September 18, 2016
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Grand Tetons 004
I was hoping to get a sunset photo of the barn but 40 mph wind changed our plans. The two-week-old fire that was burning in the Grand Tetons exploded with the strong wind. Smoke plumes were higher than the Teton Mountains. We woke to the south entrance to Yellowstone being closed and part of the area under evacuation.
The smoke was so thick in front of our campsite that you couldn’t even see the mountain peaks from across Jackson Lake. The ranger told us that if the wind turned south that they would be evacuating the campground. Needless to say we headed south and west towards Oregon. Visiting Yellowstone will have to wait for another day
Crater Lake 001
Our next major stop was Crater Lake National Park. This park needs to be on everyone’s bucket list. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the US. It is 600 feet deeper than Lake Superior. The water is so clear and pure that plants can grow to the depth of 450 feet. The clarity of the water reflects sunlight in the most intense blue. I have not seen any other lake display such blue color. You almost think it isn’t real.
Crater Lake 003
As a former park ranger I am always noticing when people are doing dangerous stuff. The signs say not to go beyond the rim as the soil is loose and people have fallen to their deaths. This couple apparently thought the signs weren’t for them. They were slipping and sliding down the loose soil to get to the narrow point for a selfie. I really thought they were goners as they stood on the edge of the cliff with the loose soil below their feet.
Gray Tree Frog 001
I had one of those experiences that make memories on a camping trip. We stayed at a little small town campground in Oregon. It only had about a dozen sites but was a nice spot and the long time owner was very pleasant.
The bathhouse was quite old with cracks in the door. When I got in the shower and turned it on something dropped from the showerhead. It was a gray tree frog. I put it outside and mentioned it to the owner. He said that he finds them almost everyday behind the water valves in the shower stalls. He just takes them back outside and puts them in the creek.
I should have told him that tree frogs don’t live in water they like cool damp places like the forest floor, trees or old buildings. The next morning I went to take a shower again and looked behind the valve and sure enough there is another gray tree frog.
