Quality Inn Redding

(With apologies to Carly Simon!) Well, it's not ALL just waiting. There's obsessively checking the weather in Rome; revising the packing list; dithering about which luggage to use; shopping for must-haves, and then returning them...Very important step today: got my husband set up to use Skype! Only one big hurdle remains: SHOES!

... with a forecast of sun and high of 55. The road was open and we started our tour through the park, stopping at viewpoints along the way. Soon, however, clouds gathered and winds started to pick up. We were unable to see the top of Lassen Peak and winds prevented us from completing a hike on a ridge that led to some thermal features. Not a total bust, but disappointing nonetheless.

We had a ...

... which was just getting ready to close out for the summer. We ate outside at an Italian restaurant called Pasta Piatti, where we both had fresh salads and split crab cakes. After lunch we split up so Chris could peruse the wine shop and I could take photos. I stopped and bought some essential oil home spray, trying to get that "spa" scent of the Chrysalis Inn ...

... or anywhere else without an escort with a "key card" Luckily I had my key card by mid morning and I was "free to move around" (alone) LOL

There were some issues with one of my sign ins and in the process of trying to fix it, I ended up with my Supervisors authorizations with my sign-in. (promoted my 1st day lol) But that didn't last long, I was soon, demoted back to just me he he.

My trainer, Lynn is really nice and she ...

... we hiked Bumpus’ Hell where there was snow and geysers. We camped in the backcountry. Aaron lent me his tent and he decided to sleep outside. It started pouring, his tent could not withstand the storm and slowly flooded. I was soaked and at around 11 pm I finally mustered up the courage to ask for help. I called to Camille in the next tent over and she invited me in. We squeezed four of us into the 2 person tent – it was much much better ...

... and stuff. it is dangerous stuff!

So basically we are trying to connect two hiking trails to make the Shasta-Trinity trail by August 15th. Our work consists of taking out tree stumps, pulling out big rocks, and making the trail even. It sounds kind of boring but it is actually really fun and we are working on a really beautiful stretch of trail. There is a really nice view of ...

... a story of a search, some detours, and then finding "home." It was so familiar! We were well fed with some of the bounty of their garden and apple trees and are feeling so appreciative of all the good care from the Friends of Oregon. In the morning, Chloe gave us ride to Meeting in Ashland. (We had learned earlier from Ogden that many years ago he and Marjorie had purchased the building in Ashland which houses the South Mountain Friends Meeting, as well as a peace ...

... Sacramento. We planned to get as far as we could before we needed sleep. We passed through several farming towns & drove about 5 hours before needing a motel at Redding. Nath & I checked out the local TJ Max store & bought some cheap clothes before we all crashed after our long night on a plane.

... more, but it was just too hot. We rolled into a Red Lobster for lunch. We all remember how cool it was in there and how refreshing the iced tea was. It was just heavenly after our time in the blistering sun. From that point we were wondering, "hmmm...what can we do that's COOL." So we went to see March of the Penguins at the local movie theater. Watching ...