Dee Wright Observatory

Dee Wright Observatory is an observation structure at the summit of McKenzie Pass in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon. The structure is an open shelter constructed with lava stone. It is located in the midst of a large lava flow, and offers an exceptional view of numerous Cascade peaks.

(Wikipedia)

That's the observatory in the background on the r side of the pix.

This was actually pretty interesting site. Jaxon even admitted that it was cool!

Oh boy!

The smaller lookouts were directly aimed at the different mountains

A compass in the center of the observatory pointed to each of the different mountains as well

We decided to drive a bit more on the McKenzie Pass to Scott Lake for a picnic and a swim.

But as we got to the top of the pass at the observatory and then to Scott Lake the temps dipped into the high 60's! A little too cool for this girl to take a swim. 

We got out to picnic and enjoy the views but were only able to tolerate the mosquitoes for as long as it took to take this picture!

 Scott Lake is one of the many lovely, pristine mountain lakes in the Central Oregon Cascades along the McKenzie Pass Highway, an area of volcanic terrain. The setting of Scott Lake is one of the most beautiful in the Cascades. It is situated in a corridor between two wilderness areas, the Three Sisters Wilderness and the Mt. Washington Wilderness; two snowcapped volcanic peaks, the South and Middle Sisters, loom dramatically over the lake, casting their mirrored reflections onto the calm waters. Geologically recent lava flows from nearby Belknap Crater stopped short of Scott Lake, leaving a jumbled unvegetated terrain that is in striking contrast to the peaceful forest of western hemlock and the meadows that surround the lake.

So we headed back up the pass and just parked in a pull out w a beautiful view and had a picnic in the warm and mosquito free inside of my truck! It also happened to be butterfly season in the Cascade Wildness/hwy, it was beautiful driving among them but they sure were hard to clean off the front of my truck when we got home!

If he can take a picture of me driving then I can take a picture of him sleeping! 

We take turns wearing each other out! He's a fun lil adventure buddy!