Odometer: approx. 57,710

Time: 09:00

After finally buying a fishing rod for Marco we head inland on HWY 58 towards Crater Lake National Park. We take a turn to Crescent Lake and from there a gravel road through the forest south. Since we have left Eugene we have passed dozens of lakes some bigger, some only like ponds and some man made all hidden in the forest and with clear blue or green water.

Then we arrive at Crater Lake National Park, which protects the deepest lake in the US. The lake is fed by rain and snow, there are no rivers or streams. It is considered to be the cleanest large body of water in the world. The water is exceptional for its clarity and intense blue color (because of the deepness of the lake blue is the only color that does not get absorbed).

The lake rests inside a caldera formed approx. 7’700 years ago when Mount Mazama a 12’000 foot tall (3’600 Meter) volcano collapsed following a major eruption. The eruption may have been the largest in North America in the past 640,000 years. The lake is 1,943 feet (592 Meter) deep and has a width of 4.5 to 6 miles (7-10 km). It has an annual snow fall of 44 feet (13,3 Meter)! And the last time it froze over was in 1949, even though the temperatures are very low and through out the whole year there is hardly a night when it’s not below zero. The elevation of the lake surface is 6,173 feet (1,882 Meter) and the surrounding mountains are up to 8,929 feet (2’721 Meter).

The detour was well worth it, its a magnificent lake, this blue is indeed incredible and astonishing!

On the way back we drive along Umpqua River a very nice clear trout river as it looks and the perfect place for Marco to try his new fishing rod – with no luck though (but even better for the fish!).

We arrive in Roseburg at around 8:00 pm and find a room in a very nice, clean and well kept motel.

Overnight Stay: Travelodge, Roseburg, OR

Dinner: Anthony’s Cafe