24/5 - Of Lakes and Waterfalls

Thursday turned out to be a very special day for Maria and I in terms of scenic beauty. A couple of days earlier we had been advised to take a 1-day trip out east from Eugene - going to Bend, then north a hundred miles or so; then back to Eugene. The route covers a lot of territory as well as going past or near a number of parks, waterfalls and other natural attractions. Both Zoe and Grant had invitations to attend school (Zoe to tell Mitch's class of her travels, while Nate's class had a party), which meant they wouldn't accompany us, and would be gone before 8am.

So we were out and on the road well before 9am - which was just as well because it was 9pm before we arrived back in Eugene. Along Route 58, we travelled besides lakes, fast flowing streams, and even encountered quaint covered bridges (you can even do a tour of this area based on covered bridges locations!), before taking our first major stop at Salt Creek Falls.

Salt Creek Falls are the 2nd highest falls in Oregon and daunting for both their height and power. We were also the only people there,despite them being a fairly major attraction (e.g., marked on road maps). This was a theme for the day - time and time again we'd stop at a significant attraction and find little or no people there - for me it added to the beauty and wonder of these places.

Reaching the intersection with I97, we decided to extend the trip by heading south down to Crater Lake National Park. We'd ummed and ahhed about going to the park either on this trip or later when heading south to Yosemite because it is "out of the way"; but I'm so glad we added it to the trip.

Arriving at the north entrance to the park we found a queue of 4 cars and a park ranger. Turned out that the north entrance was being opened for the first time this year and just as we arrived. We were so lucky (we even didn't have to pay an entrance fee because he was the only one on,and at the gate rather than at the entrance station). Approaching the park we'd spotted snow under the trees, besides the road - imagine our excitement as the snow grew and grew so that in a number of places it towered over the road and car.

At the crater rim we found a kind of "winter wonderland" (thanks Bing) - a crystal blue reflective lake of huge size nestled in a massive crater (was a volcano that had subsided) with a lesser volcanic isle (Wizard's island) in the middle - all with a dusting of snow. Speaking of the snow and ice it was so thick that a number of the fences (little alone paths) at the scenic points were buried under the snow and it was possible (though absolutely foolish) to walk out a couple of metres further past the cliff edge on the "solid" ice that had extended the cliff. It was really something special.

We probably spent the better part of 2 hours driving the western rim (eastern was not open) of the crater - stopping at various locations - finally arriving at the lodge but finding the wait for lunch in the restaurant too long (it looked very very nice too). Aware we still had a long route to drive north we retraced our path, eventually stopping in Chemult for some belated lunch at a very average Subway's.

Driving north along I97, and 20, we were only able to peak at the entrance to the Lava River Cave (the gates were closing in 15 minutes,but you also needed your own lantern) but did get to drive up Lava Butte (a 500 feet high red pumice slag heap that the road curves around and around), again with just 15 minutes to enjoy. The area is surrounded by a "lava taffy" area of grey pumice like stones.

Around this area the 3 Sisters and other mountains such as Black Butte and 3-Finger Jack dominate the skyline -snow covered and wreathed by clouds. Its a very impressive sight and I wondered what it would be like to see them each and every day, the way the residents of the area would. Unfortunately Route 242 was closed so we couldn't get as close to the mountains as we would have liked.

As compensation though we saw a couple of wonderful waterfalls (Sahalie and Koosah) on the alternate Route 126 - again with no other people present and in the magic of twilight the downstream water of the first fall (Sahalie) was so fast and active (and so airated) that it seemed to glow.

Ariving back we found the kids already abed - though Grant restless as usual (side anecdote: after enjoying the Indiana Jones ride so much at Disneyland I promised the kids we'd watch the Indiana Jones movies. So here at Eugene we watched the first 2...Grant was quite disturbed by a couple of the "supernatural"scenes...).