Disneyland Again!

Holiday Road

Now that you've got that song stuck in your head, you can read all about my... Disneyland vacation! It started with a quick stop at Casa de Fruta. I just wanted to swing out my excitement.

Captain America

I went to the midnight show of Captain America. This was an awesome movie. Marvel Studios has been putting out some quality stuff.

Whiskeytown

I read a lot of good reviews of the hike up to the Whiskeytown Falls. It sounded easier than it was, but I did it! It took a bit of time, but it was worth it. It is so peaceful up there, very few people are there, and you can sit right where the water pours over the edge and read. Bring a large bottle of water and some Clif bars!

Shasta State Historic Park

I love California Historical markers. I have been known to drive miles out of my way to just snap a picture of one. I have an entore book that lists all of them and their locations. I have sought out many. A lot of times, they are nothing more than just a sign. They talk of what was once on that very spot. Other times, they are the entrance to a whole area of history. In this case, I saw the historic Shasta area which is all but abandoned, except for the pieces that are on display. It is mostly empty lots now. Most people just fly right by it on their way to Whiskeytown.

Shasta Dam and Mt Shasta

Once I was in Redding, even before when I was heading north, I could see Mt Shasta. It is a huge mountain, and so very pretty always covered in snow. It was one of my plans to drive up there to see it up close. I visited the Shasta Dam in Shasta Lake. I didn't take the tour down into the dam; I only wanted to see the dam itself and just take in all of the beauty of the area. I didn't spend a lot of time there because I wanted to drive up to Mt Shasta. I walked up to the dam but didn't cross it. For safety reasons, backpacks and bags aren't allowed, and since I was carrying a backpack, I didn't want to go back to drop it off. Also, a lot of my necessities were in there so I decided to just make a brief visit. After picking up a couple of postcards in the gift shop, I got in the car and drove up to Mt. Shasta. It is so amazing. I just don't know what to say about the mountain. Majestic seems a proper way to describe it. I walked around the town with this breathtaking backdrop. The main road was a bit strange, as it had some shops that were very conservative and religious, and others that were very liberal and hippie. I stopped in a bookstore and went to a taqueria for lunch before driving back to my hotel in Redding.

Sundial Bridge

Just outside of the museum is the Sundial Bridge which spans the Sacramento River. This is a unique structure and is a not-to-miss attraction in Redding. There are trails along the river and one could go on a long hike. There are some great views from the bridge.

Turtle Bay

During my long weekend to Redding and the northeastern counties of California, I visited Turtle Bay Exploration Park. This is a small museum with a few sites to see. It is not worth a special trip. It takes no more than two hours to see the whole of the museum, and the admission price is high compared to all that you can see. But if you consider it a donation to a museum, then it's worth the admission. There is a small sea life exhibit, booths depicting early life in the Redding area, and other exhibits about the natural habitat. There is a very large garden in the front of the museum, and to walk the grounds they ask for a donation. It is beautiful and very peaceful.