Redding, California June 11-17

We had fun in Susanville but it is time to head out to Redding, California. All you need to do is follow the snow melt as it quickly flows in the riverbed beside the road. This photo proves that it is not just the destination but also the journey that provides some beautiful views!


Our first trip was to Mt. Shasta, at 14,161 feet! We didn't climb it...we just looked at it from afar. Mark had thought about hiking it, but found out it is not very worthwhile as you basically hike up through a gully and don't get to see much on either side as you go up the mountain.



You cannot begin to get a feel for the height of the mountain even when you look down from the road level to view the snow melt as it flows from the mountain.


But, we ventured to Mt. Shasta not to hike, but to play golf at Mt. Shasta Resort Golf Course. What fun to view the mountain from many of the holes on the course. It was a tough hike from the 4th hole up to the 5th but we walked the entire course and scored only 4 over par in a scramble format!! It was a cloudy day and the glacier on the top of the mountain really grabs the clouds and holds them. The cloud is covering the real peak of the mountain!



We took a trip to Redding's most famous landmark, The Sundial Bridge, a one-of-a-kind pedestrian only glass decked suspension bridge.


And we visited the Arboreteum located next to the bridge and even caught sight of a rattlesnake sunning in the rocks!



Redding's trail system also features the twelve mile Sacramento River National Recreation Trail. We had great fun biking the trail. This photo is an example of the amazing views from the path that runs right beside the river. I only got caught once not being able to downshift fast enough to make it up one of the hills and had to walk the bike up. We did see a large fish, maybe a salmon, jump out of the water while we were pedaling past!




Shasta lake, with over 360 miles of shore line and a 29,500 acre surface, is the largest lake in California. We rented a pontoon boat for the day, barbequed burgers on the onboard grill, relaxed in the sun...





and even caught a small bass but we threw him back!





We finished our visit to Redding with a River Rafting trip but I'll hold that for the next update.