BT 4.0: Mount Mazama

We spent the last five days in Oregon. We relaxed in Bend, OR for a day and then headed to Crater Lake. Mark and I visited Crater Lake on our first visit to the Northwest ten years ago. The first time around we were sad that we were there for such a short time, so this go around we made sure we had enough time to do it all. We spent three nights at Crater Lake, two camping and one at the Crater Lake Lodge. Odelia's tooth is still wiggly so any photos of her with her finger in her mouth are all in her pursuit to get that silly tooth out. We did a lot of hiking and were able to cover several different trails. We all know more about Crater Lake than any of you care to hear...

volcano-->eruption-->collapse-->caldera is formed-->fills with melted snow-->beautiful lake-->

the end

Fourth of July: Watching fireworks from outside our hotel room (and a tooth wiggle for good measure).

The kids really relaxed by the pool. Milo scoped out the best spot and then bought cold beverages for him and Odelia.

Waiting for a table: 10 Barrel Brewery, Bend, OR

Odelia found this Kombucha bar on her morning walk with Mark. She was so excited to bring me there. The kids sampled Kombucha with me and Mark. Milo's drinking a kombucha float.

Deschutes Brewery, Bend, OR

Ready for an adventure!

This was the first pile of snow we saw so we stopped to play for a bit.

First view of the lake!

Flipping burgers at the campsite.

Hiking at Crater Lake.

Mark decided to dip his feet in the stream on our hike.

The end of our first hike. We returned to the same trail the next day and did it again.

We had several trees worth of downed tree/cut wood on our campsite. The kids spent hours building structures. This was their biggest venture, a bar appropriately named, "The Wood Bar".

The Wood Bar's menu.

Mark ordering breakfast from the Wood Bar.

Castle Crest Trail

Crossing the stream.

It's official: Two Crater Lake junior rangers sworn in by this lovely park ranger.

It's just so blue!

Hike #3

Crater Lake: Sun Notch Trail

View from Sun Notch Trail: Crater Lake

Our hikers.

We took a boat ride to Wizard Island and spent the day there. It's a volcanic island in the middle of Crater Lake. In order to even get to the boat we had to hike down a mile. Mark and I were both a little anxious about the day as the hike was harder and farther than we'd done with the kids and once we got to Wizard Island we were there for three hours without a way back to the edge of the lake. This was our first up close look at the water.

Waiting for the boat to Wizard Island.

Here we go...

Both kids got a turn sitting up with the captain. This is Milo having on a chat with him on the way to the island.

Odelia running the show...

We arrived at Wizard Island! On the dock.

It's really THAT blue! Mark's feet are ankle deep in the water.

We all took turns swimming in the FREEZING water. The park ranger that accompanied us on the boat tour said the water was around 50 degrees.

Milo's turn!

Brrrrrr!

The boat captain told us on the way out, "You can fill your water bottles with the lake water. The park ranger won't tell you that but it's ok". So we did! Milo is sampling it.

Now it's my turn. It just tastes like water.

BT 4.0

Good-bye Wizard Island

We made it back up the trail! Milo and I teamed up and Mark and Osie were a pair. We chatted, we rested, we commiserated with fellow hikers and I think the kids felt a sense of accomplishment.

Sipping drinks on the deck of Crater Lake Lodge. After our long day at Wizard Island we checked into the lodge, relished all the amenities (running water and pillows) and then headed down to sit in the rocking chairs and enjoy the view.

After dinner we went back to the hotel and were hunkered down for the night when Mark burst through the door and said, "Come now. You don't need shoes". We all piled out of the room and headed out to the deck to see a double rainbow on one side of the lake and...

this sunset on the other side of the lake. It was amazing! (That's wizard island).

Sunset at Crater Lake.

I'm in my Santa Claus PJ's.

More sunset...are you bored yet? It doesn't matter how beautiful the photograph is it's never as beautiful as being there.

Farewell Crater Lake.

Our children are becoming very skilled with the camera.

On our way from Crater Lake to San Francisco we stopped at a Subway that just so happened to have the same street numbers as our house. Both kids swore it was a sign...now they are prepping for their own grand opening of a Subway in Milo's bedroom.