Crater Lake

Crater Lake National Park was absolutely awe inspiring. No matter how many times you see the lake, it touches you all over again. And it really is that blue. I luckily got one of the last available campsites...keep forgetting about concepts like 'weekends'. I successfully programmed my cell phone to wake me at 8 (two reasons to gasp!) so I could hike up Mount Scott (tallest in park) in the morning. Apparently the light is best before noon. I wasn't disappointed. Sadly they didn't allow the public into the watchtower. I would have moved in if they let me.

In early afternoon I hiked down into the crater. Unfortunately the tour boat was sold out (and later cancelled for high winds) so I couldn't get to the island in the middle of the lake. I did go for a swim though. Sure it was freezing, but I hadn't had a shower for over two days (with lots of hiking) and when the hell am I going to get a chance to swim in a volcanic crater again? My goal was to make it around the first buoy and I ended up turning around about 15 yards short since my lungs wanted to explode from the cold. I would have pressed on but I couldn't see the bottom despite the water being crystal clear...I doubt it could have been shallower than 50 feet deep and possibly much more.

On my way out of the park I hiked to Lightning Springs. Odd to see water just flowing out of the ground. Speaking of flowing, nothing flows into or out of Crater Lake. All the water consists of rain and snow melt within the boundaries of the crater itself. It helps that it is the second snowiest place in America.

Central Oregon drive

The drive from Hermiston down toward Crater Lake (I-84 West and US-97 South) had some lovely scenery. I-84 is entirely in the Columbia River Gorge and US-97 goes in and around several national forests along a mountain range. Central/eastern Oregon is very dry right now and I passed right next to a forest fire. I also spent some time in Smith Rock State Park, near Bend OR, which is famous for rock climbing...just wish I got there a bit earlier in the day. I camped near La Pine.

Pics.

Ed is not extreme

I spent the next three nights in Hermiston, OR. There isn't a whole lot going on there other than Brett, McNary Dam/Columbia River and mountain biking so that's what occupied me. Brett took his friend and I on a four mile course that completely kicked my butt. I mean that somewhat literally; even though my bike had front and rear suspension it hurt to sit for days afterward. I even walked the last mile. The terrain was very rugged and beautiful, though; I wouldn't mind going again after training on some tamer courses. I recommend not going at noon when it is over 100 degrees. Unfortunately, the pics show only the last leg of the route which was comparatively tame.

Pics (including Brett and I goofing off with the laptop camera. Beware!).

Last day in Seaside

I ended up staying a third night in Seaside. Nicole, (the hostel employee at the dinner three posts down) Gabrielle (another hostel guest) and I went to nearby Cannon Beach for a bit before going to The Simpsons Movie. Nicole has been to Burning Man twice and has given me lots of good pointers for what to bring and do. That night we had quite a collection of people at the campfire; lots of different backgrounds and viewpoints and we had lots of good discussions. It was the peak night for the Perseid meteor shower so I had a star map up on my laptop and we held it above our head to compare it to the sky to pick out constellations and likely locations for meteors. Things didn't die down until four in the morning...really fun.

Pics.

Ping

Howdy folks. Still alive. I've spent a few days in Hermiston, OR with my brother, Brett, and just left Crater Lake National Park an hour ago. Internet and even cell reception are hard to come by in central Oregon. I've got some Crater Lake pics to make it all worth it, though. Stay tuned.

No Google

I'd been involved in a drawn out phone interview series with Google. Yesterday they said "No thanks." I wasn't happy with how I did on the last two, so I don't blame them.

No other irons in the fire. No plans to put any in. Just full speed ahead slacking.

Still in Seaside

Your trusty reporter is coming to you live from the Seaside International Hostel campfire. There are more than a dozen of us listening to Colin sing some Neil Young, Bob Dylan and other songs. He's really good. A couple hours ago I came back to the hostel to be invited to eat with a family I'd never met before. The stir-fry was just sitting there steaming so I plopped down my hummus, Triscuits and tragically warm hard cider on the dinner table and joined them. It was the parents, two grown daughters, one of their boyfriends and one of the staff here at the hostel along with me. The family is just wrapping up a two and a half week reunion vacation. We had lots of good stories and laughs...felt like being back in Toledo.

I had a great time on the beach today. Not sure what I can say about it that the pictures can't do better. I caught the doubles finals for both men and women. For some reason I seem to have more pictures of the women's match. Go figure.

The water was a bit to cold too swim in for an extended length of time. Luckily Seaside has an indoor lap pool I was able to get a nice long workout in for a cool $2.50. My back had been not been feeling well since the Olympic NP hikes but I'm a new man after a $130 visit to a chiropractor on Thursday in Portland. He showed me some stretches that have helped a lot. Worth every penny.

Hmm...everyone has cleared out for the night. It isn't even midnight yet. Lightweights.