Monday, August 31: Yesterday was a down day where we moved from Grants Pass to Klamath Falls, Oregon and picked up a new rental car (a Ford Fusion this time - it gets us where we have to go but we are not impressed). No photos and nothing exciting happening (need some of those days once in awhile) so I decided to skip a blog post.

Today we drove up to Crater Lake. First things first - gift shop and coffee/cinnamon roll by a fire place (it was very chilly there this morning).

We decided to start with the East Rim drive so the sun would be best for photos throughout the day. We took a short hike to the Sun Notch view point and got our first glimpse of the lake. From that vantage point we could see the “Phantom Ship” island.

Our first glimpse of Crater Lake

Phantom Ship Island

The mountains rimming the lake and the two islands in the lake were reflected in the calm lake and the beauty of the scene was truly breathtaking

Orange pumice rock eroded in the shape of a castle

The weather couldn’t have been better. We heard many people talk about visiting the lake the day before when they were doubting there was even a lake there through the fog. Today was just the opposite - sunny brilliant blue skies reflected in an even darker blue lake.

View to the North

Wizard Island

Our lunch spot

The photographer at work - unedited iPhone photo - the lake really is that brilliant blue!

We spent about six hours covering the 33 miles around the lake stopping at many scenic overlooks. It was a day of just complete awe and admiration for the beauty that our Great God has created!