Junior Traveler Journal
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Deadly Dragon Flys Clones
We went for a walk along the shore of the Summit Lake in the Lassen Volcanic National Park. Clouds of dragonflies were raising from the water-growies and nearby bushes with every our step. Oliver has a field day chasing them, but Sean did not like that a bit. It did not help telling him that they do not bite. He hurried back to the car and closed the door quickly behind him. I had to follow him and only from a distance saw all the fun Ollie and Grandma were having...
Rotten Mud Pots
They are called the Sulfur Works and show the earth forces at work. We were sure the young travelers would love those. Again the smell of rotten eggs was to much for Sean. After taking advice and positioning himself down the wind he was able to enjoy himself more although still cupping his nose with his hands. Oliver was soaking in the views...
A Waterfall
This was a great success. The best waterfall of the trip - totally worth the price of the admission and the extra drive. We hiked around the falls and got to the top part where travelers saw the Osprey sitting on the nest. Later they swam in the Britton Lake - they first ever swim in water other than a pool...
Crater Lake
We hiked the 2 miles to the view point. Oliver liked the Phantom Ship Island but it was on the opposite side of the lake (we were at the Wizard Island side of the Lake). The road was partially closed, but we drove to the end to get as close to the Phantom Ship as possible. Than we came back to the Lodge just in time for lunch.
Lava Caves
Here the heroes shinned probably the brightest. We stopped at the Visitor Center and walked first through the Mushpot Cave that was quite civilized with lights and fairly even floor. The Ranger gave us some advice on what to see, so we rented two big flashlights and went exploring. We hiked in the Sunshine Cave with big natural sky lite in the center - it ended in a steep sections and we retraced our steps. The biggest attraction Ranger promised will be the Sentinels with two entrances - he suggested starting and the lower entrance and walk back. This was the biggest adventure ever properly recounted by the artist. Both Sean and Oliver, holding the only flashlights in the pitch black darkness (we tried it for a moment but one of the heroes was quick with bringing the glow back) were incredibly helpful in shining the way for the helpless Grandma and Grandpa. Thank to their efforts happy end was assured.
Canoeing
The lady purveyor had only single occupancy kayaks or double sitting canoes. This longer and broader boat offered more comfort, but proved harder to navigate. We had chosen (wisely) to start upstream to make getting back to the port a breeze. The first boat (called by the artist GMO for GrandMa & Oliver) was cutting the current sooner since the sage Grandpa was the only brave enough to get his feet wet. Second boat (called here GPS - for GrandPa & Sean) was following right behind. On the way back the young muscular sailors were swapped and the boats practically flew back to the harbor for the boats return. There the main crew went to check out the trampoline leaving the trifle task of dragging the boats ashore to the trampoline-an-alphabet - Gandpa.
Snow
The snow-works started right away on the trip or as soon as we reached proper elevation. In the Lassen Volcanic National Park the uppermost part of the main Park road passed by the Lassen Peak Trail-head Parking - the snow banks were up to 6 meters high. In Crater Lake there were whole fields of this fluffy stuff - Oliver and Sean build a small snowman and since it was small it was only natural they named it Pete in honor of their beloved younger brother sitting this one out with Banky and Sunny.
A, B. C's
Sean liked to show off his prowes, so not only he was authoring all the pictures and notations in this Journal - he scared Oliver off with his perfection. Grandma and Grandpa were devastated that the rangers at the Crater Lake national Park Bookstore had only one of those fine books for sale. We can only imagine what a masterpieces were lost without Oliver's engagement.
Big Tree
This Park was tough for the travelers. They saw one tree - they saw them all. Oliver was quite vocal about it but we were able to distract them enough to hike the 2 miles to get to this tree. It was bigger that Sean imagined and even Oliver was impressed.
Giant Boulders
Here Oliver was in his element. Without an effort he was on the top of the tallest boulder making Grandma and Grandpa head spin. Sean, always the sage thinker amazed himself by sticking closer to the ground to Grandma's relief. Finally Grandma called it a day especially knowing that there was not even cell phone reception here in between those giant stones if something unthinkable happen and she did not want to relay on her magic alone.
Blackberry and Raspberries
Sean and Oliver spotted the magic bushes on the side of the trail after a very, very, very long hike. Again Oliver was first to inform us of his state of mind. This is poison oak announced Sean with the air of certainty like the ages of research had spoken. Grandma took a look at them and using her magic power made them to be just the wild raspberries. Sean was ecstatic and even Oliver forgot that he was extremely tired or bored or both. The hunt for the delicious red berries continued and they were rare - most of the berries had to still wait their turn and bask in the sun some more. Th Sean and Oliver delight further down the path we encounter even more bushes - this time it were the blackberries! Certainly Grandma was a powerful sorceress to make so many of the appear or Oliver was just lucky. But in the end Sean was the one to find the most of those delicious berries. He and Grandma brought hands full of them to the car where Oliver and Granpa were waiting for them thinking that it was the great effort of sorcery that made them stop by the loo. Turned out they were busy after encountering new stand of ripe berries covered bushes - so busy in fact that they did not alert Oliver and Grandpa to that fact. Reunited we rejoiced and they SHARED!!!!
Lighting Tree
This tree was a big success with the travelers. They marveled at it's shape and what caused it. The following tram ride overshadowed all that, though.