Crater Lake National Park – Down by the Water

So blue, so clean, so cold… To gain access to the lake you need to take the Cleetwood Cove trail. It starts at the northern end of the Crater Lake National Park East Rim Drive.  Be sure to stop somewhere before the trail though to take in the view above Cleetwood Cove. Now it’s pretty easy-going down…

Crater Lake National Park – The Phantom Ship

The other island of Crater Lake, the Phantom  Ship seems to just be sailing away. That “small sailboat” is in fact the height of a 16 story building and being made of 400,000 year old erosion resistant lava rock, it’s not going anywhere, anytime soon! Beautiful to look at though!

Crater Lake National Park – That Deep Blue Lake Takes Your Breath Away!

This majestic lake has gone by many names but first it was known as Giiwaas (a most sacred place). Named so by the Klamath people long ago who believed the giant volcanic caldera in which the lakes sits was created during  an epic battle between their spirit gods. Later as gold prospectors started to come through…

Crater Lake National Park – Wizard Island

Possibly one of the coolest named landmarks in a national park is Wizard Island which dominates the western rim of Crater Lake National Park. It sits there proudly rising out of the water with its Witches Cauldron crater sitting at the top to remind you it’s actually a remainder of a volcanic cinder cone. The island and…

Crater Lake National Park – Stunning!

Crater Lake National Park in Oregon is a place I have wanted to visit for many years. I remember flying over it on a passenger flight from LA to Seattle a few years back and looking down in wonder. Now I have finally been to the lake, stood on the massive volcanic rim and felt how…

My Top 10 US States

Since checking off travelling to all 50 US states last year, I get asked a lot what my favourite states are? That’s a pretty tough question! So, based off my overall travel experiences here goes. Firstly, generally people are friendly everywhere and each of the 50 US states has something special to offer but for…

The Hughes H-4 Hercules aka the “Spruce Goose”

A closer look inside the belly of the “Spruce Goose” The Hughes H-4 Hercules aka the “Spruce Goose”.

Fort Stevens, Oregon – Japan Attacks!

January 13th, 2012 Fort Stevens State Park is located on the North coast of Oregon and has a very interesting history. Fort Stevens was built during the US Civil War in 1864 to protect the mouth of the Columbia River – particularly from potential British (from Canada) and Confederate raider attacks. Two other forts were built on the…

Tillamook Air Museum and the Giant Hangar “B”

January 14th, 2012 Tillamook Air Museum near the coast in Oregon has a great collection of historic military aircraft which are predominately WW2 themed but they also have some modern jet fighters. Other aircraft include helicopters, gyrocopter’s and civilian aircraft. They have over 30 aircraft in the collection but not all are always on display. Many of the aircraft still fly including a…

Pig Out In Portland!

January 14th, 2012 Portland, Oregon is a great city: lots to see and do, it has that quirky, weird vibe and no sales tax! For me though the highlight of a visit to this city is the food! Yeah sure there are plenty of nice restaurants and bars where you can have a fantastic meal and…

Portlandia….bacon doughnuts and the “Spruce Goose”

July 25th, 2011 Portland, Oregon Once again I found myself at the dingy Seattle Greyhound bus terminal for an early morning departure, this time to spend four days in and around the city of Portland, Oregon. Thankfully the bus left on time for the 4 hour trip (including stops). Breakfast consisted of a $0.99 breakfast burrito at a truck stop in Centralia, Washington…..not…