Crater Lake National Park
Oregon’s Crater Lake National Park is spectacular in every sense. The deepest lake in the United States, Crater Lake’s grandeur is enhanced by steep cliffs, hundreds of feet high, surrounding it on all sides. The still, blue water of the lake, painted with reflections, makes this spot one of the most tranquil destinations in the world.
However, this peaceful setting was formed by a violent explosion. About 7,700 years ago, the volcanic eruptions of Mount Mazama laid waste to much of the surrounding wilderness and put ash in the air for more than a thousand miles. The loss of material from inside the mountain made it unable to support its own weight, and it collapsed into itself, forming a caldera— which, over thousands of years, has filled with water to become Crater Lake.
Now a national park, Crater Lake is a perfect setting for hiking, birdwatching, or fishing. Though no private watercraft is allowed on the lake, the park offers guided boat tours (one of these boats is featured at the end of this sample video).
David Benoit is a contemporary jazz pianist whose albums have garnered multiple Grammy nominations and have become genre classics. Benoit is also an accomplished symphony musician and conductor and has also composed film scores. In 2010, David Benoit was given a Lifetime Achievement Award at the American Smooth Jazz Awards.
Links
Crater Lake National Park
Wikipedia article: Mount Mazama
USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory: Crater Lake, Oregon
David Benoit Official Site