LeAnne Taylor’s Crater Lake tour comes with an Oklahoma twist

It’s almost tradition at this point: when LeAnne Taylor heads out on vacation, she finds a fellow Oklahoman. That’s exactly what happened during her latest adventure to Crater Lake in Oregon.

A familiar connection in an unexpected place

While LeAnne and her husband Andy were touring the famously deep lake, Andy wore an ORU ballcap. That’s when their tour guide introduced herself and revealed a surprise.

“Hey there, my name’s Ali, and my family, we all grew up in Oklahoma,” she said. “My mom and uncle went to ORU, Dad to OU, older sister to OSU, so we’re excited to have Oklahomans on the boat today.”

Ali may be studying in Florida now, but she’s spending the summer as a tour guide at Crater Lake—and according to LeAnne, she’s doing a fantastic job.

A two-hour tour on the deepest lake in America

Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, measuring more than 1,900 feet deep. The two-hour boat ride around the lake gives visitors a close-up view of its famously clear, blue water—fed entirely by snowmelt and rainwater.

There are even waterfalls cascading along the cliffs, and during the tour, guests get to sample the pure lake water themselves.

Born from a volcanic eruption

The lake sits in a collapsed caldera formed after Mount Mazama erupted thousands of years ago. What’s left behind is a striking crater filled with pristine water and volcanic history.

Within the lake, visitors can also see Wizard Island, a cinder cone created by later volcanic activity. Tours to the island are available for those looking to explore more.

Getting there isn’t easy

To board the boat, visitors must hike one mile down a gravel trail—an effort that feels much longer on the way back up.

“Needless to say, I struggled to get back up,” LeAnne joked.

Still, the natural beauty and unexpected connection made the trek worth it.