Tuesday at Crater Lake

It's Tuesday and today we got reacquainted with a old friend....Crater Lake

We first visited Crater Lake in 1971 shortly after we were married. We didn't spend much time that trip but vowed to return, So.... today we kept that promise.

Crater Lake was formed nearly 7000 years ago when Mt Mazama erupted and collapsed forming a bowl. Crater Lake is 6 miles across, nearly 2000 feet deep at it's deepest point and covers 27 square miles. It's the 7th deepest fresh water lake in the world. The rim of the crater is about 1000 feet above the lake and provides spectacular views of the lake. The lake has no inlet or outlet so the lake is replenished from the melting snow each spring. The rim drive is breathtaking with every turn better than the last. 33 miles of spectacular scenery along the rim drive provide the visitor with ever changing views of the lake.

The phantom Ship is a rock formation that sits in the lake and was formed when a smaller volcano erupted after the crater was formed. I climbed down a rocky trail to get this picture under some tree branches. Best not to look down from this point.

Crater Lake has about 500 inches of snow a year...... that's right.... over 40 feet. So here it is late July and snow is still around. Lots to slide in, throw snowballs with and just keep cool. Remember... don't eat yellow snow!

This last picture is for my girl Ella. Chipmunks are all around and come to beg for food. Pretty cool huh, Ella?

That's the day .... on the road to Pasco Washington tomorrow morning,