Search for some Oregon landmarks

This past weekend Carolyn and I went in search of Crack In The Ground, Hole In the Ground, and Big Hole.  Don't you just love the way the early homesteaders gave such imaginative and romantic names to features around them?  These are all located in South Central Oregon near the town of Christmas Valley.  While it might seem that the town was one place they gave a whimsical name, it turns out it was named after a man who had a name somewhat like Christmas and it just morphed into the holiday name.  

Anyway, after a long day's drive we finally got to Crack in the Ground, and it was worth the effort.  

By the time we were done exploring Crack in the Ground it was too late in the day to look for Hole in the Ground, so we found a room at a Hole in the Wall motel. 

Actually, it wasn't bad at all except for somewhat thin walls, and the $43 rate was a real bargin.  

The next morning we headed out for Hole in The Ground and this is where taking the truck turned out to be a smart idea.  The roads were pretty primative 

Hole in the Ground was formed when lava rose toward the surface and encountered ground water, which turned to steam and built up enough pressure to cause a blow out crater.  

Next we went to Big Hole, which is the same kind of feature, only bigger.  The problem is that the crater is completely forested and no photo shows it very well, so I won't post any.  

On our way back we went through Sisters and then up to Detroit and then Estacada, Sandy, Troutdale and home.  Along the way in the mountains we saw lots of beautiful autumn colors.  

Total distance for the weekend was 660 miles on Good Roads.