This could have been yet another weather scare for Jesse. But, thankfully we got one of the most glorious days Oregon has to offer. Don’t worry, we called and bothered Amy over at the Crater Lake Information Center about 4 times to make sure the weather conditions were appropriate.
And then we met Rick (also known as Joe or George, whichever you like) whose arm was eaten by a bear and he owned the nicest port-a-potty in the state of Oregon. He threatened to shoot off Jesse’s fingers for trying to pump her own gas. He so kindly informed us that you will be shot in the state of Oregon for pumping gas, intruding on a home or steeling from a neighbor’s tool shed.
Rick has lived in Fort Klamath for thirteen years, hasn’t locked his door in thirteen years and could not possibly tell us where his key is. But he’s quite certain that if someone broke into his house and he was not available to shoot the intruder, his neighbor certainly would. And apparently the Sheriff condones this behavior. We became fast friends.
Before departing he pointed us in the direction of naked hot springs and seemed very proud of the bare ass way they role in Southern Oregon. You can’t say you don’t love Rick.
But can you say that you’ve been to the deepest lake in the United States that gets around 500 inches of snowfall each year? … Well, we now have.
As you drive into Crater Lake National Park the foot of snow next to you quickly becomes 10 feet of snow and eventually you’re just driving through a tunnel of snow. We arrived at the Visitor’s Center only to find it buried. We’re talking snow 20 feet high up the side of the building. A separate entrance was built specifically to get through the snow.
Amy was as nice in person as on the phone and even recognized Maura’s voice as the woman who kept calling earlier. She pointed us up towards the viewing point and holy crap what a view!!! After dawning our Wellies we crossed the 20 foot snow gap and began to take the same picture over and over again. It never got old.
A little info on Crater Lake: It is only fed by rain and snow (no rivers of streams) and it is considered to be the cleanest large body of water in the world. The water is exceptional for its clarity and intense blue color. It was created when a volcano erupted on the site and then collapsed.
The snowfall in Crater was 614 inches in the 1930s and has slowly declined to 459 inches in the 2000s … Hello Global Warming! Here’s a thought: the amount of snow moved each winter by the park’s roads crew could create a ski trail 3 feet wide, 6 inches deep and long enough to circle the Earth at the equator … Are you getting what I’m telling you?!
Well if you’re not getting it, get this: best meatball sub ever! Who would have guessed that Crater Lake was famous for their meatballs? Yum!
Because the North park roads are closed due to snow we headed back the way we came and took the Chiloquin cutoff up to Eugene. Now for anyone trying this at home, there are very few places to pee on 97 North. Have you peed in a National Forrest? Maura now has. But not before switching into Wellies (SNAKES!!!).
Okay so here’s the thing about driving to Eugene, it’s the most beautiful drive EVER!!! Lets just say Maura almost flipped ‘Champ’ over multiple times to stop for waterfall photos but it was worth it. We’re currently broadcasting to you in the car on our favorite road and old friend I-5. The sun is sinking behind the mountains and we’re on our way to Portland. So psyched! Jesse needs a beer! Ciao for now!
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