Crater Lake (6/9)

Monday we slept in a little, we were both tired from yesterday and from our night at the races.  Once we get moving we drive up to Crater Lake.  We were about half way there when we started seeing snow, a lot of snow. We had wanted to take the East Rim drive but it was closed, we heard until July 1. What a bummer.  But then we got out first view of Crater Lake.  Now I have seen it before but seeing it with snow all around the peeks and some on it's shores was breathtaking!

We walked around the top of the crater as far as we could and went up Garfield Peak a ways but you couldn't go past the snow.  So we drove on down to the visitor center where we were told all the trails are still closed.  That includes the PCT.  You can go a little ways but then you lose the trail.  We were told it should all be open by the time the PCT hikers get here.
We were very sad to hear that our good friend Alan Underkofler has sustained an injury and had to leave the PCT for 4 to 6 weeks.  He has a stress fracture in his foot.  He made it to Lone Pine where he was able to receive medical treatment and is in good spirits.  His hiking partner and girlfriend Nicole is going to go on without him.  He will be her trail angel until he can rejoin her on the trail.  We wish them both the best send our love to them.

OK no hiking at Crater Lake, so on to plan B.  After the visitor center we drove back to the Clearwater Falls to see the falls since we weren't able to do that while turning the fifth wheel around.  It is just a short walk up the creek to the falls.  It is small but majestic!


On the way back to the park we stopped at the store and pizza shop.  The gentleman working the counter suggested we try hiking MT Thielsen.  So the is what we will do on Tuesday.

On To Crater Lake (6/8)

The drive to Diamond Lake really isn't that far, but it still felt long.  A lot of two lane highway, very scenic but takes forever.  But once we park at Diamond Lake RV Park, it was worth the drive.  We are right across the road from the lake and a lot of forest around us. The spaces are big so you are not right on top of your neighbor.  Plus it has full hookups.  The only downer is spotty internet and no phone service.  I am getting used to not having communications at my finger tips.  I have become very spoiled at texting or calling people when I want to talk.  So I think this has been good for me.  There is also no TV so I am glad that I quit watching TV a couple of years ago.  We haven't even been watching very many movies. It is so nice to spend so much time out of doors.

After dinner we enjoy a nice dinner and a camp fire.  Unfortunately the misquotes are enjoying us as we are enjoying the fire. After the day we had relaxing with a glass of wine is just what I need.

I forgot to tell you about the adventure we took trying to find the Diamond Lake RV resort.  The GPS totally took us the wrong way and we ended up on some back forest rd to the Clearwater falls.  There is no way to turn it around at the falls parking.  I had to back Joe up to a small side road so we could turn around and go back the way we came and start all over.  The kicker  is we drove right by the park but didn't notice because we were listening to the GPS.  Joe was not happy with the GPS Lady.  LOL

Where to from here

I was a little depressed to leave the Redwoods they are so magnificent.  But go we must do.  Today we are one the way to Medford OR.  The drive over Grant Pass was very scenic, we did this several years ago on the Harley and had a blast on this road.

Well the closer we got to Medford the heavier the traffic is, I hate traffic.  We get settled into the RV park and head to lunch.  After lunch we find out that today is the kick off of Beer Fest Week. Off we go to the kick off at Walkabout Brewery. We tried their Workman's Pale Ale, very tasty.  Then head out back of some BBQ.  I had the ribs and potato salad and Joe went for the pulled pork sliders and beans.  Both were very good.  The band, Buckle Rash, started playing.  What a great band, wide variety of music, a little like the Refreshments along with some country and punk rock. Great lyrics.

Saturday we went to Jacksonville OR for the continuation of the Beer fest.  Here they are having a wine tasting   What a great old town.  We had lunch in an old  historic restaurant called Bella Union Restaurant and Saloon.  We sat out on the vine covered patio and had a great lunch.  After eating we toured main street with it's old buildings and the antique car show.  They also had a great display of some old 50's style trailers.  They reminded me of an I Love Lucy episode.

 Now it is time to head to the races at Southern Oregon Speedway.  It was really hard to find and once we did we had to park in a grassy field and walk 1/2 mile to the entrance.  They were running 7 different classes of race cars.  The races were good but so long  and extremely dusty.  At intermission they at least watered the track to get rid of the dust.  The races finally got over at 12:30 am and we had to walk the 1/2 mile back to the truck in the dark.  All in all is was an OK night but I do not like this area at all.

On to Crater Lake where I know the area and really like it.