Oregon - a Whole New Backyard Adventure!

We crossed the border into Oregon and discovered a whole new world awaited us, gas was a little cheaper (which is a good thing), people pump your gas here (by law) and the people are very very friendly! Our first stop was Diamond Lake which is 3 miles north of Crater Lake.  Crater Lake can only be described as ..... WOW! Breath taking views, the bluest water and the majestic peaks form what can only be described as God's picture perfect landscape.  Did you know that Crater Lake was not formed by a meteor, it was a volcano that fell into itself and formed the bowl for the lake.  We are so fortunate to be able to travel to these natural gems in America's backyard.  We spent three days at Crater Lake but could have stayed the summer, it is that beautiful.  The pictures we will post of this place can not do it justices.  After Crater Lake we drove back to the Oregon Coast and was not disappointed in the views along the coast.  We plan on stopping at Sunset State Park, South Beach State Park and Fort Stevens State Park each for three days and take in the views.  Our first stop was a little different for us, we pulled in and set up the motorhome to find that we did not have satellite service, no cell phone service, and no internet.....OMG how will we survive? Well,  one of us did really well and one of us needs a hobby besides something to do with electronics!  Pat caught up on her reading while George moped around for three days.  In his defense, he was also trying to get rid of a lingering cold.  The state park was beautiful but there was a canopy of huge trees hanging over the entire park and every morning we were blessed with a cold fog coming from the ocean. The locals around Coos Bay call it "the  Gloom until noon", but we did get out and see some very beautiful beaches, gardens and a lighthouse.  Leaving Sunset Beach we travelled north for a couple hours and pulled into South Beach.  The views from US 101 going north were amazing, Pat took hundreds of pictures.  The town of Newport is a quite little fishing village with two lighthouses, beautiful sandy beaches and it has internet, satellite reception and cell phone service so we are now all happy!  Feeling better we left South Beach and drove to the northwestern most point of Oregon.  It is the land of Lewis and Clark, where the Columbia River and meets the picturesque seacoast.  We did not see all of Oregon but what we did see left a lifetime of memories.

We camped at Diamond Lake and this was our front yard!

 Diamond Lake is 3 miles north of Crater Lake - awesome!

 

Sunrise over Crater Lakle

Is it chilly Pat?

This picture does not do Crater Lake any justice - it has is the bluest water we have ever seen

 

 

The Oregon coast was amazing

Our hook ups at Sunset Beach on the Oregon coast

Lighthouse near Coos Bay, Oregon

 

 

 

Devil's Punch Bowl on the Oregon Coast

Just us on the Oregon Coast

Another coast shot for your enjoyment

Rugged beauty

Interesting house on US 101

Old shipwreck at the mouth of the Columbia river

Replica of Lewis and Clark fort at Warrenton, Oregon

 

This our first trip to Oregon and it did not disappoint us.  From Crater Lake to the Oregon Coast this is a beautiful state.  We are driving to Washington state, another state that offers new and exciting opportunities to discover America's backyards.  After Washington we will start our trek back to Colorado with stops in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming.  Stay tune for more amazing pictures(we hope) and our trials and tribulations along the way.  Enjoy your summer!