We met up with our friend Michael at Crater Lake National Park a few days ago.
Probably a place we could have gotten away with spending just a day, but it was nice to relax and hang out with a friend.

Crater Lake was pretty awesome, a volcano erupted way back when and left a giant crater which became the deepest, clearest lake in the U.S. We didn't fish, but we jumped into the 53 degree water a few times.

The hiking was nice, the weather was agreeable and the food and company were excellent.

On our way north we stopped at a sweet hot springs. About six soaking pools in total staggered down the mountain side a little ways above the Umpqua River. Pretty beautiful and serene until the two van loads of 14-16 year olds arrived (they didn't last long once it started to rain), made our way back to the truck and took a shower in the rain in the middle of the road.

We headed up towards Newport and stopped at a beach along the way.
(So there's no sales tax in Oregon, but it costs money to go to the beach and utilize the day use areas. Crazy.)
So we went to the beach at night, skipped the fee payment station, ran up the grassy dunes and towards the empty white beach. Albert gets butt naked and runs around like a mad man towards the water. (it was a naked day)

Today we stopped by Rogue Brewing on our way into Newport and enjoyed some tasty beers (unfortunately not free), now waiting it out in Starbucks before we head further north.