On to Crater Lake

Rather than eat the free breakfast at the motel (granola bar plus coffee), we headed over to Lenny’s for steak and eggs – a real American breakfast.

[Yes, another food picture.]

Then it was back on the interstate heading south. Tired of dodging trucks and Californians who think they’re NASCAR drivers, the captain (me) made an executive decision We would find an off-the-freeway route to the south. My trusted navigator, Dianne (a woman who shares DNA with that famous pilot, Wrong Way Corrigan), plotted a route that would take us west through Corvallis and down through farm country to Eugene. That was the plan. This is what we ended up with.

Did I mention Wrong Way Corrigan? In 1938, he set out to fly from New York to California, but ended up in Ireland. We missed Ireland, but somehow ended up on a narrow, paved road that wound like a drunken snake through the coastal forests of Oregon.

Surrounded by a corridor of greenery and with virtually no traffic, we loved the detour, stopping several times for photos along the way.

In Eugene, we got back on our planned two-lane route that would take us to Crater Lake.

Heading into the national park, we encountered snow.

The more convenient north entrance to the park was still closed due to snow, as were the roads around the crater rim.

We had reservations at the beautiful Crater Lake Lodge…

…one of those beautiful hotels built back when rooms were small…

…and lobbies grand.

Crater Lake has always had a special place in my memory. The first time I was up here was with my Kansas-born father.

He looked out at the glistening blue water filling an extinct volcanic crater and said…

…”It’s just another lake.” Lot of those in Kansas, I’m sure.

Well, it’s a pretty damn special lake to me. We had two nights here, perfect for just sitting back enjoying the lake…

…checking on the wildlife…

…and devouring lodge dinners of steak downed with Oregon wine.

[Yes, another food photo!]