June 10

This was the shortest ride day yet, just 10 miles along the rim of Crater Lake.  Total now is just over 500 miles. 

 

We drove from Yreka CA to Crater Lake and what a change in climate.  When we were in Napa, it was warm with temperatures close to 90.  As we drove up to Crater Lake we appreciated the reason that some of the roads are still closed.  At about 4000 feet there was snow throughout the woods and alongside the road. Above 5000 feet the snow piles on each side were 8-10 feet on each side and at the brim of the crater, the snow was as high as 20 feet around the parking lots and along the portion of the rim road we could ride.  The lodges at the top are still inundated with snow and they are using temporary entrances through snow tunnels to get into the buildings. 

 

In Lake Placid we had a little over 20 feet of snow this winter and thought that was a lot but Crater Lake had 56 feet, 12 more than their average but 20 feet less than the record of 77 feet. 

 

Tomorrow we hope to take a ride through the Oregon Wine country in the Umpqua valley and then move closer to Eugene.  We plan to turn the car in Sunday evening and then Monday we will ride from Eugene to the Oregon Coast and the town of Florence and then start to ride up the coast with full gear again. 

 

Mary was not feeling her best today but hopes to be back into full strength by tomorrow. 

 

Had a great dinner tonight in Roseburg at a place call Brix 527.  Excellent menu and very enthusiastic staff.