Salem to Prospect, Oregon

1st Oct 2015 - Salem to Prospect, Oregon

After 2 weeks in Salem, we have pulled up stumps and are on our way to Prospect, the closest town to Crater Lake. We leave on a fine 5 deg. C morning - we are on I-5 and passed fields of pumpkins waiting to be harvested for Halloween.

Today we will travel 228 miles...our route takes us along many miles of hairpin bends!

Click pictures to see larger picture.

I am most happy when the passenger side is away from the gorges...we are still in the Cascade mountain range.

Cascade Gorge...not quite sure which river cuts a path through the gorge but it could be the Rogue river. 

Click pictures to see larger picture.

A short drive into Prospect, took us to Mill Creek Falls..the Rogue River feeds the falls.

Click pictures to see larger picture.

The walk to the falls is a rough track which can be covered in 15 mins. tops.

Here we are at the Crater Lake RV Park (I think it was previously Prospect RV Park). We are nestled amongst trees next to a Phaeton Class A Motor Home. It is very peaceful apart from the Phaeton's heating system sounding like Darth Vader as it cycled in and out all night long. We on the other hand were very warm and snug with our feather doona and very quiet.

. 

So this is the entrance to Crater Lake RV Park. Their billboard proudly announces "Wi Fi and More" - I think it should say "Wi Fi and Nothing More". There is no cellphone coverage, no television, even skype is a challenge. We tried using Skype to book the Trolley that goes around Crater Lake. We were very succint on Skype..mainly, "Hello, can you hear me?". After several attempts, we gave up. Tom thought the ablutions facilities were "rustic"...I think he was using a euphemism. 

Click pictures to see larger picture.

There are several points of interest on the way to Crater Lake - one being The Natural Bridge. Set amongst lush forestry it is an easy walk to this wonder of nature. The Rogue River disappears as it flows through 250 feet of lava tube before resurfacing. It is particularly lovely at this time of the year, with soft autumn colours adding charm to the forest.

Click pictures to see larger picture.

The dry section of the Natural Bridge where the Rogue disappears underground.