After an intense week of both a written and practical Swedish final, and the second-to-last kinesiology test, the week before spring break was somewhat anticlimactic. All that adrenaline and stress that had kept us going was suddenly gone, and we still had five days of school before vacation. Needless to say morale and motivation was low and our numbers dwindled as the week wore on. Some left early for sunny climes, and others, like me, were finally felled by the bug that's been circulating the valley.
Luckily I managed to get back on my feet by the time company arrived. Carl's college friends travelled all the way from the exotic climes of the east coast to explore this lovely state and hang out with their best friend, Bubba. I suppose Eric, Brendan, and Katie were excited to see Carl, too. Tuesday afternoon we gave them a tour of the town by foot and served them up some delicious burgers of local bison meat accompanied by Carl's second batch of homebrew. After enjoying some of the bounty found in our corner of the world they decided to change Oregon's state motto from "she flies with her own wings" to "local and sustainable".
Wednesday dawned slightly gloomy, but looked as good a day as any to check out Oregon's only national park. Carl got to practice his drift car racing skills as we wound our way up the snowy road to Crater Lake, hemmed in by snowdrifts taller than the car. The wind was whipping the snowflakes sideways but cleared the way for us to actually see the lake. Carl, Katie, and Brendan strike a pose while Eric does his best midget impression.
We discovered we're not so good at following a trail - our path looked like a herd of 50 snowshoers with ADD had passed through.
Carl decided to make a snow angel after his snowshoe got caught and gravity won.
The howling winds had built up all these cool looking icy deposits on the trees.
We made it back in time to return the snowshoes to the outdoor store in town, and then enjoy an outstanding dinner at Standing Stone Brewery (Carl and I only get to eat there when there's someone visiting).
The next morning we got an early start (for us) and headed across the border to California to check out some big trees. The wind would alternately clear the views for us and then pull in sheets of rain.
The trail down to the Tall Trees grove was slick and sticky but the thick canopy of trees kept us fairly dry. The sun even came out several times. Brendan and Katie explore a hollowed out tree.
These suckers are BIG!
Brendan and Eric try to see all the way to the top.
Lots of moisture meant lots of cool fungi.
Carl does his best forest elf impression in the massive ferns.
Friday morning was subdued, as it was time for the crew to head back to Portland. Bubba was beside himself with worry as bags were packed and everyone milled around gathering up wayward possessions. Needless to say they made it back north, are hopping planes today, and I've succeeded in giving Carl my cold. The pair of us sound like a couple of old men who have been smoking for 60 years. Thanks for the visit, guys, and safe travels!
Our destination was Squaw Lake, eight miles back from Applegate Lake up a twisty gravel road. It's a popular spot in the summer and it's easy to see why. Bubba made it in the water in less than 5 minutes from the trailhead, the lake is ringed by various camp sites, and even in March the water temperature was decidedly pleasant. After eating our tamales (still warm) sitting in the sun on a log by the lake, we headed up the trail until something caught our eye. Down below, perched in a row on a log, sat three fat little turtles. Carl's childhood stalking instincts were aroused and the hunt was on. Bubba and I watched from the shore as he flushed out and nabbed this impressive specimen of a red-eared slider (a non-native species). 
Here's a close-up of the handsome guy (turtle, not boy). 
Next it was my turn. Learning from the best, I proceeded to stalk... 
...corral... 
...and wrastle my very first wild turtle. That's the kind of success you get when you learn from the best! Mine was a western pond turtle, a native species, and a pretty good looking reptile if I do say so myself. 
On our last bit around Carl practiced for the Scottish highland games and tired Bubba out at the same time. 
We drove around to the other side of Applegate Lake for a view of the peaks in the Red Butte Wilderness, someplace we're definitely checking out once the snow melts. 
The manzanitas are blooming! Who knew? 
Back at home, showered and supplied with gin and tonics, it was time for dinner. Here are the fiddleheads before... 
...and after. A little garlic, olive oil, and soy sauce go a long way when paired with crunchy green goodness. 
Life is good in the ol' wild and wonderful Oregon!
