Monday, 31 August 2009
Road Trip Day 12
I got up relatively early this morning, mostly due to getting a tremendously good sleep in my second at Aspen Inn in Ft Klamath. I packed, grabbed a coffee, added an entry to the guest book and bade a fond farewell to my hosts at this lovely motel.
Hard to Leave
I had planned my route to take me through Crater Lake National Park once more for a final look (for this trip anyway) at the "Jewel of the Cascade Mountains" as I have seen it described. This morning the surface was especially smooth as there was not a breath of wind and I'd arrived before the boat cruises had began.
I was moved to tears when I got my first view a couple of days before and I'm not ashamed to say I shed a tear as I left today.
Li'l Critters
I should also give mention to the little squirrels which have punctuated my recent days. These are Golden-mantled ground squirrels and a very energetic and extremely endearing. They also seem to be suicidal flinging themselves at my car as I drive past. Today, at the last overlook by the lake I managed to get real close to this little sweetie. I want one!
Long and Straight
From Crater Lake I headed towards the town of Bend first taking highway 138 East, then Interstate 97 North. Both of these roads have some amazing long straight stretches. For 23 miles I had two turns. One of about 5 degrees and then a 90 turn where 138 meets 97. Though these stretches seemed long, I have a feeling I ain't seen nothing yet. Nebraska may make these distances seem silly... but that is yet to come.
Volcanologist's Dream
My main stops today would all take place in Newberry National Volcanic Monument south of Bend. There are many different volcanic features to see here in the Newberry Caldera so I had to be selective. First I went to the Big Obsidian Flow which is pretty much exactly what it says, a lava flow composed of black obsidian glass mixed with white and grey pumice.
For a former Geology student such as myself, this was another example of seeing a lesson brought to life. Where previously I'd seen a few fragments of obsidian passed around a lecture room, here I was climbing over thousands upon thousands of tons of the remarkable natural black glass. And pumice stone too, from a few lab specimens or a bathroom accessory to a vast outpouring, just 1,300 years old... the blink of an eye in Geological timescales.
Down the Tube
Next on my list, after a cursory glance at pretty Paulina Creek Falls, was the Lava River Cave. I paid my $4 for a gas lantern and headed down into the tunnel which was left behind by a lava flow. The cave is about a mile long and varies in height from what looked like about 30 feet to so low I had to stoop over. As well as very dark, it's also just 42 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Centigrade) so I was glad I'd followed the advice to bring a jacket.
Going with the Flow
Last feature of the day was the Lava Cast Forest which is a lava field that had originally flowed through a forested area some 6,000 years ago. The lava engulfed trees and has left hollows casts around where the trees had temporarily withstood the lava's progress. Again, 6,000 years is nothing in Geological time, and the area has only just started to recover with a few hardy plants and Ponderosa Pine trees moving back into area they had covered before the eruption.
The lava here makes a very distinctive sound when you walk on it and I made a few minor detours off the paved path to hear the definite sound of desolation that the grinding, almost squeaking rock makes as I trod on it.
Bend
Now I'm in Bend, central Oregon and in the hands of the more corporate type of motel. I was late out to dinner so had done no research, but as luck would have it, I chanced upon a very pleasant Chinese Restaurant where I had a delicious "Combo" selection of Pork Fried Rice, Roast Pork, Sweet and Sour Chicken and Golden Fried Shrimp. There was a bowl of Hot 'n' Sour Soup thrown in (no, not literally) and a Diet Pepsi for $12.50 is very good value in my book and made up for the piss-poor Chinese I had in, erm... Ukiah... I think.
Goodnight.
Stats - Day Thirty-Eight
Distance travelled - 189 Miles - Fort Klamath to Bend via Crater Lake (one last look) and various attractions in Newberry National Volcanic Monument
State count - 17 + DC
Room numbers stayed in - 203, 1, 148, 212, 205, 210, 246, 118, 3, 145
Interesting stuff, Dee. I'm not very familiar with Oregon (went to Portland on business once, but that's it). Have you seen any "granola people"? LOL
ReplyDeleteAnd, I didn't know you were a former geology student. Very cool.
I think Crater Lake is going on my list of "Places to See". Thanks!