Around Bend

I do believe Crater Lake is what drew me to Oregon and how magnicent the moment was when I first laid eyes on that bright blue body of water, formed when Mt. Mazama erupted 7700 years ago.


We approached from the south side and could only tour the west side of the rim as the east side is still closed due to snow. This national park gets 533 inches of snow yearly and much has still not melted.


This is the deepest lake in the US and is unmatched in clarity. It is 6.02 miles across and 1943 feet deep at the deepest point in the caldera or belly of the erupted volcano in the Cascade Mountain Range. The lake filled with snow and rain over the years as no water source runs into it. After it had begun to fill Wizard Island erupted.


Long straight flat roads led us to Bend, the Truman Show in action. We went where we thought the visitor center was and found ourselves at my favorite shopping area ever, Old Mill. The city began as a lumber town with sawmills along the Deschutes River and the area has been transformed into a beautiful park-like setting with hiking and biking paths along the river and foot bridges that give access to both sides.




On the weekend people were floating the river in rafts, canoes, kayaks or on paddle boards. Others were staying on land to walk, jog, ride a bicycle or even a four wheeled bike. On a warm summer day it just felt like paradise. We chose to ride bikes and walk along with a little geocaching. I should have started at the top rather than climbing from the bottom on this one.


One of the highlights of the area is the Cascade Lakes drive that ascends into the Cascade Mountains, the tallest of which is Mt. Bachelor at 9,065 feet. It is a popular skiing destination. There are sno parks along the road and pullouts to view the many pristine lakes.


We drove down one washboard road for what seemed like forever but was probably only three miles looking for a campground but turned back and located Rock Creek, just off the road. It was a serene and picturesque spot for the night at a cost of $7. I am a little confused as to how the national forest service can provide and maintain these remote little camping spots in the forest, which are usually among my favorites, but they can't share with you how far off the main road you need to travel.



And the view from the campfire. A lovely evening in the Deschutes Forest.

Mystic corridor of Oregon

This is the name given the stretch of 199 from Crescent City to Crater Lake, a road filled with redwoods, orchards, scenic rivers, pristine forests and oh, what a beautiful drive it is.


An early morning drive through the redwoods on the scenic byway along the Smith River was breathtaking, especially when I looked down the sheer cliff inches from the edge of the narrow two lane road.


And then in Grant's Pass we discovered the Rogue River. We stopped in Riverside Park, a beautiful park with people enjoying the warm sunny day and beautiful roses blooming, as we wandered along the shore of the new found river.


One of the commercial jet boats, full of passengers, were just taking off for a river run. After I picked up my first Oregon geocache we were headed north again, driving alongside the majestic Rogue River, a wild and scenic river as is the Smith.


At one point we got a great view of Mt. McLoughlin, 9495 feet, topped with snow.


Shady Kate in Shady Cove sure knows how to attract customers with all the vintage artifacts outside and a couple of trees full of men's neckties.


She is an interior decorator and the inside of her shop was filled with treasures. She was quite delightful to visit with and told us where we should stop for pie. A fun roadside stop it was. FYI: In 1940 Ginger Rogers settled in the Shady Cove area and lived there for 50 years.


A fabulous campground in the Siskiyou National Forest, Farewell Bend, greeted us soon where we picked a spot right alongside the Rogue River. The water hides any nearby noises as it rushes downstream.


Finally we got the bicycles off and had a nice ride in the campground but one tiny hill was almost too much. The berry pie alamode nearby at Beckie's Cafe a cute rustic cabin, was as delicious as we had been told it would be. I doubt we rode enough to offset the calories.


At the nearby Rogue River gorge all I could say was "oh, my!" The water rushes through this deep gorge at a rate of 410,000 gallons a minute, enough to fill an Olympic size pool, and the average temperature is 44 degrees, about our expected low for the night. A stop in Union Creek is a must along highway 62. The only thing missing is a phone signal.


At the natural bridge the water disappears as it flows through a lava tube created by an ancient volcanic eruption. This is where the water exits the tube.


This bridge allowed the Indians and settlers to cross the river. The power and beauty of this river is almost indescribable.


We are so thankful to be out of California and their expensive campgrounds, although the coast is beautiful. We are nestled into a national forest for $9 a nite. This is why we are traveling in a van!  I immediately pulled out the camping gear and fixed a tasty meal. Well, in the forest ever meal is tasty!


A nice campfire was the end to another day in paradise.