September 4, 2007

This is our last view of Crater Lake. Our adventure here is over for the summer. The season is winding down, the boat tour operations will be shut down soon, and Tom had an opportunity to end his contract early. Our last night there, we drove to the East Rim to see the full moon rise over the water. Earlier that day, we closed our phone service, turned in our mail box keys, said goodbye to some great new friends (hoping we will cross paths somewhere on the roadways), and even found time to drive to the Pinnacles, an area of this magnificent park that Tom had not yet seen. There are still some trails not hiked, and one day we hope to return. But if not, our experience here has been full and beautiful.

We “lit the fires and kicked the tires,” pulling out of Mazama Campground for the last time. Heading north we drove that narrow, nail-biting rim road past the cliffs and rock strewn mountainsides, past the “Cleetwood” turn-off, through the Pumice Dessert, and out the North Entrance.

Our first stop was Sisters, Oregon, which is about 30 miles from Brothers, Oregon. I kept looking on the map for a “Cousins,” or “Great-Aunt” Oregon, but didn’t find those. After a quick tour of High Desert Museum, we stayed at the Sisters City Park, a lovely park in a sweet, unique town.

Great Horned Owl, at the High Dessert Museum

We jeeped a few miles to Camp Sherman, where the headwaters of the Metolius River are found. This locale is “deep in the woods” and retains its 1930s appearance and “feel” – a charming General Store, cabins dispersed between tall pines, grandpas and grandsons walking to the river with fishing poles and tackle.

Then there was the tortuous drive through the mountains to I-5: you know when you’ve chosen the wrong route when there are signs every 50 yards stating in order - “Rough Road, “ “Sunken Grade,” “Slow,” “Rocks,” “Slides,” “Bridge Work,” “Caution,” “6% Grade Next 11 Miles,” “Check Brakes ¼ Mile,” “Loose Gravel;” and then the signs repeat........... “Slow,” "Rocks," etc.

Successfully arriving at Eugene, Oregon, we overnighted at Coburg, and met up with Tom’s school friend, Barbara Marsh Friedson, and her husband Jerry. Barbara had tracked us down through the Brenham folks. It was fun to catch up on all the family news, and the paths life had led them on, post-Brenham High School.

On Friday, Aug 31, we drove back to Portland and managed to park the motor home on a little strip of road beside Bob and Peggy’s house. We had driven here for a visit just two weeks ago. Everything went fine “docking” beside their house, but the severe grade of the side street will make it most interesting to see how we get out of there. Meanwhile, we have had some great meals and fun excursions around the Northwest. Next post will include Seattle (“Pike’s Place Fish Market”!), Gig Harbor….. and more…….as we meander our way home.