Tiny Trailer Travels Part Three
After spending a week in Seattle, we made our way south, down the Oregon Coast for a day then we headed inland to visit Crater Lake National Park, one of my lifelong goals. We stopped at Mount St Helens on the day we left Seattle, since it was on our way south.
We decided to swing through Portland to see what it was like. While there we stopped at Coava Coffee Roasters to get some coffee and a stainless steel filter for our Chemex Coffee Carafe which we use while traveling. We parked downtown and walked around the weekend market for a while and then set off toward the coast.
That evening we planned on camping at a state park, but it was full. We hit the road again and ended up camping at a small marina on the coast of Oregon. It was quite wonderful to watch the sun set over the ocean while we enjoyed our dinner. Sometimes things that seem like inconveniences turn out to be wonderful blessings in the end. This seems especially true if you keep an open mind while traveling.
The next morning we were up with the sun and headed off down the coast stopping occasionally to take short hikes to an ocean overlook or something interesting.
After following the coast for many miles we headed inland and drove along picturesque country roads flanked by beautiful sheep farms. Our camper is actually insulated with wool from a sheep farm in Oregon, so we wondered if any of these sheep had provided our camper with warm VOC free all natural insulation. This is why we try those chose small roads instead of highways when we travel. The extra time it takes to travel back roads is rewarded with beauty the entire way. I’ll gladly trade a beautiful view for the drive for an extra hour or two in the car!
Originally we had planned on getting to Crater Lake that evening, but with the back roads drive we didn’t make it. Once again we were rewarded by not sticking to our plans too closely. Bogus Creek Campground in the Umpqua National Forest was really beautiful and serene. It was such a lovely place we might head back someday to spend some time hiking in the area.
The next morning we packed up and made our way through the National Forest stopping at many of the waterfalls along the way. We had no idea these were even here, until the campground host gave us some brochures and told us about them. If we hadn’t stopped at that campground we would have driven by all of them without even knowing. There are 24 different waterfalls in this area, we were able to stop and see about 8 of them.
In the afternoon, we continued on towards our goal of seeing Crater Lake, stopping at the Broken Arrow Campground at Diamond Lake to drop off the camper. We continued down the road to the northern entrance to Crater Lake National Park. Crater Lake has always been on my “must do” list since I was young. I tried to talk my parents into making the trip when we were in California once, but it was too far. I was super excited to finally see it — I was not disappointed.
We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening driving around the rim road, stopping at all the lookouts. At one stop there was a friendly little ground squirrel, obviously other guests were not obeying the “Do Not Feed Wildlife” signs because it came right up to my hand as I was sitting on the wall. We hiked down to the boat landing at the lake and were surprised to see people swimming. Had we known, we would have worn our suits and taken a dip. But hiking the 1.5 miles back out in wet clothes was not appealing so we dipped our feet in and were content with that.
The next morning we got up early to a few ominous clouds and a few rain drops. We didn’t let that stop us from hiking the 2.5 miles to the top of Mt Scott, which is the highest point in Crater Lake Park. It was worth the trip, and by the time we got to the top the clouds were gone and it was a beautiful day!
Luckily we had packed ourselves some delicious sandwiches for lunch, which we enjoyed while taking in the fantastic view of Crater Lake. (more on our delicious sandwich fixing found at a little local butcher shop in Seattle later)
If you look closely you can see a tiny me hiking along the trail at the rim of Mt Scott in the image below. If you ever head to Crater Lake I’d highly recommend this hike, it’s well worth it for the view. The wildflowers were also quite lovely on the hike up, we wished we had taken a flower identification book with us. At least I have photos so I can find the names some day soon.
That afternoon we packed up the car and headed off through Oregon on our way to Grand Teton National Park. Check back tomorrow for that leg of our journey. Check my Flickr Photostream for more photos of each part of the trip, I’ll be uploading them as I have time.
Do you have any places that you’ve always wanted to visit? Have you been able to check any off of your list?
Other posts from this trip:
Tiny Trailer Travels Part I
Tiny Trailer Travels Part II
Tiny Trailer Travels Part III
Tiny Trailer Travels Part IV
Tiny Trailer Travels Part V
Tiny Trailer Travels Part VI
How wonderful that you were able to get to Crater Lake. I’ve tried TWICE–and both years there had been numerous wildfires in the area and we weren’t able to get there.
Maybe next year! Sigh.
Gorgeous photos!!!!
to Sue's comment
It is certainly worth the trip – my favorite place on our entire trip. If you get the chance make sure you drive up there at night and spend some time star gazing while you’re there, or camp in one of the lesser known campground so you can watch the stars from your campsite.
to Susy's comment
How wonderful to have a lifelong dream fulfilled. Your photos of the trees are amazing! (I’m a big tree gal).
I’ve been blessed to have seen most of the western United States a couple of times, but there is so much to see in this country. Thanks for the breathtaking shots. Glad you had such a great time.
to daisy's comment
Thanks for the beautiful pictures and tips about Crater lake. Ever since I saw a documentary featuring National Parks, I have always wanted to visit Crater Lake. It looks so gorgeous. The Grand canyon is also on my list. Living in the East, I don’t visit the Western part of the the US very often. Can’t wait to hear more about your trip.
to kathi cookk's comment
We don’t make it west very often either, it was quite nice to see a little something different.
to Susy's comment
Wow, absolutely amazing photos. I’d love some images of inside the little van if you could. Maybe i’ve missed them in previous posts so will go hunting. You make me want to hop on plane (even though I’m terrified of the long long flights).
to alison@thisbloominglife's comment
I’ll have to do a post about the little camper so everyone can see the finished product. Here’s a post about part of the building of the little camper.
to Susy's comment
Gorgeous Photos!
to Allison's comment
I stopped by to say hello and thank you for visiting my blog. I love the photos on this post – they really draw you in and make you feel like you just went on a little vacation too. Beautiful!
to Donalyn's comment
There’s several places that I would like to visit some day though! We bought 2 goats from Oregon.
Amy
to goatpod2's comment
Went right around us in Oregon, we are about an hour and a half from Devil’s Churn and also from Crater Lake, in Pleasant Hill. Next time stop by for lunch!
to risa's comment
We may have driven right by your house – how funny is that!
to Susy's comment
Really beautiful photos and experience… I’ve always wanted to go to Oregon.. ha, I have had a hankering to live there much of my life, but have never been on the western coast at all.. someday..
Another lovely place tucked in the middle of nowhere that your Crater Lake reminds me of is Monument Lake in Colorado. Actually, anywhere in Colorado is beautiful..
One thing we Americans are blessed in that this country has many beautiful sights to behold..
Enjoying your travel photos.. wishing I’d been along for the ride. ;)
to KimH's comment
You’re right, we have such a wide variety of climates and landscapes here in the US. It’s quite wonderful to drive around the country to see it all. We’re planning a few other road trips, one through the middle (including Colorado) and back home through the southwest. We’ll be heading to Florida as well and someday we’ll be driving all the way to Alaska!
to Susy's comment
How fun.. I wish my honey loved to travel.. He doesnt. He’ll go with me if I say, “Come along” but he’d be just as happy if I didnt. ;) He has said he’ll probably get into Monticello once we get there, so I know he’s planning to go when I decide to go..
If you ever get down to The Hill Country in central Texas (Austin), you need to go late March/early April to see the Wildflowers.. They’re spectacular.. Entire fields are blue, or yellow, or red, or orange..
Its not a wonder LadyBird Johnson loved them so.. I miss them.
to KimH's comment
Sounds like a wonderful trip. Someday I would love to see the east coast in fall.
to Michele's comment
Glacier and Crater.
Thanks for taking me along.
Was the water cold?
to MAYBELLINE's comment
Actually the water wasn’t that cold, we were kind of surprised.
to Susy's comment
Great trip and as usual delicious reading. My wife and I did the exact same route from Seattle to SFO many years back. We went around Seattle, then went up Mt. Reinier, lingered on at Portland, cuddled together at Crater Lake, got mesmerized by the wild foggy steep cliffs, loitered around those quiet Marinas, stood awestruck gazing at those majestic redwoods and finally chilled out at SFO. Brought back a lot of memories. Waiting for the remaining.
to Boni's comment
Crater Lake is stunningly beautiful! You two were blessed during your trip through there – these are fantastic photos!
[Albiet bad, hand-fed wildlife does leave for cute pictures!]
to Donna B.'s comment
Well shucks, you drove right through my home state and didn’t even say hello!
Ha. I’m so glad you got a clear day at Crater. It’s so often foggy and invisible, at least in Winter. Y’all’s little trailer is so cute. I will not be showing my husband these photos, as he will want to drop everything to build our own mini trailer.
What route did you take to go east after Crater? I’ve driven from my hometown east to where you guys were headed so many times. I’d be interested in the route you chose. If, perchance you went through Merrill- you drove just 10 miles past my mama’s ranch!
to Miranda's comment
We took 138 East from Crater Lake to 97 North then to 20 East across the state. Not as far south as your mom’s ranch. Would have loved to stop and say hello, perhaps next time we head out.
to Susy's comment
Did you catch any of the fires? I feel like this whole country is burning up right now, but perhaps it’s just my two home states. You sure got some gorgeous photos. Now, if only i could get some days off at the same time as my hubs, we could get in some travelling out here too!
to Miranda's comment
Oh, beautiful. I’ve always wanted to go to Crater Lake! When I was young (perhaps around 10 years?) I read a young adult fiction novel, The Ancient One by T.A. Barron. Its set in a little town at the foot of Crater Lake and within the Crater Lake itself. I daresay it was, and still is, one of my absolute most favorite novels ever. :)
Your trip looks like it was beautiful and fun!
to Heather's comment