Lassen National Park Trip 2024

The second major outdoor trip of the summer was to Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California. As with the prior trip, the camping reservations for this trip were made 6 months prior. 

This was a location that M1 and I had driven past on our return drive during our epic 2022 adventures, but he didn't feel up to stopping at that time. Given that it's about 6 hours from our home and my local cousin suggested we take a joint trip to potentially see distant family in the Mt Shasta area, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to combine the two destinations, while also trialing M2 on her first non-infancy roadtrip. 

The good news is that in general M2 did great on this trip and it gives me high hopes for potential opportunities in the coming years. 

Day 1: The kids and I drove from our home to Manzanita Lake Campground, where we stayed for two nights with my cousin and her daughter. We stopped at the Riverfront Park in Grants Pass for lunch and play time (playground, water play, river access, shaded areas), which was a great location on a hot day. I haven't spent a ton of time in Grants Pass and from what I saw, I'm hoping to go back to check out more (including the jet boat tours with M1). 

We arrived to the campsite during the late afternoon and were able to get our tent set up and mostly settled in before dinner. I have to say that I quickly realized that tent camping with a toddler AND a 7 year old is a whole other can of worms and not something I'd truly want to do solo. 

Soon after dinner, M2 decided to head out for the nearby lake, which was her longest "hike" to date, but it was great to see her exploring and for M1 and I to check out the lake too. 

It didn't take long for me to realize that this was not my favorite campsite. Each site is fairly stacked on top of each other with no real vegetation separating campers from their neighbors. As can also be the case, we happened to have a group (in a non group site) that didn't respect quiet hours, so getting the kids (and ourselves) to bed was a bit of a challenge. There are a couple of other camping options in this particular park, but the only other site I saw (Summit Lake) seemed to be pretty similar in design. We were at least fortunate that our site backed up to the campground boundary, which meant no one was behind us and it provided ample space for the kids to play (and with other campers too).

Day 2: One of the perks of Lassen Volcanic National Park is that it's not as busy as many of the other national parks, as it's a bit lesser known. We didn't really have to handle large crowds anywhere while we were out exploring. But I would also note that there was no cell reception within the park.

I'd had high hopes to get our crew out on a hike on Day 2, but for a variety of reasons that didn't happen. (Chaos Crags seemed like the best option and the trailhead was located nearby.) In the morning we explored the Loomis Museum, which had some neat opportunities to learn about the volcanic blast that occurred and the animals that live here, while also getting Junior Ranger packets for the kids. We decided to pack the 5 of us into one vehicle and drive most of the road through the park. We made a couple of stops along the way, but unfortunately the Bumpass Hell trail was still closed due to snow, so we didn't get to see one of the major draws to the park. We did explore both the Devastated Area and the Kings Creek Meadow Area. The kids had a blast playing on the remaining snow at the Kings Creek Meadow Area and I also caught a few frogs for the kids to check out. In hindsight, we should have driven on to the Sulphur Works Area as well....

In the afternoon, the kids played in Manzanita Lake, while M2 napped and then we headed back to the campsite. M1 had his bike and his cousin had her scooter and they had a great time spending the evening riding around the campground and playing with other kids. 

Day 3: On our final morning, after mostly breaking camp, I took M2 on the almost 2 mile hike around Manzanita hike. There were some gorgeous views of the mountain, a really neat trail section of ash, and loads of wildlife (various ducks with ducklings, a deer and two fawn, and ground squirrels). M1 and his cousin stayed back to continue to play with the campground kids. 

Once we got back to the campsite, we finished loading up and then headed out on the 1.5 hour drive to the Mt Shasta area, where we were staying for the night. While there were several stops I'd thought about making along the way (Burney Falls, Subway Caves, other hiking), it was hot, M2 ended up napping, and so we ended up driving straight through. 

We did a quick drive thru Mt Shasta and spent an hour at the Mt Shasta City Park, before deciding to head to our reservation for the night. If you're traveling in the area, I'd highly recommend a night or two at Cave Springs Resort in Dunsmuir (especially post camping). We'd rented one of their 2 bedroom renovated cabins (they also have 100 year old vintage cabins, hotel rooms, AND airstreams available to rent). While the town of Dunsmuir wasn't a place I'd really go to vacation, Cave Springs and the take out pizza were both great! We all thoroughly enjoyed having a hot shower, eating pizza on the deck, attempting to swim in the (cold) pool, board games and AC in the cabin, and the communal lawn games, swing set, and zip line for the kids. 

Day 4: On our way out of town, I really wanted to check out Hedge Creek Falls since it was RIGHT there next to the onramp to the interstate, but given the lack of AC in my car and the projected super hot day, the kids and I headed out of town early to try to beat the heat en route to home. We made our halfway stop at Millsite Park in Myrtle Creek, OR and I was again pleasantly surprised: a covered playground, loads of green fields to run in, an old covered bridge to explore, pretty decent bathrooms, and a path for M1 to bike around. While I wouldn't usually have planned on stopping here, it turned out to be a really great "pit stop" on our return trip... and got enough of our wiggles out to get us back home in one piece. :) 

This trip had a lot of "oh my gosh" moments that I didn't include here and there's plenty that we didn't see that would have been really great add-ons for our time there. Mt Shasta reminded me a lot of Flagstaff (a few things to do in town but mostly lots of outdoor adventure opportunities). While the town didn't overly appeal to me, I could definitely see myself going back to the general area to explore a few more of those outdoor opportunities that we didn't hit on this trip. 

The other big irony of this trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park is that it dawned on me that I've yet to even check out Mount St. Helens... so it's now added to the list for next year. :)

For other suggestions on Lassen National Park and/or the Mt Shasta area, look here, here and here. 

Olympic National Park Trip 2024

To start the summer of 2024 off, M1 and I made a 4 night, 5 day trip to the Olympic Peninsula to explore Olympic National Park. This was our second time here together, as we made our maiden trip in 2019 when M1 was 2. 
As things book out so early these days, the reservations for this trip were made 6 months in advance, once the slots became available in the reservation system.

Our general itinerary was the following:

Day 1: We drove to the peninsula (with a quick stop in Portland to visit friends) and spent the night with an old friend of mine who lives on a tiny lake near Bremerton. M1 had a blast riding in a motor boat around the lake, taking a kayak out solo for the first time, learning a different technique of how to start a fire (the log cabin method), and he also finally caught his first fish! Definitely a fun stop and it was really wonderful to see my friend and his wife after so many years. Their life at their lake house is a dream. :) 

Day 2: We left their house after a late breakfast (and a kayak across the lake) and headed for Kalaloch campground. As we got near the campground, we stopped at the ranger station to get the Junior Ranger booklet and passport stamps. We learned about nurse trees and really enjoyed chatting with the older ranger who works there. After that, we got set up at our campsite; walked the beach, investigated the cool Tree of Life, gathered skipping rocks and skipped in the waves (4 was the most), and gathered colored rocks hidden amongst the bigger stones. After our chaurterie dinner at our campsite & brushing teeth, we walked back to the beach overlook to check out sunset & then ended our evening picking up nurdles & plastic trash from the beach, per M1's request.

In general, this campground was a great location close to the beach. There was some minor road noise and the sites were close together but with lots of vegetation between them, it wasn't that bad. We had a decent night of sleep. 

Day 3: After waking M1 up at 730, breakfasting and breaking camp, we drove an hour through the mist to the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center. We got to the entrance about 9am and it was already side parking only. During the summer months, getting to the entrance station by 9am is a must unless you want to wait for up to 1-2 hours later in the day. Upon arrival, we investigated the small visitor center and then hiked the Hoh trail to the first small waterfall (2.7-3m one way). The trail itself was really muddy but we had an entertaining time making it through and we also stopped to check out the river along the way (and found hundreds of tadpoles in a lil pond). After we made it back to the Visitor's Center, we refueled and then drove to our campsite at Fairholme to set up camp (1.5 hrs). 

After setting up camp, we decided to drive to Sol Doc Resort, where we ate dinner at the resort and then enjoyed the hot springs during the 6-730pm slot. While the hot springs were busy, it wasn't overwhelming and overall both M1 and I thought it was a great highlight to our trip. Sol Doc requires that you purchase a time slot, but reservations in advance weren't needed. They have showers on site and towels available for purchase. These are developed hot springs and there are 2 warm/hot pools, a warm baby wading pool, and then a cold plunge regular sized pool. Most the adults gravitated toward the warm/hot pools, while kids seemed to alternate between the warmer options and the cold plunge pool. 

We both slept really well that night! :)

Day 4: We were still at the Fairholme campground for another night, which is by far, one of the best developed campsites I've stayed in. I got to read and enjoy the hammock while M1 slept in and then we walked to the Fairholme store (just past the boat ramp) after breakfast. There are kayak rentals available (4 hrs at a time), but the water was too choppy on that side of the lake to kayak. The store attendant suggested checking out the Log Cabin Lodge on the other side of the lake, as it's a bit more protected and with smoother water typically. Rentals from the Lodge were a better deal at $20/hr (but it was a bit lame as while it was calmer, there are restricted areas). We kayaked for about 45 minutes in a tandem kayak and then we walked the Spruce Railroad Trail to Devils Punchbowl and thru the old railroad tunnel, which was about a 2-2.5m round trip. (The trail is about 4 miles one way and connects over to near the Fairholme campground--could be a great bike option for a round trip outing!)

On our way back to the Fairholme campground, we decided to stop and hike Marymere Falls. The trailhead here was definitely busier but this was an easy 1.5m round trip hike. We also checked out Lake Crescent Lodge as it was in the same area (which was super historic & cool with an incredible view of lake). 

Post hike 2, we made dinner back at camp & then checked out the campground by exploring the other camp site loops, walking the shoreline trail (near the walk-in tent sites) and visited with some fellow campers for awhile. 

The campground in general has hills but felt more natural than many campground settings with lots of trees and greenery and a bit more space than some campgrounds. Some of the walk-in sites were also right along the shore and could be cool options to experience.

Day 5, after breaking camp, we intended to hike Madison Falls off Elwha on the way back, but due to timing and construction, we ended up not stopping. We did stop at the main ONP Visitor Center in Port Angeles and M1 got his Junior Ranger badge there. We made a quick pit stop at Potlatch State Park before leaving the peninsula and making the long, hot drive back to Eugene (due to construction and holiday traffic).

Highlights of this particular trip: 

• Sol Duc Hot Springs

• Kalaloch beach, Tree of Life, and colored stones

• Kayaking Lake Crescent 

• Fairholme Campground

On prior ONP trips, I or we:

• Explored Ruby Beach

• Camped at Hoh Campground

• Camped at Sol Duc Campground

• Hiked Sol Duc Falls (& beyond) 

• Explored Hurricane Ridge (by far the best ONP visitor center)

• Relished the beauty of Port Townsend 

While this trip checked off most of my remaining ONP sites that I'd wanted to experience, I'd also love to come back at some point in the distant future and spend a kidless night or two in the Lake Crescent Lodge or lakefront cabins--definitely dreamy. :) And a side trip to Cape Flattery, the northwestern tip of the contiguous US, could be cool as well. 

A Minimalist Refocus for Our Life

Image from Pinterest.

So....I've always been one with a heart toward minimalism. Some of this derives from my environmental tendencies that is based on the belief that we don't need all.the.things that marketing tries to convince us to need. Some of this is based on the health outcomes of just living more simply, with less to muddle our minds, our houses, our bodies, our relationships etc. Some of this is based on the various reading and research I did in my early 20s regarding simpler and more natural living.

Yet, while I rarely have issues with downsizing my THINGS or simplifying ITEMS, anyone who knows me would probably report that I am consistently known for STRIVING toward MORE in my life via ACHIEVEMENT. This usually means day dreams, research, or planning about the type of house I'd like to eventually own, the next degree I'd like to obtain, the next stage my child will be in, the next trip I'd like us to take, and generally where I'd like life to be in the next 1-5 years. While this doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing, as it means I'm constantly trying to push myself toward a better version of myself and I like to be moving life forward in some form..... it does become exhausting, it can be a waste of time, and it does usually lead toward some level of dissatisfaction with the present. When I'm consistently focusing on where I want life to be rather than where life is, then I'm not really being fully present, nor am I practicing gratitude for what I already have, nor am I fully trusting that the right doors will open as they should in the future. 

Dissatisfaction is one of my biggest personal struggles, even when I have so incredibly much to be grateful for in my life. I am incredibly privileged both within the US and from a global scale. I have more than enough food to eat, a loving home that we share with my parents, a large loving family and an incredible social network. We have numerous opportunities to spend quality time together, to engage in the hobbies we love, to appreciate the days we're growing old in. Yet how often have I found myself wishing we were back in our own home or living on property, or that I'd done x, y or z faster or sooner (even when I know the time wasn't right). Even though where we are RIGHT NOW is the absolute best setting for everyone. 

Thus when I saw the second to last line in this meme shared above (LET GO OF ATTACHMENT TO DOING, HAVING MORE) it truly hit home for me. My son and I, we have enough. We're quite content and while our current situation may not fit the norm of society, it's what's best for both of us RIGHT NOW. 

It also pushed me to truly reflect upon the life that I've lived and how much is left to live. Why am I striving when there might be so many years left to accomplish that which weighs on my heart? Why not trust that each of those doors will open in their own right time and location? Why not truly trust that we really are where we are to be for right now? 

Based on my family history, unless some fluke occurs or the world ends :), more than likely I'm just a few years into my second third or second fourth of my life. The first quarter was spent doing all the things I was "supposed to do" and yet even then I felt that I hadn't accomplished enough. I spent my 25th birthday feeling like I hadn't arrived to where I wanted to be, even though by 26 I had two masters degrees, had completed my undergrad in three years, and had traveled or lived in several countries. The next decade brought a failed and short marriage, much domestic and international travel, an immense amount of self-taught outdoor skills and experiences, intense self-awareness and growth, finding my professional niche, and the arrival of an adorable baby boy who seems to take after his always striving mother :) To say that there has been an overwhelming amount of life lived in this first 1/3ish of life, leaves me being okay with again trying to slow down and appreciate this middle third of life. 

With so much under my belt and so much left to live, it's truly time for me to embrace a new level of minimalism (and to set the example for my son) that while it's important to push yourself forward, it's equally important to BE PRESENT and FULLY ENJOY the journey. There (hopefully) is plenty of time to enjoy the items on the "to do" list that remain, and for now, it's most important to just delight in the journey, trusting that the doors we need for now will remain open, and enjoying the opportunity to appreciate these important years together. 

Minimalism....to a whole new level. :)

Graduation Letter to a Nephew

Dear Nephew,

Here you are on the cusp of a major life transition and it seems like just yesterday you were that fluff haired little boy. Over the last two years, it’s been especially wonderful to watch you start to come into a bit more of your own and I’m excited to watch the coming years unfold.

In the end you will make all your own decisions and as much as we can offer you wisdom and thoughts for along the way, you will create a life that is all your own. While I hope it’s a fairly smooth process, more than likely there will be lots of bumps along the way. So here’s a conglomeration of things I’ve learned along the way and/or wish to offer for you to think upon:

1)      When/if the shit hits the fan, you might be tempted to hate all of life for awhile and that’s okay. Let yourself be pissed, confused, sad….but also lay the steps to start moving yourself forward to less cloudy days. Eventually the sun always shines again and even when we don’t know where the hell He is….He’s usually pulling for us and trying to get us back on a path toward Him.

2)      LIVE. And I mean really do it. Talk to people who are different from you, try new things (minus drugs….DON’T do drugs J), challenge yourself, learn something outside of your box, TRAVEL. Your 20s are all about figuring out who you really are (a process you’ll repeat over and over throughout life) so allow yourself the opportunities to do so. Which leads me to….

3)      Take the time to question your beliefs and who you are. Are they yours or the beliefs of society, your parents, your schooling etc? Evaluate what you really believe and why. Be able to back up why you believe a certain way. Use this process to create your value system and use that value system as your foundation from which you operate and make future decisions. Know yourself and what you stand upon. Be aware of both your strengths and weaknesses. Edit and alter as needed throughout life.

4)      Pick a career that you’re passionate about and that will meet your basic financial needs. Be open to the idea that you might change careers multiple times during your life and allow yourself the space to do so if you feel called to make the change. Excess money doesn’t breed happiness, debt doesn’t breed happiness, so make smart financial choices. If you choose to go to grad school…..wait until you really know what you want to do—it’s a big financial endeavor.

5)      Get an education but always remember that education comes from more than just book learning. Life is a process of constantly learning.

6)      Set goals….and achieve them. It’s important to lay out a plan, but also recognize that the best made plans are made in pencil. Sometimes life alters our plans and that’s okay, but still make sure you accomplish goals in some form. A plan heads us in a direction even if the accomplished end point is different than our intention.

7)      Make time to travel. Take road trips, buy the plane tickets, visit the off the beaten path towns, take the time to see something new each year even if it’s just 50 miles away. Be a local not a tourist, but sometimes be a tourist in your own town. So often we live places without truly appreciating and experiencing them.

8)      Pick up new hobbies throughout your life. Engage your mind in new pursuits and creativity. Don’t be afraid to try something new, even at 90.

9)      Don’t be afraid to discard things that no longer serve you but hold on to a few really good things for the long haul. Friendships change and end and sometimes come back around again.

10)   Pick a partner who compliments you and who operates from your same value system. Recognize that you both with change over time. Always keep your word and remember that actions speak louder than actual words. Communicate, allow for separate interests, and yet make sure that you cherish and respect each other.

11)   Be mindful of health. Your health is one of your greatest gifts. Cherish your individual health, the collective health of society, the health of the planet. But also remember that sometimes you just need to drink the milkshake and eat the bacon burger.

12)   Be a steward. GIVE to others without expecting. Take care of your environments and take care of people near and far. How you treat the people and world around you speaks more than anything else.

13)   Always pack an extra change of clothes/shoes, valid ID, a credit card, a snack, cash, and condoms. Carry these in your car & make sure they’re always in your luggage.

14)   Grant grace—to yourself and others. We are all flawed. We all fail. We all make mistakes. Forgive others. Forgive yourself. Learn from seemingly negative experiences and turn bitter into sweet.

15)   Be self-sufficient and independent. Learn how to do things on your own and develop a skill-set to be able to do a variety of regular tasks. But also don’t be afraid to ask for help or assistance. There will be seasons in your life of independence and seasons of dependence. Be able to exist in either one.

I’m proud of you. I love you. Congrats on this closing chapter and here’s to the one to come!

Much love,

Aunt Liz