Days 4,5,6

Our first bike ride of the trip. 36 miles. My (Karen) first time on a bike in 8 years!! This route took us through the countryside, 80+ degrees, Mt. Shasta in the background the entire way. We went for a swim in Castle Lake-Tomie's first swim in a lake (any lake) afterward for a much needed cool down (and shower). Then got on the road north...

I enjoyed riding past the cows and asked Tomie to please take a photo of the baby calf. I didn't know I had such an affinity for cows. Actually, anyone who knows me knows I buy milk 2 gallons at a time. Crater Lake National Park in Oregon is our favorite scenic site thus far. The blueness of the lake is amazing and doesn't seem possible. A view from the Mt. Scott summit - the highest point in the park.

Now down to the lowest point in the park to look at the crater walls and blue water up close. Crater Lake is in the caldera where Mt. Mazama volcano was prior to its collapse. Largest diameter is 6 miles. The lake is the deepest in the world and is the cleanest and clearest. We learned lots of fun facts about geology from Ranger Ross on our boat tour. We seem to have adopted the monicker "Sunset Chasers." Sunset was gorgeous.
We decided to bike around Diamond Lake before leaving the Crater Lake area. We toured through trees and meadows and streams on a narrow paved path. It was a beautiful ride!We had eats in downtown Bend and are spending the night at the home of a friend. We are showered and will sleep in beds for the first time since leaving San Diego.
What's next? Biking tomorrow. Perhaps to Hood River? Portland?
Did you know? Tomie and I both love to sing along with the music as we drive.
Some common onversation pieces thus far: Which one is yours? Why don't we have cell phone service? My name is Karen Fritz and I rock!!!
AND, we don't have to ask anymore why one of us spontaneously and rather frantically opens a car window. Hah!!