Oakridge- Mountain Bike Capital of Oregon

After descending down form Crater Lake. I made the commitment to stay in the small city of Oakridge. The drive through the Cascades Mountains, and Willamette Forest was another drive of total beauty!!! The Oakridge area is considered the mountain bike capital of Oregon.

Oakridge would be my last stop. Before I would make my return back to the large city of Portland. It was a good decision. The Bluewolf Motel was probably the best accommodation I enjoyed on this trip.

I did enjoy a leisurely bike ride in the Green Waters Park, and enjoyed a very good homemade meal at the Manning's Cafe. Which is located directly across from the Bluewolf. At Manning's I consumed a fresh salad, and a cup of clam chowder for the appetizer. The main course consisted of liver and onions, green beans sauteed in bacon and mashed potatoes. The desert was a homemade piece of boysenberry pie. Thanks goodness I was hungry! I even took a picture of a rainbow during my stay in Oakridge. It is always great to find a Rainbow, and to see, what is at the other end.

Driving "The Cascades"

I had a great experience driving the Cascades Mountains. Which make up a beautiful part of this great place. That is called Oregon. Here are some pictures for you to check out. So you can get the idea what a great feeling it is. Enjoy!!!!

The first picture on this post. Is of Diamond Lake. Which is just located north of Crater Lake.

Crater Lake

Well at 10 am this morning. I reached Crater Lake National Park. It was a thrill when I arrived in the Park. It is always a great feeling when you have achieved. Or can make a dream, a reality.

To see this lake is a complete joy! That was given to humanity from nature. Is truly a view to behold! Saying that. When you come to visit Crater Lake. Come in the peak of summer. This lake is located high in the Cascades Mountains. The altitude is 6400 feet, or 1950.72 m above sea level. So even though it is early June. Winter conditions are still in affect at this altitude in The Cascades.

It was actually a nice day, today. It was the high and cold wind, that was the problem. It was hard to believe. That there were fellow tourists that showed up in summer attire (shorts and t-shirts). I at least had the decency to wear my waterproof windbreaker with my Gore-Tex jacket over top. But because of the severe cold conditions I decided to cut my visit short.

When you come. The best time is in July or August. But saying that. I will always have special memories of being here, at Crater Lake! Enjoy the pics.

A safety warning when you visit Crater Lake. There are high cliffs overlooking the lake. When you view Crater Lake. You have to take care not to get to close the edge. If you fall off the cliff. The fall would likely kill you. Also falling into the cold water of Crater Lake would also be very hazardous to your heath!

In the height of summer. It is possible to swim in Crater Lake. But I'm sure even then. You won't stay in the water for very long.

Thomas Kemper Soda Pop

I enjoyed this drink, during my trip. Craft made soda pop. Made my Thomas Kemper of Portland, Oregon. It is a quality product. They use real honey to help to sweeten this great tasting beverage.

Stewart Park, Roseburg

During my stay in Roseburg. I enjoyed a nice bike ride in Stewart Park. Here are the pictures.

Follow the Umpqua River to Roseburg

Today I left the beautiful coast of Oregon. To travel into the interior. Today's destination is the city of Roseburg. From Roseburg I will travel to visit "Crater Lake". The 7th deepest lake on the planet. Also Crater Lake is considered one of the beautiful natural wonders that exists on The Planet Earth.

I enjoyed a wonderful journey as the Umpqua (pronumnced "UHMP-kwah") was my guide and companion for almost the whole trip. The scenery along the trip was fantastic! The route for the drive was highway 101 from Florence to Reedsport. Then east on highway 38 following the Umpqua. I did have a stop in a small town named Elkston. In the Elkston area in one of the prime wine producing areas for Oregon. I stoped at a winery named "River's Edge". The people running the winery were very friendly, unlike California. The wine tasting is still free. After the wine tasting. I enjoyed lunch in Elkston, an then continued on my way. The final part of the journey was highway 5 into Roseburg.

The Rose City Motel is a nice place. I had a snooze after I arrived. Then I went to a very nice city park, and enjoyed a nice ride, on my bike.

Dinner was a great experience, and the best meal of the trip so far. It was a huge plate of steak fajitas. The restaurant is called "Los Dos Amigos", and can be found at 1390 NE Stephens St. Roseburg.

I got some great pictures of the Rochester Covered Bridge.

Dunes Anyone?

From Florennce to the town of Bandon, Oregon. There you can find very sandy beaches and huge Sand Dunes. Here are a few pictures I shot of all that sand. Enjoy!!!

Welcome to Honeyman

Yesterday was the first day to ride my acquired GXT bike, on this trip. A short distance away from the "Park Motel" is the Honeyman State Park. So it was a perfect opportunity to have a pleasurable ride. Which I did. I rode through the park. Here is your chance to take a look at what I viewed.

The Park Motel is an excellent place to stay. When you make it down to vist Oregon. It can be found at:
85034 Highway 101
Florence, OR 97439-8466, United States
(541) 997-2634

Also adjacent to the Park Motel is the "Country Kitchen" restaurant. The food and prices are both excellent. I enjoyed a very well prepared Denver Oumlette smothered in Oregon Tillamook Cheddar Cheese, and served with a generous helping of hash browns. It was delicious!!!

The Fresnel Lens

During my trip down The Carefree Highway. One special part of the journey was stopping to visit Heceta Head Lighthouse. This 1894 Lighthouse which is still in use today, on the Oregon Coast. The Heceta Head Lighthouse is located 12 north of the town of Florence. Not only is it still in use. But is last of a ancient breed which still has it's original Fresnel Lens.

The Fresnel Lens which was developed by French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel. The first Fresnel Lens went into service in 1823. The lens for the Heceda Head Lighthouse was made in England in 1890. Today was only the second time I have seen a Fresnel Lens. The first time was last February while I was visiting The museum of science. Located in London, England.

It was incredible to see that an ingenious device that was made in 1890 is still in service today, in 2010. I learned that all of the lighthouses located on the Oregon Coast. Have there own signature, or light pulse when illuminated. That way the mariners located off of the Oregon Coast could tell when they viewed the lighthouse light. Which lighthouse they were seeing. Then they would learn right away. Their exact position off of the Oregon Coast. Enjoy the pictures I shot today. Of a living piece of history.