Cliff and Gerry June 20-24, 2010

Cliff and Gerry visited us from Colorado and we took them to Crater Lake on June 20, the day before the first day of summer. It didn't look like summer there! This snow storm blew up quickly; one minute we were looking at the lake and the next we were covered with snow.

A few minutes later it was over and we had a good view of the lake. Bill and Cliff worked together in a campground in Colorado last year and we all became good friends.

Another day Cliff wanted to take a ride around Diamond Lake on the bike trail. We came upon this peaceful stream meandering through the woods.

The trail is 11 miles long. Us old folks had to take a few breaks along the way.

The view of Mt. Thielson from the opposite side of the lake from our campground was awesome. Diamond Lake is a premier trout fishing lake in Oregon. Cliff went fishing the other day and we had a delicious trout dinner, complete with salad and baked potatoes. Yummmm

We really enjoyed their visit and wished they could stay longer but they have been on the road for a month and it was time to head back to Colorado. Happy trails, Gerry and Cliff!

Oregon Waterfalls, June 14, 2010

We decided to take a look at several waterfalls along Highway 138. The first stop was at Clearwater Falls. This 30 foot falls cascades over moss-covered rocks and logs and is known as a segmented falls. There is a lot of water in the river this time of year with all the snow melt.

Next was Whitehorse Falls, a 15 foot falls on the Clearwater River that empties into a "punchbowl".

The majestic Watson Falls is the tallest falls in Southwest Oregon, plunging 272 feet over the edge of a basalt lava flow.

A wooden bridge crosses over Watson Creek 0.3 mile from the trailhead and offers an excellent view of the falls.

You could feel the spray from the falls when we reached the top of the trail.

At the trailhead to Toketee Falls we found this wooden stave pipe. Water from Toketee Lake flows through this redwood stave pipe, an underground tunnel, and a steel pipe en route to produce hydro electric power. The pipe was running full as there were a few tiny holes near the top spraying out water!

A trail leads through old growth forest along the North Umpqua River with views of cascading water through a narrow rock gorge. The word Toketee in the Chinook language means "pretty" or "graceful".

The upper descent drops 40-feet, and the lower falls plunge 80-feet over a sheer wall of volcanic basalt, creating a tiered, punchbowl effect.

The trail has 200 steps leading to a sturdy deck overlooking the two-tiered falls. Ceilidh enjoyed her afternoon out and needed a nap when we got home.

Crater Lake, June 13, 2010

CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK
Now that the North Entrance is open and only about 4 miles from our campground we decided that it was time to visit Crater Lake.

There is still much snow in the area. Snow plowed off the road was well over 12 feet in places and the snow on the ground was still several feet thick. Crater Lake averages 540 inches of snow a year; that's about 45 FEET! Unbelievable!

This was our first view of Crater Lake. The reflection looked like a mirror. I can't explain the feeling I had when first I saw it. It takes your breath away, the beauty of it all.

The Lodge is still covered by snow on the back side and piles of snow 15-20 feet high are across the front. Even the pine trees seem wearied by all the snow.

Five miles wide and ringed by cliffs almost 2000 feet high, the lake rests in the shattered remains of a volcano called Mount Mazama, which erupted and collapsed into itself.

Later eruptions formed Wizard Island, pictured here. There is no water flow into or out of Crater Lake. All the water is from the snow melt from the tremendous amounts of snow that fall each year.

Crater Lake, at 1943 feet deep, is the deepest lake in the United States and one of the deepest in the world. This depth results in the brilliant blue color of the water. Notice the reflection in this picture. It is difficult to tell where the water ends and the side walls begin.

We had brought a picnic lunch and sat on this snow bank and enjoyed this awesome view. Notice that Bill has on only a tee shirt. Despite the snow, it was surprisingly warm. What a wonderful, unforgetable experience. Crater Lake is truly the most beautiful place I have ever seen!

This is truly America the Beautiful at its best.

The Rogue Gorge, Oregon June 7, 2010

THE ROGUE GORGE

The Rogue River begins 27 miles from here on the slopes of Mt. Mazama. Almost 7,000 years ago Mt. Mazama (present day Crater Lake) exploded, sending torrents of whitish pumice down its flanks to the Rogue. the river had to seek a new path.

The Rogue Gorge forms a chasm 500 feet long. The gorge narrows to 25 feet and it drops to 45 feet to the river. Evidence of Lava tubes are seen on the gorge walls.

Enough water (410,000 gallons) flows through each minute to fill an Olympic-size pool... but with an average temperature of 45 degrees F., would you want to swim in it??

Because of the Rogues very cold water, native fish do not grow to a large size.

THE LIVING STUMP

Here on the flat surface of the lava flow, away from the gorge wall, the trees live as a group rather than as individuals. The roots of these Douglas firs have grown together, providing each other with nutrients and water. Before it was cut, the roots of this tree had grafted onto those of a neighbor. Because of this, the stump continues to grow.

Diamond Lake RV Park, OR May 2010

DIAMOND LAKE RV PARK
After "staying put" in Grants Pass for several days, we finally got a call from Bill, the owner of the campground, that the roads were clear enough for us to come up the mountain. It was May 20: we should have been there on the 12th.

As we got to the higher elevation, snow was evident along the sides of the road. And it was snowing! This is the private road into the campground.

A week later, we woke up to this! There was much to do to get the campground ready to open: put out picnic tables at each site, clean up downed trees, clean the restrooms and laundry room, clean the office and cabin. In the winter the buildings are usually under snow. The only way to get in is by snowshoe!

This is our office cabin. We also have our workamper potlucks here once a week. That way, the one who is working can also join in. We've had some really good meals already: lasagna, taco soup, mac & cheese, hamburgers, plus all the "sides" and homemade ice cream!

We finally opened the campground on Wednesday, May 26, about 12 days later than normal.

This is a view of Mt. Thielson from the bike/hike path that goes around Diamond Lake. Ceilidh likes to walk this trail and smell all the "chippies". She caught one in camp last week but it got away.....

Here is "home" until October. The campground is on leased National Forest land. We are surrounded by Lodge Pole Pines. It is so quiet here. We are 90 miles from the nearest Walmart, about 60 miles from a decent grocery store. No TV reception but the cell phone and air card work well. We watch a lot of movies and play games. Just learned how to play Cribbage yesterday!

This is a view of Mt. Bailey, across Diamond Lake. Diamond lake is Oregon's premier trout fishing lake.

This camper was happy with his catch of the day! The limit is 5 per day, and only one over 20 inches. Our record so far this year is 23 1/2 inches.

We had trout on the grill last night for supper, given to us by one of the campers. Yummmm..

Wildlife Images, Grants Pass, OR May 19, 2010

"A place whee wild things arrive to get a helping hand, and leave having given us the ability to understand."

Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Center takes in about 1000 injured birds and animals a year. About half of them are returned to the wild.

Some, however, will never return to the wild for various reasons. While watching the eagles we were surprised and delighted to witness a juvenile eagle perch on the top of the cage and carry on a "conversation" with the eagles below.

This is Jane, the black bear who has lead a very eventful life. Smuggled into Italy after being sold on the black market, an American couple who saw her there were determined to save her. After waiting 8 months for paperwork to clear she arrived at Wildlife Images in 1990. X-rays revealed bottle caps, chewing gum and other "junk" food in her digestive system. She has fully recovered but can never be released into the wild after so many years of human contact. She is, however, the only bear they know of that has an Italian passport!

The center also has two grizzly bears. About 18 years ago, when the bears were 3 years old, the state of Alaska asked Wildlife Images to keep the bears for them until they could establish a place for them. After 2 or 3 years, Alaska decided they couldn't take them back and they have bee here ever since.

This is a cougar, also know as a mountain lion or panther. I didn't realize how BIG they are! I hope I don't run into one while I'm walking in the Oregon forests!

There are many species of birds at the refuge. This is a sand hills crane, one of a pair named Niles and Daphne. Do you remember what TV sitcom these characters are from??

It was a very interesting tour and I am so glad there are people to help these injured animals.