Friday, April 21, 2017

Joshua Tree to Crater Lake National Park


I was able to touch base with my friend Shelly from High school, but unfortunately my friend Michelle wasn't available on short notice - we'll try again on the return trip

Palm Springs is windy and therefore has lots of Wind Turbines

We had a really nice visit with my friend Shelly and her husband Rick it was really good to see them.


After our visit we head north!



Our first delay.  Just as this one was about done another one came from the other direction


There's snow in them thar hills!

We follow Route 66 for awhile

We take 247 out of Joshua Tree to get up to 58 in Barstow.  We are stopped for 20 minutes before going 25 mph stop and go for another hour.  There was no accident or road construction - it was just the intersection with 15 that was backing traffic up.  I'm guessing people were going through red lights and then getting stuck in the intersection so no one else could go.  When we finally got through the Highway and Business route were bumper to bumper the other way as far as you could see. 
Just when we thought it was safe, we hit fog and rain.  On top of that a little further ahead was a truck with a trailer that overturned spewing red potatoes into the road.  Unfortunately we were in the wrong lane to gather some up for dinner
 Finally clear weather and clear sailing

We get to Shasta Lake and pull over at the rest area to have lunch.


The Lake is really full this year


The Jays are all around


They are mowing the lawns and I just stand there and take deep breaths!

Just north of Shasta Lake off of 99 is the Oroville Wildlife Area.  We can camp here for free.  Just a large concrete pad and a Pit Toilet, but it sits above the Feather River.

There are Heron

Beaver





Some type of Swallow
Turkey Vultures

 
The Sun finally comes out in the morning
A Merganser I believe
Red winged blackbirds




And Osprey

Time to continue on towards Crater Lake - Looks like we are going the right way


It's a scenic drive
After passing miles of orchards and vineyards,  it was a surprise to see a strawberry field
A stop for Gas
Just beyond Klamath Falls, we find Haglestein County Park 8-10 sites no hookups across from Upper Klamath Lake - of course there is a highway and railroad tracks between us and the Lake - but it's free

We hiked up the adjoining forest road to get a birds eye view
Sunset


Next stop is Crater Lake.  I research and find Collier State Park near the road to Crater - I am excited as I see it is open. 

Oops - once again my brain saw what I wanted - that it opened March 16th but alas it was May 16th

Fortunately we had passed this place a couple miles back
It's a nice little campground and only $25

We get hooked up and head to Crater

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