JUST FOR FUN! Catalina or Bust! (Bust!)

I always wanted to be one of those guys hanging out on their little Skipjack 24's or other small power boats Avalon Harbor. We've met them over the years on our trips on the Mako to Catalina. They'd invite us on their boat for a cocktail, and tell us how they are out at Catalina for a few weeks to enjoy the water and sun and just hang out. We bought the Striper in hopes of doing just that - this summer. Hopes dashed :-(

After a week or more of getting the Striper ready for our annual Catalina trip in August, boat partner Mark got to take it over there first. Unfortunately for Mark, he had some major issues with the boat, which he dealt with admirably. However, the problems required fixing back at the barn, and not out on the water, so we bailed on our portion of the trip. Oh well, maybe next year. Problems included: major fuel tank leak, hydraulic steering fluid leak, and engine water pump leak. We should be getting all of these things fixed soon. 

In the meantime, we had a week off of work. What to do? Where to go? We drove back home and did a quick turnaround (we were already in LA with all our stuff for Catalina) for a camping trip to Gold Country and Lassen Volcanic National Park.

This would be our 3rd trip to Gold Country. We took 2 previous trips with the boys, covering the lower 3rd of Gold Country first, followed a few years later by the middle section of Gold Country. This time, we'd be hitting the upper third of Gold Country - from Placerville (aka Hangtown) and north. After a few days, this was a bust for us. Too boring and repetitive, and oriented for tourists. No real opportunities for exploring old mining areas, except when we trespassed on private property.

The only kinda fun stuff was exploring the old Gold Rush era cemeteries, like this one above.

We had previously visited Lassen Volcanic National Park for a few days, and we decided to make the 5 hour drive from Gold Country up to Lassen and give it a shot. We discovered this unique and uncrowded corner of Lassen called Warner Valley and Drakesbad Guest Ranch (hot water baths). We stayed at the uncrowded Warner Valley campground with a site overlooking the Hot Water Creek (which was really cold). We did a hike every day, along well-groomed trails to interesting sites. The weather was mild, with a daily high around 75 degrees. The altitude was mild as well, at about 5,700 feet of elevation. Our favorite trip photos will tell the story of how our cancelled Catalina vacation was saved by Lassen.

Above: Devil's Kitchen Geothermal area.

Above: Drake's Lake (Tim swam across it - it was shallow and warm, at about 78 degrees).

Above: Drakesbad allows a limited number of reservations for breakfast, lunch or dinner for non-guests of the Drakesbad Guest Ranch. We took advantage of the al fresco dinner one night (waiter Joseph serves us some great Prime Rib!).

Above: we have another couple snap a picture of us on the trail.

Above: Crystal clear creek water.

Above: the 98 degree swimming pool at Drakesbad Guest Ranch that we enjoyed each evening after a day of hiking. Not bad!

Above: the terminus of one day of hiking was the "Terminal Geyser".

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