Crater Lake is always beautiful, and right now it’s spectacular.  This was a heavier-than-normal snow year, but now the weather is warm and sunny and visitors get to enjoy the last of the white stuff.  This is a view from the Lodge on June 17 when we saw saw folks relaxing on the veranda, kids playing in the snow, and one young man successfully juggling snowballs.  The north entrance to the park is expected to open by about June 25, but the south entrance is open year-round.  On this day we saw license plates from California, Washington, Kansas (4 motorcycle couples), Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Idaho, Colorado,

June day at Crater Lake, (c) Julie Black

Florida, and visited with a couple from Italy.

Southern Oregon too has our own version of “termination dust”. What’s that you say? S-N-O-W…

Southern Oregon Cascades Termination Dust

In Alaska, residents of Anchorage watch the snow level march down the surrounding mountains and it’s called “termination dust” — the end of summer. And yet while some may think of it as something good coming to an end, those of us who live in the mountains — whether the Chugach in Alaska or the Cascades in Oregon — we know better. Termination dust is the end of heat, dusty roads and bugs…and the start of a most magical season for those of us lucky enough to live or vacation near Crater Lake.

There’s still plenty of birds — several hundred species call the Klamath Basin home year-round, and winter is an especially good time to view eagles and other raptors. Plenty of wildlife out and about as well, and the snow makes it far easier to see their activity by spotting and following their tracks.

This season is starting out with a bit of a bang — an early opening to the “storm door” and several inches of fresh powder on the ground BEFORE Thanksgiving — Wahoo! If you’re interested in snowmobiling on some of the best trails and powder anywhere in the West (anywhere! West Yellowstone and Park City, eat your hearts out), or finding all the solitude you could possibly hope for, the area around the south-east side of Crater Lake is just made for you. We’ve got several hundred miles of groomed multi-use trails, nordic only trails, wide open spaces to snowshoe, and more stars on a clear crisp night than you’ve ever seen. Our area is home to avid cross country skiers, dog sledders, snowshoers, snowmobilers, and lots of folks who just know how to have a good time outdoors this time of year. The other option is always to curl up in front of the fire with a good book and some yummy hot cocoa…

The Snow Finally Made it All the Way Down the Mountain!

Avoid the crowds, avoid the conga lines of cars, avoid parking hassles, avoid the high resort prices and come share our winter wonderland. Of course, Crater Lake in the winter is unparalleled beauty…our winter wonderland adjoins the South Entrance to Crater Lake National Park, which is the entrance that is open year-round.  We’ve got lodging and dining options awaiting you…hope to see you out on the trail soon!

Come to Collier State Park north of Chiloquin on August 29 for a great bluegrass jam.  All musicians and listeners are welcome.  The fun starts at 1 p.m. with great music in a beautiful setting. (541) 281-5994 for more info.

Michael Quinn, singer-songwriter, will present a free concert Aug. 22., 6 p.m., on the deck at Lake of the Woods Resort.  Come and enjoy his “true Nashville style”.

Did you ever visit a gallery and wonder how an artist creates his work or have questions you’d love to ask if only you could talk to the creator of that wonderful piece of art? You will have your chance when Two Rivers Gallery presents artists and their artwork at our Second Annual ‘Meet the Artists’ fundraiser.

Wetland Watch by Joanne Baeth

Featured this year are:

Quilt Artist Joanne Baeth

Bead Artist Diane Eldridge

Watercolor artist Janet Tarjan Erl

Woodworker Wolf Hodgkinson

Origami Expert Barbara Turner

Once again there will be foot-tapping live music and a tasty variety of refreshments will be served.

You won’t want to miss this fun and informative afternoon. And, your attendance also supports our gallery and many local artists. Two Rivers Gallery is a non-profit gallery established to give local artists a venue for their art, and is run entirely by volunteers.

The event will be held in the Chiloquin Community Center, 140 So. 1st St., from 1 pm ‘til 4 pm. on Saturday August 28th, 2010

Tickets are $5 per person.

Contact Two Rivers Gallery at 541-783-3326 or info for more information

Silently Waiting, by Janet Tarjan Erl

‘Tis wildflower season in the Upper Klamath Basin! I went out today and took some pictures just on my property at  Crystalwood Lodge, and was amazed at the variety I saw.

A great way to slow down and “smell the roses”. While I didn’t see any roses, I sure did see a huge variety of native wildflowers, most of whom bloom July – Sept.

From asters to yarrow, and everything in between….

While this is the “slow season” for birding, between the summer nesting and fall migrations, there’s still plenty to see and do.

And while you’re at it, can you help me identify these???

Even more wildflowers are on display at Crater Lake National Park, so get out your guide books and come explore!

On August 14th and 15th, if you here  the whistle of a fife, the ratta-tat-tat of drums, or the humming of Dixie…no, you’re not in a time warp, you’re at the Civil War Weekend, at the Ft. Klamath Museum grounds near Ft. Klamath, Oregon.

Just outside Crater Lake National Park, Ft. Klamath is the first small town you encounter on Hwy 62 as you head out the south Park entrance. One of the many historic features of this tiny berg is the old Ft. Klamath Museum, a small remnant of the sprawling US Army Post which was here for several years in the late 1800′s. The only remaining building today is a replica of the guardhouse, which is filled with fascinating info and memorablia related to Army post life in a remote frontier fort in the 1870s and during the last Indian war in the area with the Modoc tribes.

This weekend, however, the Fort grounds host the Cascade Civil War Society’s Civil War Weekend festivities. Actual encampments are set up, everyone hops in the time capsule and goes back 150 years to another era. Guests are most welcome — bring your camera, ask lots of questions, and learn about this important part of our heritage!

The Cascade Civil War Society is quite active with re-enactments throughout the area and year…so if you miss this one, make plans now to come next year!

Several local lodging properties have availability for the weekend, and with Crater Lake, Collier State Park and Logging Museum, the Sky Lakes Wilderness and Wood River Wetlands for hiking or horseback trail riding, the Wood River  and Crystal and Recreation Creeks for fishing and canoeing…after the Civil War Weekend, better plan on staying a few extra days to enjoy this patch of paradise!

Things are happenin’ near Crater Lake…something for everyone!  This weekend it is Train Mountain‘s turn to shine…

Several local lodging properties still have availability for this weekend, and everything is really cranking around here. Have all the support and services you desire, yet relax away from the hustle and bustle of hurried everyday life.  Hustle and Bustle are banned around here!

What a great way to spend a summer Sunday, and it’s less than an hour south of Crater Lake National Park!  Klamath & Western is a group of wonderful volunteers who offer FREE train rides each Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Memorial Day to Labor Day.  The organization accepts donations to help with maintenance and also sells wonderful burgers for lunch.  You’re welcome to take more than one half-hour ride, waiting your turn each time on shady benches.  On our visit yesterday, there were visitors from all over the country and a family from Belgium.  When we boarded the train, passengers ranged from my 91 year old mother-in-law to a youngster about 2 riding on his mom’s lap.   The gentle sloped sidewalk from the parking lot to the “depot” is handicap-accessible with assistance, and a lady who arrived in a wheelchair enjoyed a ride just ahead of us.  Check this website’s Attractions page for another photo and a map.

The "depot". (c) J. Black

A sunny July ride. (c) J. Black