Surprise awaited us during our day's travels. Our first city was Grant's Pass, which was named after General Ulysses S. Grant after the settlers heard of his capture of Vicksburg in 1863. We were suprised by the temperature today - a high of 108. Then we traveled to Crater Lake and found many feet of snow still on the ground. The temperature near there was about 70, but we had to walk through snow to get to the lake. 
This area averages 44 feet of snow each winter. We had hoped to drive the western rim and then a road with waterfalls, but the ranger said that the park was hoping to have that road cleared for travel by July 4 so that changed our mind.
This area averages 44 feet of snow each winter. We had hoped to drive the western rim and then a road with waterfalls, but the ranger said that the park was hoping to have that road cleared for travel by July 4 so that changed our mind. Our friends in West Michigan understand the challenges of snow removal. Can you imagine removing 44 feet of snow? With 44 feet of snow, you could create a ski trail 3 feet wide, 6 inches deep and long enough to circle the earth at the equator.
Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States at 1,943 feet. It is also the cleanest; the water is exceptional for its clarity and intense blue color. The lake is totally enclosed , no stream comes in or goes out. Orginally a caldera from a volcano, it fills with rain and snow runoff. Orginally there were no fish; six species were introduced - only two remain, the rainbow trout and kokanee salmon.
We went from the Pacific through redwoods, into 108 temperatures, up into 8 foot piles of snow and back down to the 108 degree temperatures.
Tonight we are staying at the Windmill Inn. The receptionist ask why we chose that hotel and I told him we saw the sign and because we were Dutch and from Holland, Michigan we decided to stay at the Windmill Inn. He said, "That is too cool."
No comments:
Post a Comment