Our latest Northern California trip was the perfect combination of doing at lot (experience nature) and doing nothing (relaxing - even with little kids around!). Usually we do a lot of hiking when we travel and the kids usually get pretty bored.
Even if it wasn´t exactly planned that way, this trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park was actually pretty relaxing and I have never said that about a vacation since we had kids!
And here is why:
Lassen Volcanic NP features great hikes, hydrothermal activies that you can see and smells (!) and also countless beautiful lakes where you can have the kids throw rocks for hours (while you sit there and watch them playing)!!
Also, we rented a cabin which was soooo perfect for the kids, that we could relax at the deck (huge enough for the kids to run around and completely gated) or we had them throw rocks in the little creek, which was also on the property (next to the picnic table and hammock). The cabin was huge (3BR, 3bath), new (which means clean!), and in the middle of the forrest with lots of animals visiting our doorsteps.
Now, does this sound like a vacation to you, dear fellow parents?
Stunning National Park
[Cinder Cone]
[Lava Beds and Painted Dunes]
[lava everywhere]
[gone swimming...?]
Hydrothermal Features
[Bumpass Hell]
[bubbling mud]
[hold your breath!]
Cabin in the Woods ;-)
[creek with picnic table and hammock]
[daily visitors]
Ready to pack your bags?
- Cabin is located near Shingletown, CA
- 5 hours north of the SF bay area
- 10 min from North/West park entrance
- 45 min to most hydrothermal features
- 50 min from North/East park entrance
- 2 h from Devils Kitchen
- Had enough nature? Check out the Turle Bay Exploration Park in Redding
It looks like a great vacation! Not sure why we haven't tried a vacation with the kids that involves hiking, maybe it seems like a lot of work/energy that I don't seem to have anymore. But maybe the experience itself would be energizing.
ReplyDelete