Day 4.

Started with a lovely cup of coffee and chat with Greg looking out on their beautiful view of the Three Sisters. The kids were giggling, and playing devices in bed upstairs. Compared to staying at the Crystal Hot Springs campground during a hot wind storm this was a luxurious lodge with all the amenities. We were so grateful to be able to stay and visit. We left to go to Crater Lake and had some delay due to some construction on the Rim Road. Some of the pull outs were closed and at times one way traffic was alternated. The day was clear and gorgeous. 90 in town was 70 at the top. This made up for the last time I took Chris to Crater Lake. 19 years ago, also in July, I did not have a website to check, and did not think to call and check the weather. But when we got there, both sides of the road were packed with snow like a tall white corridor. We got to the top and the power was out at the gift shop, purchases were cash only. And to top it off the lake was impossible to see, a cloud had set in out so all we could see was a wall of white. His picture of Crater Lake was only a postcard. Today the view was spectacular and I can't wait to frame one of our very own photos. The kids got their stamp in their national park passports. We had our family photo taken by a lady who was on the PCT. She and a friend were traveling from Canada to Mexico. This takes 5 months on average. Back in the car, and on our way to Ashland, Or to visit with our friend Linda and explore. One of Chris's wishes was to see Rogue River, so we see an overlook sign and stop. This is called Natural Bridges on the Rogue River trail. We follow a path into the woods, lush and thick with undergrowth. Mason says, "Now, this is the Oregon I know and love." :-) The path opens up and meets the river, and here we see a unique phenomenon. The old lava flow has become the path of the river, the river looks as if it appears and disappears. The water is taking the lava tubes and becoming an under ground river. It bubbles up through holes and swirls into caves. A natural bridge of solidified lava flow completely crosses this raging river and the water comes spouting out down below. A beautiful, mysterious demonstration of nature's power. On to Ashland, we arrived at Linda's and had a lovely visit. She made dinner and we enjoyed each other. We took a walk, taking in the rolling hills, horses, wild blackberries, and setting Sun.