Climbing Mt. Lassen, with a overnight stay at Lake Almanor

We went to spend the night with Craig, Darlene, and Ian at their nice cottage, and then today, we all went up Mt. Lassen.  At 10, 457 feet elevation, it was a bit of a trek; the highest place I've ever walked**.  I had tried to go up twice before, but to no avail, so the climb had hit the #1 spot on my Bucket List.  Yes, really.  Thanks again to my cosmic companions, who have the patience to go slow with me, and to help me reach my goals.
(**when I was 20, my cousins Peter and Sylvie took me and my sister Sara over Loveland Pass - the Continental Divide in Colorado, which was 11,992 ft. elev. and we girls ran up the hill there, to go over 12,000 ft.)

pretty, hardy roses

Jeffery admires the work Ian and Craig did to create their art-form labyrinth

This was the beginning of the sunset.  The image is not blurred; those are shadows of the mountains cast onto the mist of the just-passed rain storm by the lowering sun

we enjoy the light show and each-other's company

That is Mt. Lassen in the center, seen from the beach of their cottage-home

as the sunset progressed, the clouds lit up in neon red-golds

Mt. Lassen in the morning, before we set out to conquer it.  It's about an hour's drive away

ready to begin hiking

the early part of the trail has a few patches of shade along the way

a map to give one hope, since the trail in 2.5 miles long

Me, Darlene, Craig, and Ian

Jeffery at the Holy Rock with Helen Lake below

slippery footing as the snow was melty

Jeffery and I approach the false summit

Craig is pointing past Ian to the actual summit of Mt. Lassen

Ian and Darlene at the peak

We got here!  I made it!!!

Darlene had only gotten to the false summit before, so we shared our wiping away of our Virgin Status on the official top of the mountain

Darlene and Craig on top of Mt. Lassen

Now we have to come down

Mt. Shasta floats in the air behind the rim of the Lassen caldera

looking at Lake Almanor from the top

Jeffery; taken by Ian

my personal favorite (photo and man)

This pin was Ian's gift to me, to honor my accomplishment.  I'm honored!