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3/6/2020 We are moving again and driving through these gigantic trees in Northern California just never gets old.
3/6/2020 We are moving again and driving through these gigantic trees in Northern California just never gets old.
At this point, we have been in California for 84 days, but today is the day we are finally leaving. My apologies if you are a CA resident, but it’s always nice to LEAVE California.
At this point, we have been in California for 84 days, but today is the day we are finally leaving. My apologies if you are a CA resident, but it’s always nice to LEAVE California.
Aren't slugs just crazy and neat creatures?
Aren't slugs just crazy and neat creatures?
3/7/2020 Lava Beds National Monument…..dang it, we’re BACK in California!
3/7/2020 Lava Beds National Monument…..dang it, we’re BACK in California!
We may plan a lot of our trip in terms of where we are going and what we what to see. However, A LOT of those plans come with a shoulder shrug and us saying something like “sure, let’s give that a shot”. Meaning, we really don’t know what to expect from our own plans. That sounds strange, but that’s just the way it goes. Lava Beds is one of those things. Not a clue what to expect here and really didn’t know what we’d see here, but like a lot a places, it’s was an amazing surprise and the weather Mother Nature presented really made it special.
We may plan a lot of our trip in terms of where we are going and what we what to see. However, A LOT of those plans come with a shoulder shrug and us saying something like “sure, let’s give that a shot”. Meaning, we really don’t know what to expect from our own plans. That sounds strange, but that’s just the way it goes. Lava Beds is one of those things. Not a clue what to expect here and really didn’t know what we’d see here, but like a lot a places, it’s was an amazing surprise and the weather Mother Nature presented really made it special.
Here’s what this place is (the short version): It’s a system of old lava tubes under the ground that you can go into an explore. Forgot your flashlight? The visitor center will loan you some.
Here’s what this place is (the short version): It’s a system of old lava tubes under the ground that you can go into an explore. Forgot your flashlight? The visitor center will loan you some.
The really magical part of the day was the combination of the collapsed roofs in places and the gentle snow falling through. Honest to goodness, it was like something from a Hollywood movie set.
The really magical part of the day was the combination of the collapsed roofs in places and the gentle snow falling through. Honest to goodness, it was like something from a Hollywood movie set.
It was almost like being inside a snow globe. Just amazing. A view I can only hope that I’ll never forget.
It was almost like being inside a snow globe. Just amazing. A view I can only hope that I’ll never forget.
Some of these lava tubes are absolutely MASSIVE!
Some of these lava tubes are absolutely MASSIVE!
......so big that you probably didn't even notice Dylan, did you?!
......so big that you probably didn't even notice Dylan, did you?!
…..and now we celebrated Grace turning 9!
…..and now we celebrated Grace turning 9!
We have moved again and our goal this time is the infamous Crater Lake. At this time of the year, A LOT of campgrounds are closed in the area and certainly inside the park itself, but we’ve gotten as close as we can at a place called Lost Creek Lake State Park. It’s a truly wonderful place and reinforces the fact that State Parks really tend to be the best balance between cost and beauty.
We have moved again and our goal this time is the infamous Crater Lake. At this time of the year, A LOT of campgrounds are closed in the area and certainly inside the park itself, but we’ve gotten as close as we can at a place called Lost Creek Lake State Park. It’s a truly wonderful place and reinforces the fact that State Parks really tend to be the best balance between cost and beauty.
3/14/2020 The road that takes you towards Crater Lake National Park is lined with the VERY tall, but thin trees. Almost like the Lodgepole Pines from back home, but on steroids. The snow from the night before really added some visual impact to the trees, the road and the drive.
3/14/2020 The road that takes you towards Crater Lake National Park is lined with the VERY tall, but thin trees. Almost like the Lodgepole Pines from back home, but on steroids. The snow from the night before really added some visual impact to the trees, the road and the drive.
Our first attempt at seeing Crater Lake did not go as planned. It had snowed the night before and supposedly snowed a lot, so they closed the road past the visitor center that leads to the lake itself. However, the visitor center was opened….so, we’re going in!
Our first attempt at seeing Crater Lake did not go as planned. It had snowed the night before and supposedly snowed a lot, so they closed the road past the visitor center that leads to the lake itself. However, the visitor center was opened….so, we’re going in!
50% of the people in the picture appear to be happy!
50% of the people in the picture appear to be happy!
This place gets snow pack on an epic level. Well above the doorways to the visitor center and this is mid-March!
This place gets snow pack on an epic level. Well above the doorways to the visitor center and this is mid-March!
….and then the snowball fight begins!
….and then the snowball fight begins!
Basically, everyone we’ve talked to in the area has said something like ‘have you tried the pie at “Beckie’s” yet’. Seemed like something bad would happen to us if we DIDN’T stop for pie at Beckie’s. We can't have bad vibes following us around like that, so we stopped in and had some pie……and brought a whole pie home “just in case”. Can’t be too careful with bad vibes.
Basically, everyone we’ve talked to in the area has said something like ‘have you tried the pie at “Beckie’s” yet’. Seemed like something bad would happen to us if we DIDN’T stop for pie at Beckie’s. We can't have bad vibes following us around like that, so we stopped in and had some pie……and brought a whole pie home “just in case”. Can’t be too careful with bad vibes.
3/18/2020 We are watching the weather and road conditions carefully up at Crater Lake and they STILL aren’t open due to the recent snowfall. As a result, we’re finding new and interesting things to do. The lake out our back door at the campground is a man-made reservoir and we’ve discovered that you can walk the dam.
3/18/2020 We are watching the weather and road conditions carefully up at Crater Lake and they STILL aren’t open due to the recent snowfall. As a result, we’re finding new and interesting things to do. The lake out our back door at the campground is a man-made reservoir and we’ve discovered that you can walk the dam.
Grace and I have left the group to find higher ground and get a bird’s eye view of the dam.
Grace and I have left the group to find higher ground and get a bird’s eye view of the dam.
3/19/2020 Today is a mixed feelings kind of day. On one side, we know the road to the top of Crater Lake is OPEN and we’re going to get to see this amazing gift that Mother Nature has given to the world. However, on the other side of that, this will be out first “Real” experience with COIVD related closures. The visitor center that was open just two days prior is now closed. Beckie’s Pies? Yep, closed…..but Crater Lake, here we come and YES, it IS magnificent! It IS one of those places that words and pictures don’t do a good enough job expressing what it’s REALLY like.
3/19/2020 Today is a mixed feelings kind of day. On one side, we know the road to the top of Crater Lake is OPEN and we’re going to get to see this amazing gift that Mother Nature has given to the world. However, on the other side of that, this will be out first “Real” experience with COIVD related closures. The visitor center that was open just two days prior is now closed. Beckie’s Pies? Yep, closed…..but Crater Lake, here we come and YES, it IS magnificent! It IS one of those places that words and pictures don’t do a good enough job expressing what it’s REALLY like.
.....and just like that, it's "Play in the Snow" time!
.....and just like that, it's "Play in the Snow" time!
This is one of those rare occasions that Bear is allowed in a National Park….and if you’ve been following us this far, you know Bear LOVES the snow!
This is one of those rare occasions that Bear is allowed in a National Park….and if you’ve been following us this far, you know Bear LOVES the snow!
Yes, that is drool! They did say that he might be part Saint Bernard when we adopted him!
Yes, that is drool! They did say that he might be part Saint Bernard when we adopted him!
On the drive home, we stopped to take this short hike along the Rouge River. The thing that makes this portion of the river unique is the fact that it's actually running down the remains of collapsed lava tubes! The view and sound are unique.
On the drive home, we stopped to take this short hike along the Rouge River. The thing that makes this portion of the river unique is the fact that it's actually running down the remains of collapsed lava tubes! The view and sound are unique.
3/21/2020 This is it. This is where it all comes unglued. We’ve moved to Grant’s Pass Oregon as we’ve booked the very first cave tour of the season at Oregon Caves National Monument. COVID uncertainty canceled the tour. Calls from campgrounds we have booked for future dates are calling and emailing to notify us that they are closing and canceling our reservations. Our plans have us heading for the Seattle area in the VERY near future and Seattle has been tagged as a “Hot Spot” for COIVD outbreaks. We have very few options left and thank our lucky stars that we actually have somewhere to go…..home. Knowing full well that March is Colorado’s snowiest month, we see a window of good weather that can lead us home safely and decide to make a break for it. Three very full days of driving, 2 overnights in random places in Nevada and Wyoming and we will be home.
3/21/2020 This is it. This is where it all comes unglued. We’ve moved to Grant’s Pass Oregon as we’ve booked the very first cave tour of the season at Oregon Caves National Monument. COVID uncertainty canceled the tour. Calls from campgrounds we have booked for future dates are calling and emailing to notify us that they are closing and canceling our reservations. Our plans have us heading for the Seattle area in the VERY near future and Seattle has been tagged as a “Hot Spot” for COIVD outbreaks. We have very few options left and thank our lucky stars that we actually have somewhere to go…..home. Knowing full well that March is Colorado’s snowiest month, we see a window of good weather that can lead us home safely and decide to make a break for it. Three very full days of driving, 2 overnights in random places in Nevada and Wyoming and we will be home.
These would be the last pictures I took from the trip. Grant and I are sitting next to the Rouge River behind our our campsite and Grant said he wanted a picture with me. That would be the end of it. Never took another picture between this and our arrival back home in Colorado. Not one.
These would be the last pictures I took from the trip. Grant and I are sitting next to the Rouge River behind our our campsite and Grant said he wanted a picture with me. That would be the end of it. Never took another picture between this and our arrival back home in Colorado. Not one.
…..and by the way, it snowed shortly after our arrival back home.
…..and by the way, it snowed shortly after our arrival back home.
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