This Labor Day weekend was both planned and unplanned. We made prior arrangements to board the dog, but it wasn’t until about two p.m. Friday afternoon that we finally decided which direction to point the Westy…due north, to Oregon.
Yep, we spent eight hours (remember, westy time) driving north to cross the Oregon border so that we could both scratch a destination off our to do list. Crater Lake National Park, a volcano that imploded rather than exploded, is truly a sight to behold. I can’t imagine, thousands of years ago, being the first to come upon something so great that your mind can barely comprehend. To see it in person is astounding! The things mother nature can do…
We spent all of Saturday with the crater on Rim Drive stopping at the Watchman Overlook along with the other tourists crammed in on the trails ledge to photo bomb the lake and then leave as hurriedly and as intrusive as they came; spending a windy evening on Cloudcap Overlook watching the clouds rush in overhead, and the sun setting. Okay, so maybe we did take time to find the one last camp spot available (thank you prayers), and a nap high above Wizard Island before dinner, but it was really hard to leave and look away. It’s just so breathtaking. But alas…
On Sunday we hiked. A couple easy hikes that lead to The Pinnacles (these 100-foot tall spires made from volcanic gasses and ash that cemented into solid rock), and Plainki Falls, as well as a more strenuous hike along Annie Creek Canyon trail. Afterward, and before dinner, a shower became a necessity and as luck would have the Mazama Campground offers coin operated showers to the public. For this very reason, I do like national parks. Also, national parks are not sticklers about where you camp, so we guerrilla camped along side the glorious Rogue River.
All-in-all, so far, best trip ever in the Westy. Of course, who knows where we’ll go next. Perhaps the Redwoods are beckoning us.
Until next time…