The best thing about having a rental car is that you have to pay extra to have a second driver. Know what that means? I had an entire week off of driving! This [two-hours-of-commuting-every-damn-day] girl was psyched.
Justin didn't mind doing all the driving, anyway. Although he put around 1,500 miles on the car in six days, ~90% of the driving was up and over mountains, on winding roads, alongside freezing cold creeks. It was pretty. I had to close my eyes on the scary parts ("OMG, THERE'S A CLIFF NEXT TO US"), but Justin found it fun.
The reward for the many miles was well worth it. Look at this view!!
Crater Lake National Park is home to the deepest lake in the United States. I have probably seen fewer than 10 lakes in my entire life, so I didn't waste any time with any lame ones, just skipped right on up to the Mother Of All Lakes.
When we arrived, of course I had to bundle up with as many layers as I could find. Brrrrrrrrr! Oregon weather is downright weird.
All day long, I just kept saying, "Look how blue it is!" I did not know water could be so blue.
After taking a million pictures, we enjoyed and warm and tasty lunch of soup and sandwiches at the beautiful Crater Lake Lodge. We planned to do a hike and maybe a run after lunch, but the friendly French people at the table beside ours let us know all the trails were still closed by snow.
Fortunately, the 1-mile-straight-down-the-mountain path was open.
And I was able to touch what I think is my very first lake! (Mom? Is this true?)
MAN, it was cold. They have an 18-foot jumping ledge where people sometimes dive in. I don't generally mind cold water, but I think this would put me into shock. According to the park rangers, the temperature usually hovers right around 38 degrees.
If you're ever in Oregon, see if you can make it to Crater Lake!
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