Crater Lake

Crater Lake Lodge


Crater Lake, Oregon. Absolutely stunning. We went in late July and there was still snow all around. All roads were clear, but we were told there is a SMALL window of time in the summer that is truly the time to go without threat of snow or road closures.
We first traveled the entire length of the rim by car. We stopped repeatedly to take photos. It was breath-taking. We parked and walked down to the lake. This is a LONG walk. Its easy going on the way down, but you gotta be in reasonable shape or it makes for a long walk back. There are boat rides on the lake that are lots of fun and very informative, however PLAN IN ADVANCE. Tickets are purchased at the top and they do sell out. There are also specific times to be aware of and you will need plenty of time to walk down to the boat dock.
After the lake visit we stopped by the Crater Lake Lodge Dining Room. There is a lodge there to stay at and I have heard it is top notch. (though I did not stay there myself.) I will however say that the dining room was incredible. The food was amazing and atmosphere was great (though in my opinion, not the best dining place for kids). While we waited for our reservation time we sat outside on the porch overlooking crater lake. Just sat and stared. Never got tired of the view. There are great chairs, tables, rocking chairs, and bar service on the porch. By the way, one of our co-porch dwellers was Matt Leblanc.

Crater Lake has inspired people for hundreds of years. No place else on earth combines a deep, pure lake, so blue in color; sheer surrounding cliffs, almost two thousand feet high; two picturesque islands; and a violent volcanic past. It is a place of immeasurable beauty, and an outstanding outdoor laboratory and classroom.
Crater Lake is located in Southern Oregon on the crest of the Cascade Mountain range, 100 miles (160 km) east of the Pacific Ocean. It lies inside a caldera, or volcanic basin, created when the 12,000 foot (3,660 meter) high Mount Mazama collapsed 7,700 years ago following a large eruption.
Generous amounts of winter snow, averaging 533 inches (1,354 cm) per year, supply the lake with water. There are no inlets or outlets to the lake. Crater Lake, at 1,943 feet (592 meters) deep, is the seventh deepest lake in the world and the deepest in the United States. Evaporation and seepage prevent the lake from becoming any deeper.

http://www.nps.gov/crla/




on the road to crater lake






crater lake

Brimfield, Mass.

Ah. My weakness comes to light. I LOVE flea markets, antique shows, and anything old. Yes, I do some dealing of antique items but it's more than that. I love to learn. I could walk up and down the fields of Brimfield, Mass., or Roundtop, Tx. for days. Literally. And often I do. I can strike up a conversation with anyone and learn something new about something old. I love that and it gives me the sense of visiting an era gone by.
Brimfield, Mass hosts one of the absolute BEST antique shows in the world. Three times a year the vendors and shoppers flock to the town and desend upon it with ferver. The thing that makes Brimfield Antique Show better than almost any other is the stuff there. It's all old, none of the arts and crafts (which I know has its place.....somewhere else : ) ) to wade through. Pure antiques through and through.

http://www.brimfieldshow.com






Interested in buying some great vintage jewelry from Brimfield? click here to see what's available

Rockland Breakwater Light, Maine

rockland breakwater

The Rockland Breakwater light is one of my very favorite lighthouses. It is at the end of a 7/8 mile long breakwater made of huge granite boulders. They were pieced together to create the breakwater and now you can walk all the way down to the end and tour the lighthouse. I love the walk out because it feels like you are walking out into the ocean. Remember though, 7/8 mile there means 7/8 mile back. By time it's all said and done, its a 2 mile walk. Just wear comfortable shoes because the path is pieced togther stones. You'll be stepping stone to stone.
What gets me about this is the boulders are HUGE and this was built in 1902. I'd love to have seen how it was done.

The lighthouse is at the end of a 7/8-mile-long breakwater. It is open weekends in summer from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.



rockland breakwater





Rock Jetty Rockland Headlight

Gold Beach, Oregon and The Rogue River

Salmon Fishing the Rogue River


Oregon is like an oasis for me. There are so many wonderful things to do especially for the nature lover. Gold Beach is where the Rogue River meets the ocean. Here there are plenty of places to stay but we really likes Jot's Resort. It is RIGHT on the water and close to everything in Gold Beach.
We stayed in the penthouse suite which was large enough for the whole family. Decor is a little dated but it was clean and nice. It felt like staying in a home. Best part: the deck. Open a set of sliding doors, step out on the deck early in the morning and watch the sun rise. The Rogue is right there to watch all the activity and we OFTEN saw seals. Right from the deck.
We also went salmon fishing. Jot's Resort had alot of suggestions for fishing guides and they knew their stuff! We had a guide pick us up STEPS from our back deck and off we were. We were trolling in no time. We caught two large salmon in minutes. AND if there had been any need to get off the boat, No problem. The guide would just pull up to our dock and let anyone off or on. After the fishing was over, our guide prepared our salmon for cooking. We walked right up to our deck and cooked our salmon. MINUTES after catching it. It was amazing. We had alot of leftover salmon so we took it to a local canning place that prepared, canned, (any way we wanted-we chose smoked) and SHIPPED it to our homes! You cant beat that.
We also took a jet boat tour up the Rogue River on Jerry's Boat Tours. He took us and several others up the Rogue for a day trip. We stopped at a little cafe on the river and had lunch. Honestly, not something to skip. We saw LOTS of wildlife. Bears, Bald Eagles, Deer, Otters, and so much more. Great educational tour.



Jot's Resort. The Penthouse Suite Deck





Jerry's on the Rogue River

Wickenburg, Arizona

wickenburg, arizona


Strange that my travels landed me here, quite frankly. This is a sweet little (and I do mean little) town located about 1 hour north of Phoenix. It is quite a picturesque town. Wickenburg is a typical Arizona town with gorgeous scenery. I am normally spotted on the rocky cliffs of Maine or the deep into a trail in Oregon but on the side trip this little town has something unique.
At the coffee shop in town (not a starbucks... quaint, owner run, but can still make a mean cup of coffee) there is wifi (for free! though I encourage buying at least a coffee..sandwiches were good too...support the local economy!). I stood in line (yes two other people were there) and noticed that the owner greeted each person by name. Small town folk. Fun to visit.
The views were killer! We had the luxury of seeing a rain storm wash through. Rare, I hear, and absolutely breath-taking. The thunder heads were crazy huge. I felt tiny...
Okay on to the serious stuff. Apparently you have to be semi-crazy to stick around Arizona for long. So while you're there be on the lookout for rattlesnakes, tarantulas, and my favorite, scorpions. They are in great supply out there and deserve some respect.
The cacti are alittle crazy too. Gorgeous but apparently deady. So, be careful. Look but dont touch. Watch close enough and you'll likely see a cactus wren. (sweet harmless bird. one of the few harmless things there).
There are plenty of things to do, hot air balloon rides, horseback rides, jeep tours, and even apple picking. Just dont think your going to find a mall or starbucks anywhere in sight.... this is a "get away from it all" type place to visit.

2 Cats, Bar Harbor, Maine

2 cats


This seems in backwards order but trust me... there's a reason. I will review the entire town of Bar Harbor (which I know like the back of my hand) but first, we pay our respects to 2 Cats Restaurant. Yes, I normally reserve posts to be about towns and geographic locations, but trust me, 2 Cats is a destination in itself.
2 Cats is a restaurant and inn that is my favorite place in earth. It is run locally and is always perfect. The food, the atmosphere, everything. Their blueberry muffins will make you lay down on the ground and kick your feet in the air (so be careful where you eat them!). They do all their baking on sight. Fresh every morning. And I cannot even begin to describe their coffee. I wish I could have an IV drip! Its organic, strong, and absolutely delightful.
Normally you can walk right up and they will seat you fairly quickly, however, the week of the 4th of July, prepare to wait.
If you find yourself in the perfection of Bar Harbor, make a point to stop and eat, or even stay at 2 cats. You will not be dissapointed.
Located at 130 Cottage St, Bar Harbor, ME. Visit their website for reservations, menus, and other great details. http://www.2catsbarharbor.com/

Jordan's Pond, Acadia National Park, MDI, Maine.

outside seating at Jordan Pond House Restaurant





"the bubbles" ~ view from grassy hill


Jordan's Pond is located inside Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, Maine. There IS a pond, but to me the most important part of Jordan's Pond is the restaraunt. It is crazy wonderful. I always choose to sit on the lawn, weather permitting. The restaraunt has indoor seating but on the grassy hills outside there are seats o' plenty and the view is incredible. Sitting at a table on the lawn eating popovers, watching my son run crazy all over the hillside. What could be better?
As for the menu. I havent had anything that wasnt great, however, occasionally I will hear my husband whispering in his sleep about the lobster bisque. Okay, slight exaggeration, but let me tell you, get the lobster bisque. cup or bowl, just get it. (caution: could cause loud moaning, and flailing of arms....)
After you eat at least a dozen popovers, sit and enjoy the view of the "bubbles", then mozy and I do mean mozy (after a full meal anything else would be suicide) down the path just past the grassy hill. It leads to a secret bridge over a pond. Stunning....
Jeeze, now I'm all riled up wanting a popover.




"secret bridge" on path just down from the grassy hill