Letters to the Editor: Sept. 2011

September/October 2011 [1]

VIA readers weigh in on Crater Lake National Park, the Willamette Valley, and a ferry ride from Port Angeles, Wash., to Victoria, B.C.

Kudos for Crater Lake

As a former park ranger at Crater Lake National Park, it’s great to see a mention of the BioBlitz (Crater Lake [2], July/August 2011). This article, as well as other efforts, help get people more engaged with their state and national parks.

Brian Kahn
New York City

When we visited Crater Lake, we enjoyed the wonderful new trolley service [3]. A guided, two-hour tour takes you all the way around the lake on a natural gas–powered shuttle. The roads in the park are busy and narrow, but the trolley provides great views without having to worry about driving.

Jennette Evans
Guerneville, Calif.

A Civilized Point

I was bothered by a statement that appeared in the article Child's Play [4](July/August 2011):"Drive southwest from Portland into the Willamette Valley [5] and civilization quickly gives way to bucolic wineries and tiny towns." Really? Civilization stops when you leave Portland? I’m sure there are some Portlanders who feel that way, but that was a slam-dunk insult to my fellow Oregonians living outside of the city. We, in the uncivilized part of the state, wouldn't trade where we live for anything. Please be more open-minded when you visit.

Peggy Sellers
St. Paul, Ore.

Editor’s Note:

In the article [6]On the Edge of Greatness [6] (July/August 2011), one of our readers pointed out that we made an error by stating that you can take a ferry from Port Angeles, Wash. [7], to Vancouver, B.C. The ferry runs from Port Angeles to Victoria, B.C., on Vancouver Island. –EDITOR

This article was first published in September 2011. Some facts may have aged gracelessly. Please call ahead to verify information.