We are having such fabulous weather; sunny and very warm and today it was perfect for riding on the motorcycle into the Cascade Mountain Range. This morning we decided to take a loop through the Lassen Forest to the Lassen Volcanic National Park via Highway 44 from Redding and back via 89 and 299, all great routes on a bike. The temperature when we left here was 29C (84.2F) and we were wearing shorts but as we started our ascent, we stopped to put on long pants and sweatshirts. At approximately 6,000 feet, the temperature had dropped to 21C (69.8F) and traces of snow from the winter were still very evident. The park was not yet open so although we could drive into it a little and get some pictures, we didn’t see the hot springs or fumaroles.

From the park we drove to the McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park to see the Burney Falls. By then we had removed our extra layers of clothes so we hiked a short distance to the base of the falls where the force of the water really cooled us off in a hurry. In the quaint little town of Burney, we stopped at a small coffee stop for a snack before riding back to Redding.

Approaching the city, the temperature climbed dramatically and as we arrived back at the campground (not a moment too soon), the thermometer was reading 36C (96.8F). Riding the motorcycle was a nice treat particularly in this part of California with such great weather, but between the ride and the heat, we were exhausted and it was only 4:30 PM! In our life, the logical thing to do was nap and so we did…..for four hours! Ya…we had a great day!