Hi from beautiful Crater lake.Jen and I finally made it up here after two failed trips last year because of weather. One of the Rangers at Collier had told me that September was the best month to see Crater lake because" the snow just stopped falling and its just before the snow starts falling again." It was a perfect clear late summer day and we made the most of it.
The lake is rugged.unlike Lake Tahoe there is no way to get down to the water as the slope is so steep and unstable.It is the deepest lake in the United States at some 1900ft.deep.Unlike some volcano's that blow their top off when they erupt,this one actually erupted and imploded leaving a huge sunken hole. With all the snow and rain,it filled up and created this beautiful,blue,calm lake
In the picture you can see patches of snow around part of the lake.The little island is called Wizard Island. It was formed when the volcano top collapsed and hot lava oozed upward creating a little spot of land.You can drive around the lake in about 2 hours.There are numerous pull off view points all along the rim.There is a boat ride you can take right on Crater Lake but to get down to the boat is a rugged one mile steep trail...too tough for us!
The next day,after our Crater lake visit,we decided to hike the trail at Collier.I told Jeni"follow me,I know exactly which way to go"OH YEA,that was the "kiss of death!"After a half hour of going the wrong way and not seeing anything resembling a trail,Jeni said "STOP!"That look said one thing,Better let her lead the way!
Finally,I blazed the trail and got us#?*#!%*!ok,ok,Jeni got us on the trail along the Williamson river which lazily meanders through the park. Spring creek also flows through the park and connects to the Williamson.That's Jeni way over there on the wooden bridge that connects the campground trail to the logging museum.
Another bridge spans Spring creek from the campground trail to the day use area of the park.
This is the hwy 97 bridge that spans Spring creek.Because the park encompasses both sides of the hwy,there are trails on both sides of the creek that pass under the bridge.
We stopped over to the gift shop at the museum to visit with gift shop hosts Vern and Geri.They are parked right next to us in the campground so we have become close.They don't have satellite TV so Jeni has been lending them DVD's to watch.Anyway,I left Jeni 5 minutes to go to the restroom,and what does she do,She falls into the arms of a "bear of a man!" "Get off him!" "I think I could take him?"
Fishing is popular here and most are fly fishing where Spring creek merges with the Williamson river.What a beautiful spot.One of the other hosts showed me a spot back up river to catch some big Rainbow Trout.Sure enough there were 20 or 30 fish in this spot.The water was so clear you could see them just suspended in the shade side bank of the river.I got out my pole and started casting.After the 200th cast,it was apparent the big trout weren't interested.They would chase my lure as I reeled it in,even give it a bump.but no takers.That's OK though. A day just fishing beats any day working.
This is our site in the campground.We are nestled in the ponderosa pines which provide shade and music when the wind blows. All us hosts are right at the entrance to the campground.We are the "service hosts",we do little projects like fixing picnic tables,painting,and general cleanup 3 days a week.The other 2 days we camphost for the park hosts on their days off.The gift shop hosts,Vern and Geri are right beside us,the park hosts,Bob and Carol are right across the street from us,and the Maint.and repair hosts,Greg and Jo are next to them.They are all great and we have all bonded together.every Sunday we all meet for breakfast at a little place"Malita"a couple miles down the road.
One thing about Oregon State parks,they always have a place to hang our sign.A friendly reminder to the campers that Phil and Jeni are on duty and ready to help them in any way we can.Our motto,"If your not having fun,your doin it wrong".What a great life this is."Ya don't like your neighbors,too many mosquito's,too hot,ya just pull in the slides,pull up the jacks,start the engine,and go somewhere else!
This picture is for my Grandson DJ.He loves the park "gators" the rangers give us to drive.This one is different because it only has one wheel in the front.It is kind of hard to steer.I like the 4 wheel Gators better.
Let me introduce you to the cute little golden mantle chip monk.These little fella's are protected by the state of Oregon and they are everywhere here in the park.As you are sitting out in your comfy lounge chair,enjoying a "cold one" and a snack,here they come.before you know it they have charmed you out of your snack and are looking for more.CUTE....I think not!
Jeni is painting one of the picnic shelters in the day use area of the park.I took this picture to show everyone that our volunteer duties are not work but fun.You go at your own pace. You work when and how long you want.If you can't do it,don't do it.Do what you can,Some days Jen and I feel great,we get a lot done,some days we don't,it doesn't matter.We are just volunteers. Where am I in this picture,uh,uh,don't tell Jen but I'm right behind the picnic shelter,at the river.......fishing! until next post live by our motto,Have Fun.See Ya.
