If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 83

Crater Lake, Oregon

The photograph on this postcard is by Frank Patterson who specialized in outdoor photos particularly of the Crater Lake area in Oregon.  Patterson was born in Klickitat, Washington in 1883, began his career early in the 1900s and died in California in 1961.  At one time 228 dealers sold his postcards.   This card was sent to the Lees by their friend, Ida, and is dated 18 August 1927.

Crater Lake is a caldera lake and is famous for its deep blue color and clear water.  The lake was formed when the volcano Mount Mazama collapsed about 7,000 years ago.  It is the main feature of the Crater Lake National Park.  The lake gets its water from rain and snowfall, there are no rivers feeding in or emptying out.  Fish were introduced to the lake and several species have since formed permanent populations. 

Crater Lake is 5 by 6 miles (8 by 10 kilometers) across with an average depth of about 1,148 feel (350 meters).  The maximum depth was measured at 1,948 feet (594 meters) making it the deepest lake in the United States and the second deepest in North America.  As noted in the message on the reverse of the card, the rim of the caldera ranges from 7,000 to 8,000 feet in elevation.  The lake water is very pure in terms of the absence of pollutants perhaps because it does not have tributaries or inlets. 

Reverse

The stamp is from the 1922 series that was in use during the 1920s and 1930s.  The designs mostly featured former United States presidents such as this 2-cent version with the profile of George Washington on it. 

Enlarged Washington 2 cent profile stamp

For more information see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postage_stamps_and_postal_history_of_the_United_States
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crater_Lake
http://www.oldoregonphotos.com/photographers/frank-patterson.html