A Look at Earth's Geology and Geography With Kyle - Page 2
After spending time at the Sea Lion Caves, we decided to get a closer look at the ocean, and that is where Kyle decided to get an even closer look by getting in and eventually getting under it as if he were a Sea Lion. Although there was a cool, stiff northern breeze, Kyle took advantage of his opportunity and romped through the waves that were crashing and rolling onto shore. Soon he was just in his briefs as he let the cool ocean waves overtake him, trip him, and cover him over. We got freezing cold (in our jackets) just watching him, but he acted as if it was just another hot summer day (well, it was summer, but not exactly hot). At this place on the beach, we could see Heceta Head Lighthouse and the Sea Lion Caves, which were several miles in the distance. Later, we headed back toward camp, but we first stopped at a place where we bought advance tickets for a dune buggy ride that we would take the next day (since it was too late on this day).
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So, the next morning we boarded our dune buggy with about 20 other people and we headed out toward the sand dunes. Our driver whisked us up the first large dune we came to where we then stopped and looked around with a 360 degree view of the town of Florence, the expanse of dunes, and a view of the ocean in the distance. We then headed toward the ocean where the driver proceeded into the waves and then stopped before everyone got wet.We then drove a couple of miles down the beach (next to the onrushing waves) and then headed back into the dunes where we were treated to roller coaster rides up and down several miles of large sand hills.
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After our dune buggy ride we headed into the town of Florence where we located a local park where Kyle was able to expend a little energy on some swings, slides, and other play equipment. After working up an appetite, it was time to find a place to eat, and we found a wonderful place at Bliss' Hot Rod Grill. Here, we found some real 50's type atmosphere in a place that was decorated with automobiles. We were seated in an old auto that had a table built into the middle of it, and then we had a delicious lunch. It was fun being in this place and Kyle really enjoyed it. We were previously unaware that this place existed, but we could not help but notice it as we drove through town.The building was fastooned with old autos projecting out from its roof line, and it even had an old 57 Chevy projecting out of its exterior wall. This place was truly unique!
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Now it was time to head east to the other side of the Cascade Mountains to where Kyle could experience a different kind of geology and geography. We made camp at Cascade Meadows RV Resort near LaPine, Oregon where we had been with Kyle's cousin, Summer, the year before. This place makes a good base camp because of all the many sights to be seen and things to do in this area, and we thought that Kyle would enjoy it here too (and enjoy some stuff that Summer did not experience). But, there were some things that were first on Kyle's list, and one of those was the swimming pool here at the RV Park. The weather was a bit warmer here than at the ocean and Kyle took advantage of it.
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We visited the Newberry Volcanic National Monument as we did last year and saw Paulina Falls and drove to the top of Paulina Peak where we could see the huge obsidian lava flow. Later, we took the trail through the lava flow where we were careful not to cut ourselves on the sharp shards of broken obsidian glass. We also took the hike through the Lava Cast Forest and then went into the Lava River Cave.
The Lava River Cave was a really new experience for Kyle as he held his flashlight and went a great distance (walking and crawling) into the far abyss of this exceedingly dark, quiet, meandering vein within the earth. In fact, he ended up crawling on his stomach (when he could no longer crouch) to almost the far end where he could feel the walls on each side of him and the ceiling a few inches above his head. Being this deep underground and far from the wide entrance to the cave, one can easily get the feeling of being enclosed tightly by mother earth, but Kyle endured the experience and wanted to go further when Diana decided that she might get stuck and thought it prudent that they both turn around.
