Today we travelled from Rainier to Crater Lake, in Oregon. Southern Washington holds acres of orchards - apples, cherries, plums, etc. Then we crossed the Columbia River basin and came to what the Zane Grey stories (
High Plains Drifter, and Riders of the Purple Sage come to mind) were all about. Looking across the high plains of Oregon are the Sierras -all snow-capped and imposing - Rainier, Adams, Hood, St. Helens, Jefferson, the Three Sisters - it just goes on and on and on - all to our right as we head south toward the former Mt. Mazama (which blew up 5,000 feet of rock six miles wide over 7,000 years ago). Needless to say - a very big boom!
The eastern forests are so far away - literally. We have seen nothing but grassland and conifers for the last few days (except for the orchards). It is a fascinating change in environment.
Can you imagine riding in a covered wagon in late August or September, seeing those peaks, and knowing your life depended on getting across that range before the first big snows set in? Major anxiety, I bet. Then we arrive at Crater Lake.
They claim this is the cleanest air and water in the world - it sure takes your breath away!
Can you imagine riding in a covered wagon in late August or September, seeing those peaks, and knowing your life depended on getting across that range before the first big snows set in? Major anxiety, I bet. Then we arrive at Crater Lake.
They claim this is the cleanest air and water in the world - it sure takes your breath away!
