A Shoe Tree, Volcano, and Scenic Drive In California

As we drove to Susanville from Reno, we realized it was the first time we really saw any cattle or ranches visible along the roads.  At Hallelujah Junction we passed a strange looking tree on the side of the road that had shoes hanging from it.  We turned around and went back to get a closer look and take pictures of this phenomena.  I then googled the "shoe tree in CA" and came up with quite a story behind it.  Since the 1930's this has been a place where people have thrown their shoes over a tree's branches as a way to "make their dreams come true".  How quirky and fun!  You just never know what you are going to come across on the back roads of America!  By the way.....we left no shoes behind!

Lassen Volcanic National Park Visitor Center

After doing laundry and getting a good night's sleep at the Red Lion's Inn we headed to Lassen Volcanic National Park an hour away.  What a beautiful place!  The views were again spectacular, and the heights took our breath away.  Especially with no side rails along the way.  We drove the scenic highway through the park, stopping at the Visitor's Center first.  We drove by sulfur pools bubbling on the side of the road.  We climbed to heights of around 10,000 ft. stopping often to take in the views.  We learned that the Lassen volcano is still active with a 30% chance of erupting you our lifetime.  Not that day, thank goodness!  After spending three hours in the park we headed NW to Redding, CA.  We were scheduled to arrive around 2 pm at the home we were going to be staying in.  Seeing Lassen Volcanic National Park was a great way to end this leg of our journey.

Large rock on view point

Lassen Volcano

Upper Meadow with creek

Joel's favorite .....a creek!

Sulfur 

snow

Mountain view

I cannot help but be in awe of God's creation.  This trip we spent most of our time in some kind of mountain terrain.  Either surrounded by mountains or driving through them.  More than once we had mountain views from hotels where we rested.  I love mountains, and it seems, so does our new Enclave.  We got the best mileage in the mountains.  God used mountains to speak to Moses, for Noah's story, and so many other stories..........and certainly Jesus told us to speak to our "mountains".  Mountains hold a place in our Lord's heart.............and in mine.