Crater Lake

We decided to take one other mini trip this summer. This time up to Oregon to check out Crater Lake. We had heard it's really beautiful - and it was! These photos don't really do the colors of the lake justice. It was an amazing blue I've never seen before. Definitely worth the trip - although it was quite the 3 day road trip. First day was 6 hours up to Medford, OR where we spent the night. 2nd day was about 90minutes to the lake and then another 90mins back at the end of the day. 3rd day was another 6 hours home. There was a lot of family bonding in the car! However, since our new car came with free Sirius radio we all rocked out to 80's classics the entire trip! ;)

Here are some of the MANY photos we took. You can click on any of them to see them bigger.

The little island out there is called Wizard Island

A bit of the blue green you see along the shoreline. It was jewel toned  -gorgeous!

Okay, this is a good example of how far down it is into the lake. Straight down in many places. If you are going with small children, watch them better than I watched mine. Yikes! Carter was dancing around and tripped and fell. He seriously came within inches of the edge. What a moment!

This little island is called the Phantom Ship

We also headed out to see these beautiful waterfalls.
 Not much rain this year, so they were small. Pretty though!

Up at the Ranger Station they had Jr Ranger Activities for kids. Carter was excited to participate.

They all had to do a watercolor of something they saw in nature around the lake.

Carter's finished project. A tree and the sun. I think the ranger was interested as to why there was no actual lake in the painting. Carter defended his position however, and pointed out the exact tree he painted. It really did look like it!

Blowing on it to dry...

Telling the Ranger about the painting and getting his patch.

Earned his Jr Ranger at Crater Lake patch.

More pics of the lake...

I don't know if you can read this one. It is just some random facts about the lake. It used to be a volcano. The area collapsed in on itself and overtime filled with rain and melted snow to become the lake. It's the 7th deepest lake in the world, and the deepest in the USA. It gets it's color from the fact that the water is so pure. In the winter the area is almost unreachable. The lake can see over 50ft of snow each winter. There were still small patches around the shoreline - despite the fact it was 80degrees.

On the way back we stopped and hiked along this rover gorge. The gorge was created by the lava tubes from the volcanos. The water was FAST! The signs told us that in 2 minutes enough water rushes past to fill an Olympic Sized pool!

Resting on the path...

Carter was WORN OUT that night!

It was a really fun trip!