Every Conceivable Angle

Sunday, 30 August 2009

Road Trip Day 11

For this, my full day at Crater Lake I took a lie-in... well, as much as a lie in as is possible when your neighbour's room is separated by a thin plasterboard wall and they have a yappy dog with a squeaky chew toy.

Not that I am complaining about this Motel. It is utterly delightful, set on the flat plain below the Cascade Mountain range in which Crater Lake sits. It's run by a lovely couple of ladies who are friendly, welcoming and helpful. It is a wonderfully relaxed and comfortable motel and perfect to return to after a day spent in such beautiful surroundings those in the National Park a few short miles away.

Right Round the Rim

As you might imagine, or know from first hand experience, Crater Lake is pretty much circular and up to 6 miles across at the widest point. A round has been constructed which goes around the entire lake, sometimes very close to the lake, other time veering away depending on the topography of the crater edge. All around are overlooks, each offering slightly different, but always compelling views.

The lake has two notable features within it, those being Wizard Island, a small cinder cone which formed shortly after the mountain collapsed in on itself and the Phantom Ship, a small jagged island which is the remnants of a far older volcano which were exposed after the collapse.

The length of the rim road is 33 miles to which I added the detour to the rather eerie Pinnacles. These are spikes of harder rock which have survived erosion by the river below because they were formed by hot gases escaping and are thus harder and more resistant to water.

Hard to Look Away

Crater Lake does not grow old easily. I never tired of stopping at the lookout points and taking in the vast, still blueness. At one point early in the day I walked the short Sun Notch Trail and it is very hard to imagine a more tranquil spot anywhere. Clear blue sky, tall pine trees, a sloping meadow, sheer cliff behind and the drop down to the crystalline water below. It was the stuff of fairy tales and will stay with me.

Chilling

This evening I had a cheeseburger and an apple and cinnamon muffin from the Organic store at the other motel in Fort Klamath and am now sitting at a picnic table out front of my room writing my blog and listening to some chilled out tunes. The couple with the yappy dog have left, as has the extended family with the three Harley Davidsons so it's a lot quieter here today. I look forward to a spot of Sunday night TV on the one TV channel and an early night.

Peace an' be Wild, y'all.

Goodnight.

Stats - Day Thirty-Seven

Distance travelled - 0 Miles - Stayed at Fort Klamath, though I drove at least 33 miles around Crater Lake.

State count - 17 + DC

Burgers eaten - 9... and today's was organic!

Room numbers stayed in - 203, 1, 148, 212, 205, 210, 246, 118, 3