Our Time in Redding, California

This is Sunday, September 2, 2018.  So far our time here in Redding has been very interesting, very hot and very smoky.  It’s 102 degrees out right now…1 PM!!  Guess we’ll be inside until the sun starts to go down and hopefully the smoke will lift and drift away!

Our mobile repair guy came out Monday morning and fixed what he could.  He found a major problem with some hose that carries coolant to the engine.  Evidently it was about to burst and we wouldn’t know it until the engine was ruined!  He called around and found a repair shop, but they couldn’t get us in until Thursday!  The campground we were in was gracious to shuffle things around so we could stay until then.

We thought we’d make lemonade out of lemons, so we decided to make the most of our time here!

The first thing we saw was the Sundial Bridge that goes across the Sacramento River.  The floor is made out of glass and metal.

 

It was a semi-smoky day, so all the exhibits weren’t open at this park.  

 

One interesting fact that we weren’t aware of is that salmon run up the Sacramento River to spawn!

 

 

We took a drive out to see Shasta Lake and Shasta Dam.  We ran into some of the fire damage from the Carr Fire.  There are hot spots and a fire now burning not too far from the north end of Shasta Lake.  It is a huge lake and several miles from us.

There are signs around town thanking the firefighters and first responders for all their hard work.

Shasta Lake was pretty impressive!  The smoke was pretty thick so we couldn’t see a long distance very well.

The last 2 pictures show a hot spot the rangers were watching.

 

I wondered if John was going to miss his deer hunting this year!  I think he would have done pretty well if it hadn’t been for these does at the dam.  And then, around the corner…guess what?!  Buck fever is now in full force!!

 

 

One of the reservations we had to cancel was our trip to Crater Lake.  But this little glitch didn’t stop us!!

On our drive to Crater Lake we could see the smoke hanging in the air like a cloud.  We finally drove out of it and saw the sun for the first time in a few days!!

 

Then we saw Mount Shasta.  There’s snow on it!

 

We had a great drive to Crater Lake.  Lots of scenery.  Then we arrived…OH MY GOODNESS!!  What a beautiful sight!!  Our God is an awesome God!!  His creation is mind boggling!  It was so quiet and serene there.  The lake is much bigger than I had thought it would be.  It was formed when a volcano collapsed.  It is 1943 feet deep and 4.5 -6 miles wide. Annual snowfall is 43 feet!  And the last time it froze over was 1949.

 

 

We did not take our rv up there!!

 

  

 

 

This is Wizard Island.  You can take a boat tour to get over there.

 

 

 

 

What a wonderful day!

 

On the way back to Redding, we went through a town called Weed!!   I wonder if they sell those t-shirts??

 

On Thursday, we took the motorhome in to the repair shop.  It became evident pretty early that a part was going to be ordered.  Now what?  The campground we were in was full for the Labor Day Weekend.  We did find one that had room for us for as long as we needed.  They have been very helpful!  And they have green grass here!!   Lucky is much happier!  (As we are!)

While we were waiting for the repair guys to do their thing, we went to Burney Falls.  Everything is within an hour or 2 drive from here, so it’s been easy to take day trips.  Burney Falls is a very pretty falls at a state park.

There is a second falls above the big one in the previous pictures.  Look closely!

 

 

 

At the time we thought we’d only need an additional night or 2 here.  But,…the part didn’t come in on Friday, like we had hoped.  We’re still making lemonade!!   So, we’re here until Wednesday.  Hopefully they can get it done on Tuesday and we’ll leave Wednesday.  We’re missing our time at the Columbia Gorge and Mount Ranier, but “Oh, well!”  Worse things could happen.  Like the Carr Fire.

We drove out to Whiskeytown, near where the Carr Fire started.  1300 families have lost their home.  The mandatory evacuations were within 1/2 mile of the campground we are staying at.  It is terrible.  The fire is 100% contained, but they are still trying to put out hot spots.  The national park is only partially opening for the weekend.  It smells and there is a ton of ash on the ground.  And the smoke continues to hang.  We have spent a lot of time in the motorhome this week.

The following pictures don’t even touch what the devastation looks like.  But it is in our minds forever.   Thank God for the brave men and women that saved this town, and all the other towns around.  We should be very grateful for them to put their lives on the line for everyone.

  

 

 

The national park has updated all their signs at the visitor center with information about the Carr Fire.

 

 

 

We found a church to attend this morning!  Mount Calvary!  What a friendly congregation!  It was so good to be able to worship this morning!  We thank God for the many blessings he has given us, for the opportunity to worship him and receive His holy body and blood, and for keeping us safe!   God’s blessings to all of you!  Love you!

 

On to unknown adventures!!

 

The sunrise!