Crater Lake’s Calm and Klamath Falls’ Comforts: Day 2 Unpacked

The Great Hat Hunt of REI (and Our Moment of Shame)

Day 2 began bright and early. It was well, 8 AM-ish, which is practically dawn for us vacationers. A glorious 63-degree sun was beaming down. We packed up our nightly needs. Then, we set off for Fred Meyer. We needed to refuel our trusty steed for our 140 mile journey today. But then, a vital realization struck: our heads were dangerously exposed to the elements! Clearly, this called for an immediate hat acquisition mission.

Our GPS (aka our hopeful guesses) led us to the mecca of outdoor gear, REI in the Mill District. We strode in with purpose, ready to deck ourselves out in stylish headgear. We meticulously scoured the entire ground floor, our eyes darting from every exhibit, every shelf, every corner. No hats. None. Zero. Zip. It was a barren wasteland of hatlessness. Just as we were about to declare REI a hat-free zone, we questioned the very fabric of reality. A lightbulb flickered (dimly, mind you). We groaned, our voices echoing through the store. We realized that we had passed the staircase twice. It led to the upper level. Twice! Our navigational skills were clearly peaking.

With a newfound determination, we opted for the elevator. We had a healthy dose of self-deprecating laughter. Let’s be real, stairs were clearly not our forte that morning (at least that’s what my wheelchair tells me!). And what do you know? The moment those doors glided open, we were practically assaulted by a glorious, colorful, magnificent wall of hats! It was like the universe was chuckling at our expense. Miraculously, despite my notorious “hat-challenged” head, the second one I tried on fit perfectly. It was like it belonged to me. Victory was ours! Hats secured, we paid our dues and hit the road, aiming for the majestic Crater Lake.

Crater Lake: Where Time Stands Still (and So Do the Clouds)

We rolled into Crater Lake around 12:30 PM, and let me tell you, Mother Nature was putting on a show. At the elevation of 7,300 feet, it was a cool 56 degrees, and the snow? Oh, the snow! It was everywhere. But the real star of the show was that water – an impossibly vivid blue, so still it looked painted.

Sitting there, surrounded by all that snowy serenity on a perfectly sunny day, was pure bliss. It was one of those rare moments where the world just… stops. Even the clouds seemed to have taken a memo to stay absolutely motionless. The feeling of peace was so profound. We almost expected a flock of doves to descend and crown us kings and queens of tranquility.

A Quick Detour and a Beer-Braised Revelation

We soaked in all that breathtaking beauty. Then, we drove through the village and passing by the lodge before reluctantly heading out of the park. A quick stop at Annie Falls for some picturesque snaps, and then it was onward to Klamath Falls!

Before we collapse into our resort haven, a vital pit stop was in order: Common Block Brewing. Because what’s a road trip without some liquid refreshment and delicious sustenance? We bravely sampled a flight of their brews. It included Parkside Pilsner and Gold Ray Wheat. There was also Heart of the Rogue Amber Ale and Tangerine Squeeze IPA. We also enjoyed Steep Slope Hazy IPA and Deep Down Double IPA. Deliciously, we paired it with what can only be described as a masterpiece: their beer-braised pork nachos. Let me tell you, those nachos were a revelation. They were delicious.

Resort Life: A Place We Want to Revisit

We finally pulled into WorldMark Running Y around 5 PM, and let me tell you, it was worth the wait. Our two-bedroom unit was so spacious, we practically needed a map to navigate it. The unit had all of the amenities we expect at WorldMark. A full kitchen, a king sized bed, and a washer and dryer among other things. But the real highlight? The walk-in shower. And not just any walk-in shower, my friends. For the first time at any WorldMark Resort, the shampoo was mounted on the side of the shower. The body soap and conditioner were also mounted on the side. On every other visit to WorldMark, the three pump bottles have been mounted on the back wall of the shower. This back wall placement is tough to access when I sit on the bench. My back faces them, making it difficult. I might have made this mounting location suggestion during our last visit to WorldMark Long Beach. Now, I’m not trying to brag. Coincidence? Perhaps. Or perhaps, just perhaps, my genius has finally been recognized by the hospitality gods.

This unit was pure accessibility magic – roomy, modern, and with a delightful forest vibe. We’ve already decided: we’re definitely returning to this resort for a longer stay. Our hats (the ones we almost didn’t find) are off to them!