View from Lava Butte Cone at Newberry National Volcanic Monument (+10 insets!)

(+7 insets!) (Please view large! :)

A Quick Pitstop Home From Part 1 of our Covid Trip
After returning from the first part of our "Covid Summer" RV trip, we spent a couple of weeks at home while Steve updated some things on the truck and trailer along with replenishing our supplies. We had our reservations set up for the next couple of months and were delighted to be pulling out again and heading back to a favorite campground!

Part 2, Stop #1: LaPine State Park
Our first stop of Part Two of our Covid Summer RV Trip was a favorite of ours--LaPine State Park! The campground is surrounded by miles of trails that are super for biking, hiking, horseback riding or just going for a stroll. They lead through the alpine desert forest and meander along the Deschutes River. Past huge Ponderosa Pines, along streams and even a waterfall! The campground has three large loops with 120 sites and yet the solitude is just a short walk away. We love this place so much! (the map for our trip is posted so you can see where we went)

LaPine is Mere Moments from Newberry National Volcanic Monument!
This area of Oregon has ancient geologic significances and just 15 minutes away from our campsite is the sprawling remnants of the Newberry Volcano. Seated in the vast Deschutes Forest (covering a staggering 1.8 million acres), the Newberry National Volcanic Monument is contained within just 86 square miles and is an outdoor lover's paradise! Trails for everyone, lakes for fishing and recreational sports, and of course, for anyone interested in volcanos, this place is a treasure trove!

Today's Main Picture
I have several posts' worth of pictures to share from this jaw-dropping place. First up is a view from the top of Lava Butte, which also shows the yawning caldera and the incredible view that shows a series of mountains in the distance.

Today's Insets
I have two panoramas which include the main image and shows more of the caldera along with the gorgeous view. I also have a closer view of the mountains that we couldn't get enough of. Next, as we stood gaping all around us, I noticed a toy-sized train making its way through ancient lava fields and past a lake. I've also posted a flower picture: walking back down the steep, spiraling road that leads up to the top of Lava Butte, I was totally surprised to see a cluster of bright pink Dwarf Monkeyflowers! I've never seen this type of flower away from boggy, wet environments and was totally amazed they were growing in dry lava-rich soil. Finally, another cool thing from the butte was the interpretive lava trail located far below us. Paved and accessible by wheelchair, this trail has signs posted along the way to explain the history of the volcanic events that occurred long ago. I have a picture of the area and another one which shows the trail that's highlighted in pink. Stay tuned for lots of pictures from our walk there…what a knockout spot! (I've also included two pictures of Lava Butte that I posted some time ago and the map of Part Two)

Spring Forward!
The time changed to Daylight Savings last night and though I'd normally be totally exhausted from losing an hour, I never set my bedroom clock back to "Fall Back" time--I don't have much adjusting to do, hooray! :) Steve, on the other hand, looks like a confused groundhog blinking in the light as he stumbles around trying to make sense of the world! :D

I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe! Hooray for Spring!!! Flowers are popping out everywhere and each day brings us closer to our 2021 RV Trip! YAY!

Explored on 3/14/21; highest placement #3.