Despite the over-packing of 3 people in 2 person tent, we woke up nicely. In order to get tickets to the tour boat, we tried to get there by 8:00. We fitted in one car and rushed the Cleetwood trail head. We were 30 minutes after they opened and we could only get ones after 12 o'clock. Wow, morning tickets were sold out quickly. Thus, we changed our plan to tour the rim first. Reflection on the Crater lake is the best in the world. Panoramic view of the rim and its mountain with exact reflection on the lake. Everything about the Crater lake assured us that this is the special place. Native american witnessed the event that transformed Mt. Mazama into caldela lake. They tell the story of Llao and Skell, two gods that fought on the Mt. Mazama.......................

After usual shopping of the magnets for Kae we proceed to the Cleetwood trail. Thirty minutes of descend offered different color of the lake to us. Jesse described the water color "like Carribean or Medeterranean water." Sun was blasting hot and we were ready to hit the tour. The guide from Boston enthusiastically gave us the story of Llao and Skell as well as the history of the formation of the Crater Lake. I particularly liked the staircase of Llao. This volcanic dike is decorated beautifully with absidian. I want that in my back yard. . .

After seeing the Devil's back, we arrived at the Wizard Island. On this cinder cone island, we spent 1.5 hours climbing to the rim inside of the Crater Lake's rim. It is different, all volcanic rock with evergreen trying to cling on, it was like exploring the new world. We only had enough time to get up to the rim and back with a quick lunch break. In the second half of the trip, we were introduced to the water falls within the rim, pomice castle, phantom ship, and the old man. Water falls were so vibrant with green around them as well as blue water beneath them. Most is snow melted water, a few is spring-fed.

Around the oldest rock formation of phantom ship, there was a enormous underwater cliff where we could see the color of blue changing due to the depth difference. Wow, it was a deep blue color like royal blue next to the teal blue. Third item was Pumice Castle. Bright color welcomed us with many cones sticking up in the middle of the cliff of the rim. I wish there was a trail to that formation. It looked neat even from the long distance. The last was an old man: a hundred years of drifting in the lake straight up and. . . it is a dead tree. Nobody seems to know why it is there and how. One more mystery added to the list. They used to have a ranger step on it to entertain the visitors. I wanted to do it. The old man looked very stable and did not move up and down with waves. How weird.

We ended our visit to the Crater Lake with cliff jumping into the most clear lake in the world. Inevitably the water was cold, but not as cold as king's fall's water. It was bearable. After we took some videos and photos, we headed to the Eugene. Drive down to the coast was beautiful. I drove it solo, and it was an entertaining drive which kept me awake.

Once we got to the Eugene, we met up with Shawn and went out to the Laughing planet for good dinner and some desert at nearby hip shop. We ended our day with some sweets. Shawn and I had a conversation about Montana. Talking about Montana never get old for nature and people lovers.

Seish