Crater Lake

This morning we were joined for breakfast by our friend here.

In 2009 we saw pictures of Crater Lake but didn't have the time to go there, so today we made the trip - 2 hours each way from Grant's Pass but worth it and Oregon is a beautiful state, much like NZ.

We stop at some of the state photo spots - this one is the Natural Bridge, where the flow of water goes under ground and then comes up further down in a cave mouth.

Next stop over looking the Rouge River which is also the same river we are camped on but a couple of hundred miles up stream.

 Crater Lake - 6.02 miles across at the widest point & 1,943 feet deep at the deepest point - not little.
The deep basin is the belly of an erupted volcano - a caldera.


Wizard Island features at this end with a couple of posers.

Chipmunks were about the only wildlife we see today although the park is home to bears, deer, mountain lions, and  other critters they were all shy!

We set off on the Rim road, however know this is not yet open all the way around so can only do about 3/4 of the 33 miles.  There is still snow around and soon enough Daryl has to stop to have a play....

Still a bit of snow around but in the high 20's C so not cold and about 8000 ft above sea level.




Stunning views over Crater Lake.

We just had to throw a few snow balls around - good shot of the snow ball heading for the camera & me!

Can't beat the scenery - good for another pose.

Some windy roads which fall away at the sides rapidly...... you can see for miles & miles.


Cool shop front as we head back to camp along the Rouge River.

Redding to Grant's Pass

We pack up and move on our way again today with a sort of early start hitting the road around 9.30 am and heading north for Oregon up past Mount Shasta.  We have enjoyed North California but will be happy to make our way north into Oregon and Washington to catch our tour & cruise - something different for us.

 They know how to build bridges and new highways over here......... Kapiti could learn a few things!

Love the bear sign........

Mount Shasta south side - we are heading north but the temperature is still well into the eighties - nice.




We haul up over the mountains with a couple of stops for lunch breaks etc and roll down into Oregon - the scenery is changed and green like NZ.

View as we roll down into Oregon.

We find our camp and have some fun trying to get into the assigned space, eventually giving up and detaching the trailer then moving to another site.
When we finally plug in, the power shorts out but fortunately the guy at the camp is familiar with this and tells us to pick up a plug down the road ($9.54) and he helps us rewire the new plug.

The burnt out culprit.

Finally we settle in - it is now 4 pm and we unwind before Daryl reminds me he is taking me out for dinner for my birthday.

We head for the Taprock Northwest Grill where we had dinner a couple of times in 2009.  We manage to find the place easy enough and get a table outside on the river like before.

















We have our pic taken in the same place as 2009 of course..... and then have to pose with the bears too.

The set up and art work around this place is fantastic - the food is a little more bar type now but still okay.

We wander around the area for a while and then drive through the original town center before heading back to camp.



















The view from our camper as we are camp right on the Rouge River & Daryl relaxing - on facebook of course!

Redding - Lake Shasta & Whiskytown

We stay in Redding and decide to have a look around after breaky.  We have heard of the Sundial Bridge and go to check this out first.

This has a glass surface with a tall sundial on one end - good nesting place for the swallows.










Next we decided to cruise up around Lake Shasta area as we have heard so much about this area and had only a quick stop in 2009.

House boats for hire

The water levels have dropped even more since then, which takes away some of the beauty that would have been there
when the water was up to the top.  You can clearly see the water line in the photos.

Bridge Bay Marina

Next stop was the Shasta caverns but we decided not to take the tour and moved on heading back to Redding where we call in to Bridge Bay and then out to Whiskeytown National Recreational Area.  And you thought it was another whiskey bar!

 Here we pick up another National parks pass for the year as we will be visiting some in Alaska & on the way up, so much more economical to buy the annual pass.

It's 3.30 pm and we have limited time but get directions to a few points in the park.

First we head over the dam opened by JFK and visit Cherry Beach (which of course is a lake).  Nice area with lifeguard on duty, hire kayaks, paddle boards etc.

Cherry Beach

 

Next we head out around the 299 and to Crystal Creek waterfall which was one of the smaller ones but we are running out of time.  Very clear cool water and a tranquil spot - there was no one else there at all. 

We both have a paddle before heading back to camp to sort out dinner and our next stop - Grant's Pass.

On the way, we pick up some swordfish for tea - something new for us but made very nice for steaks on the BBQ.