Lure of the west......................

.............California truly is a beautiful state, 

as anyone who lives there or has visited there 

knows only too well.

4th of July, 2013

We spent much of Independence Day in the air - 

leaving the rains of the southeast behind - Raleigh to 

Atlanta to Sacramento.......

to visit dearest friend Paula at her Summer lake house.  

This visit we flew into Sacramento rather than our usual destination of Reno. The scenery was stunning, the fertile fields of the San Joaquin Valley were laid out below like a jigsaw puzzle as we made our approach.

Picked up our rental car and were soon on our way northeast. 

Three plus hours driving through orchards as far as the eye could see - trees laden with peaches, apricots, walnuts and almonds - so beautiful, and a long drive through hairpin switchbacks through an amazing canyon and an ancient forest of tall pines................

.................on toward stunning Lassen National Park presided over by towering Mount Lassen volcano. As we drew closer to our final destination, beautiful Lake Almanor, friends were waiting including dear ones visiting from Australia.......so exciting!

Mt. Lassen - Lake Almanor, California

July 5, 2013

We're having a fabulous time on the water including celebrating Bob's birthday yesterday. Tomorrow we head to Oregon, a long day's drive to meet a lovely blog friend at long last.  

More soon dear friends.

Linking today to A Favorite Thing Saturday at Claudia's Mockingbird Hill Cottage.