Spring Rituals Include a Trip to Little Crater Lake in Oregon

We all have Spring rituals – things we do to encourage and celebrate the advent of Spring. I work with someone who has been wearing warm weather clothes for a couple of weeks now—short sleeve shirts and lightweight sweaters. She knows it's not Spring, but this is her way off saying "Enough of this cold weather, snow and sleet."

One of my Spring rituals is to plan outdoor day trips and hikes around Oregon. First on my list is always a trip to Little Crater Lake on Mt. Hood's east side, timed for when the wild irises are blooming. Driving to the Little Crater Lake campground is an easy, two-hour jaunt from Portland. Once at the camp ground, getting to this lake-that-is-really-a-pond is a short, easy hike for people with children, for the elderly, and for those of us who enjoy a saunter with time to pause and look at spectacular views of Mt. Hood, marshland, and flowers. Be sure to bring your camera. - Pat