When we started our week-long road trip from Port Orford to Crescent Lake, Klamath Falls and Grants Pass, I don't think that either Steven or I could have forecast it would turn out to be such a delightful trip. The scenery and the outdoor experiences as well as the food and accomodations were all very special.
The view from our cabin was awesome.
Our first stop was at Hoodoo's Crescent Lake Resort, arriving a couple of weeks before the tourist season officially starts and things get a little hectic, thanks to an influx of campers, water skiers, picnicners, and merry-makers.
Crescent Lake itself is a very pretty, natural lake with a dam, situated at an elevation of 4,839 feet. It's not huge, with a maximum length and width of 5 miles and 4 mile respectively. It's stocked primarily with kokanee salmon but also offers lake, brown and rainbow trout to the lucky fisherman. A fellow in the cabin next to ours confided that he had caught a ten pound German Brown Trout in the lake the previous year, at just about this same time... and there was a photo on the wall of the lodge to prove it! Fishing was a little slow for him as well as for us on this trip, though.
We were welcomed at the Resort by the beauty of the lake and the warm days which ended in spectacular thunder and lightning displays in the late afternoons. Our cozy, 2 bedroom cabin (each cabin had its own name - ours was the Wickiup) came with a well-equipped kitchen, comfortable queen beds, and a pleasant woodsy decor. Outside our cabin door was an inviting deck with chairs, picnic table and firepit along with a host of chipmunks and various birds eagerly awaiting a handout.
This interesting earthstar was fruiting everywhere.
Steven spent his days fishing with his belly boat, that is, until it sprung a leak. I walked the snowmobile trail that lines the lake, fruitlessly but happily looking for the first edible mushrooms of the year. I have to admit that the real pleasure of mushrooming for me at Crescent Lake and anywhere for that matter is encountering an unfamiliar species of fungi. Check out the photo shown above and below - it reveals my newest fungal discovery.
Another view of the earthstar shows how it changes over time.
The Wickiup came with a very serviceable kitchen, inviting us to have our meals encabin. Nevertheless, on our last night, we splurged and ordered dinner at The Pines Bar & Grill located in the main lodge. What a great decision! My selection of fish tacos (Cajun-seasoned cod, cole slaw, pepperjack cheese, Japanese aioli and pico de gallo on three crisp flour tortillas) was probably the best version of fish tacos that I've ever been served. The portion was a little overwhelming, and the left-over tacos became a tasty breakfast the next morning. Steven's dinner plate of pan-fried razor clams with garlic beurre blanc sauce, french fries and fresh vegetables was also excellent. Here again, the portion was generous, and he was happy to have a left-over clam in a muffin for breakfast the next morning. Who'd expect to be served expertly prepared razor clams in the middle of the Cascades?
One more thing that we'd like to emphasize is the Resort's friendly, accomodating staff. They were brimming with hospitality, and went well beyond reasonable expectations to make our stay memorable. For example, the maintenance staff graciously helped Steven by providing a much needed replacement oar-lock retaining nut for his boat, while Delena, the desk clerk / grounds keeper / waitress / hostess (She did it all!) enhanced our visit to The Pines Bar & Grill with her attentive service. Not only did she box up our left-over food, she also sent us back to the cabin with wine and wine glasses. In addition, we were grateful that she'd suggested we visit the nearby Salt Creek Falls. The second-highest waterfall in Oregon (286 feet high), it truly is an amazing site, particularly this time of year when the creek is so full of water. Our hats are off to the small but congenial staff that run Crescent Lake Resort!
Salt Creek Falls is magestic!
The Pines Bar & Grill
541.433.2505
Hoodoo's Crescent Lake Resort
PO Box 223
Crescent, OR 97733
541.433.2505