Lava Butte, Lava Tube, Lava Fields

Just outside of Bend is a National Park Service site where a volcano last erupted 5,000 years ago.  When it did lava spewed over a wide area.  Evidence of the eruption makes for an interesting series of hikes.  The first one we undertook was around a formation called the Lave Butte.  It’s a miniature cauldron and it belched out all the black lava rocks you’ll see below.

Looking down into the Lava Butte

Year round skiing also takes place at the mountain seen here called Bachelor

The snow capped formation in the distance is called "Sisters."

The main event is a few miles away from here and we plan on checking it out tomorrow morning on our way to Crater Lake, but there are some fascinating geologic formations.  The Lava Caves or Lava Tube is what happens when molten lava makes its own path under the earth’s surface.  The one we explored is a mile long.  You get a propane lamp and you walk down, down, down into the cave.  The temperature drops about 40 degrees in the tube.  Absent the lamps that are provided the tube is completely dark.



The height and width varies a little bit but there isn't any time when you are squeezing through a passage.  It's one mile long and you hike with miner lamps.  If there were any bats we didn't see them.  It's bright in my picture because of the flash. If you click on the picture it will take you to a video of people walking through the tube.

Merilee, Jan and Terry getting ready to ascend from the Lava Tube.  It's 50 feet under the surface.  Not to worry.  I was right behind them. 

Our room the past two days is overlooks the Deschute River.  When you see the way Bend uses the river you wish Albany and other communities along the Hudson had the same foresight.  Joggers, swimmers, kayaks, rafts all get easy access to the water through a series of public parks.  They are still playing in the water this evening at 8 PM.  The grounds around the banks are well groomed.

Off to Crater Lake in the morning.  I know there is not cell or internet service at the Lodge.  There may be service somewhere near it, but I won’t know until tomorrow.  If you don’t hear from us until Friday that is why.

Sunrise on the Deschutes River in Bend, Oregon

Bend, Oregon, population 78,000 is located near the center of the state.  Because the Deschutes River runs through the center of town summer brings outdoor recreation.  Later today the river will fill with people who tube, canoe, kayak and fish. 

Mornings are cold.  Today's started at 45 degrees.  Afternoons are warm.  Today's forecast high is 85.  There are many high peaks around us.  Some of the topographical features are the end result of volcanic activty.  We are going to explore a lava tube (sans lava) later this morning. 

Last night we ate a fabulous meal at Zydeco.  It was a Monday and it was mobbed. 

Looking ahead on our schedule, we depart on Wednesday morning for Crater Lake.  Our hotel is the Crater Lake Lodge operated for the National Park Service by Xantera.  Like most of the NPS hotels it's all about the view.  We expect great ones.  Also, like most NPS hotels there is no cell service or internet access.  We will be dark for a couple of days.

Skiing In July

Yes.  They do ski in July in Oregon.  The Timberline Lodge operates all year.  Mount Hood tops 11 thousand feet although the chair lift stops about the 8 thousand foot mark.  There is plenty of snow and plenty of people want to enjoy it.

The little specs are all people skiing or riding.  There is still a half pipe in the lower left of this picture.

Looking up the mountain, you can see the chair lift on the left.

When you start climbing your season starts to roll back.  Timberline is about 6 thousand feet up and it is late spring.  There are plenty of alpine flowers.

Mount Hood isn’t the only high peak.  Here’s a look at Mount Jefferson.

We are spending the next two days in Bend, Oregon, visiting with Merilee Marsh and Terry Donohue.  They are working their way back to Boise from a visit with family in Seattle.  We plan to check out a lava cave tomorrow morning.

Sunrise, Moonrise

This picture made it to Facebook last night but not to the blog.  It's Moonrise over Mount Hood.  It's a time exposure.

And this one is our good bye from the Ridge picture.

Sunrise at Mount Hood

From the balcony of our room here's what happened at 5:45 am PST.

Hood River

In spite of the three hour time difference our bodies were cooperative and we slept until a respectable 7 AM.  We left Gresham and traveled a few miles to the entrance of the Columbia River Gorge.  Signs in Troutdale, Oregon proudly proclaim that the small village is the "gateway to the gorge. "

The Columbia River Highway winds around the body of water reflected in its name and through a large state park. 

According to a tiny sign nearby, these are Saint John's Wart.  They grow wild all through the valley.



Multnomah Falls



Columbia River Gorge.  Incidentally, in the Pacific Northwest it is fairly common to start the day with some cloud cover.  It burns off between 10 AM and Noon depending on the day.

We took in plenty of the scenery before heading to Hood River late in the afternoon where Jan enjoyed some wine tasting.  Check Facebook for evidence of that.  She enjoyed the red wines and I thought the cheese was first rate.

Jan found a Bed and Breakfast that is part of a farm called Sakura Ridge.  The room faces Mount Hood.  You couldn’t ask for a more stunning vista.  We hurried through a delicious dinner at Celilo’s in the village of Hood River to get back to our sheep farm to watch the sun set. 

Our side of the Sakura Ridge Lodge.  We are staying in the Orchard Room.  There are pear trees all around us.



Mount Hood at sunset

The room is elegant, tastefully decorated and very comfortable.  It is so quiet.  A soft breeze and sheep bleating periodically, although they are headed to their quarters for the night. 

I can’t wait to see the star field!

Tomorrow we drive to Bend, Oregon to spend some time with friends. 

Oregon

Not since the boys played "Oregon Trail" has the name of that state been in our vocabulary very often, but here we are.  Traveling from the east coast to the west coast always makes day 1 a challenge.  Jan and I were up about 5:30.  Liam joined us to make sure we did everything we were supposed to do.  Jesse chauffeured us to the airport.  Six hours and change later and we made it to Seattle. 

Our rental car is a Nissan Versa.  You see it featured in ads where a young daughter frets that her parents only have a handful of Facebook friends, which means they will be shut-ins.  That turns out not to be the case for her parents or for us.  However, the car is pretty small.  It doesn't really have a trunk.

On the plus side there is no sales tax on meals served in Oregon.  Even though it didn't appear on our bill this evening, Jan asked the waiter to verify it, because she enjoyed hearing the news so much.

Tomorrow we are off to Mount Hood, which is clearly visible from Gresham where we are staying this evening.  You'll start seeing images then.

Packing, Packing, Packing....

I will be making an emergency suitcase purchase this morning.  Over time our stock of suitcases became victimized by baggage sorting equipment or progeny that "borrow" them. 

Packing for two different types of climates is difficult! 

Our adventure begins tomorrow morning bright and early at 7:45.  We will fly to Seattle and then make our way to Crater Lake in Oregon.   Eventually we drift back to Seattle where the rest of our party will meet up with us to head to Alaska.

You can check on our progress here in between Olympic events.  300 hours of HD DVR will come in handy!

Packing

Packing for two climates is hard.

Worth noting that in the header, three of the four pictures are mine.  The picture of Crater Lake isn't because we haven't been there yet.

From The Beginning

Preparations are well underway for our next adventure.  It begins this Saturday.  Oregon and Alaska.