Crater Lake National Park

I flew into Medford, Oregon on Sunday afternoon. I made a beeline for the rental car and drove 2 hours to meet my nephew. Can you believe that I have not seen my nephew since 1992!?

My nephew was born in 1985. I was still in high school and trying to graduate and escape. I joined the military as soon as I turned 18.

Steve was 33 when he died from a drug overdose in 1992.

I had just graduated from OCS in August of 1991. I granted from college in December of 1991 and gone to officer basic at Ft. Eustis in early 1992.

Early in the summer of 1992, I had gone to Redding, CA to visit my parents and apply for jobs. This trip was the last time I saw my brother. We went to Shasta Lake during my visit— that’s one of the only memories I can recall.

That summer I got a job in Beaumont, TX as a social worker. That October is when my brother died.

I got married the next year and life just happened. Recently, I came across my nephew’s social media and sent a friend request.

When I found out last week that I was coming to Oregon at the last minute, I reached out.

What a blessing to be able to reconnect with family and meet my great- nephew. I knew Sunday would be the best day to be able to make this happen.

Crater Lake National Park is 1 hr and 40 minutes from the hotel where I’m staying. I knew Tuesday would be the only day I’d be able to get off and make it to the park before sunset.

As it just so happened, where I was working that day was ten minutes closer. So I brought what I needed when I left the hotel. As soon as work was complete, I hightailed it to the park! I made it before sunset!

I am now able to cross another National Park off my list. It was the perfect day. The roads were plowed and there was only a little snow on the ground.

It was very windy at 7,000 ft, but I came to Oregon prepared! I had my wool gloves and North Face jacket.

The Pacific Crest Trail runs through the national park. One day I would like to come back and do a few hikes in Crater Lake National Park – or maybe do a portion of the PCT.

I’m not a big fan of flying, but I survived! I’ve been working solo all week long. I fly back home on Saturday with the longest flight being 5 hours from Seattle to Atlanta.

Being able to see Crater Lake made the flying and working with it. <laughter> It was definitely a perk. Since I’m out here by myself, my days have been a bit longer than usual. As I go into my last day tomorrow, I’m ready to go back home.