Oregon: 150 Years in 2009 (8 / 8)
A report conducted in July 2008 (Text and photos by Bernard Jacqmin)
Crater Lake
From Florence, where it veered towards the land of Eugene and Roseburg, and we follow the meandering course of the River Umqua, it re-enters a world of dense forests and majestic. The terrain is hilly and the course takes on a adventurous. But this is still Route 138 to deliver a big surprise. At the end of it, lies in fact one of the strangest lakes and most beautiful that we can know. It is one of the deepest in the world and in any case, the deepest of the United States since the middle depth reaches 594 meters. Its waters are also said to be of incomparable purity. Any stream, river or glacier does not feeds. Only rain and snowfall help maintain a level always equal. Although situated at an altitude of 1800 meters, the Crater Lake never freezes because protected by an impressive wall of solidified lava. As its name suggests, the formation of Crater Lake is the result of a huge eruption. That of Mazama volcano which, following a cataclysmic explosion that occurred 7700 years ago, literally collapsed on itself, causing the tank abysmal, the caldera of about 10 km in diameter. 
Archaeologists have proven that this area was inhabited there over 10,000 years. It is therefore quite plausible that humans have been eyewitnesses to the scene worthy of an end of the world. Moreover, the Klamath Indians did not they perpetuated a legend that this geological disaster is the result of a battle between gods rivals? One reason why the Klamath have always considered this place as sacred and shamans also forbade their people to watch it! 
It is true that this ancient catastrophe, there are still here and more than ever, a warm and unique. "To give you shivers, some would say!" The visitor, even the most jaded can not escape the feeling of entering a world unreal as the arrangement of the components of the site borders on perfection. Everything here is to the superlative. The lake forms an almost perfect circle, its waters are of exemplary clarity, and protected from wind by steep cliffs, no ripple disturbs the surface of
the wave, really, takes on a steel blue. Even in the middle of July when the tourist season in full swing, everyone seems to watch this show with deference and most loquacious not comment on their emotions in a whisper. As if they were at the heart of a forbidden sanctuary, attending the performance of some grand and supernatural rite. Maybe one of these liturgies were the secret complex whose shamans Klamath. Maybe one of those mysterious offices to be held on the Isle of Wizard! 
; ; ; END
Text: Bernard Jacqmin (September 09)
Photos: Pablo and Bernard Jacqmin
0 comments:
Post a Comment