Shasta Journey, Part I

Hippie folk chainsaw carvings appropriately-themed for the McCloud Mushroom Festival.

Shot around 5:45am Saturday morning, leaving Redding. On the horizon is the first ridge we could discern heading north on I-5. Redding is the northern terminus California's Central Valley, and the largest city in the northern third of the state, and only one with a mall, according to a freebie guide book for tourists Robin picked up. Friday's adventures didn't make the cut--it was just mad rush home while Robin got the rental car, we loaded it in a hurry, then got on the road to the Motel 6 in Redding as quickly as possible. Ate decent Indian food at Priya.

Above and below, predawn photos of Shasta Lake, by far the fullest I've ever seen it, which isn't a surprise since the previous times were during the 3rd and 4th year of that devastating drought.

Above and below: more shots of Shasta Lake, from a rest stop halfway to Dunsmuir.

Our first stop once we got close to Mount Shasta? The Shasta sacred springs. This is the source of Sacramento River, and these waters flow past Vallejo under the Carquinez Bridge, ultimately flowing into the Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Extremely pure water, thousands of years old. Every chance we got, we re-filled our 3 gallon water bottle. This morning around 7am we saw three Tibetans filling up water bottles there--about 20-30 ten gallon ones. They were kind and let me in to fill my one puny one.

OK, not my first view of Mt. Shasta on Saturday, just the first one upon entering the Old Mill Town of McCloud for the Mushroom Festival, where Robin was selling her mushroom regalia this weekend.

Setting up booths at the Festival, while Shasta (a LOT more snow on it than I've ever seen before) looks on with life-giving beatitude.

I'm guessing this was probably some sorta Gem Saloon (Deadwood reference) situation in the really old days. If you want whiskey (or whatever your sin is), it can be had elsewhere in McCloud, but this place is completely family-oriented. I had a surprisingly good double espresso here on Saturday. Surprised I never caught the whiff of tobacco or cannabis during the fair. 

Above and below: an actual Steam Engine. Really doesn't get anymore steam punk than this.

Shot while taking Frances for a walk.

Above and below: most of the food at this Festival looked horrendous. Example: Indian Fry Bread topped with what appeared to be processed meat, shredded Iceberg lettuce and probably some kinda Ranch Style Dressing. To each their own. Here's the culinary highlights, IMHO, and we indulged in these dishes several times. Top left: mushroom tacos with aioli. Top right: calamari salad--unbelievably good. Perfectly cooked calamari topped with chopped garlic and parmesan, over some lettuce. Below: freshly grown & harvested Micro-greens/Sprouts. Better than a wheatgrass shot. I bought 2 of these each day to share with Robin--that vendor said I was their best customer, and gave me a free one for the road!

Lower Falls of the McCloud River. We almost camped here, but the sites were full, being Memorial Day weekend. But we did hear that this is a great place for trout fishing. Next time, we'll come prepared.