Day 22

 July 8 (North Myrtle Creek, OR)

We woke up all excited to make our way to Myrtle Creek, but we didn't want to arrive at harbinger farm too early - since Matt and Lucie were in major harvest season (and we just happened to in an extraordinary place in the world) - so we ate a leisurely breakfast, cleaned up camp a bit, then headed to the east side of the crater for some hiking. We planned to do multiple short hikes as we drove around the perimeter of the Lake Mazama, but the road was closed just a few miles along the way, so we headed back west and went to the Sun Notch trail.

This was a short trail that gave us great views of the lake. We also saw some deer that Ev and Til named and tracked along the way. There is something majestic about this place and I was so happy for one more sight of the lake in all its beauty before we left.

This is a great view of Phantom Ship. Try to find it in the other pictures facing this way...

 We drove back, finished a fairy garden...

...closed up camp, and, finding more energy in our reserves, decided to hit one more hike along the west rim along our way out of the park. We got lucky finding a parking spot for the Watchman trail because there were no RV spaces left, yet just as we pulled past the entrance, two cars pulled out from street parking at the end of the row, leaving a perfect space for us! 

As we approached, we found that trail was closed due to snow (!)...

so we hiked along a small portion of the Rim Trail to get one more look. I couldn't believe there were trailed closed due to snow - how amazing…

This last hike brought us close to Wizard Island and afforded us hidden views of Phantom Ship, which is aptly named: it disappears in plain sight, seamlessly blending into the sheer cliffs behind it.

On the way out of the park, we picnicked at the Goodbye Picnic Area, and then said goodbye to this lovely place.

To spend some time, we drove the scenic route through the Umpqua National Forest. It took us a little over two hours to arrive in Myrtle Creek, through windy roads and glorious mountains along raging rivers. Both Ev and Til were pretty beat from the morning, so they stayed in the car with Cassandra while I shopped at Ray's Food Place. From here, we finally arrived at our principle destination: harbinger farm, North Myrtle Creek, OR.

It was surreal thinking that we’ve travelled this far and finally made it. It all seemed like talk and fantasy, until we pulled up into their farm. This place looks like heaven. We were greeted by friendly dogs, cats, ducks, and, of course, the most wonderful of humans. I felt great joy and consolation seeing these friends after a few years, and it was absolutely amazing to see the fruits of their long and hard labors over these past several years.

After setting up camp, we headed to their house for dinner with Cady and Zach (Lucie's sister and partner). Matt and Lucie were certainly tired from a long day preparing for market day tomorrow, yet prepared an incredibly delicious, homegrown, organic, vegetarian dinner (with the helping hands of Cady and Zach) for us.

The kids settled into the camper, and Cassandra and I eased into our tent that settled into a soft grass-blanket, feeling bigger and cozier than ever.

What a victorious-feeling day! We made it all the way out west and half-way on our cross-country adventure.