Crater Lake

We recently returned from a trip to Crater Lake, Oregon. We have lived in the Pacific Northwest for eight years now and this was my first trip to Crater Lake. Hopefully, it will not be my last. When we decided to make this trip and I told people we were going everybody told me how much I would enjoy it and how beautiful it is. Yeah, yeah...okay, whatever.

We left on Monday morning and drove to Prospect, Oregon where we would be staying at the Prospect House Bed and Breakfast. Not only was this my first trip to Crater Lake, but it was the first time to stay in a B&B. The room was small, what would you expect in a B&B, but comfortable. The first night we had reservations in the Dinner House at the B&B since we didn't know where else there would be to eat in Prospect. I had stuffed pork tenderloin with whiskey sauce and D had the prime rib. From the salad to the dessert it was oh so YUMMY. Three mornings meant three breakfasts. Although they were all delicious my favorite was the first morning's banana pancakes with walnut topping. Needless to say counting calories started out with a bang each day.

Tuesday after breakfast we headed up to Crater Lake. The plan was to drive around the lake and stop at different trails here and there. D took the direction that would have us going down trails and not seeing the lake right away. Then when we finally stopped at an observation point from which the lake was visible I was blown away. I have never seen a more beautiful blue. So amazing! After the first look I decided the boat trip was a must do, something we had written off earlier. We lucked out the next day and got on the 4 PM boat trip. They were down a boat, so we really didn't expect to be able to make the trip, but were thrilled when we found out we would. To get to the boat dock we had to hike down the trail which is the equivalent of a 75 story building. It was unbelievable to take a boat trip on a lake inside of a volcano. Of course, after the two hour tour we then had to hike up the trail back to the rim. Yes, it was still the equivalent of a 75 story building. But, we did it!

Of all the places I have seen in this beautiful country of ours Crater Lake has moved to first place of the most beautiful and my favorites. If you haven't been to Crater Lake you might want to consider putting it on your bucket list.