Crater Lake, OR
 -----------------
 All set, Thu 02 July 12.30 a.m. on two vans. 14 excited
 Indians. Suhail and the guys wrapped up the sleeping bags on top of
 vans using bungee ropes. "What about the driver?" I wondered.
 Priya laughed "This is America. We don't have
 drivers." We talked of India, and the times we'd hit a soorai thengai
 for pillayar before a trip. Sigh! Venky (thayir vadai - coz his face
 bears a resemblance to the delicacy) at the wheel stepped on it.
 Sudden thumps shattered the stillness of the night.  The sleeping bags
 were blown off on the highway. We started with a bang!

 Tamil music, Name place animal things, and Jagan's pathetic jokes
 later we reached the Pantyhose junction. That's a food joint. The
 slightly old, pantyhosed waitresses served cofee and the works. Early
 morning dawned in Oregon, just when we spotted the Paramount pinnacle
 Mount Shastha topped with snow (in July).

 The campsite was a clump of trees, grass, ponds, and distant hills.
 Pitching tents took a few tries before the tents stood
 stable. Jagan, Ganesh, Venky, and Subbu argued with us about life in OR.  They
 claimed that the guys would be making out with the cattle.  My
 fondness for cattle elicited some cheap jokes.

 Cattle Crossing cafe, Fort Klamath was filled with guys in stetsons and spurs.
 Jackaroos and herdsmen. Straight out of Nevil Shute.  The
 worried-looking waitress ushered us into the family room. Old wooden
 furniture, a big mirrror, animal heads, an old ceiling fan, antique
 churning machines - cattle town this Ft Klamath.  The vans climbed up
 again to the visitor info  bldg that screened a movie on Crater lake.
 Formed by a volcanic outburst.  Called the lake of blue waters.
 The old Indian tribe believed the lake had spiritual powers. The story
 goes that the God of light Llao and Sthal (?) the evil one fought and
 the fires raged and split the earth and then peace reigned. Behind was
 left, a peaceful blue lake.  Jagan, and Manoj nodded their heads - in
 deep sleep in the tiny movie hall.

 We drove on to view the lake. Everyone wanted to do something else.
 Gripe, crib, and sulk....we reached the vista point. Crater lake.  The
 deep blue waters nestling between huge hills was shockingly
 beautiful.  I've never seen anything like it. Awesome. the lake's like
 an icy blue fire, still, and unperturbed. The water is bluer than the
 sky.  It's a sacred experience - if you're a nature lover. The guys
 were not.  They threw stones to cause ripples. Their
 parabolas were not even half way there. When I described my psychic
 experiences, they suggested a pscyhic call service with Priya thrown
 in to discuss &$*. "If you haven't made love, press 2" "To get back to
 psychic fortune, press 1"
 
 Night crept in for the barbecue and a camp fire. The camp rules
 forbade rowdy behavior (much to my disgust:).Basking in the warm glow
 we did an atrocious round of dirty seven, and then bed.  The next
 morning we trekked down to the lake and joined hordes of other
 tourists who had come to get away from the crowd :) We went touring
 the snow-spread mountains before the boat ride. A few Shammi Kapoor
 slides down the snow peaks froze our bottoms. Animal instincts took
 over and led to one helluva snow fight. Priya's cocoa butter cream on
 Manoj will go down history. Dunked and happy we reached the boat.  The
 boat crew handed me my ticket and said - "keep it". A strong gust blew
 the paper down to the lake. Acc.  to Subbu - it happens only to me.
 The boat ride was one long journey.  The guys filled a water bottle
 and screamed - "Want my money back.  It's not blue".  Endless hours
 later we got back. Jagan shreiked "I see land!"

 After the tough climb uphill we made plans for a
 ginger chicken Chinese. Word had it that there was a Chinese
 place called Kims in Melford on the way back to CA. Manager Venky
 had a cellphone that sure did come in handy. The guys ribbed
 him about it all the time. Esp when he got a call just before we
 boarded the boat!  Customer from the East coast :) Man of business.
 We called and took directions to Kims. Some more 1p jokes and we
 hit Melford. It was actually a city. Passed Pizza hut, KFC, Macs,
 and even another chinese  joint, and still no Kims. A few traffic
 lights later we saw the sign. Pretty good. The dinner debate was to
 stay or go. Hot dinner provided the enthu to set out.

 Sunday morning we were back in the San Jose. I got up at 1.00 p.m. 
 surprised to see the bedroom. The grasslands, cattle, and the deep blue 
 lake seems like a dream.