Giant summer update, part 4 (Lassen and Bristlecone).

On the way to Portland last August, John and I discovered Lassen Volcanic National Park. We only had time to take an hour-long drive through the park, but we liked it so much we decided to go camping there in September.

From our time in Hawaii, we thought we were experts on volcanic formations. And there were certainly some familiar features -- cinder cones, bubbling fumeroles, lava beds that stretched for miles. One thing we didn't expect were "painted dunes" -- colored ash ejected from the cinder cone which "painted" the landscape brilliant red and brown.

Our campsite was quiet and comfortable. Spigot, outhouse, and fire pit. What more do you need? (Okay, a shower would have been nice. I tried rinsing off in the lake. Frigid!) Hiking all day, then soup for dinner. I firmly believe that any dietary indulgence can be undone by sufficient amounts of camping.

We spent 2 days driving back, stopping overnight in Bishop for a much-appreciated shower and bed. Then, a quick detour to Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, where the trees are 4,000 years old! I was filled with awe and reverence as I walked among the "ancients." Again, we only had one spare hour to spend at Bristlecone, but we will definitely be back.