Crater Lake National Park Oregon

Journey to a Land of Water Wind and Fire

Part C: Crater Lake

Crater Lake Re-visited

Once more let us return to Oregon and the site of so many wonders. When last we were there, several postings ago, we were at Crater Lake National Park. And so, we return there once more.

On a map, it appears to be simply a lake with a road around it. But it is more, much more.

It is a land of water, blue water, clear water, and yes even pure water. Water that has gathered for over 7,000 years, and presents itself as water should be. A calm pool in the aftermath of a series of destructive blasts.

But wait, there is even more.

For as the day fades and turns into the inky blackness of night, there is one last “Hurrah” in store for those who dare to see. The light casts a reddish glow upon the ragged cliffs above the blue pool.

And then, especially after a day of clouds and rain, there is that last burst of the sun, letting one and all know that, in the words of Dylan Thomas, it is not going softly or gently into that good night.

White Sulphur Springs West Virginia

For Sale:

One slightly used, but historic, luxury hotel located in the beautiful Greenbrier Valley. It was rumored at one time to actually be an island, but that ephemera has now ended. Buyer must be willing to assume all the assets and liabilities that go with it including years of neglect from an owner that really does not know what to do with it (or anything else it owns). Clients of Bernard Madoff need not apply, your credit score will not be high enough for us.
For more information contact: Goldman Sachs

On a more personal note: A. and I stayed at the Greenbrier recently and we are not surprised at this action. Aside from our group (many of whom were not actually staying at the hotel) and a few bus groups composed of GrandMa and GrandDad in for a day with the Senior Group from East Cupcake Maryland, there was hardly anyone else there. I mean, it was nice to take a mid-day swim in the pool and only have 2 or 3 other people in the water, but that does not bode well for the bottom line.

Further, when we de-trained from the Cardinal, the hotel (which after all still owns the White Sulphur Depot and uses it as a Christmas Shop), did not even have the lights on. And even though it was only 6 PM, this being early December, it was very dark. Apparently, the staff knew about the situation and had reported it, but management did nothing because when we left 2 nights later at about the same time, the lights were still off.

New York City

Christmas in New York

I have been away for a while. You know how it gets around this time of year . . . And with family in New York City. Well, you understand don’t you? . . .

It was cold up there, trust me. Nevertheless, we went to the center of New York’s Christmas, the skating rink at Rockefeller Center.

And of course, what would Christmas in New York be without viewing model train displays. We saw two of them:

The one at Citigroup Center (they say this is the last year for this one, another casualty of the Recession/Depression).


And then the one at the New York Botanical Gardens. This one was enlivened by the building models made out of plant materials.


Another day we went to the Bronx Zoo where we saw winter animals, such as this snow leopard, in their true element.

But hanging over all the festivities of the season was the specter of what has happened on the financial markets. And no, before you ask, we did not see the mastermind of “the greatest Ponzi scheme ever.” But we did see the building he worked out of. It is called "The Lipstick Building" and to my way of thinking, it is aptly named. It reminds me of the "old" saying: "Even if you put lipstick on it, it is still a pig." Now in this case, I am not talking about political beliefs, but financial ones.

For more “coverage” of this event, see the “Best Blog on the Net.”

Concluding personal note: Yesterday would have been John M.’s 99th birthday. Happy Birthday Dad.