Along for the ride: Volcanos and Lava

The Road Less Traveled

Since the McKenzie Pass Hwy 242 is open for the summer we elect to take it and Hwy 97 to Klamath Falls rather than the faster but less scenic interstate 5. After winding through the forests we come to a vast lava field and stop at the Dee Wright Observatory.

Road through Lava

Dee Wright Observatory

The observatory offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The magnificent snow covered peaks stand out in stark contract to the black lava.

2 of the 3 Sisters

View out window
towards Mt. Jefferson

The panorama before us is well worth the drive.

Road through lava with Belknap crater and Sisters

After passing the summit, the road descends into the Deschutes National Forest with large ponderosa pines reminiscent of TV cowboy westerns.

Ponderosa Pines

Sisters, OR

Hwy 242 ends just before Sisters, OR. This small town was always a favorite stop for sandwiches and gas on skiing trips to Mt. Bachelor during my college days ... but since then it has morphed into a chichi retirement community. I am shocked to see a gourmet kitchen store in Sisters - who would have ever thunk?

South on Hwy 97 to Shasta

If Sisters was a bit of a shock, Bend is even more so. It used to be a small town with a great funky old tavern, that was a regular stop after skiing. Now it's pushing 100k people including sprawling retirement communities. Bend even has it's own Trader Joe's! I am so stunned that I can't even take photos.

As we travel south on Hwy 97 we again enjoy wonderful views of the mountains. This particular panorama is one often described by early explorers and settlers.

The Three Sisters with surrounding peaks

As we travel south we are treated to more interesting countryside.

Cinder Cone

Klamath Lake

After we pass Klamath Falls (*not* a chichi retirement destination), Mt. Shasta makes her appearance.

Old sawdust burner w Shasta

Mt Shasta

Glacier on Shasta

Mt. Shasta has it's share of large cinder cones.

Some for commercial use

Some not

We luck out on a major traffic hold up for a long construction project. We arrive at the stop just as the flagman releases traffic in our direction and avoid a wait of over an hour.