The Road Less Taken...

We had planned to take the coast road all the way up to WA., but a fellow camper urged us to turn inland on Rt. 42 to 138 through the Umpqua River Scenic Byway to Crater Lake National Park. Were we ever glad we followed his advice. This was our first glimpse of the lake. No one can make a roadside attraction like God can! This lake was created when Mt. Mazama blew its top. The incredible blueness is a result of incredible depth and clarity and yes, that's snow. The rim road just opened all the way around yesterday, July 9th!

Behind us, you can see a small volcanic cone which created its own island, Wizard Island. Notice the lack of guardrails and fences? There are signs, advising one of the danger but beyond that, they simply expect you to be smart. How very un-"PC" of them! But that's what I like about the west....they are Darwinian to the max! Let the gene pool take care of itself....

This is what's left of Mt. Mazama, plus an interesting jagged rock island called "The Phantom Ship." Not pictured is an old tree stump that bobs upright around the lake and has for over 50 years, called The Old Man.

Put Crater on your bucket list. We are so glad we took that road less traveled! And tomorrow, we put the kayaks in Diamond Lake, near Crater where we are camping this week, before we head east towards home.