♥ The Shoes Factory

US Day 18 - Crater Lake
Thursday, May 31, 2007

We began our 3D2N trip to Crater Lake and Central Oregon.

Weather was good! b4 setting off from our house.

Travelled on I5 south to the Salem (Salem is Capital of Oregon). As usual we had sandwich for lunch, with raw carrots, salads, eggs, fruits and lots of energy bars. We reached Roseburg at ard 1pm. It was already 3pm when we reached Diamond Lake.

Really wonder y it's named Diamond Lake...

Next stop was Crater Lake www.crater.lake.national-park.com/along Route 62. Crater Lake is ~1200ft depth and ~6000ft above sea level.I really love the scenery. but of course it must be visited at the right time of the year- when its not cold and the snow has not melted. During winter, some routes around the Lake will be close.

The reflection on the thin layer of ice in the lake looks just as real.

On our way down, we saw a nice spot for sledding. First time in my life!

Pulling the sled up the hill...

Ready, get set, go!

Reached!

We came upon this strange rock formations www.untraveledroad.com/USA/Oregon/Klamath/CraterLake/362NSign.htm caused by eruptions of Mt Mazama en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Mazama(btw, Crater lake was also formed by Mt Mazama's eruption.

Fossil Fumaroles...

Had our pizza dinner at Klamath City, an old town. All the shops were close and it took us a while to find a decent cafe. Streets were desserted too. We spent a night at Worldmark, Klamath Falls http://www.worldmarktheclub.com/resorts/ry/

11:33 PM

US Day 17 - Shopping at Westfield
Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Wah! Finally a relax day after much climbing the day before! We went to Westfield Vancouver Mall www.westfield.com/vancouver/index.html in Vancouver. It has the shops we cant find in SG- big Macy Departmental Store, JC Penny, Nordstrom, American Eagles, Forever 21, Hollister, Old Navy, Victoria's Secret etc.... didn't bought alot of things because we knew we're going to Factory Outlets in a few days time...

5:16 PM

US Day 16 - Mt Rainier, Washington
Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Today is the day we will conquere Mt Rainier!

It took us abt an hour on I5 to reach the base of Mt Rainier National Park www.mount.rainier.national-park.com/. Weather is as good as ever! At 4392m, it was still covered with snow since winter. It is also the highest peak in the Cascade Range en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cascade_Range and Cascade Volcanic Arc.

On our way up to the Mt Rainier Visitor Centre.

Finally reached the Visitor Centre at Paradise.

And we 're all geared up for the climb. The only prob was some of us did not have proper snow-climbing shoes...let's see how far we can go with our track shoes...

First time in my life i'm stepping on SNOW...

The reflection from the snow was so glaring that we had to put on sunshades. oh no...after walking for about 30min, our shoes were wet..and its time for lunch!

here's our Survival Kit for Leisure kind of mountain climbing...haha!

btw, this snowman was not built by us, we just roll a ball of ice for the head!

Came down to the Visitor Centre after our lunch for Mt Rainier Show. It also has an observatory deck that one could see the mountain and neighbouring mountains at any angle. However, the place looks abit old but i guessed renovation works are coming...

Most of us feel asleep as it was weary after a faithful climb!

11:24 PM

US Day 15-Mt Hood, Oregon
Monday, May 28, 2007

We travelled on Interstate 84 along Columbia River. This Highway stretches from Washington DC to Oregon. After an hour or so, we reached Panorama Point www.byways.org/explore/byways/61400/places/61467/, where we can see Mt Hood (3426m), www.mthood.info/ for our picnic lunch! The sun was hot althought there were cold winds. Along the way up we saw a good view of Hood River http://www.el.com/to/hoodriver/, where wind surfing is common.

Along Columbia River

Panorama Point

After lunch we proceed to Orchard View Farms http://www.orchardviewfarms.com/, the largest cherry grower in the world! Cherries are harvested around in July so by the time it reaches Singapore, it'll be August!

Orchard View Frams

We then crossed the Bridge of the Gods en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_the_Gods_(modern_structure)back to Washington to buy Salmons from the Native Indians along Columbia River.

Bridge of the Gods

Colunbia River Revisit..

11:38 PM

With all our lunch prepared, we're on our way to long beach!
Dropped by one of the mini markets selling seafood. Temp reported along the road was 10degrees C.

Here's our picnic overlooking Cape Disappointment. Not far away from here there's lots of RVs and Campsites.

We stopped over at Lewis and Clarke Centre at Cape Disappointment, Ilwaco. Interesting history of the Discovery of the Oregon Trail in the early 1800s. http://www.lewis-clark.org/

At Long Beach, Kite flying is the most popular activity here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Beach%2C_Washington

We crossed the Astoria Bridge to get to Astoria, Oregon. After climbing up the lighthouse along Astoria's coastline, we finally get to see the view of Columbia Gorge...
View from the Astoria Lighthouse!

5:58 AM

US Day 13-Shopping!!
Sunday, May 27, 2007

We went to 3-year-old Alexander Birthday Party and we saw how Americans live their way of life. The family made their own lagsane and cake! It was the first time we ate RAW broccoli-hard but nice and healthy. the cake is abit too sweet for us Asians, but nice!

Birthday cake!

Today is the very first time in America that we shopped like crazy. We went to ROSS http://www.rossstores.com/ this is not a factory outlet but has branded clothes selling at very very low prices. the variety is huge-for men, women, shoes, clothes, bikinis etc. there's Levis jeans at 12USD, adidas and nike sneakers at 25USD, guess tops at 10USD etc..all sorts of brands! Imagine if we have ROSS in Singapore, i think it will be the favourite hangout of every gal!

After a tiring afternoon of shopping, we went home to have our oyster feast!

i'm still keeping the shell of the largest oyster I have ever eaten!

5:51 AM

US Day 12 - Oregon Coast to Vancouver
Friday, May 25, 2007

Weather in the morning was cloudy and drizzling a little. Cold too ~ 15Degress C. Managed to take more pictures outside our balcony! Look at the Pacific Ocean!!

From Depoe Bay, we drove to Newport http://www.discovernewport.com/, hoping to buy some fish and salmon back. However, it was Sunday and most of the shops were't open...

We drove back to Depoe Bay for lunch at Chowder Bowl http://newportchowderbowl.com/. It wasn't long before our food arrived.I must say the Clam Chowder is nicer than what we had in San Fran! A must try again if I ever visit Depoe Bay. The whole setting of this restaurant is very laid-back, and its facing the Pacific Ocean!

With a full stomach, it's time for some RAW OYSTERS!!! Oregon Oyster Farm http://www.oregonoyster.com/ rear their own oysters- from petite to jumbo ones. Suprisingly, the raw oyster didn't stink like those we see in our local markets. Maybe this is what you call "fresh"?!?!

That's the boss at the background!

The oyster shells along the road!

Here are some of the places we visited as we travelled along Hwy101:

Canon Beach http://nwcoast.com/city/default.asp?cannonbeach, Seaside http://nwcoast.com/city/default.asp?seaside

Our last stop for the day - Tillamok Cheese Factory http://www.tillamookcheese.com/ - different kinds of cheese, ice-cream, cheese products and a huge cow farm infront.

7:11 AM