July 31st - Day 3 - Rogue River Oregon to Newport, Oregon

We had breakfast at the Weasku Inn overlooking the Rogue River in brilliant sunshine.



One of the guests came up to us and asked us where we were going. When we told him we were headed for the Oregon coast he said we had to make a detour and go and see Crater Lake. He said it was one of the most spectacular sights in the US.

So, off we went heading north-east instead of north-west! It was an easy drive of about 100 miles to the lake. The road rose up to over 7,000ft through lovely pine forests.



The lake is the result of a collapsed volcano that took place about 7,000 years ago. The view from the crater rim is truly amazing. Cliffs of nearly 2,000ft rise up from the lake to the rim of the volcano. The water is a vivid blue and apparently the cleanest fresh water in the world. This is due to the fact that the lake is only filled by rainfall and melting snow. No rivers empty into it.

 

We spent an hour at the crater and then drove out of the park, following Bob and Thelma.



Our drive to the coast took us north-west to Eugene, the second city of Oregon, before driving about 60 miles to Florence on the Oregon coast. The temperature fell from the high nineties to the low sixties at Florence. The coast is often shrouded in fog, as was the case when we went down to the beach. Hardy souls were attempting to enjoy the beach with the fog rolling in from the ocean.



Our final fifty miles of driving took us up the coast to our overnight stop in Newport. A view of the Pacific Ocean from or hotel window.



We drove total of 347 miles today bringing the total so far to 1,206 miles. Not bad for three days on the road.

Tomorrow we head for the Columbia River gorge near Portland, the capital of Oregon. We then drive due north to Washington state and two nights in Seattle.