Deb and Karl's RV Adventures

It was a 15 minute drive from our campsite to Crater Lake National Park.  We were blown away (pun intended) by the beauty of Crater Lake.  So incredibly blue.  So clean.  It is the 9th deepest lake in the world, at 1,900 some feet.  It was created 7,700 years ago, when Mount Mazama, a 12,000 foot tall volcanic mountain, blew up.  When all the ash and magma blew out of the volcano from below the mountain, the mountaintop fell in on itself, creating the lake.   Over many years, it filled up with rain and snowmelt.   It is so clean and clear because no streams flow into it bringing sediment.  The lake itself is at 6,000 some feet elevation, rimmed by the remaining mountain. So -- that is what these pictures are showing!   We did the one hike that takes you down to the water.  About a mile down, which was a lot easier than the mile up.   But OMG just looking at the spectacular blue of the water made it enjoyab...

We left the misty Pacific ocean, and headed east about 4 hours to Umpqua National Forest, and our campground at Diamond Lake.  It was a beautiful drive through hill, meadows, mountains.  Love the campground!  High elevation around 6,000 feet or so.  Sunny skies.   Our spacious site is right on Diamond Lake, with a view of a mountain straight across.   Windy, but another great happy hour location! The morning was calm, so we headed out for a paddle.  Went all the way around the lake; maybe 9 miles or so.  Views of different mountains from different directions, and clean, clear water.  Love being on the water!  Choppy the last half hour or so as the wind picked up.

Heading up the Coast on Highway 101 - a gorgeous drive.  Went just an hour or so, to Sunset Bay State Park.  Sunny day, but it got drearier and moister in the evening . . . not really rain but mist in the air.  Couldn't check into the campground until 4:00, so just hung out.  Made our first campfire in the evening to take the chill off! The next day we starting hiking from the campground to the south.  Foggy, but not too foggy morning.   On the trail, passed a man and I made the comment "the sun will be out soon, right?".   he stopped, looked at me, and said "You're not from around here are you".   He was right . . . the sun did not come out. But the hike was still beautiful!  Came to Shore Acres State Park, which had interpretive signs of the geology, etc.  Now it made sense as to why those rocks are at 45 degree angles.  Shore Acres used to be a mansion and grounds owned by a wealthy lumber family.   T...