Just another lazy Saturday

 

It's around 10:00 am, and we have just reached Castle Lake, located west of Mt. Shasta and close to Lake Siskiyou.

This morning, I felt a spark of excitement for a "senior" adventure! So, Pa, our senior dog, Laydee, and I climbed into the old car and headed a bit north. 

The weather was simply too glorious to stay home.  The recent storms left beautiful snow on the mountains, and I always love to witness it for myself. 

What a perfect day to explore and soak up the stunning scenery. 

With temperatures around 39 degrees, at the lake, the shade felt a bit chilly, but in the sun, we were perfectly comfortable! I wore a sweater with a furry vest, the perfect combo for our adventure. I prefer lighter layers, especially knowing it would warm up as we hiked. 

While the snow may not be piling up just yet, it's on the horizon! After all, we're in the midst of the beautiful fall season, and you can almost feel that chilly excitement in the air. 

Get ready for the winter wonderland that's just around the corner!

It was 2011, and a magical scene unfolded as the lake lay blanketed in a thick layer of ice. The world around seemed to pause, creating a serene winter wonderland about an hour away. 

For someone from the Bay Area, this was really different to me. 

It’s been since 2011 that we had the chance to venture up there in the winter - and to think this was supposedly a drought year! 😉

Laydee bravely stepped into the icy water. 

Labs have an undeniable passion for water, and if we hadn't stopped her, she would have eagerly leaped in for a swim!

Several families showed off their cheerful Christmas sweaters and captured a moment with their cameras.  Perhaps holiday photo cards are in the works! My husband even snapped a picture of one family against this festive backdrop.

Let's follow this trail...

Glistening patches of ice scattered like jewels across the ground. 

I just spotted my very first snow patches of the season! 

WARNING: cozy winter months ahead!

☃

I encountered something on the trail today I don't see all the time - needle ice! For those of you living in the northern regions, this might be a familiar sight during winter. 

So, what exactly is needle ice? 

It forms when soil temperatures are above freezing, while the air above drops below 32°F. This causes underground water to rise to the surface through capillary action, freezing into stunning, needle-like columns. Typically, this enchanting process happens at night when temperatures are at their lowest. You’ll often find needle ice along stream banks or soil terraces, creating a beautiful winter spectacle. 

Isn’t nature amazing?

A sweet little creek...

I just came across the cutest little Charlie Brown Christmas tree! It's so charming in its own unique way -  the perfect embodiment of holiday spirit. 

Now here's a memory that takes me back to my childhood! Every Christmas, we would venture into the Santa Cruz mountains to chop down our own Christmas tree.  In the early years after we moved here, we’d get a permit from the Forest Service to explore designated areas in search of our tree, surrounded by beautiful snow. It was always a fun adventure with our family. 

The last time we cut down this perfectly gorgeous tree in the forest, I felt sad. I questioned my decision.  The next year, we went to a Christmas Tree lot - and that was fine, but the prices were over $100+, so we finally opted for the convenience and price of an artificial tree, which has become our go-to. 

Behold the majestic Pacific silver fur, standing proud and still, a picture of effortless elegance. Its beauty captivates the eye, inviting you to bask in its tranquil presence.

Isn't it incredible how much more beautiful it looks in these natural surroundings than when covered in lights and artificial decorations? 

Just like our Creator made it. 

At this point, my husband made his way back to the car with Laydee since his back was acting up, and I wanted to ensure he stayed safe. I happily expressed my desire to capture a few more photos, so I continued on my hike. 

I truly wish we had gathered our chairs and simply soaked in all this breathtaking beauty together, but this time, Laydee joined us, and we’re genuinely dedicated to creating an adventure for her, enthusiastically embracing the experience, even if it means sacrificing our own comfort!

Patches of snow lingered on the ground, remnants of the earlier snowfall, but the sunshine promised warmth. 

Just at that moment, my eyes caught something extraordinary...

I caught a breathtaking glimpse of "The Mountain" towering in the distance!

As I drew nearer, a thrill of capturing the photo surged within me

Despite the chill and climbing over rocks, my mind drifts to rattlesnakes. By now, they're cozily huddled together for warmth, posing no real danger. 

But still...

I decided to head back to the car where my husband was. 

He prefers I stay close, but the invigorating cool air makes my heart race! Autumn, winter, and spring are my favorite seasons for hiking.

As we drove down the winding road, we suddenly spotted the perfect moment to pause. I couldn't resist the urge to capture the beauty around us, so we stopped for a quick photo opportunity.

Nestled just a short distance down the slope, Black Butte (a volcanic plug dome) beckons with its charm and beauty.

There she is!

Mt. Shasta stands majestically, a true gem of FAR Northern California and the proud namesake of our county. 

As we made our way back home, I couldn't help but admire the stunning clouds that filled the sky. 

cirrus clouds?

We’re almost home, and the weather is a perfect 73 degrees! 

What a lovely day

This is as vibrant a display of Fall colors as we can expect around here!

Here's our charming little bridge!

We’re almost home.  Just in time to enjoy lunch and settle in for a cozy nap!

As we journey across the shimmering expanse of Lake Shasta, I know home awaits us. Even Laydee perked up - her curiosity ignited. Isn't it something how they can pick up on the scents all around them, and I know she knew she was almost home. 

I believe we all really needed this boost this morning!

I really appreciate you coming along! Maybe, just maybe, later in the season I'll be able to share some beautiful snow with you!

Remember that you are never alone; God is with you every step of the way, offering His peace and strength. Whatever challenges you may face, trust that His grace is sufficient and His love is unfailing.

Our Escape to the Snow

Eager to escape the sweltering heat of the valley, we set out this morning for Lassen Volcanic National Park. I packed a couple of delicious black forest ham sandwiches nestled in soft Hawaiian rolls, a bag filled with plump, juicy red grapes, and two sparkling waters that promised a burst of bubbles. It was 10:10 AM when we hit the road, heading towards the cool embrace of the snow-capped volcano. 

This is the cozy spot where we arranged our chairs for our picnic. 

We envisioned ourselves as the rightful owners of this land, lounging on our deck while the gentle sounds of Kings Creek flowed serenely just below us.  With hardly any souls in sight, it allowed us to feel as though we were the sole explorers of this enchanting landscape. 

Adjacent to the scene loomed a majestic section of Lassen Peak

My silly husband joked that a blanket of snow awaited us just up ahead. 

Well, that is what we came for. 

Above 8,000 feet, we encountered snow on the mountains, and the temperatures were pleasantly cool, registering at 60 degrees on the car's temperature gauge.

Lassen peak is 10,457- in elevation

When we drove up to Lake Almanor three weeks ago, we were met with the sight of closed road signs, so we were glad to see that they had finally finished plowing this section of the road.   Last season, we were blessed by generous snowfall in the mountains. 

Snowdrifts accumulate alongside the winding road, their white surfaces contrasting sharply with the jagged edges of the craggy, rocky landscape. 

I never tire of these summer day-trips to the snow, knowing it is 100+ in the valley

We find ourselves at an impressive 9,000 feet elevation, in the Lassen Peak parking lot. Surrounding us are a multitude of empty parked cars, each a temporary resting place for adventurous souls who are out there, embarking on their journeys up the peak.  The air was crisp, but not overly cold.  We were comfortable in shorts, cut-offs.   The breeze felt so nice.  There were mosquitoes that emerged from their long winter hibernation, darting about looking for me! I can't escape them even at higher altitudes and in the snow! 

As well as bumblebees, which I found unusual. 

It is early spring up here. 

Part of Lassen Peak. 

Signs warning hikers and tourists 

I love craggy mountains....








Drove by Helen Lake, just beginning to thaw out. 

You can't believe how refreshing it is to your senses, gazing at this frozen lake, while the crisp air envelops you like a soft blanket. The gentle rustle of the trees contributes to a serene atmosphere that contrasts sharply with the sweltering heat that awaits us back home. 

Ugh!

As we descend in elevation on the other side of the park, we start to observe the presence of various flowers.

and greenery! 

All of a sudden, I get a craving for a hard-boiled egg...

This hydrothermal area is a place of pungent scents, reminiscent of hard-boiled eggs, and shifting ground. Sulphur Works is part of the larger hydrothermal system in the park. Recent volcanic activity and the hydrothermal system are evidence that magma still lies beneath Lassen today.

You don't even dare stray off the path - 

Poor old Kendall Vanhook Bumpass learned the hard way. A cowboy and early settler, who, in 1865, broke through the surface of a scalding hot mudpot in an active geothermal area and consequently lost a leg by amputation. The geothermal area was later named "Bumpass Hell"

He lived another 20 years after this accident and is quoted as saying, 

"Boys, I have been in hell." – Kendall Bumpass

The stream below is boiling water...

A bubbling hot mud pot 

The temperature of the high-velocity steam jetting from it has been measured as high as 322°F (161°C).

Just around the bend, we're at the south end of the park - closer to Red Bluff. 

It's now around 75 degrees. It's 1:30 pm

Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center is our last stop before heading home.

We stayed a little to watch a video on volcanic activity. It was a film I have seen many times before, yet I never grow tired of it. The stunning visuals of molten lava flowing down mountainsides and the rumbling sounds of eruptions always fascinated me as a child.  I have always found myself interested in the geological sciences of our earth.

As we journey home, the car's outside temperature gauge reads 105 outside. It is 3:00 as we drive into the garage, never stepping out into that heat, only into the coolness of our home. A truly wonderful picnic filled with joy and laughter.  I am incredibly grateful for my husband, whose laughter brightens my days, and for the free admission to the park that saves us $30. Being close to nature allows me to reflect on the beauty of creation and acknowledge God as our Creator.

I cherish our diverse landscape here; we're always close to something truly extraordinary.

 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Genesis 1