WINTER WONDERLAND AT CRATER LAKE, OREGON

What a fabulous day we had at Crater Lake. Terry drove us all up there through the snow and it was as superb as the last time four years ago, but more fun with friends!

A picture paints a thousand words.....

TERRY AND SALLY

TERRY ATTEMPTING TO BALANCE HIS CAMERA ON A SNOW LEDGE TO GET A GROUP PHOTO

SALLY

TERRY AND SALLY

MUST RESCUE....... MY CAMERA!

TERRY ALMOST UP TO HIS NECK IN IT AFTER TAKING A PHOTO FOR ME

ROY MAKING A SNOW ANGEL

ROY'S THREE SNOW ANGELS

ALONE IN THE WOODS AND A DODGY DODGE

Roy took our Dodge into Klamath Falls to see about the "noise" it has developed.
While he was gone I had a lovely walk alone in the woods for about 2 hours. Camera in hand I wandered happily until I realised I was in Bear country, so I started talking and humming to myself - the sun shone although it was cold and there was the odd snow flurry. Back at the site I saw the notice saying it was cougar country as well - shame I never saw either! 

MY WALK ALONG SPRING CREEK

OSPREY ON MY WALK

SNOW BITTEN FLOWERS

A SELFIE - WHAT AM I LOOKING AT?

 MY WALK ALONG SPRING CREEK

Time for a cuppa with our lovely friends who are still with us, Terry reckoned the bears will still be hibernating.
Roy arrived back with the bad news that the rear axle bearings need replacing asap. Dodge wanted to charge $3000.
With Terry's excellent internet skills he found a garage in Bend about 80 miles away which seems to have a better deal so we will hopefully get there for Monday morning when he will look at the vehicle. 

RAINY OREGON

The weather seemed to have taken a turn for the worse with some rain and cooler temperatures as we headed east to meet up with our English friends who also have a trailer and tour the USA. We first met them in 2011 at Petrified Forest and discovered they lived in Middlesbrough, we have kept in touch so it was great to meet them over here again. We spent the afternoon talking then enjoyed a lovely meal in Weaverville. 

We caravaned together into Oregon and spent a few evenings together. A lovely change having good company. (Not that Roy is not good company!)

Just some random photos taken along the way of the Trinity Heritage Scenic Byway - an old Gold Rush area just before we left California.
We are now in Oregon - the days seem to be rushing by now - just over 3 weeks left.

Trinity Lake

Myrtle is everywhere

This lady invited Roy in off the street to see her old bar and the old Wells Fargo Bank hidden behind the metal doors

MOUNT SHASTA IN THE CLOUDS

AVENUE OF THE GIANTS

We are almost at the end of this awesome 32 mile scenic road in Humboldt Redwoods State Park.

Coast redwoods are taller than any other living thing. They can live over 2,000 years and withstand fires, floods and insects. As we drove along the Avenue some of the groves we saw have never been logged. These are ancient, or old growth, coast redwoods. Their average ages are 400-600 years old. A magical place to experience - so humbling and awe- inspiring as we stood among these magnificent giants.

 

NAPA VALLEY TO CLEAR LAKE

 After many years of travelling the States we finally drove the famous Napa Valley. We should not have chosen Good Friday – traffic was terrible and hardly anywhere to stop. It was pretty, but like a poor mans France to me! We saw the Napa Valley Wine train which people paid exorbitant money to ride along the valley looking at vineyards. We both enjoyed seeing this well known area but would not re-visit.

We had booked the next site at Clear Lake as its Easter but it doesn't look busy – always the same when we book!

Good Friday boiled eggs lunch!

Clear Lake is California's largest natural lake. The park sits on the edge of Soda Bay, named for a spring of carbonated water that rises from the bottom of the lake and bubbles at the surface. Just southwest of the park is the most prominent of the region's many volcanic cones – 4,200 foot Mount Konocti. Konocti is classified as an active volcano, although it has been dormant for thousands of years.

Had a lovely Easter and we had the Laycock family tradition of boiled eggs and Fish on Good Friday but no luck with hot cross buns! Topped it off with Cadbury's caramel eggs for Easter Day!

CLEAR LAKE WITH KONOCTI IN THE BACKGROUND

GREEN HERON

CALIFORNIA QUAIL

BLACK TAILED DEER

WOOD DUCK

CLEAR LAKE FROM PART WAY UP KONOCTI

NORTHERN FLICKER