Kids are sleeping. Starting the trip back after they get up. I told them they could sleep in this morning. Despite sun screen, we're all burnt and look like lobsters from the boat trip yesterday.

Next is a 5 hour drive to Lincoln City, and the Lincoln County Fair.

http://www.townandcountryfair.com/

Mina art from the trip. The elephant is a work in progress..

Crater Lake from the lodge deck

Blog updates by Mina and Dad.

Second morning. Gavin didn't make it to breakfast. He was also a little unwilling to go to the lake.

Mina had to jump on him. She got him up.

Dad and I ate  breakfast. There room was almostly entirely white hair. Average age probably 65.

The reflecting lake thing. The lake water was sooo blue in the shallow parts you could look down and see fish and the rocky bottom.

You see that yellow line on the top picture that is pollen from the trees and flowers around the lake.

1.1 miles and 800 feet down to the boats. That's also 1.1 miles and 800 feet UP from the boats. The walk was definently more fun to walk down than up.

At the lake waiting for the boat.

Ranger Lori and Captain Bob. We were a captive audience.

Here's a YouTube video from crusing on the lake.

http://youtu.be/SALu6pu_0jc


The lady wearing the life vest is a 2nd grade teacher and she would ask us a question than answer it, otherwise very nice.

The old man likes to travel! The log in the water is a tree on end that's been floating around the lake for years. This log was the original inspriation for this trip. Last winter Gavin found the wikipedia page, showed me, and I decided to come here.

Read all about it here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Man_of_the_Lake

and here...

http://allkindsofhistory.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/the-old-man-of-the-lake/


On the other side of the lake there is a pile of rocks that look like a lady yelling. The park rangers say she is yelling for her husband to come home....

At the begining of the trip I, Mina Christensen vowed to eat everything with a pair of chopsticks last night and this morning I failed but i'm doing it once again.

Mina eating cheese popcorn on the surface of Crater Lake.

Redlion Inn Portland. The water was incredibly cold. The roll away cot was excellent.

Check out Mina's PJ's.

Nothing says road trip like a sausage McMuffin at McDonalds.

Carry on her pledge to only eat with chopsticks on this trip, Mina attacks a hashbrown (singular).

http://voodoodoughnut.com/index.php

Death by alternative donut. If you're involved in public health or concerned about the kids health, please skip the next six slides.

Chopsticks are for donuts too.

This donut involved broken oreos, peanut butter and bacon. Even Gavin said it was a bit much.

No comment needed..

Mine.

Crater Lake is at 8000 feet. Lots of snow even though it's 80 degrees out. There's not a lot of air up here which will make the hike down to the lake to get on the boat interesting. Actually, it's the walk up from the boat that should be interesting.

http://youtu.be/DxI6gdN4S84

Not a lot of money wasted on guard rails.

Mina likes the squirrel lamp.

Morning on the deck. I'll wake the kids up soon to get ready for the boat ride. It's an hour drive to the trail down to the lake.

Mina has decided to eat everything on this trip with chopsticks. The chips and salsa were easy. Refried beans were a bit more difficult.

Hello from Red Lion Hotel!! We are just staying tonight just tonight it has a POOL! We are definently going in it - Mina