Summer Vacation 2010
California and Oregon
Monday, June 7, 2010: Oakland to Klamath Falls
Julia, Mary, David, and I flew out of Oakland to Klamath Falls today.
The flight took about three hours, and the skies were clear and blue. As we reached the California-Oregon border,
the snowcapped Mount Shasta came into view. Several Air National Guard F-15s greeted us at Klamath Airport. Matilda (our
Commander aircraft) landed safely, even with the jets buzzing around us.
After checking into our hotel, we took a brief walk into downtown Klamath Falls. The town is sleepy, full of
strip malls and shopping centers on its outskirts. However, downtown's lake and park are redeeming features.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010: Lava Beds National Monument
We spent the day hiking at the Lava Beds National Monument. This place
features majestic snow-covered volcanoes, immense lava beds with tortured rock formations, deep frozen caves formed by lava
tubes, towering cinder cones sparsely covered in vegetation, and enormous calderas created by collapsing mountains. We hiked
on ancient lava flows, explored deep, dark lava tubes, and learned about the fate of the Modoc Native Americans. A truly spectacular place to hike.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010: Crater Lake
The weather grew colder but remained sunny. We took this opportunity to visit Crater Lake National Park, not far north of
Klamath Falls. Imagine a 14,000-foot snowcapped mountain standing for millennia, then erupting with pyroclastic fury and
collapsing into an enormous caldera. This is Crater Lake National Park. The purest water now fills the caldera, giving the lake a cobalt blue hue.
Even in late summer, Crater Lake remains snowbound and cold, so we were glad we brought warm clothes. If you haven't visited this grand place, you're missing a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Thursday, June 10, 2010: Klamath Falls
In the sleepy little town of Klamath Falls, we strolled around the
stunning Upper Klamath Lake and wandered trails frequented by turtles, water snakes, red-winged blackbirds, red-tailed
hawks, grebes, pelicans, egrets, and other wildlife.
Friday, June 11, 2010: Klamath Falls to Portland
We took off from Klamath Airport into clear skies this morning. As we flew north, we had a close encounter with an F-15 jet
heading back to the airport. The two aircraft approached each other until the F-15 filled Matilda's windshield before veering left, reminiscent of "Top Gun."
After the brief scare, we enjoyed the stunning view of Crater Lake as we headed toward Portland over the Cascade Mountains.
Saturday, June 12, 2010: Portland and the Columbia River Gorge
This was my first visit to Portland, Oregon. The city is vibrant, though it has a unique and somewhat quirky vibe. Despite its oddities,
the natural beauty of the Columbia River Gorge is undeniable. We drove out to the gorge and hiked its many waterfalls. The Columbia River
Gorge is a cascade lover's dream. I've seen large waterfalls like Iguassu Falls in Brazil and Niagara Falls in New York, but I've never
encountered so many that you can walk right up to and around. The Columbia River itself is also a magnificent sight.
The Columbia River Gorge
Sunday, June 13, 2010: Portland to Crescent City, California
The weather forced us to leave Portland earlier than planned. We flew south to Crescent City, California, and its majestic redwoods.
I've visited this area many times, but it never gets old. Hiking in the giant redwood forests is always a source of endless joy.
This time, we completed the Boy Scout Trail, which we had only partially explored on previous visits. The trail's reward is Fern Falls, a hidden gem.
We also visited the marshlands just north of Crescent City, immersing ourselves in its abundant birdlife.
Crescent City