We left the coast and took small 1/2 paved 1/2 dirt road over the mountains Siskiyou National Forest. A Beautiful Scenic route used mostly by canoe outfitters for people canoeing the Rogue River. I didn’t get too many photos through here because both hands were on the wheel at all times. đ
Came down the Eastern side of the mountains and had lunch at Grants Pass. Stopped at the “Natural Bridge” to stretch our legs.
Stopped and checked out the Natural Bridge, where the thundering water from Rogue River disappears from view and takes a short detour underground through a Lava Tube and then reappears a ½ a block downstream⌠Very cool; beautiful river, that could deserve weeks of exploration. Rafting, fishing, boating etc seems to be the predominant âindustryâ in this part of the country.
Crater Lake National Park
Driving up on Crater Lake from the mountain highlands for the first time is a bit of a mind blowing experience.
Crater Lake was caused by a Volcano thousands of years ago after the 12,000 foot volcano collapsed following a major eruption. It formed the deepest lake in the United States (almost a mile deep). It is considered to be the cleanest large body of water in the WORLD.
The entire lake sits high in the mountains, but lower than the surrounding peaks, and there is no easy way to get down to the water. There is only one âlegalâ spot to access the water, and that is on the north end of the lake, called Cleetwood Cove. It is a 2.2 mile long in and back trail that drops 700 feet to the water’s edge.
We decided last minute to walk down, and as we were getting out of the van, Aly decided she did not want to go. The standoff commenced between Jennifer and Aly until Jennifer decided she could stay, but she could not sit in the van. We left here sitting outside and commenced walking ½ a block till Jennifer thought better of it, and went back and opened the Van door for her. Jennifer and I continued on down the trail with her grumbling about how obstinate Aly is (I tried to gently remind her it is going to get worse as she gets further in to teendom) đ . Anyway, we made the long descent to the lake and were sitting there on the rocks contemplating the awesomeness of the place when Aly showed up. Jennifer was so happy she cried. Such a heart this woman has. Made me tear up too. :-). I was also relieved, because I really didn’t want to deal with two bull headed girls arguing and having standoffs for the rest of the trip!
We Got the last campsite in the park. Girls went to a Ranger Program, I cleaned up the van and went to sleep.
We got up in the morning, got Alis Junior Ranger Badge and a couple T Shirts and started cruising the West side of the lake. We stopped and hiked the Pinnacles trail and a waterfall trail to a grove of Hemlocks which were both well worth the short walks. Ali stayed in the van and sat both of them out.
We continued on to Bend Oregon and ate at the XXX brewery, and got a six pack sampler of their brews. Good food – everything is overpriced, as I suppose is to be expected from such a hip little city. The downtown area was bustling with tourists browsing through the chic little shops and eateries. Very cool little town – beautiful buildings, nice roads, green spaces, bike trails – things were well kept, clean and orderly, and parking was free and easy.
We took the scenic route North out of Bend through several National Forests and bypassed many cool looking free places to camp, and as it was getting late, we settled on a National Forest Campground at the Southern end of Santiam Lake. The lake has an algae bloom, and the campground was run by some independent concessionaire, and just didn’t have the clean and kept appearance most government run campgrounds do. It probably wasnât the best choice, but we were wanting to check out the Breitenbush Hot Springs in the morning, and it was nearby
This morning I sit here in the Van, once again loving and reminiscing this lifestyle of living in a van and traveling. 40 years later now, I am doing the same thing – but typing on a laptop computer and comfortable in a cozy heated camper van, rather than sitting at picnic table shivering next to a campfire, writing in a paper journal. I was probably drinking hot coffee then too, but now I donât have to get up and make it over a stinky smokey campfire. My feet are not wet, my clothes are clean, Iâm sitting on cushioned furniture rather than a rock or a picnic table. The Girls are cuddling in the back âbedroom with the curtain up and the shades drawn, I am enjoying the sunshine just starting to come in through the windshield. At this stage in my life, I am appreciating the modern conveniences and luxuries probably more than even I know..
Life IS Good.. and itâs even better in our Travato.