California North Coast to Crater Lake National Park in Oregon.

California North Coast to Crater Lake National Park in Oregon.

Just North of Arcata on the Northern California coast we turned inland towards Lassen National Park.

Leaving the coast means leaving the redwoods and the otherworldly lush foliage at Fern Canyon which Steven Spielberg used in the movie Jurassic Park. Going inland we passed many charming small towns like Weaverville, and we found some great bush camps on the way.

After the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and San Francisco and the quite busy coast road, we enjoyed the small sleepy villages with old fashion buildings, local craft shops and fresh produce. Great scenery and lots of nice viewpoints.

It was in Weaverville where we met another traveller who gave us the bad news that Lassen National Park was closed due to heavy snowfall. Real pity. But it did save us a 300km round trip, we decided to turn North in Redding to the volcano Mt Shasta.

Mt Shasta is one of the southern most mountains in the Cascade Range and is close to the Oregon Border. Next stop was Kla Mo Ya Casino good spot to stay overnight, and the diesel was 1 dollar per gallon cheaper than in California.

From here it was an easy drive to Crater Lake National Park. Halfway driving up to Crater Lake National Park snow started falling and as advised the roads along the rim where all closed due to heavy snowfalls. We made it to the rim village (2150 meters high) and between the clouds and sunshine we still were able to see the lake and its cliffs 700 meters high. Wizard Island at the west end of Crater Lake reaches 2121 meters above sea level, and around 300metr  above the lake. The island was also visible showing off the violent volcanic past. Rim Village is the main area for tourist services It is located on the southwest rim overlooking Crater Lake. We were told in winter this area has extreme winter conditions Blizzards, high winds, extreme cold and low visibility.

We were not allowed to stay overnight in the Rim Village Carpark, so we drove down just past the park entry and Visitor centre and pulled up in a snow park area where we spend a cold windy night and all windscreens iced up in the morning, I love our Webasto heater and the engine heater. Never realized I would use this in California and Oregon in Summer.

More bad news (I mean real bad news) 

Progressive insurance advised us via email late Sunday that our insurance was cancelled as of the Previous day. No explanation, no reason given. We contacted our broker and 3 days later we were told by the broker that Progressive Insurance advised them “The 2011 Mercedes Benz Atego 1318  has an unacceptable body style”.   Hence by now we are driving uninsured for the last 6 days!! Broker (Itsinsured) was off no help and stated nothing they could do. We than realized the money was already deposited back into our account minus the 17 days we were already insured? The annoying part is that part of the application required pictures from the inside and outside of the vehicle and based on all this the insurance was approved.  I was still charged besides being unacceptable for 17 days. All confirmed in writing and paid for May 26 starting date June 1. Not a real good start in the USA.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         This is what the marketing department of progressive states. And we believed when we went ahead and paid for the insurance. Is this what they mean with Amerian BS!!!!  “Your class A motorhome must be insured with basic RV Liability coverage. This coverage protects you financially in case you cause damages and/or injuries while driving your RV. So, if you were to hit another driver, Progressive would pay for their medical and vehicle repair bills, up to the limits of your policy, in the event of a covered loss. Whether you quote by phone or online, we’ll make sure you have the coverage you need to meet. This company deals with customers as numbers Without any regard for the consequences if I would have been involved in a accident and hurt someone. I was driving around 7 days around the USA uninsured. Todate I am still waiting for a response from Progressive to my question. “I am at a loss to understand what Public Liabilty got to do with a unacceptable body”