Not all fun and games being hosts.  Last night the Wedding got a bit out of hand and the antifreeze kicked the noise and testosterone up a notch.  When John returned from reminding them it was time to skedaddle for a second time, things didn’t go well and my pointer finger was poised over the phone to call 911.  Don’t really know what good it would have done as it was late and the sheriff won’t come unless your life is in danger.

We have learned that as hosts, it is better to set the rules down and stand firm.  Next morning, send in a report that hits them in the pocket book and takes away their deposit.  Justice prevails…although we still end up cleaning the nasty mess before the next group arrives.

A quick escape to Roseburg this morning for more asthma meds at Roseburg’s Wal-Martian store, a birthday burger at Red Robin…Yummmm.…and back to Millpond.   A new group of 200 making up Team Roseburg Wrestlers and their families, hosting a fundraiser, selling burgers and holding a silent auction.  Our short escape caused us to miss the silent auction, darn!  Baskets of great “stuff” lined the picnic tables and I’m sure I could have found room in our rolling box for one small basket.

A work free, albeit chilly, day today.  Nary a camper or day use taker for Millpond so Crater Lake calls and we shall answer.  Up and over my roller coaster road to Hwy 138 and off to explore.

Cozy Steamboat Inn was our choice for breakfast to begin our day.  Warm and inviting dining area, the veggie omelet with Grandma’s Bread and fresh blackberry preserves was to-die-for confirming that this place will be a regular for us next year.

After a long pause in our drive to let workers clear a large rock avalanche off the road, we continued through the fog, stopping at Diamond Lake to stretch our legs.  Next year and better weather conditions will lure us back again but for now, we continued on to Crater Lake.

The drive to Crater Lake takes about two hours and, this being Oregon,  incredible views of the North Umpqua River with breathtaking scenic backdrops are a given.

Crater Lake is the remains of the erupted Mt. Mazama , was formed around 5,677 BC, is the deepest cleanest lake in the US and is surrounded by cliffs almost two thousand feet high.  After we drove through the North Entrance it would be another 20 miles before we reached the crater’s rim.

On the outskirts of the crater is Pumice Desert and the fog and clouds played light games with the toast colored expansive pumice dust nearly 100 feet deep, destroying all vegetation.  Beautiful but desolate.

Our first gaze at the Lake was brrrrreath taking…but the icy cold winds didn’t stop our hike up to the top for a best vantage point view.  At its highest point, the elevation is 7317.51 and the vision spreading out before you is incredible.

Back in the car with the heater on, we started along Rim Drive but within seconds, fog crept up the side of the rim and covered the road dropping visibility to a few feet.  Slowing to a crawl we stopped at the next pull-out and the fog drifted past us and evaporated as fast as it had appeared.

Tiny critters scampered up on the rock walls begging for food from anyone that came near.  Don’t know how my little visitor could have fit anything more into its puffy cheeks but it insisted on staying close by until I returned to the car.

A few more in and outs along Rim Drive, catching chills each exit from the car, until we turned towards the Lodge for something to warm and relax us before the return journey.

Crater Lake Lodge opened in 1915 but is lacking in ostentatious anything.  There is not a grand entrance or any interesting sides on the building’s outside.  In front of the Lodge were some peculiar trees.  No one at the Lodge, not even the Ranger, could tell us why they had that odd look.

The most grandiose it offers is a large stone fireplace in the Great Hall but the smaller fireplace in the lobby was far more detailed and had an intimacy and décor that warmed you immediately.

The outside porch of the lodge had a long row of rockers that overlooked Wizard Island in Crater Lake.

Down to the Mazama Village Campground area to check out the competition, none of it being as appealing as our BLM campground, then gassing up the tank for the ride home.

Just past the Pumice Desert, towards the edge of the park, was a large grove of Knotty Pine.  Had I a house, I would love a huge covered wrap around porch with railings and posts of Knotty Pine.

One required stop on the way back down the cliffs.  John promised we could stop at one of the dozens of waterfalls off Hwy 138, known as the Waterfall Highway.  I chose Whitehorse Falls with its wooden bridge and viewing platform jutting out over the North Umpqua River.   The area was cool and shadowy.  Walking through the woods, autopilot statement for safety in the wilds is… ”Hey bears, I’m not food.”  The roar of the falls drowned out humans hearing my every 15 second calls.  Happily it must have been loud enough for the notice of close by bears.

Back at Millpond the leaves on the trees have begun to change colors.  Fall has arrived, bats have left for their local hibernation caves, hummingbirds are searching out alternative provisions, mice continue to fall into our traps but our local raptors are scarce.  It has rained every day this week and no campers have visited for over a week.

Said good-by to all my seniors and Kitchen People at the Community Center while volunteering at the senior lunch, this being my last Thursday.  The Kitchen People are made up of me, Betty, Barb, Jackie, Steve and our fearless leader Helen with all but Helen being volunteers.  It was a fun experience, one that I shall resume next season.  Came home with a great assortment of fresh home grown veggies that none will bother to take home and cook but me.  How lucky am I that every Thursday I score delicious home grown veggies without any of the work necessary to raise them!

One final cleaning of everything Millpond.  All paths blown off, flush bathrooms cleaned top to bottom, vault toilets cleaned top to bottom, pavilion and tables blown out and washed down, all trash cans emptied.  It was cold and wet but we worked until dark and frozen before pulling in our slides and warming up inside.  Dinner, then sleep.  In the morning we are On The Road Again.