Yosemite and More

  While taking a short vacation up north I visited  Lassen Volcanic National Park. The big draw there are the thermo features especially Bumpass Hell. The park does not disappoint, for many reasons, not just mud pots. Lassen is part of the Ring of Fire, volcanos from Eastern coast of Asia to the West Coast of the Americas. It's always a good idea to not just focus on the big stuff. What made this tree bend this way?  Many trees showed which way was the  prominent wind direction, but not to this extreme.   I've seen plenty of Lupine and when I started this walk I swore I wouldn't take another photo of them, this is just one of many areas covered in Lupine. Areas of the park are just the remnants of former volcanos and pyrotechnic activity There have been a couple of fires in the park in recent years. Large areas show  the result of those devastating fires. One area right next to the road has mud pots and the lovely aroma of sulfur. Lassen Peak from the south...

 After visiting the very old town of Locke we went further north into the delta to the Grand Island Mansion. Talk about two different worlds. While Locke ( my previous post) was build in the 1909 and was really showing it's age. The Grand Island Mansion  built in 1917 was on a whole other spectrum. If you want an opulent, and extravagant wedding or business retreat this is the place for you. 24,00 square feet, 58 rooms, (most with their own theme), tennis court, helipad and so much more.  This is their 'front lawn' Lot's of outdoor statues Close up of the arm on the chair above. Lots of indoor statues Are you allowed to sit on this. Nothing opulent here.  The mirrored ballroom with a handsome photographer. It even has a disco ball. Go, See, Enjoy, Stay Safe and Photograph Dave

 Locke is a very small town in the Sacramento River Delta. It had a  very diverse population but is best know as a Chinese Settlement. It is still a viable community today. The buildings are old and to be honest it doesn't look like they've done much to them since the early 1900's. It was a very interesting place to visit. Lots of flowers and esoteric stuff.  Go, See, Enjoy, Stay Safe and Photograph, Dave