So I decided to head up to Lassen Volcanic National Park this last Saturday. It is not a well known or visited park compared to others, but it is still worth a look if you live out here or are visiting northern California.
First thing though, was to get the X1 nice and clean for the upcoming road trip. Friday I got it all shined up and vacuumed so I stopped at the water for a "before" picture (and a beer at the nearby pub!)
20130802-_DSC0253 by
lennycarl08, on Flickr
I was on the road at 6, and stopped for breakfast at Vacaville California, where I-505 peels off 80 to head north to I-5. Leaving town, I was treated to a sight of hot air balloons out for a morning flight.
20130803-AQ4E0962 by
lennycarl08, on Flickr
From there it's about a 2 hour slag up 505 and 5 which is pretty boring. Finally at Red Bluff, I turned off the freeway onto CA 36 east, toward the park. (BTW, Hwy 36 west, between Red Bluff and Fortuna is 140 miles of two lane twisty bliss! One of the best motorcycle or sports car roads in the state!). It's still a bit boring at first, but at least there was little traffic
20130803-_DSC0287 by
lennycarl08, on Flickr
I did find a trail head that made for a good photo op though.
20130803-_DSC0297 by
lennycarl08, on Flickr
20130803-_DSC0294 by
lennycarl08, on Flickr
Once you start climbing, the road and the scenery get way more entertaining
20130803-_DSC0302 by
lennycarl08, on Flickr
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lennycarl08, on Flickr
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lennycarl08, on Flickr
After about 3 and a half hours, (including breakfast and gas stops) I got to the park entrance.
20130803-_DSC0321 by
lennycarl08, on Flickr
20130803-_DSC0326 by
lennycarl08, on Flickr
Being a national park, the speed limit is 35 in most places, but the road is still a pretty fun drive, and there is lots to pull off to see, including Sulphur Works, which used to be a commercial effort
20130803-_DSC0359 by
lennycarl08, on Flickr
20130803-_DSC0350 by
lennycarl08, on Flickr
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lennycarl08, on Flickr
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lennycarl08, on Flickr
20130803-_DSC0375BW by
lennycarl08, on Flickr
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lennycarl08, on Flickr
20130803-_DSC0402 by
lennycarl08, on Flickr
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lennycarl08, on Flickr
20130803-_DSC0490 by
lennycarl08, on Flickr
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lennycarl08, on Flickr
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lennycarl08, on Flickr
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lennycarl08, on Flickr
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lennycarl08, on Flickr
20130803-_DSC0477 by
lennycarl08, on Flickr
All in all, it was a fun day. As time was tight, I had to go back the way I came, but this could easily be part of a bigger road trip. As much as this trip was to have fun with the Bimmer, I was also trying out a new camera, so with a few exceptions, these shots were all taken with a Sony Nex 6, and I am very happy with the way it performed. So until the next road trip…
20130803-_DSC0480 by
lennycarl08, on Flickr
20130803-IMG_8582 by
lennycarl08, on Flickr