Wednesday
From Lodi we take I-5 for 204 miles to Mountain Gate RV Park just north of Redding, CA. Here, for $33 I get full hook ups, a roomy, clean shower, shade trees, a small dog run and green grass at the campsite.
Joy taking advantage of thick, green grass.
We spend the night in comfort, take a forest walk in the morning, and here we go…through the gate, so to speak, into the mountains.
Thursday
Lake Shasta is beautiful, but where is Mt Shasta? Did I miss it for heaven sake? COULD I miss it?
NO! It’s un-missable! Driving on further on I-5 I get my first glimpse of it.
Picture taken while driving.
I gasp and startle Shiloh because he is so tuned in to my every breath and movement. For awhile there are only glimpses here and there and Shiloh is startled by more gasps, some ‘OMG’s’, a few ‘WOW’s’ and then some prayers of thanksgiving before I burst into songs about mountains like Rocky Mountain High and Take Me Home Country Roads because they are the ones I love.
Mt Shasta looks like it’s painted on the sky.
Remember the line in John Denver’s ‘Take Me Home Country Roads’ that goes:
“dark and dusty, painted on the sky…”
But Shasta is white and gleaming, painted on the sky. Now I understand the idea behind those words…
We reach our 162 mile destination early in the afternoon, Collier Memorial State Park. I drive into our full hook up, pull through site. It’s pretty here with huge Ponderosa Pines and just a one minute walk to where the Williamson River and Cold Creek converge. After lunch we take a leisurely walk there and Joy and Shiloh take a few dips in the COLD water.
And then roll in the long, thick grass at the rivers edge. Rolling seems to be a very important part of this process!
Then more dips and more rolls, and on we go.
it’s a beautiful area.
And our campsite isn’t bad either. Way different than last night…
Back at camp I finally let the good news out to Joy and Shiloh:
Tomorrow we see Kerry and Annabelle!!
Wandering Spirit 
OMG Micky, the mountain is breathtakingly beautiful!!! I simply had to sing along–though I was a bit behind you. 🙂 Those are two of my most favorite songs..have always loved John Denver! And this last campsite is my favorite…my kind of place. Are those other dogs across the water from Joy and Shiloh? What would a good dip be without a good roll, hmm?
Hi Pat (Freespirit). I had to go back and look at the pictures to look for dogs across the river! I did see a couple while we were walking,Naldo on leash with their people, but no they aren’t in any of the pictures as far as I can tell.
I looked up info about Mt Shasta. It’s 14,179 feet high, and in the Cascade Range. It’s a potential volcano.
Just beautiful. That I didn’t need to look up.
You were in Lodi! That’s only about 45 miles from us! Happy travels.
Hi Velda,
I’m sorry I missed you! I have a friend in Sacramento (hi Maureen) and friends in Chico (hi Sophia and Michele) too, and I drove by. I feel bad when that happens. 🙁
Hi Micky! ☺️
Great site. I love this part of California.
Hi Badger Rick,
Yes it’s beautiful with ocean AND mountains AND big trees. I did fail to mention though, that I made it to Oregon, and that’s where Collier Memorial St Pk is. Oregon has rivers…and streams, and creeks…you name it….besides the mountains and ocean and not-quite-so-big-trees. We are camped next to a tiny creek right now, and Joy has put it to good use.
Live the puppy dogs enjoying the water and rolling amongst the green grass.