Unique View of Mount Shasta

by Sherri on October 17, 2008

Mount Shasta, California, as viewed from the dirt road to Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park.

Jeff and I were really jazzed about finally getting to experience Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park, in Northeastern Californa. It had been high on our priority list for a couple of years.

The journey getting there was just as enjoyable for us, as getting to the destination itself. That’s usually the case, whenever we travel off-the-beaten path via dirt roads, back roads, or by four wheel drive. In fact, when we are traveling on a dirt road, our dog Cocoa even gets the nickname “Dirt Road Dog,” because she prefers them too. I’m not kidding! She gets very excited as soon as the road turns to dirt, just like we do.

The scenery on the way into Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park was breathtaking. The photo above was one of our favorite scenes along the way.

Come back soon for photos of Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park!

Leaf Peeping in Plumas County

by Sherri on October 14, 2008

Fall color on the Little Truckee River, Truckee, California.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes the best laid plans don’t pan out. That was the experience Jeff & I just had, during our fall colors trip to Plumas County last week.

If you’ve been following this Photo Blog for awhile, you have been reading about our recent Northeastern California Road Trip we took back in August. In fact, I’m still writing about it.

We fell in love with Plumas County and decided to return in October for an “Awesome Autumn” tour, which this area is known for. Unfortunately, we arrived a little too early. I did my homework. I followed the Awesome Autumn Leaf Peeper Blog for Plumas County. It was recommended to wait a week or so for “peak color,” but that wasn’t something we could do. We went anyway, but it was a huge disappointment. I really expected to see more intense color like we witnessed in Mono County on previous trips. But, that just wasn’t going to happen on this trip. As it turns out, the best color we saw during our nearly 400-mile trip was on the Little Truckee River in Sierra County (see photo above).

For anyone looking for a great “dog friendly” place to stay in Plumas County while you check out the fall colors, we highly recommend the Sierra Sky Lodge. That was the highlight of our trip!

Since the highlight of our trip was our stay at Sierra Sky Lodge, I decided to include several photos I took during our 1 night stay there.

The Sierra Sky Lodge as seen if you are coming from Quincy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The research I did to locate this place really paid off. The owners and staff of the Sierra Sky Lodge are really friendly and helpful and the rates are very reasonable.

Cabin #1, our “dog friendly” cabin for the night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cabin we stayed in was cozy and rustic, just like we like them. It had a fireplace and the most comfortable bed we’ve slept in for a long time. This place actually reminded us of home. That is something we look for, when we’re not camping.

Jeff looking over a Plumas County travel guide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking toward our cabin at the far end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sierra Sky Lodge at night. Our cabin is on the far end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next time we visit Plumas County and we are not camping, we will definitely return to Sierra Sky Lodge!

By the way, our dog Cocoa rates this place four out of four paws on the Paws Scale. If you don’t know about the Paws Scale, check out the California Dog Lover’s Companion Guidebook by Maria Goodavage.

Happy Leaf Peeping!


 

Sulphur Works, Lassen National Park

by Sherri on September 17, 2008


Sulphur Works, Lassen National Park, California

This is one hydrothermal area you can check out that is “dog friendly.” It is just a short walk from the Southwest Entrance Station.

Lake Helen, Lassen National Park

by Sherri on September 15, 2008


Sherri & Cocoa walking along the shoreline at Lake Helen, Lassen National Park, California

One of the things we did while visiting friends in Taylorsville was to do a “day trip” to Lassen National Park.

Unfortunately, dogs are not all that welcome in National Parks.  For us, that makes them a lot less appealing. Our dog travels with us just about everywhere we go. So traveling to National Parks is not something we do often. We are far better off sticking to the State Parks and our favorite travel destinations, which are off-the-beaten-path and lesser known. They have far less restrictions and a lot less people.

While we were at Lassen and our friends were checking out the hydrothermal activity on the “Bumpass Hell Trail,” we opted to hang out at beautiful Lake Helen directly across the road, which also includes a great picnic area.

We really wanted to explore the hydrothermal areas which the park is so well known for, but dogs are not welcome on any of the trails within the National Park. To my knowledge, all national parks (at least in California) are this way. If anyone knows otherwise, please let me know by leaving a message.

Lassen National Park has a lot of things to see. But, it’s really hard to do it any justice, when you travel there with your dog. I would recommend leaving your pooch at home, unless all you want to do is jump out, take a few snapshots and say “I went to Lassen National Park!”

For more information on Lassen National Park, please visit the following links.

http://www.lassen.volcanic.national-park.com/

http://www.nps.gov/lavo/

Ashford Park, Auburn, California

by Sherri on July 23, 2008

Jeff & Cocoa, Ashford Park, Auburn, California

Ashford Park is located in front of the Ashley Memorial Dog Park, on Auburn Ravine Road. It has a nice lawn area, picnic tables, BBQ’s, playground, seasonal creek, pond, one lone duck and an area you can rent for parties, for a very nominal fee.

After we spend an hour or so at the dog park, we like to visit this spot. During the late afternoon, the light here is what photographer’s refer to as “golden light,” or “sweet light.”

It’s the perfect time to capture a few “lifestyle” images of Jeff and Cocoa that will be added to our Lifestyles Stock Photo Gallery.

Visit our Website for links to photo galleries.

Ashley Memorial Dog Park

by Sherri on July 22, 2008

Doggone good times at Ashley Memorial Dog Park, Auburn, California

If you haven’t heard by now, there is a new dog park in town. Finally!

This park has only been open a few weeks and already there are dozens of regular visitors. Some folks and their canine companions visit there nearly every day. [click to continue…]

Happy Father’s Day!

by Sherri on June 15, 2008



Jeff relaxing on our deck, Auburn, California

There are so many things we could do today to celebrate Father’s Day. But, most likely it will be spent at home listening to the live broadcast of the annual Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival in Grass Valley on KVMR, our local radio station.

Oh, I forgot to mention that Jeff is not really a Father. We only have a dog. But, that’s a good enough excuse to take the day off anyway, for a little rest and relaxation.

Happy Father’s Day to all the father’s out there, even if all you have are dogs!

Answer Revealed

by Sherri on June 10, 2008


Jeff mountain biking with Sierra, in Auburn, California

A few days ago, I wrote a post Just for Fun, but didn’t reveal how the image was created until now.

We have a print of the photo above hanging on our living room wall. Just for fun, I wanted to see what would happen if I took a photo of the photo. I tried zooming this photo and this is what I ended up with. 

I really like the unique results. But, this photo clearly is the better of the two, in my opinion.

Wild Sierra Iris

by Sherri on April 26, 2008

wild-iris.jpg

Wild Sierra Iris growing along the Poppy Loop Trail at Hidden Falls Regional Park, in the Sierra Nevada Foothills, Auburn, California

One year ago this past Thursday, Jeff and I spent our 25th anniversary adventuring in Cabo San Lucas. This year we spent it adventuring in our own neck-of-the-woods. Although it wasn’t near as wild as our week in Cabo, it was wild of a different nature.

It was wild as in “wildflowers.”

[click to continue…]

China Wall Staging Area – Foresthill, CA

by Sherri on February 9, 2008

Sherri & Cocoa checking out the Sierra view at China Wall, near Foresthill, California.

We just had one of our best cross country ski days ever, this past Thursday. Jeff, Cocoa and I headed for one of our favorite cross country skiing and snowshoe spots in the Sierras, China Wall.

The conditions couldn’t have been better! There was a 4-5 foot base to ski on and only a dozen or so people were there besides us. The weather was about 45 degrees and just perfect for skiing. And the best part was, the parking area at China Wall had just been plowed the day before. We were actually some of the first people to use the area, since the series of snowfalls we just had.

More photos of the China Wall area and Sugar Pine Reservoir to come. Please check back soon!

Directions to China Wall

China Wall is about 45 minutes from Auburn, on the Foresthill Divide, in the Tahoe National Forest. Take the Auburn-Foresthill Road towards Foresthill. After a mile or so, you will cross the famous Foresthill Bridge, which is quite a site to see and an adventure to drive. Keep going on Auburn-Foreshill Road until you can’t go any further. Park at the China Wall Staging Area parking lot.

Tip

If you are going and you don’t own skis or snowshoes, you can rent them in Auburn at the Sierra Outdoor Center.

If you have any questions about recreation at China Wall, or nearby Sugar Pine Reservoir, please feel free to leave a comment, or email me at sherri@sherrimeyer.com.

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