Well, as promised (warned) you... pictures of the past week.... (Ta
Da)... I took a four day loop of the majestic North State
California (Lassen National Park, Mt. Shasta, Shasta Lake, Redding and
Red Bluff)...The photos are just a few of the hundreds I took.... If
you have not been to this part of the state (North Central California), I highly recommend it.
Burney Falls near Lassen - really beautiful... Little side trips led
from one discovery to another (mostly unexpected)... Going to
one of Frank Lloyd Wrights last building designs (Pilgrim
Congregational Church in Redding) took me past the Sacramento River were
we discovered the Redding Train Trestle. Another venture of discovery
took me to the Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding (amazing on
it's own with its botanical gardens). Shasta Dam (and a very low
lake)... I could go on and on (and as my Camera Club buddy's know... I
often do) about the places I am blessed to visit and photograph.... so
I'll just post the pictures.... If you have the opportunity to visit... take it...
Harland D. Miller Memorial Bridge (AKA: Dog Creek Bridge)
The Harland
D. Miller Memorial Bridge (AKA: Dog Creek Bridge) is off Hwy 5 just
north of Redding... down a long dirt road down to the river below where
great fishing (I'm told) can be had. This is an afternoon shot... the
morning shot is from the East side and there is another bridge you cross
and it too will be in your picture along with railroad tracks... very
picturesque.
McArthur Burney Falls
Leaving
Red Bluff heading to Lassen National Park is the little town of Burney,
Ca. A few miles into the Park you'll detour a bit to McArthur Burney
Falls. It is spring fed and the water flows as if we were in a very wet
year and the drought is long forgotten... so the falls never goes dry
(as you can tell from this photo). The park has a great walking trail
and easy access to the falls. Very user friendly....
Mt. Shasta
This
shot of Mt. Shasta was taken from a vantage point just north of Redding
at a place where to the West you can see the awe-inspiring granite
towers of Castle Crags State Park. It too is just off Hwy I-5. Once in
the park you drive up a narrow road
- park and then go up Crags Trail (it's a hike, but once at the top of
the trail (make sure you take the "right" fork otherwise you will be in
for a really long hike up and down the mountains <like we did>).
The trail to the right is a short one that takes you to the observation
area. To the West you wee Castle Crags and to the East is Mount
Shasta..... You can really see some fantastic views from that location...
"Bumpass Hell"
For
a trek off the beaten path try this one. It is in Lassen Volcanic
National Park (the little Yellowstone of the West).... The place is
called "Bumpass Hell" and well,it lives up to it's name. The hike is
about 3 miles round trip from the road....
Elevation change of about 300 feet at 8,000 feet. The trail is narrow
(and if your like me... I don't like heights... it can be tricky so
plan on going very 'slow'; if heights don't bother you, it is a good walk.
) It is the largest hydrothermal area in Norther California... and
has high-velocity steam jetting from Big Boiler, the largest fumarole
in the park. It has been measured as high as 322°F (161°C), making it
one of the hottest fumaroles in the world. The steam heated waters are
typically acidic and are not safe, even for bathing. Well worth the
effort to see.
Osprey
This
Osprey and it's young were nesting next to Shasta Dam near the visitor
center. Wildlife can be see if you keep your eyes open and on the
lookout. You will need a long lens thought as most are perched or
roaming at a distance to where humans will find it difficult to reach.
Just take your time and you'll see views like this one.
Frank Lloyd Wright: "Pilgrim Congregational Church"
This
church was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It is in Redding, Ca. and
is called "Pilgrim Congregational Church".. It sits on a hill with
views of the surrounding mountains. Very unusual... and not large.
This
view of Pilgrims Congregational Church is a composite of seven photos
made into a panoramic photo. This building to the left is actually at a
45-degree angle to the main part of the church (in my other picture of
the church I mentioned the church was not large)....
Shasta Dam
Shasta
Dam...... On July 10 (2014) it was only 33% full (a football field or deeper
with just dirt where water should be)... Looking at the lake you can
see that California (even in an area that has water flowing from the
mountains) is in a severe drought.... Beautiful lake and dam
regardless.
Shasta Mountain
Shasta
Mountain from just east of the downtown area of Mt. Shasta, Ca. I decided to take some roads less traveled through residential areas in
the hills just east of the town. The hunch paid off and I was given
really great views of the volcano. Still has some snow (not much) but
beautiful none-the-less.
Sundial Bridge
Sundial
Bridge ~ Redding Calif. opened in July 2004.... it is 21 stories high
(a 217 foot mast that acts as a giant sundial) and has a clear pathway
that does not block the sunlight so it does not disrupt the Salmon
spawning area. It's 700 feet long and
none of the bridge is in the water. BEAUTIFUL!!! (At one end is the
Turtle Bay Exploration Park and at the other is the 200 acre arboretum
and Sacramento River Trail system. So much to see and do, so little
time to do it...
Hope you enjoyed the quick tour.... This is an area of California that has not changed in a very long time. It gives you the comfort of today, while taking you back to a time where humans did not roam the land. All withing a short drive (or a long one if you're up to adventures and you just want to take a wander).... At every turn something new and beautiful. A photographers delight.
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