Tuesday, 8/26/69Howard and boys up early to go fishing. Such a clear beautiful little river, rushing over rocks and small logs. Place practically empty.Had bacon and eggs and our blackberry jam outside. Later, packed and left for the 70-mile ride to Crater Lake. Drove through the Cascade Range and the Umpqua River charges right through the rocks and widens out. Each turn was nicer than the last.
Came to Diamond Lake for our rest stop.
Cool here. Loads of fishing. Had coffee and roll and headed for Crater Lake.
To our surprise, we found out it was only 21 miles! Read our map wrong! When we entered the park
we drove through pumice desert as whole area over 6,000 years ago was active volcanic nature. Drove onto Rim Drive and suddenly came up “The Lake.”
What a breathless sight: deep blue, rimmed by mountains with Wizard Island to one side. That first sight was an unforgettable one for us: chipmunks and gray Clark’s Nutcrackers around waiting for boys to feed them, which we did (although found out after that it’s better not to feed them). Drove onto Rim Village Campground and luckily got one of the last few spots.
Ben "checking out" trailer hitch.
Rather cool – about 50 degrees in late afternoon. Walked to store and got a few things. After dinner to campfire; first one indoors. Ranger had great personality and good community sing and excellent slide on bird life of Crater Lake and vicinity. Howard made nice fire. We roasted “Smores.” Believe it or not the temperature got down to 28 degrees! Brrrrrr!
8/26/69, Crater Lake, Oregon
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