Boo Ignited Beneath a Dormant Volcano

Mount Shasta has always been on our radar - a dormant volcano just 3.5 hours away from us! I have always known it to be a place where my kava friends would go to for hot springs and would come back with jugs of mountain water. And so, with our discovery hat in place, we ventured out for yet another camping trip.

Where we stayed was within the wilderness surrounding Mt Shasta, and in a meadow with an incredible view of it. We knew nothing of the area, and relied on having a calm escape from the city. We spent two night by the campfire, with a trillion stars above us. Laying on the soft meadow and star gazing was the greatest moment there, as Jamie played with her camera on nighttime settings.

Boo of course kept us calm. She has been moving slower and slower these days, and so we keep our walks and hikes close to where she can plop down in a lake to cool off, and where we can leisurely stroll. We found a beautiful walk along Lake Siskayou, where she got to fetch sticks that we threw into the water. Though timidly, she did it. She also decided one night to fall into our camp fire - yes, you did not read that incorrectly. She stumbled on the surrounding rocks of the fireplace, and rolled right into the flames. Luckily, I was able to scoop her out before she ignited, however the smell of singed hair lasted for two days. The gouges in my legs, however, are still on the mend from my desperate lunge.

Mount Shasta impressed upon us a more laid-back, and less dramatic version of Tahoe. It had rolling hills of pine and meadows, and had more country-style homesteads. The volcano, however, stood in the background of most openings, and so we were constantly reminded to breathe and take Nature in. How important it has been for us to reconnect with Nature during this time! There is nothing more healing.