Day 2 Crater Lake, OR

Come to find out we saw everything we could see yesterday, almost.  All the trails are closed (snowed in), and the rim road is closed, but you could hike the road for about 5 miles each direction.  We elected to hike to Vidae Falls, about 3.5 miles one way.  It was a nice hike down a paved, but closed, road with high snow banks on each side, with rocks or snow falling on the road as we walked (is that why it's closed?).  It was a good hike, again in the middle of a snow field in our tee shirts and sweating!  I elected to help clear some snow for the Road Crew........

Sandy carved our name at the falls

(from NPS Visitor Guide) Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, fed by rain and snow (but no rivers or streams), the lake is considered to be the cleanest large body of water in the world.  The lake rest inside a caldera formed approximately 7,700 years ago when a 12,000 foot tall volcano collapsed following a major eruption.  The eruption may have been the largest in North America in the past 640,000 years.  The Park was established in 1902.

Today the water was not a mirror like yesterday, and we did not get any better viewing angles on the lake.  So here are some more great shots from yesterday.  Grab one for a screen saver!  Come later in July to be able to drive the whole rim road and do some hiking.  Truly a majestic sight.

Crater Lake National Park, OR

We pulled up to Crater Lake and the entry point suggested we look somewhere else for our big rig, about 25% of  their campground was open, but not suggested for the big ones yet.  So we went to Diamond Lake and checked into a Forest Service CG.

Wanted to do a quick trip up to the top to check things out, and OMG!  It's just stunning!  Still lots of snow everywhere, but when you get that first look into the crater, it just takes your breath away.  Deep blue water inside steep crater walls and the other side reflects on the mirror perfect water!  We decided to stay up here another day, but I wanted to share some pictures with you.  

The Park got hit with 54 feet of snow this past winter.  There is one road from the south that is kept open year around, and there are about 30 employees that work through the winter. 

Snow everywhere, but we were out in tee shirts, and working up a sweat.  

Oh, and here is what the campground looks like, and it's the end of JUNE!  It's SUMMER!  No picnic table yet, it hasn't been uncovered.

More to come tomorrow, maybe a hike down to the water?

Yakima, my ol' stomping grounds

Our next stop is my old stomping grounds, and near where I graduated High School, Yakima Washington.  We invaded the home of my best High School buddy, Gary and his wife JoAnn.  It’s been quite awhile since we’ve been able to get together.  I got him started in the Forest Service and he’s done very well, and beat me into retirement, if that’s what you can call it, he’s still working during fire season.  You can’t beat that!  Not having to put up with all that paper work, and getting to pick and choose when you want to work!  Of course the Forest Service is like every other Federal Agency, cutting, cutting, and more cutting, but like this year, SOMEBODY has to fight the fires!  I’m just jealous, I have fond memories of the Forest Service, and also the FAA.  Gary and I solved all of the problems in the Federal sector, while Sandy and JoAnn traded some secrets about crafts and traveling to Italy (our next big adventure).

I took advantage of Gary’s help and we removed the slideout awning to investigate a water leak we’ve been having.   It’s been raining most of our trip until now, but as we turn south, the weather is getting warmer and drier.  But, this awning was sagging with a big puddle of water on it, and when the slide is moved in, some water is forced inside the coach at the last minute.  Once that water had found a little worm hole, it was happening more and more.  So, after talking with Winnebago Tech Support (these guys are great!) I felt confident in taking off the awning.  We cleaned up the flashing on the slide roof and found some likely spots for water intrusion.  We found that the flashing had some gaps in it, so it was an easy fix to caulk that outside edge, and re-assemble the awning.

We had a BBQ with some other High School buddies too.  Most of the guys I hung out with are still in town, we just couldn't reach them on short notice.  So, Dave & Sue, and Steve were kind enough to come over for a few.  Sandy and I made Banana & Nutella Crepes for dessert.  (We learned this trick in Isla Mujeres, Mexico).   Steve has been working on Harley's or some type of motorcycle since he could walk (his dad owned the shop).  Dave is now working for a local trucking firm.  It was great seeing them again.

Thanks Gary and JoAnn for hosting our little party.