Lassen

This area was hit with a lightening strike last year and this is just the fringe of the area that was struck. 

The area had a volcanic eruption in 1912. The lava etc makes the land barren for years. 

This is volcanic rock about 5 miles away. 

 Lassen volcano NP Today turned out much different than I thought it would. I had a very good night's sleep and didn't have to get up. The rule appears to be eat early and nothing after 7. Now if I could get the tea going and drink more during the day I might feel good and lose weight. By the way, in addition to paste I am starting to master the word assist that comes with the droit. In general, my spelling should be much better since this thing anticipates the word I am about to insert so I usually only have to hit the space bar after two or three letters. So what was different. I started out of the parking lot of the camp grounds and Samantha was telling me to go back to Ashland. I was going south and I was already south. She said go 39 miles north than west. I checked the map and noted I would be going into the smoke if not the fire. About that time I needed coffee so stopped at McDonald's were I picked up my mail and some info about Mt Shasta. I also witnessed the most hilarious order process. There was a family of four who wanted 3 #6 and 1 # 5 without cheese, two chocolate milk, one coffee, one diet coke. The cashier had a hand written name tag and was about 60. I think she lost everything in the market and has not worked in 30yrs. she kept wiping her brow as she tried to get the order right 2 coffees and 1 white milk and 1 hot chocolate ...2 #6 1# 4 with extra cheese. we were the only people in the place. I went to the bathroom and when I came back the manager had come to help and they had the food correct. I knew they order so when she got it right I said yes. A Mexican got in line when I in the bathroom. His English was very poor but the manager knew his regular order coffee black with 4 cream on the side and 5 sugar. I was in there 17 minutes before one black coffee to go. I was very very very sure that I should not go through the smoke. So I went through the woods and arrived at Lassen np around 11:30 I am now doing laundry for 2.50 wash and 2.00 dry. Will need oil change and tire rotation in Colorado but I am now headed East. The drive through the park is not for the faint hearted. There is little shoulder but little traffic. The scenery is varied with sulfur steam, volcanic rock and the remains of a large forest fire last year. Most folks have campfires and I have a bug off candle but will go to the ranger talk and shower in the morning. Tomorrow is a no destination day my next stop is almost 600 miles away so I will take refuge in Buddha or a state park which ever comes first. Stan said he was getting car sick so we will drive around the park. Glad I have a Park and parking brake and automatic transmission. Happy bonny.