Back up..go left.

We awoke early Saturday morning,anxious to take the ninety-minute drive out to Mt.Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Everything had been meticulously planned down to the last detail!

*Pack fried chicken and cole slaw...Check !
*Stock ice chest with water and Gatorade...Check !
*Cameras fully charged...Check !
*Fill the tank with gas,and our bellies with breakfast...Check and Check.!!
*Be sure to watch the weather report for the Mt. Lassen area...

..I thought YOU were s'posed to do that??..

..no shit.

When we arrived at the park entrance,young Cherie,looking mighty cute in her park ranger hat,advised us that the road was only open for one mile!
This is sorta like being told that you're only going to be allowed ten feet past the entrance to Disneyland,but what the hell.
I promised you guys a video recap,and I'm nothing if not a man of my word.
Unless,..you know,..it's to my advantage to lie.

Thus,and without further adieu!



I decided to take the minimalist view.
The fumaroles and mud pot shots were taken just a few yards past the 'Road Closed' sign.
Oh sure,we could have ventured out onto the now snow covered trails in search of more fascinating displays of vulcanism,but we decided that none of us wanted to appear on the six o'clock news,frozen to a tree.

Having said all that,it was a total blast!
The drive up was rife with breathtaking views,Little Newt thoroughly enjoyed himself,and the contrast of pristine snow against the raw power of the Earth's living interior was inspiring!

Plus!..The irony of my having gone all Winter without seeing a single snowflake,only to find myself smack in the middle of a blizzard on the cusp of Summer,was quite delicious.

Happy Memorial Day Kids!