Visiting Crater Lake National Park

I have been to Crater Lake numerous times, and with every visit, I am in awe of its beauty.  It is breathtaking!  Crater Lake is Oregon's only National Park, but Oregon does have other amazing national historical sites and monuments that are worth a visit too.  

Crater Lake is the clearest and deepest lake in the United States and the deepest volcanic lake in the world.  The lake's depth reaches 1943 feet.  It is fed strictly by rain and snow.

Wizard Island (a cinder cone) is the biggest of the two islands in the lake. You can only see a portion of Wizard island as only 2% of it is above lake level. There are boat tours to the island in the summertime.

Phantom Ship (a rock pillar) is the smallest island at Crater Lake.  

Birding is always a fun activity. Besides the Raven, and other more common birds, two that you may enjoy seeing is the Canada Jay and Clarks Nutcracker.  The Canada Jay likes the colder weather far north or at high elevations, making them a treat to see!

Canada Jay

Clarks Nutcracker (juvenile) This baby looks so soft!

Clarks Nutcracker

There are many nice hikes in the area and seven are 2 miles or less. Some you can complete in a day; others will take more time. Every hike begins at 4000 feet or higher. There are 16 hikes that are over two miles with the longest one that goes along the Pacific Crest Trail.  This popular 33-mile trail begins and ends from the North and South access points to the park.  It can be a challenging hike, especially when there is still snow on the ground!

Vidae Falls is a short walk from the parking area along the rim drive.

Lady of the Woods is a .7-mile round trip hike located behind Steel visitor center.  The sculpture is chiseled from a boulder decades ago.

The Pinnacles is another short hike at .8 miles round trip.  It is near the Phantom ship along Pinnacles Road.  I love this hike!

The Pinnacles

Castle Rock Waterfall Trail is a .5 loop trail through an abundant number of pretty wildflowers with a peaceful creek for added enjoyment.   Be sure to grab the little guidebook which helps you to identify the many flowers along the way.

I love these little pinecones!

Pretty flowers throughout the park

High Elevation trees

Shasta Red Fir with its big pinecone.  

Crater Lake Lodge was built in 1909 and first opened in 1915.

This side of Crater Lake Lodge has a big porch area for people to sit, relax in rocking chairs, and enjoy the view of the pretty lake.  There is also a restaurant in the lodge.

Administration Building: This is an example of most of the buildings at Crater Lake which were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the mid 1930's. 

My Poodle enjoyed his visit.  Many National Parks are not too dog friendly, but this one is better than most!  The main area with the rock wall is paved.  Dogs can walk along the long wall and enjoy the views too.  The rim drive is an easy one with dogs.  All the pullouts along the way are dog friendly.  There are other dog friendly trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds in the park as well.

Happy Trails!

Big Snow of 2019

I'm from Eugene, Oregon and snowfall is something we don't see much of in my hometown, until last month when we received the 5th deepest snow recorded.  

The number one biggest snow ever documented here in Eugene was in January 1969 when I was just a kid.  47.1 inches adorned our eclectic college town.  I don't remember much about the difficulties it caused, I only remember playing in it. 

Last month the official recording was 19.1 inches.  And since I wasn't alive for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th deepest snow, you can imagine how excited I was to get out and enjoy the white stuff.

Lincoln Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

My Poodle having a taste.

Varied Thrush hunkered down and American Robin flying away.

Song Sparrow

Western Blue Bird

American Pelicans

American Pelicans with their heads in the water

Ruddy Duck (Winter visitor)

Red-shouldered Hawk (see his red shoulder!)

That's Wilson birding with me in the snow (when it's starting to melt).  He spots something!

Wilson sure had fun!

My Apricot Standard Poodle

In October of 2016 my husband and I took a road trip to the Palm Springs area from Oregon where we live.  We had a wonderful time relaxing and enjoying all that the desert has to offer. But the highlight of this vacation for me wasn't the trip. It was the side-trip on our way home.  We stopped in the small rural town of Prineville, Oregon.  Prineville is the town where my puppy was born, and the only place he's known for his short life.  Wilson, at only ten weeks old, rode on my lap for the two and a half hour drive home like he already knew we were his family. I was in love and it wasn't long after, my husband was too.

Keith is the guy that has no problem articulating that he did not want a poodle and if it was his choice, we'd be bringing home an Australian Shepard.  He's a salesman by trade, but I could be one too!  I clearly recapped my selling points; they don't shed, they're very active, and extremely intelligent!  Being the nice guy that he is, he agreed I could have my poodle.

I wavered between getting a boy or a girl.  I did the research, talked to people, and decided on a male over a female. I've always had female dogs, well except for my last dog which was a Basset Hound. My thoughts were a boy would be less emotional, more loyal to their female owner, and have less issues over all.  Well, two out of three isn't bad! My husband has taken over my Poodle.  They are now best of buddies and I don't which of them is more obsessed with the other.  Since I love both my boys and I know they love me, I'm okay with this fixation.

Wilson turned two in August, and to celebrate what an important member of our family he has become, I wanted to showcase some of my favorite photographs of him.

This is Wilson, like the tennis ball!

He's only 12 weeks old.  He looks so little to me!

This is when Wilson decided that stealing the newspaper was fun and games.
It happened to be the day after the election. 
(By the way...I'm not being political, it's just the news for the day).
He's 3 months old.

I love that he's sitting like a person in this picture!  (4 months old)

First snow and wearing his boots like a trouper! (4 1/2 months)
Since I started him off early wearing boots, he thinks it's perfectly normal.

This is his "I'm big stuff, I can walk ahead" picture.    (5 months old)

Wilson with that long, soft, baby fur and a stick.  He still loves a stick!  (5 1/2 months)

Wilson at the Solar Eclipse, 8.21.17  (He just turned one)
Notice how he's cut very short?   It's because his fur is like velcro
and foxtails and everything else sticks to it. 
This is when boots are very important!

This is when I had Wilson hold my sign for my Barbie Website Photo.
He was a good boy and laid there with it, but he didn't look too excited!
Christmas 2017 (1 year, 4 months)

I love everything about this picture.  It's when his fur isn't too short or too long.
He's just a cutie pie!  (1 year, 6 months)

Spring 2018 and just groomed.  (1 year, 9 months)
I said stay there and smile for your picture.  And he did!
Did I mention, Poodles are REALLY smart.

That's a big yawn for a poodle!  (almost two)

Favorite activity - Going to the beach

Official 2nd Birthday Picture

Around My Yard: Summer 2018

It has been a hot and dry summer here in Oregon, but it hasn't stopped me from enjoying all that nature has to offer.

I'm always amazed at everything I find just wandering around our five acres with my poodle everyday.  

This is Wilson my partner in crime.  
Rain or Shine, this poodle demands his two walks daily whether I'm ready or not!

Anna's Hummingbird
 These tiny little birds are so dainty, yet so colorful.

Black-headed Grosbeak
I have a whole family of these birds this year.

Spotted Towhee (Baby)
I normally don't see the young ones around, but this year I had several!

A pair of Red-Shouldered Hawks sitting in the tree. 
You can't miss their loud call.

Western Wood Pewee
I love flycatchers.  It's so interesting how they always go back and forth to their perch.

Bullocks Oriole
This is the first year I've seen these colorful birds in my tree.  

Evening Grosbeak
I have a pair that come back every year for a visit.

Wrentit
I heard this guys song before he was spotted.  I didn't see his friend, but he could be heard as well.

Belted Kingfisher
This loud mouth has been hanging around all year.  See his tongue!

Honeybee on my pretty flowers
 These are the good bees!

California Scrub Jay (baby)
I love all the baby birds.  Look how soft this one looks.  Don't you just want to touch it?

Eurasian Collared-Dove
This guy is perched at the top of our cherry tree.  It must me a good vantage point.

Hairy Woodpecker
I never get tired of seeing woodpeckers.

Lazuli Bunting
This is the first time this bright colored bird visited my feeder.  
I was pretty excited about that.

Lesser Goldfinch
They are such happy little birds.

Wilson, the gentle giant, getting to know my daughters little kittens.
Isn't that cute!