Crater Lake should be on everyone's must-see list. Looming up from high desert of mid eastern Oregon on the east side of the Cascade mountains, Crater Lake surprises visitors because the area gives no clues as to what is hidden just over the rise; stunningly blue water coupled with spectacular vistas are what await. As the country's deepest lake at an astounding 1,943 feet it's also one of the deepest in the world - it has awed people for generations. During summer, visitors may navigate the Rim Drive around the lake, enjoy boat tours on the lake surface, stay in the historic Crater Lake Lodge, camp at Mazama Village, or hike some of the park's various trails including Mt. Scott at 8,929 ft. The winter brings some of the heaviest snowfall in the country, averaging 533 inches per year and much of the park is inaccessible. You need to plan ahead as the park is closed by snow from mid-October to early July most years.

We took a road through the southern entrance to the park heading to Grants Pass (about 2 hours) and US Hwy 5 (the main highway north/south through Washington, Oregon and California from the Canadian border to Mexico).

We detoured slightly off our course for a must stop at Eagle Point, Oregon to surprise our former neighbors Bob and Debbie Russell who only weeks before purchased the only Grist Mill still milling flour in Oregon. Their newly acquired Butte Creek Mill was both a surprise and a relief for us to see. It's not everyday that friends tell you that they're moving and buying a flour mill, after all what did they know about milling grain? What they have going for them are the wonderful products produced by the mill, their resourcefulness and a great staff of employees (from the former owner) willing to show Bob and Debbie the ropes, including the Miller whose been at it for twenty years. Bob's love of antiques and collection is well known to us as we've been frequent guests of the Russell's (now for sale) home where his collection rivals most small town museums.

The Butte Creek Mill (listed on the national register of historic places) is worth the visit - the charming mill with idyllic creek setting complete with country store, and soon-to-open antique shop housed next-door in the old Ladino Cheese Factory Building. The country store is fully stocked with a multitude of products from the mill, as well an abundance of country store items. Bob and Debbie have great plans for their mill and we look forward to their progress and success. If you're in the neighborhood stop by and say, "Hey!" Oh! and a very big THANKS to Officer Leonard for taking pity on us city folk and not issuing me a ticket for my speeding and two stop signs missed while in town. After all he could see I had three women in the car…all providing helpful directions. Whew!

You can choose among three trips, 64, 80, or 104 miles (round-trip) taking you further into the wilderness and into serious rapids and wetness. All trips stop in Agness for lunch and your choice of three lodging/dining alternatives, cafe  style, buffet, and all-you-can-eat fried chicken. Boats leave around 8am and return at 2pm.