Back in the Saddle

Yesterday Jeff's foot felt better enough to attempt a bikeride. So back down to the Sacramento River Path we went and he did great. Better than me for the most part. It was a pleasant ride along the river, winding through the city and outskirts. We even saw a Buck! Right in suburbia! We came home and rested a bit then went out for dinner (to Chevy's....it was the best we could find and that's not saying much). Last night the city of Redding was lighting up the Sundial Bridge pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We tried to circument the choas at the bridge itself by driving up Hilltop road where we were told you could see the bridge...you couldn't. Oh well!
Today Jeff was feeling even better, either that or he was just bored. We drove to Lassan National Park about 45 miles east of Redding and was it BEAUTIFUL!!! we entered via the west side and the highway basically continues east, then turns due south through the park. We took about 400 photos and I filled my camera memory card! Lassan is another ancient volcano that was last active in 1915. A man named Lassan (duh) took a series of 6 photos of the volcano erupting, which was a lot back in those days. He then spent the remainder of his life working at the park and photographing Mount Lassan.

Mount Lassan
Photo taken at 8150 ft
Peak over 10,000 ft

After photographing the shit out of this gorgeous peak (and by the way, there were snow banks everywhere but 56 degrees), we proceeded down the road to this quaint little lake, Lake Helen.

And just around the corner we came to our prime destination and the one hike we really wanted to do...

Really and truly named Bumpass Hell. Named after a real guy (can you even imagine having the last name Bumpass) after he hurt himself on the trail and declared it HELL. We thought it was heaven. The trail was pretty flat, though we were at an elevation of over 8000 feet. Total distance was about 4 miles round trip.

 But the real draw to hiking Bumpass Hell is it's final destination. The geothermal pools and underground steam vents from volcanos long gone. This is what greats you as you round the bend...other than the stench of sulfur!

It was very interesting and super fun to see the boiling, steaming, sizzling pots of goo, fools gold and milky green water.

Yup, definately cool (or hot if you were stupid enough to touch this stuff). This entire area was just full of these pools. You walked around them on an elevated boardwalk and when you got to the end it was like the Garden of Eden...

Lovely day!!

Tommorrow we leave Redding and already hae reservations at a park in Lodi...or as I call it Zinfandeland!!!

I am SO ready to leave Redding and very excited to get to Wine Country.

Xena tuckered out from her long day!