Crater Lake

Over Fourth of July weekend I traveled to Crater Lake in Southern Oregon on the crest of the Cascade Mountain range. Ever since seeing vibrant images of this place, I've been wanting to see it up close. The lake lies inside a caldera, created when Mount Mazama collapsed 7,700 years ago following a large eruption.

I was surprised to learn that Crater Lake is the deepest in the United States, and the seventh deepest lake in the world, with no inlets or outlets to the lake. I've never seen water so blue! There is still heavy snowfall here, even in July.

The colors of the lake were absolutely amazing, with perfect reflections of the mountains in the water. Great inspiration for some new paintings...