Red Bluff, California: Dave had quite a varied Father's Day. The temperature was predicted to be 110° in Red Bluff... but Red Bluff is only one hour from his very favorite (at 7000+ feet elevation) National Park - Lassen Volcanic. Did I mention, ever, that My Driver has a degree in Geology from the University of Oregon? To a geologist, Lassen Volcanic is basically a candy store. Everything (ala Yellowstone) is still alive, bubbling, moving, steaming, growing, changing and stinking. But, unlike Yellowstone, Mt. Lassen last erupted in 1915 - nearly yesterday to a geologist. The area is alive with volcanic activity.
There is a highway (89) directly through the park, but, due to the amazing amount of snowfall received over the winter, the road is not yet fully open. We knew this but decided to explore what we could. Anything to avoid the oven of the valley.

We drove east on Highway 36 from Red Bluff to the visitor center and continued just a bit to where the road was closed.


The Sulphur Works area shows how boiling water, deep underground, mixes with gases and rises to the Earth's surface. Rain water and snow melt combine with the gases and heat-loving microorganisms to break down the volcanic rock , turning it all into an acidic sloppy bubbling clay. Totally stinky, as well, due to the sulphur gas.
A short video for your enjoyment. Thankfully, you cannot smell the sulphur in the video.

Though the road was closed to cars at the Sulphur Works point, the road was plowed for eight miles beyond. Visitors were free to walk, ride bikes or even snowboard (we saw this!) via the road.




Though it was not possible to traverse the park today, we back-tracked a bit and then took a right to meet up with the highway from Redding that enters the national park on the north side. We wanted to finally see the famed Sundial Bridge in Redding.
Opened on the 4th of July in 2004, the pedestrian bridge crosses the Sacramento River, while the base never touches the water and the floor of the bridge is made with glass panels - to cast as little shadow as possible - all to help the salmon spawning, swimming and living in the river.
The bridge is a major tourist attraction in Redding and is very easy to find/access. Not such a fun activity in 110-degree weather, though.


The Sundial Bridge is part usable pedestrian bridge, part art installation and an actual working sundial. On the summer solstice, the bridge tells time!





We drove 30 miles south on I-5 to our motorhome in Red Bluff and prepped dough to bake a very simple cheese pizza - and a Caesar salad. We dined outdoors, as the temperature had dropped to ONLY 100 degrees.

Happy Father's Day to all!
Until my next update, I remain, your volcanic correspondent.
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That time (in 2001) when we hiked to the top of Mt. Lassen
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