How Fake Was Orson Welles’s War of the Worlds?
From Nation, For Nation - Pulse of the Nation
The American Eclipse of 1878
Peer Into the Frozen Forest of Oregon’s Clear Lake
What lies beneath the surface of the crystal clear waters of the appropriately named Clear Lake of Sisters, Oregon?
Turns out there aren’t very many mysteries. After all, the lake is so clear you can see just about everything. Including its famous underwater forest.
That’s right-sitting just under the 148-acre lake, which is named for its amazing transparency, is an ancient forest, with 80-foot tree trunks once drowned in a flood, now kept petrified by the water’s cold temperatures.
Seeing Clearly
Discovered in 1859 by explorers trying to find a way through the Cascade Mountains, they made their way along an Indian Trail.
“Hiking the Clear Lake Trail is an incredible way to experience this unique Cascade lake,” writes Halvor Tweto of the Outdoor Project. “Leaving from the Clear Lake Resort trailhead, a counter-clockwise walk around the lake provides views of Three-Fingered Jack, the McKenzie River Headwaters, the Sand Mountain Lava Flow that created the lake, the springs that feed the river, and a surreal perfect image of the Three Sisters (volcanic peaks) perfectly framed in the lake’s waist.
“Add to this the constant presence of clear, sapphire water and the ghostly, underwater figures of a forest long submerged, and you’ve found one of the best walks in the Cascade foothills,” he continued.
Brian Carroll, Linn County Parks and Recreation director, told Travel + Leisure that some see it as a spiritual place.
“To me, Clear Lake has a very spiritual effect on people…when you get there it just comes across as magical,” he said.
“You’ve got it all, the mountains are there, the forest is there, and there’s lava; there’s just so many different abnormalities about the area because you’re surrounded by all this volcanic terrain.”
FROZEN IN TIME
Sitting at an altitude of more than 3,000 feet, scientists note that the lake has an area temperature just above freezing year-round. This keeps the underwater world in a nearly frozen state, and some divers take advantage by exploring through the branches.
Surrounded by five miles of trails in the Willamette National Forest, Clear Lake offers cabins and relaxation, campfires, and picnic tables. “(It) is considered one of the best spots for freshwater diving in America,” writes Jen Anderson, of TravelOregon.com.
Which really begs the question: Why wouldn’t you want to check this out?
Just a few hours away from major cities like Portland, Salem, and Bend, you’re pretty much off the grid when you’re in the National Forest, driving down Highway 126. Scuba enthusiasts can jump in the lake and explore the underground forest, and because no motorized boats are allowed on the water, it’s peaceful and calm for those who want to kayak, row, or paddle.
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From Globe, For Globe - Pulse of the Planet
He packed a pistol in case things went awry... They did.
Lawn Chair Larry
On July 2, 1982, Vietnam veteran and truck driver Larry Walters of California set out to fulfill his life-long dream of flying. The plan was simple: Attach the 42 helium weather balloons he had purchased at an Army Navy store to his trusty aluminum lawn chair. After strapping on some water jugs for stability, he packed a pistol to shoot out the balloons upon descent, a parachute, a CB radio, sandwiches and, of course, beer.
Larry expected to hover a leisurely 32 feet off the ground, but the balloons were caught by a gust of wind and surged to an incredible 16,000 feet!
After drifting into the path of airliners landing at Los Angeles International Airport, Larry decided it was time to descend and shot out several balloons. One jet on its way to land spotted Larry and radioed Air Traffic Control to report a man in a balloon waving around a gun. Radar technicians got a lock on the balloon chair as Larry dropped his pistol. He could no longer shoot out his balloons, but luckily the ones he had managed to puncture earlier led to a slow and steady descent.
Ninety minutes after lifting off (and becoming entangled in power lines, knocking power out for a an entire neighborhood!) Inspiration I, as Larry christened his flying lawn chair, eventually touched the ground with its sole passenger intact. He hadn’t fallen to his death, been sucked into a jet engine, or even electrocuted; but he was under arrest.
After a welcome from law enforcement, Larry and his lucky landing earned their five minutes of fame, appearing on Letterman and The Tonight Show. His story, however, inspired a generation of lawn chair piloting balloonists.
Kent Couch
Kent Couch has made several lawn chair voyages. In 2008, he flew 242 miles at an elevation of 16,630 feet from his home in Bend, Oregon, to Cambridge, Idaho. With his self-made lawn chair, a ballast system of three 15 gallon containers, a dual drain system and the assistance of 156 helium cluster balloons, he flew for nine hours!
Couch even raced another lawn chair balloonist, John Fris, winning for height, but losing for distance. You can find Couch’s chairs in our Newport, Prince Edward Island, and Panama City Beach odditoriums. Freis’ chair sits in our Amsterdam odditorium after its journey over 70 miles of Oregon.
Balloon chair used by Kent Couch at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
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