Crater Lake and the Nice People we Met on the Way
After a memorable visit to Glacier National Park, Chip and I charted our travels down the West Coast with hopes to land in San Diego last Tuesday morning, however this meant that we limited our time exploring Washington and Northern Oregon to make it to our next, and most highly anticipated park, Crater Lake.
Our journey to the lake was almost as exciting as our visit itself where we met the most energetic barrista in Oregon (see photos of the Covered Wagon) who not only made the best Iced Mocha I have ever had, but also directed us to a Smith Rocks Side trip.
When I first learned about Crater Lake I was utterly fascinated with its volcanic past. After the eruption of Mount Mazama an enormous caldera was created that has since filled with fresh water thus creating the deepest lake in the United States at 1,943 feet and the ninth deepest lake in the world. At the center of the lake you will find Wizard Island, a cinder cone volcano, that has since formed. All this may not seem exciting to you but as a volcano junkie.. I wanted to get the Crater Lake as fast as a pyroclastic flow can travel.
Our photos capture moments that we spent watching the sunset on the night of our arrival and our Wizard Island Boat Tour when Chip and I proudly concurred two of the parks most strenuous hikes in just five hours.
PS: If you find yourself traveling through Kennewick, WA and need a place to have lunch be sure to stop in at Foodies Brick and Mortar for an amazing meal!