Trip summary: 8 days, 7 nights, for us 1217 miles driven.Day 1. Tuesday July 28th. The plan was to meet at Diamond Lake around 2PM. The Richard Platts succeeded but the Robert Platts had to endure 2 vapor lock incidents, first at Odell Lake and then at the Crater Lake road junction. But were able to get to camp finally around 4PM.Very hot with temperatures in the high 90's. Very nice campsites righton the shoreline of Diamond Lake.
Day 2. After a relaxed morning our plan was to tour Crater Lake park in the afternoon. An unexpected thunderstorm interrupted some roadwork in the Park and the entrance was temporarily closed. So we drove around Diamond Lake. saw the lodge and store and had a relaxed day. Much cooler due to the storm. Spent our second night at the Diamond Lake campground.
Day 3. An early start to again go to Crater Lake which was open. Several stops along the rim. Saw the lodge and store. Then headed down along the Rogue River towards Medford.
A major highlight was stopping at Rogue River Gorge and walking the trail along side.Then back into the heat, past Medford and Ashland and into California. We made it over Siskiyou summit OK but after another long climb going by Weed we had another vapor lock incident. The Richard Platts were ahead and went on to camp at Castle Crags State Park but we called AAA and waited in 100 degree heat along I-5 for help. We actually followed the tow truck into Mt. Shasta City to a garage but it was closed for the night. So we 'camped' in the cemetery across the street. First time for this.
Day 4. At 8 AM the garage opened and we got a new fuel filter and drove on to camp at Castle Crags.After getting set up, Richard and Bob drove back to Mt. Shasta City in the truck for a hike. We drove to the end of the Everitt Memorial Highway to a parking lot at about 7700 feet elevation. We then headed up the climbing trail (one of many somewhat confusing paths) and after about 2 hours had lunch at about 8800 feet. We were above timberline and near some snow patches. Only took us about 45 minutes to descend. We were above the heat and with a nice breeze it was a great hike.
Back to camp in mid afternoon we relaxed and had dinner and, of course, wonderful strawberry wine. Second night at Castle Crags.
Day 5. Backtracked slightly to Mt Shasta City and down Highway 89. A very scenic drive with a stop at Burney Falls, another major highlight.
We arrived at Manzanita Lake, just inside Lassen Volcano National Park. We were informed at the entrance that the summit trail had been closed due to a fatal accident earlier in the week, so no summit attempt for us. Instead we had a relaxed afternoon in a very nice campground.Day 6. In the morning Bob and Richard hiked around Manzanita Lake. We are at 6000 feet and it was a delightful time for a hike. We then all visited the Loomis visitors center. After lunch we headed West through a very hot Redding and on through Weaverville to our camp at Tannery Gulch on an arm of Trinity Lake. Quite a pretty campground but the lake had been drawn down considerably, so was not a pretty as expectedDay 7. Monday 8/3. An early start for a fairly long drive. Headed back to Weaverville and then West along the Trinity River. A narrow winding road but very scenic along much of the river. Very remote country, no towns and few people. Some river rafters in several places. Finally we got to the Coast and into Redwood country. After a lunch stop at Trinidad State Beach we headed North. We took one scenic side trip through huge groves of Redwood in both Redwoods National Park and Redwoods state park. We arrived at our camp at Del Norte Redwoods State Park in mid afternoon. After widening Richard's campsite to allow them to get in their door we settled for a nice dinner and some raspberry and pear wine.
One feature of the camp was the huge redwoods but even bigger old growth stumps that had been cut years before.
Day 8. Tuesday 8/4. The plan was to go north a ways and find another campground nearer Waldport.
But it was cool and drizzly and after consultation we decided to head on to Corvallis allowing the Richard Platts to head home a day earlier.
We arrived in Corvallis around 4PM and our neighbors, Al and Margaret West, allowed the Richard Platts to park on their RV parking place along their driveway for the night. After a BBQ dinner on the patio, Shelley visited brother Jim.
Day 9 Wednesday 8/5. The Richard Platts headed for home arriving by early evening.
One concern going into this trip was Anita's health. Having had several reoccurrences of infections following antibiotic both in the hospital and home IV's we hoped that this time would be the exception and it was. She did OK and while not overly energitic was able to fully participate except for the 2 big hikes.So now to start planning for 2010. We have learned 2 things. 1. Avoid hot places in July and August and 2. Easier to find campgrounds either in June before school is out or in September after school starts.Preliminary thoughts for 2010 - Montana and maybe Northern Idaho or Alberta.Overall, this was another successful and enjoyable trip.Bob and Anita
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