Natural Bridge, Union Creek, Oregon, Aug. 15, 2010

How did it form??

It began as a River of Fire when basaltic lava flowed from fissures in the earth's surface and traveled long distances through lava tubes. Lava tubes develop when the upper surface of a basalt flow rapidly cools, causing the outer edges to solidify while the hot inner lava continues to flow underneath. As the molten lava drains out it leaves behind a long hollow tube. Eventually the River of Fire is replaced by a River of Water.

The Rogue River entered a section of a lava tube, becoming a "hidden river" which flows below ground for 200 feet.

In doing so, it created a "natural bridge" that connects the banks of the river. Indians and early settlers used this natural bridge to cross the Rogue River.

The Rogue River emerges from the lava tube outlet after a short underground trip and continues its journey to the Pacific Ocean 184 miles downstream. At peak flow approximately 335,000 gallons of water rush from this outlet at the speed of 6 feet per second. Fed by the melting snow on the slopes of Mt. Mazama (Crater Lake) in the High Cascades, the river's temperature at the Natural Bridge varies seasonally from 32 to 69 degrees F.

Cascade Scenic Byway and McKenzie Pass, OR 8-1-10

Our first stop on the Cascade Scenic Byway was at Maiden Peak viewpoint. Nearly 7700 years ago Mt. Masama erupted approximately 70 miles southeast of here. The cataclysmic eruption not only formed Crater Lake, it changed this forest forever. Before the eruption only ponderosa pine trees extended down into the basin. Now only lodge pole pine trees can tolerate the harsh living environment on the basin floor.

The distribution of pumice from Mt. Mazama was phenomenal. 30 inches of pumice covered areas into Washington and Idaho. Areas as far north as British Columbia and Alberta, Canada, had as much as 1-5 inches of pumice on the ground. Click on the picture for a closer view of the pumice distribution.

This area also has hills of lava rock stretching for several mile from the Mt. Mazama eruption 70 miles away.

Picturesque Devil's Lake reflects the green of the surrounding pine forest.

From this viewpoint on Hwy 20 outside of Bend, Oregon, you can see Broken Top Mountain to the left and the Three Sisters Mountains in the center and right of the picture.

After going through touristy Sisters, Oregon, we drove the McKenzie Pass Byway, open only in the summer months. Here Bill is standing in the vast lava fields of that area.

The McKenzie Pass Byway follows the path of an 1860s wagon route emerging from the forest to the 5,325-foot summit of McKenzie Pass. Here you are enveloped by lava on all sides.

The Dee Wright Conservatory, a lava rock structure constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935, was named for their foreman. From the observatory you can take in six Cascade Peaks on a clear day. In our travels we have seen that the CCC was responsible for building numerous roads, scenic areas and lodges all over the country for future generations to enjoy.

The half-mile Lava River Interpretive Trail is a 30 minutes walk on a paved surface through lava gutters and crevasses. You are on the boundary of two wilderness areas: Mt. Washington to the north and the Three Sisters to the south.

We followed a winding 50-mile mountain road along the McKenzie River back to Hwy 58 and then "home" to Diamond Lake RV Park. Oregon has such gorgeous scenery. We are fortunate to be able to travel around our wonderful country!

Jerry and Andrea, July 30-31, 2010

We had a great visit with my nephew, Jerry and Andrea. They had stopped to fish on their way from Portland and Jerry fixed fresh trout for our dinner.

We enjoyed the trout, plus salad, hamburgers, and potatoes cooked over the grill.

After dinner we took a sunset ride around Diamond Lake. That's Mt. Thielson in the background. Notice it still has snow on it.

Jerry and Andrea hiked to the summit of Mt. Bailey on Saturday morning while Bill and I worked at the campground. This afternoon, we took them for a ride around the Rim of Crater Lake. Mt. Bailey and Mt. Thielson are in the background and Crater Lake is unbelievably blue, as usual.

Andrea and Jerry are pictured here at the Phantom Ship overlook. They had never been around the East Rim as they had only been here when that road was closed by snow. We all enjoyed the afternoon. Too soon it was time for them to head back to Portland. It was wonderful to have them visit, even for a short time. We will cherish these memories in the years to come.

High Desert Museum, Bend, OR July 25, 2010

We visited the High Desert Museum in July, just south of Bend, Oregon. It is a huge complex with exhibits both inside and outside.

There is a replica of an 1880s homestead. These cabins were even smaller than our RVs that we live in today, so living in small places isn't all that new! And, they raised a family here.

The cabin was well furnished with everything they needed to survive those difficult times. Outside "pioneers" were doing laundry using a wash board. Another lady was dressed in period clothing and "teaching school' to visiting children showing them how to use a pen and ink well. Two children had a scrub brush and were having fun scrubbing the porch from water in a metal tub! It probably wouldn't have been so much fun if they HAD to do it!

This is a barbed-wire sculpture by Bernie Jestrabel-Hart. The mare and foal are made completely from barbed-wire. The detail was amazing.

We watched a raptor and wildlife show while at the museum. Here, a handler had a hawk perched on her hand. The bird would fly from one handler to another (for a treat), skimming over the heads of those in the audience.

A badger, along with other mammals, made an appearance. Notice the length of his claws!

Tom's sawmill, a working replica of an early sawmill, was a must needed business in the early days of Oregon's lumber industry.

The mill was not operating today as the museum is located in the high desert area of central Oregon and the fire danger was extremely high. Most people don't realize that most of the eastern half of Oregon is considered high desert and very dry. We haven't had rain since early June and everyone is very aware of the destruction from a forest fire.

This is a life-size display in the indoor museum which explained the history of Oregon starting back with the fur trade industry. There were numerous displays depicting the fur trade industry, mining, and of course, the lumber industry which is still so valuable to Oregon's economy today.

A much used stage coach was also on display.

Yep, Bill found another truck... This 1935 forest service fire truck has been restored to immaculate condition.

The Plateau Indians in this area made their teepees from reeds, not animal skins.

The bead work was phenomenal. There were many examples of Indian clothing, head dresses, arrow quivers, etc., all with intricate bead work.

The Indian jewelry was just as beautiful as the bead work. What a sight they must have been when dressed in their ceremonial garments and jewelry!

This was one of the most outstanding museums we have visited and well worth a trip to Bend, Oregon if you are ever in this area. It is very family oriented, having many displays and activities for children.

Crater Lake Rim Drive, July 12,2010

The East Side Rim Drive finally opened in early July! This is a corner of Crater Lake with Mt Bailey on the left and Mt Thielson on the right. Our own Diamond Lake lies between the two mountains. The yellow at the edge of the lake is from the pine pollen which is very prevalent this time of year.

Guess this is why the Rim Drive just opened!!

Yes, it really was July 12, 2010.

The Phantom Ship

Nestled against the southeastern shore, Crater Lake's "other island" escapes detection by many park visitors. Though it resembles a small pirate ship, the island is as tall as a 16 story building! It's made of erosion-resistant rock, 400,000 years old, the oldest exposed rock within the caldera.

This overlook offers a great view of the Phantom Ship framed through the trees.

Bill is sitting in front of the Pumice Castle rock formation on the side of the caldera. You can see a variety of Mt Mazama lavas on the steep caldera walls.

The Pumice Castle with its pinkish-brown "turrets" is made of layers of pumice and other rocks coughed up by Mt Mazama, some so hot they welded together. Because of its firm foundation of andesite lava Pumice Castle has been kept intact.

Located at the end of a 7-mile spur road, the Pinnacles are well worth the detour. A colorful collection of 100-foot-tall spires are being eroded from the canyon wall.

The spires are "fossil fumaroles," each marking a spot where volcanic gas rose up through hot ash deposits, cementing the ash into solid rock.

Vidae Falls, a spring-fed creek, tumbles over a glacier-carved cliff and drops 100 feet over a series of ledges. In summer, wildflowers flourish in the cascade's spray.

Pearl, Bill, Sid, and I enjoyed a picnic supper near Vidae Falls.

This doe wandered beside our picnic table, not 20 feet away. Feeling unthreatened, she spent 20 minutes or so grazing under the forest canopy before disappearing into the trees.

Collier Logging Museum, July 5, 2010

In 1945 Alfred and Andrew Collier of Klamath Falls gave 146 acres of land to the state of Oregon as a memorial to their parents. That property today is Collier Memorial State Park. The Logging Museum began in 1947 when the ollier brothers donated a collection of antique logging equipment. It is located north of Klamath Falls, OR on Hwy. 97.

This 702 year old Douglas Fir, one of the largest in the world, was located on a tree farm outside Seaside, OR. It was over 200 years old when Columbus discovered America. The diameter at the base was more than 15 feet and it towered 200 feet into the sky. This cross section was cut from a point 38 feet above the ground. Had the tree been cut into 2x4s and laid end to end it would have stretched 28 miles! It was toppled in 1962 in a Columbus Day windstorm.

In the late 1800s, the use of "high wheels" developed and wheelskidding became common. These wheels, 8-10 feet in diameter, could carry logs suspended under the axle. Grapple hooks were attached to logs and as oxen, and later horses, moved forward, the logs were lifted from the ground. The back end of the logs acted as a brake when the load moved down the steep grades. To drop the load, the actions was reversed. In steep terrain, runaways were frequent.

One of the more important and rarer pieces of equipment at the museum is the McGiffert Log Loader. Purchased in 1926 for $15,300, it was used until 1962. It hunched down on the railroad ties, tucked its wheels up into its belly and moved the log cars through its innards into loading position. A crew of 4 could load an average of 250,000-300,000 feet of logs in a day and under ideal conditions, load 400,000 feet of logs in one day.

You know Bill, always looking for a "new" truck.! However, I don't think this one would pull the RV.

After we quit "roaming" around the country, maybe I'll find a little log cabin in which to live. Can't be any smaller than the RV at 400 square feet! This was a homesteader's cabin.

All the buildings are authentic cabins and stores from the hills of Oregon. This particular building was the Bear Flat General Store. Not exactly a super Walmart!

One of the most modern pieces of equipment in the museum is the Beloit Tree Harvestor. It is operated by one person and literally takes the place of an entire logging crew of 100 years ago. It shears the tree off near ground level, removes its limbs and stacks it for loading onto the logging truck.

This was a very educational museum and well worth the visit.