Beautiful Blue

Yes, we are home. From Crater Lake, Oregon where we had a lot of fun, both from the company and from 3 days of trekking up a very steep trail overlooking the bluest of blue crater lake, fast boating down the Rogue River, white water rafting, and wine and fruits while cheering on the US teams in the Olympics. Altogether a most satisfying holiday. Just before the end of summer for the one going to college next week and for the other preparing to register for school. The kids, all 7 of them, had a really good time and so did the adults.

The drive up was perfectly synchronized with the three cars moving convoy style. It was hot in Medford. Well into the 3 digit F range. Almost too hot to walk.

Day 1 was spent admiring the almost picture perfect pacific Crater Lake. Beautiful, in the deepest blue with the mountains reflecting off its sides and nothing but nothing ruffling its calm water until the one and only boat allowed to traverse its vastness for the admiring throng. Even then, the boat looked so tiny and its long wake was so frail against the smooth face of the water. Only then does one realize just how immense the lake is. And there were butterflies everywhere.

Disappointingly, the one restaurant at the one lodge did not have room for us. To my greatest surprise and delight, the half man had the most awesome stamina, leading the pack up the very steep trail. While the rest of us huffed and puffed up some 2 miles up the narrow ledge, he actually ran up sections and recce'ed the next level to tell us what lied ahead so we were motivated to continue. In the summer heat. I could see the sweat off his forehead and neck but his energy and cheerfulness was most uncharacteristic, most unusual. My boy is growing up fast, almost too fast. The climb was tough but the views of the lake from each level was well worth the climb. More to come...