Klamath Falls to The Dalles - via Crater Lake - 475km (295 miles)

We headed out early today, so that we could spend some time at Crater Lake and at the Lava fields near Bend. John and Anna left before us and were heading straight for home. We got into the Crater Lake roads, and all was clear, including the Northern gate, so we did not have to back track at all. The day was incredible and clear and by the time we reached the lodge, it was a balmy 7 degrees... dropping form close to 17 near the bottom. After a long stay and lots of pictures we headed off to Bend. We planned on visiting the Lava Lands visitor center and driving up to the top of the hill.. we could not access the center from the highway due to construction,so we had to go 8 miles past, turnaround and come back. After doing that, we found out that they were only allowing cars up in small groups and we would have to book and wait for 2 hour or so.. so we pushed on. this time heading in the wrong direction again, until we could turn around and head into Bend for lunch. We planned on eating at the Deschutes brew pub, and as we arrived in downtown Bend, we found the entire downtown blocked off for a street party of sorts.. so we parked a ways away, and tried to walk for lunch.. and of course it was closed for an employee day off! So we ate at another place and headed out of town, bypassing all the closed off streets...

As we headed up 97, it's aloooong climb and it was in the mid 80s, Dan started to over heat in the truck..so we pulled over to let things cool off and repeated this until we made it to the top of the hill, where the rest was all downhill.. after that everything seemed to be fine, and we made it late to the Dalles.. quite a day!

Links to today's photos...

2011-06-26