Lassen National Park
Klamath Falls, Oregon: We woke up early and
drove to
Lassen Volcanic National Park for breakfast. Lassen is one DT's favorite
National Park, and though most of the park is still closed due to snow, we
were too near and the weather was too beautiful to miss an opportunity for a
quick visit - our 4th to this National Park. At Bumpass Hell - the point at
which the road is closed - we stopped and watched crazy skiers and snow
boarders. Crazy because they must hike for miles up the hillside to ski down
for just a few minutes. They were mostly college-aged kids - full of energy
and having a blast. On our way to Bumpass Hell, we saw at least 10 deer. I
have no idea why seeing deer is so thrilling, since we see deer on nearly a
daily basis at home. Lassen National Park is the most southerly of the
Cascade Mountains and a very active volcanic area - sulphur springs and
bubbling pots of mud everywhere. The forests here seem to suddenly change
from "Sierra-looking" to "Cascade-looking". Whatever the "look" - Lassen is
a beautiful part of the world and a great place for breakfast if you happen
to be in the neighborhood. Oh, bring your own food because nothing opens in
the park until June or July.
Mt. Lassen
Since it was truly impossible to "do" anything in Lassen
National Park because of the snow, after breakfast we retraced our route and
headed towards Susanville. Susanville has the nicest, most well-supplied
Safeway in the chain. Any odd ingredient or imported gourmet food you could
possibly require is sold at this Safeway in the middle of nowhere. It was
Cinco de Mayo, so we headed to the "Ethnic Food" aisle. Just past the
best-stocked Kosher food selection I have ever seen in a supermarket, we
were able to find everything we would need to make black bean tacos and
margaritas.
We decided to head into the previously-unexplored-by-us territory of
northern California along Highway 139, which follows along the shore of
Eagle Lake. It turned out to be a very pretty, and quick drive. Little
traffic and a good road. We passed a few cattle ranges, but most of our view
was open range and forest land - sage brush and small, struggling pines.
My favorite Caveman
We had planned to camp at
Lava Beds National
Monument, but after spending about an hour exploring around the park and
poking our heads into bat-filled caves, we continued north, past Tule Lake
and ended up eating our tacos in Klamath Falls.
RV Park:
Klamath Falls
KOA