Washington / Oregon / California: 01.-16.09.2009

Back in the USA our first destination was Seattle. Well, as almost always when we visit big cities, it rains, but only in the late afternoon. Of course we visited the most famous landmark of the city first the Space Needle. Therefore we went by the Pacific Science Center where in the afternoon Harry Potter and the half blooded prince was running in the IMAX Theatre. Also of course, a few minutes later we were proud owners of two tickets.

But as starters we had a Coffee at the first Starbucks Coffee, and went to the Pike Place Market, one of best permanent markets of the USA.

The next day belonged to Mount Rainier, a volcano who is with its 4’400 m the highest mountain in Washington. Next to driving the scenic roads of the National Park, that offers great views to the mountain, we also took a little walk of sunrise point, before we went towards the ocean again.

Along the Oregon Coast on the famous Highway 101 we were heading south with the occasional stop to enjoy the wonderful views. Occasionally we even saw a whale out on the ocean. Although it is not the fog season in September we still had our share every now and then, but that just added to the appeal of that drive.

Well and there was a since year’s unfulfilled dream of Markus: To scuba dive in the Crater Lake in Oregon. This lake developed after the 3’700m high volcano Mount Mazama broke out about 6’800 years ago, and left a circular crater of 11km diameter that slowly filled up with rain and melt water. Today the lake is at its deepest on average 589 meters deep and generally open for scuba diving. The problem is that the rim drive at the only legal access to the lake is about 200 meters above lake level and only reachable on a 1.8km long trail where no vehicles are allowed. Which means, carrying everything down and up again. But what are dreams for if not to be fulfilled. So we first went on the trail to estimate how it is going to be. And in the afternoon it was clear we are going to do it, even with some doubts. Early next morning one could see us fully loaded for a dry suite dive including weights walking down the hill. As we arrived we first took a decent break before we dove into the deep blue water. Visibilities and the drop-offs were amazing and one has to look far to find something similar. After an hour of breathing compressed air we relaxed a bit on the beautiful lakeshore before we dared the ascent. To make it a bit more bearable for Markus, Sonja carried her own weight up. It was absolute horror, not even swearing worked anymore, it would have used too much energy.  On the way we were greeted by astonishment and respect for the effort we took to fulfill that dream and about 1.5 hours later we reached the rim completely spent. The dive was awesome but we came to the conclusion: Once and never again.

After this strenuous but wonderful experience we went on and crossed the border to California. In the Redwood National Park and on the Avenue of the Giants we got greeted by huge trees. To hug some of those trees it takes up to 9 grown people. There even big Nisto looks really small.

Further we drove along the coast towards San Francisco, of course we first had a look at the Golden Gate Bridge. And after a little while the fog even granted us a great view on the bridge and the skyline. By driving the bridge we went downtown. A special experience driving roads in the center of a town with gradients Nisto was only used from off road tracks somewhere in the forest. If you park on one of those roads one is obligated next to the park break to turn the wheels towards the headstone, to avoid a runaway of the vehicle. Of course we also drove the famous and only road with turns, the Lombard Street with its flowered side. The next day heavy clouds hug above the city and occasionally it even rained. Since the weather forecast only promised worse we finished our visit early, after we drove parts of the 49 mile scenic drive. We would have liked to see more of San Francisco but with rain and fog it’s not worth the time spent. So started two days early towards Las Vegas, to meet Christina and Adrian as well as Corina and Marcel. San Francisco might get another chance later.

On the way we visited the Kings Canyon and the Sequoia National Park. There we have seen the biggest living tree on earth and learnt how a mice feels when she meets a human. Further we went above the Sierra Nevada and through the Death Valley again before we came to Las Vegas again.

How we made it there and if we have won again you can read in the next report.

From on the road again best regards

Sonja and Markus

Here it goes to the pictures...

Here it goes to the underwater pictures...