First stop… Shasta Caverns and a boat ride to the cave.

We each received multiple cave kisses (drops from stalactites).
Over 600 steps to climb… High rating from each of us.

Hike to a Vista point at Castle Crags… With perfect views of Mount Shasta which followed us much of the day.  Trinity Mountain range doesn’t disappoint.

A visit to tranquil Castle Lake was the icing on the cake.

Now on to Oregon.

Next day Crater Lake with perfect weather. First stop Wildflower Garden where we found almost no blooms but a hoard of mosquitoes lying in wait. Got us all, we fled and found hillsides of posies most everywhere else… Skip the Wildflower Garden when you go.

The lake was breathtaking…

Snow … in July?

The trip continued to Natural Bridges Lava Tube…a short hike and magical and tranquil as the river runs underground.

On to a hike to Tokette Falls… So worth it. But first past a huge, ancient wooden water pipe with many leaks.

A morning stop @ Glass Forge of Grants Pass was terribly tame before our river raft on the Rogue.

A very mild version of long calm stretches and some rapids up to class 3.

Shivam bravely took the single person kayak, paddling well for long stretches and navigating some rapids. Brave, methinks and it made him happy and us nervous. He’s ready for more and more challenging.

Swim in the pool caps the day!!!

Tree House Zip-lines… Invigorating and challenging… My 80th Birthday stretch. We all recommend it.

Six different trips, different heights and speeds. Climb a tree…

Tallest tree platform was 75′ up.

Three of the zip lines traveled 650 feet each – almost flying

Whee

On to Oregon Caves. 4000 foot altitude impacted the climbing.
Jerry and Shivam think the Shasta Caverns had more and more interesting formations. Betty was only able to do 1/2 the hike because of the uneven stairs and low passages… My 80 year old body failed me there… Humbling reminder.

Perfect way to start the day, a quiet hike around the Stout Grove of amazing redwoods with only mosquitoes for company. The sun sparkled through, creating shadows and emphasizing the redwood burls.

Driving through Avenue of the Giants is slow and makes me happy

After a long drive along the foggy coast, we topped off the day by being beaten by Shivam at miniature golf.

New Day – total sun, perfect for a walk through Mendocino Botanical Gardens

And along the majestic bluffs of Northern Cal

We loved every moment of this precious time…always assuring Shivam that if he didn’t shape up, we’d just have to take him home, and so we did.