Rev. 06/25/01
Alaska & beyond - continued 6/25
Bend, OR to Crater Lake
In southern Idaho it had been hot, well into the 90's. So when
we got to Bend, a refreshing swim sounded good. We chose a motel that had
a pool. When I stepped out to the RT, a blast of 60 degree wind hit me --
no way was I going swimming. And granddaughter elected not to too.
Next morning dawned with a nice sunny day. We headed south
to Crater Lake. It was an easy drive from Bend, and would give us plenty
of time to explore. But by the time we got there it was overcast, and
soon the rain started in. The lake is still spectacular, even in the rain.
Now my granddaughter loves the rain, but me, no way was I going hiking in
it, not even for her.
We
drove the loop around the rim, took a few pictures -- in the rain. Vidae
Falls, tumbling down from the rim was a surprise. We had searched for
it Suddenly there it was in front of us.
Looking at the mountain, and the jagged cliffs of the rim, it was not difficult to imagine the explosion 7,700 years ago. An explosion they say was 100-200 times as powerful as Mount St. Helens in 1980. It spewed ash over eight states and way up into Canada.
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