Crater Lake National Park

Oregon

August 2009

No, is the answer to most people's first question when they see pictures of Crater Lake: is the water really that blue? It is actually bluer than the pictures! Going to Crater Lake National Park had been a dream since I first saw a picture in a book I received as a present in 1980 about our National Parks. It took 29 years, but we finally visited the remote park in Oregon. We arrived after the sun set, so we had to wait until the following morning to see the lake. Nothing can prepare you for your first glimpse of the deep blue lake...it really takes your breath away.

Crater Lake National Park is a United States National Park located in southern Oregon, whose primary feature is Crater Lake. This National Park was established on May 22, 1902, and it is the sixth oldest National Park in the U.S. This park encompasses the Crater Lake caldera, which rests in the remains of a destroyed volcano (eventually named Mount Mazama) and the surrounding forestland and hills. This is the only National Park in Oregon.

Above, Wizard Island is a volcanic cinder cone which forms an island at the west end of Crater Lake. The top of the island reaches 6,933 feet (2,113 m) above sea level, about 755 feet (230 m) above the average surface of the lake. The cone is capped by a volcanic crater about 500 feet (150 m) wide and 100 feet (30 m) deep.

Below, Mount Scott is the highest point in the park:

The Phantom Ship:

Wizard Island and Crater Lake at dusk:

Mount Thielsen (9,184ft.) rises beyond the rim:

Rim Drive is a 33 mile road that circles the entire lake. At it's lowest point, you are still 700 feet above the surface of the water. To get down to the lake's edge, you only have two choices: descend the one mile long Cleetwood Cove Trail or fall to you probable death.

Below is a picture of the cliff that the trail descends from the road:

At the bottom of the trail is a dock where you can ride a boat tour around the lake. Advance reservations are a must and we made ours months in advance. Refering to the Cleetwood Cove Trail, the parks literature states: "It is not accessible for visitors with mobility impairments". Knowing that I would be taking Kellisa on this trail, I called the park for a clarification before arriving. I was told that mobility devices were not allowed. I figured the only thing that would stop me from getting Kellisa to the bottom would be a take down and my arrest by park rangers. I was OK with the risk and took my chances.

Below is a picture with the trail highlighted to better understand our path down to the lake:

Views from the boat:

After the boat tour, only one person went for a swim in the 45 degree water:

Family picture after the swim:

Pictures of the Cleetwood Trail:

Mount Scott, the highest point in the park:

Crater Lake from the summit of Mount Scott:

Kellisa learning about the formation of Crater Lake as part of the requirements to earn her Junior Ranger Badge:

Kellisa drawing wildlife and scenery as part of the Junior Ranger Program:

Kellisa receiving her Junior Ranger Badge:

Mount Thielsen above the Pumice Desert:

The Pinnacles:

Vidae Falls:

Nighttime:

NATIONAL PARKS

TRAILS

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Ronnie Van Zant Memorial Park

Father's Day

2014

Laurel and Kellisa wanted to spend the afternoon fishing with their new fishing poles. 

(Click here for more pictures, including a Kellisa picture from 2002)

Estes Park Aerial Tramway

  Estes Park, CO

June 2014

 

 

We saw a tram (Estes Park Aerial Tramway). Both girls love tram rides.We rode the tram to the top of a mountain to enjoy the views and a quick snack. It turned cold and rainy. We rode the tram back down. Kind of uneventful by our usual standards.

I would like to add that the tram ride and the mountain top were very accessible. The staff was pleasant and accommodating. However, we found the parking lot to the ticket counter and then back to the parking lot to the disabled entrance to the tram a doable struggle.

 

GONDOLAS, LIFTS, and TRAMS

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Loathsome Old People

Connecticut

June 2014 

We were returning to our rental Jeep after our nice hike through Stratton Brook State Park when my blood started to boil. 

(Click here for the rest of the details)

  

                   

Stratton Brook State Park

Connecticut

 

June 2014

 

 

 

 

 

Laurel really insists on helping push Kellisa and for some reason, Kellisa seems to enjoy it more when Laurel pushes. Maybe it's because Laurel never avoids mud,  roots or rocks and prefers a zigzag route instead of a straight line?

 

 

(Click here for more pictures from Stratton Brook State Park)

Jerimoth Hill

Rhode Island's Highpoint

 

May 2014

 

 

 

 

 

Jerimoth Hill was Laurel's 4th state highpoint. It was a repeat hike for Chris and Kellisa.

 

More pictures from Jerimoth Hill

States Visited (Laurel)

June 2014

After visiting Connecticut and Rhode Island, Laurel has now visited 23 states before her 5th birthday:

Upper Roaring Brook Accessible Trail

Rhode Island

May 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

After presenting "Kellisa's Path" to the State of Connecticut Hydrocephalus Association Community Network, we drove to Rhode Island for an easy, but beautiful hike.

 

Pictures from Upper Roaring Brook Accessible Trail

Emergency Landing

June 1, 2014

Why am I posting a picture of my tired girls on an empty plane? This picture was taken after our emergency landing in Baltimore. (Read all the details of our eventful flight here)

Urinary Tract Infection

                                                          May 28, 2014

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Kellisa's doctor called this afternoon to report that Kellisa has a urinary tract infection. We were so relieved with the diagnosis! (Click here to read why we were so relieved)                                                                                                                                     

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Rush University Medical Center

 

Chicago, IL

May 26, 2014

 

 

 

 

We flew up to Chicago so Lisa and the girls could attend a baby shower. Unfortunately, Kellisa was battling a fever and spent most of the weekend sleeping. On our way to the airport for our return flight, we made the last minute decision to visit the NICU where Kellisa spent the first 113 days of her life. It was a very emotional, but positive experience.

 

The full story with pictures from 1999 and 2014 can be found here.

No Limits Recreation

"No Limits Recreation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, based in Flagstaff, Arizona. The goal of No Limits is to provide whatever assistance is necessary to enable individuals with physical and/or cognitive disabilities the opportunity to participate in outdoor adventures. At this time, No Limits is focused on extended day hiking and multi-night backpacking trips. Group size for each trip is kept small in order to preserve the intimacy and simplicity of the wilderness experience, as well as limit our impact on the environment. No Limits believes in the importance of re-connecting with the natural world and feels that everyone, regardless of ability, disability or financial status, deserves to have the chance to get out and experience the world in a more natural way".

No Limits Recreation Website

Debbie Niemann

Kellisa's Path started out as a means to share Kellisa's adventures with friends and family. The blog has grown beyond it's intended purposes over the years as many strangers are interested in "Kellisa" and following her latest activities. In the last few years, we've even added an intrepid little sister, Laurel to our adventures. However, as things change, some unfortunately remain the same. It can feel like we are alone when out in the world because we still have only seen one other disabled child on a trail (we've hiked well over a 1,000 miles) and even though we've only been a part of a few organized races, Kellisa has been the only "wheelchair" competitor each time.  

One nice thing about the Internet, we've realized that we are NOT alone. There are other children that are very similar to Kellisa who have parents that support them and allow them to enjoy the outdoor environment. Although, I still believe it's an extremely low percentage. I've always said it's sad that these kids are trapped in their bodies, but lets not also trap them in the inside world because it's the easy thing to do. They deserve to be outside like any other kid and I've always known that Kellisa can't be the only one who actually thrives when outside "doing" something fun.

It's been our pleasure to get to know an amazing girl from Kansas who shares many similarities with Kellisa. I'd like to point out one obvious similarity: huge smiles that are worth more than a 1,000 words and one less obvious: their outright refusal to pass entirely through the Gates of Heaven! Cecilia is also fortunate to have a determined mother that includes her in some crazy activities for a child in a wheelchair and we love their story! Eventually a light bulb went off and the idea of posting an interview with someone on a similar path was conceived.

With that, we'd like to introduce Cecilia and her mother, Debbie as they share their story with Kellisa's Path. 

Debbie Niemann Interview

Fort Gates Ferry

April 2014

 

 

 

 

 

A few more pictures of the girls enjoying the oldest operating ferry in Florida can be found (here).

Grand Island National Recreation Area

Michigan

August 2013

Kellisa and I enjoyed 3 days and 2 nights on Grand Island...our little piece of heaven on earth. Many pictures, details of my bear encounter and the story of unexpected friendship can be found (here).  

It's Only A Mountain

Dick and Rick Hoyt, Men of Iron

By Sam Nall

I've been thinking about recommending books on this website for awhile. Since the disabled world owes so much to the Hoyt family and yesterday was Dick and Rick's last Boston Marathon together, I thought this was the obvious choice as the first book to recommend. 

Team Hoyt, as the father and son are known really opened up competitive running to the disabled community. They made their name by officially completing the Boston Marathon after several "unofficial" completions in the world famous event. Not content with finishing the world famous marathon, the Hoyt's set their sight on completing an Ironman Triathlon. The Hoyt's would eventually complete Ironman Hawaii.

Most road races today have wheelchair participants. Some even complete the races using their own power while others are pushed along the course. "Dad, when I'm running it feels like I'm not even handicapped." Rick's own words motivate his father to accomplish truly amazing feats.

Many know the father and son story, but few probably realize how much Dick's wife, Judy accomplished for the disabled community, with special emphasis on "inclusion" for the disabled in everyday life, including in school.

This remarkable family started blazing the trail in the 60's and 70's when so many children like Rick and Kellisa were sent to an institution to live out their days and were forgotten about by their families. While a lot of work still remains to be completed for the disabled, there is a lot less to do thanks to the Hoyt family.

Amazon: It's Only A Mountain