6/15/09 - San Francisco

So, today I decided to head down to San Francisco (home of San Francisco State University - Go Gaters! yes, GatErs).
It was really, REALLY hard to get out of bed this morning. The bed felt good, the temperature was just right, the pillows were great, and I've been on the road for 10 days.
Finally, I get going and decide to head to Crater Lake not realizing this'll add another 3 hours to a 650 mile trip... Eh... Ya live, ya learn...
Don't get me wrong, the scenery was totally worth it
Here's today's route:
Here are some pictures from the road:
I turn off the designated exit and start looking for signs. I only see one and head to the direction indicated. I keep driving and don't see any other signs. Then I see this:
Yea, these guys should know which way to go. I stop, and ask the ladies working the front desk and I'm on my way.
Very scenic and swervy drive.

I stopped for gas around Diamond Lake. Prices here are 1/3 higher than any place around town. 3.60 vs 2.50. So, if you're gonna go, fuel up at the exit...

After about an hour, I get to the front gate, pay my $10.00 and head on in. There's snow on the ground. 6 feet high off the road. Here's proof.

I get to the rim, get out of the car and see one the the most picturesque lakes I've ever witnessed.
These pictures do not do justice to the scenery, but here they are. Click this link to go to the National Park Service for more info (they have a Crater Cam.)


Here's a picture from the International Space Station.
These crazy Japanese kids asked me to take pictures of/for them.
At one of the scenic overlooks the local fauna enjoyed some tourist food. The chipmunk was munching on Cheetos and the bird was waiting for the next drop of manna.

That's it for Crater Lake.
I got back on the road and made it to San Fran by 9:40pm. I checked in, and went to the restaurant to get something to eat. The waitress said they close at 10:00. I was there by 9:55, but I'm not going to argue. I grab the beef jerky and a couple of apples from the front desk and call it a night.

Random thoughts:

• The forest smells musty and earthy - like a good forest should
• It's 45 degrees on top of the crater
• Olives, olives olives. Olive groves everywhere. I saw thousands of acres full of olives. They went on for 50+ miles.
• Oregon still has full service gas stations
• I noticed a lot of tractor trailers with single wider tires vs the old double tires
• Listening to: Trespass - edited by Ed McBain (It's a looong book) and Hellstrom's Hive by Frank Herbert
  
• Livestock update: Thousands of cows outside the park... too many. Left <> Right even counts... Right bonus for skunk sighting, left bonus for 2 does.

That's it for now... Stay tuned...