the night. I’m so thrilled that all the pictures turned out good – I was worried because it seemed so hazy out. Must be the NoCal fires sending all the smoke northward and eastward.

Tomorrow we drive back into CA, but it’s only 150 miles to where we’re staying in … get this … Anderson. I look for significance in the small things. We didn’t want a long drive on the holiday because you just never know what kind of other drivers will be out there, too. Be safe, everyone.

ttfn