Crater Lake National Park
Blog 205: Craters and Lakes, Waterfalls, and One Big Slug
From Bend, Oregon, we drove 90 miles or so south and a little west on highways 97, 138, and 230 to Diamond Lake in the Cascade Range and within the Umpqua National Forest. We camped for five days in this isolated, tranquil, and inspiring wilderness. Days started out in the brisk high 30s, and then warmed through the day to low to mid 70s. Every time we took a trip we were greeted by Mt. Thielsen.
Note: If you make Diamond Lake a destination, bring plenty of provisions, as you are over 80 miles from the nearest supermarket.
Crater Lake
Crater Lake National Park is just a few minutes south of our campground, and we visited twice during our stay. Formed by volcanic implosions, its crystal-clear blue waters are the deepest of any lake in the country. Here is a pic from our morning trip and another from a later afternoon.
Critters
Here is a red-tailed hawk just launching on a hunting mission at Crater Lake, and three Stellar Jays that liked the peanuts we tossed them while sitting around our campfire. Here is a puffed up papa, a female that liked to dive at Jerry, and a curious youngster.
Waterfalls
Within 18 miles of our campground are six waterfalls. Short hikes of a half-mile to a mile through forests with huge trees led us to the falls. The air was so fresh and sweet with the smell of pine that it almost hurt your lungs! Here is a shot of Toketee Falls and Watson Falls.
Reflection and a Slug
Along the trail to Watson Falls I shot this reflection and this very black, very slimy slug.
Mitzy and Jerry
Here are shots of our RVing canines-a-resting, Mitzy and a sleeping Jerry. They look quite good in the afternoon light, don’t you think?
Old Trucks
Here are three good-looking old trucks.
See you next week.
Note: If you make Diamond Lake a destination, bring plenty of provisions, as you are over 80 miles from the nearest supermarket.
Crater Lake
Crater Lake National Park is just a few minutes south of our campground, and we visited twice during our stay. Formed by volcanic implosions, its crystal-clear blue waters are the deepest of any lake in the country. Here is a pic from our morning trip and another from a later afternoon.
Critters
Here is a red-tailed hawk just launching on a hunting mission at Crater Lake, and three Stellar Jays that liked the peanuts we tossed them while sitting around our campfire. Here is a puffed up papa, a female that liked to dive at Jerry, and a curious youngster.
Waterfalls
Within 18 miles of our campground are six waterfalls. Short hikes of a half-mile to a mile through forests with huge trees led us to the falls. The air was so fresh and sweet with the smell of pine that it almost hurt your lungs! Here is a shot of Toketee Falls and Watson Falls.
Reflection and a Slug
Along the trail to Watson Falls I shot this reflection and this very black, very slimy slug.
Mitzy and Jerry
Here are shots of our RVing canines-a-resting, Mitzy and a sleeping Jerry. They look quite good in the afternoon light, don’t you think?
Old Trucks
Here are three good-looking old trucks.
See you next week.