“Give me a word for the boundary between the world you went to see and the small one you call your own. I want a word for the moment you know you’re almost home.- n.m.h. (via anoraborealis)
Sometimes it’s hard to put into words the exact feeling a place ignites in me. I’ve always been in love with small towns and how different it is from living in a city where traffic is part of everyday life. The moment I found myself in Shasta-Trinity National Forest I was captivated with its quiet charm. There is so much to explore and since I only had the day to spare I tried my best to make the most out of it. I visited Lake Shasta and Shasta Dam. Pictures provided below.
The best thing about visiting the Shasta Dam/Reservoir are free tours. The times may have changed so please call the visitor center before heading to the area.
There are different trails in the area but I was only able to explore Fishermans Point trail.
My next stop was the Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay Exploration Park located in Redding, California. This is the world’s largest working sundial designed by Santiago Calatrava. It only takes a few minutes to cross the bridge unless you plan to use the trails for hiking, running, walking, and cycling.
Tips for this trip:
1. There are no parking or entrance fees for both places mentioned here.
2. Bring water and food.
3. Bring your fishing gear to Shasta Lake.
4. Make sure you have a full tank of gas when exploring these areas.
5. Always bring a camera.
I hope you enjoyed my post. Feel free to comment below. I would love to hear from you.
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roads bel travelled 
Will share from phone. Beautiful
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Thank you so much 😊
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Great 👍
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Thank you 😊
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Beautiful. Thanks for sharing
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You’re welcome. Glad you liked it 😊
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Your photo of the sundial bridge at night! I gasped out loud it’s so beautiful.
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Yes, it was pretty cool at night! Thank you 😊
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Beautiful information about the lovely California.
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Thank you 😊
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Most welcome🌹🌹🌹
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Visited this area years ago and had forgotten how beautiful it is. Your photography reminded me. Thank you.
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You’re welcome. Glad you liked it 😊
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That’s so charming. I love small towns too.
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Thank you 😊
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And yet, I don’t see any kayaks or canoes on the lake. Is that not allowed?
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Hi! This is the website that shows where you can launch your kayaks. I didn’t really check when I was there but this link should answer your question https://www.visitredding.com/kayaking
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Such majestic wonders Bel! Thanks for sharing so abundantly. I have a sweet penchant for small towns ….. I appreciate being “away from it all” at times …. for a beautiful breather! ❤️
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Yes it has a relaxing and calming effect. Being away really helps the soul and this is the perfect place. 😊
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Ohhhh would love to bask in the lovely serenity of that place…….
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It’s hard to leave places like this because you end up leaving a part of yourself with it…
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I can deeply relate …… ahhhh we take these place with us in our hearts and memories ❤️
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Always 😌
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❤️
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Really nice pictures!!
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Thank you 😊
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Haven’t been there since I was 16, but it still looks beautiful!
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Still beautiful. Never changes 😊❤️
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What a beautiful place!!!
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Thank you 😊 It really is stunning!
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I’ve never been to Lake Shasta, but driving past Mt. Shasta on highway 5 is awe-inspiring.
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It’s a very scenic drive 😊
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This looks amazing Bel, I am never happier than when there is a mountain in the view
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Yes, the mountains are lovely and relaxing. It makes me happy too. Thank you for your comment.
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Great post Bel ! That Sundial Bridge is now on my travel bucket list. I also like your tips section – really helpful. I hope you don’t mind if I try that as well!?
Happy travels!
-Gina Renee
https://nosmalladventures.wordpress.com/
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Thank you Gina. The Sundial Bridge is pretty cool.😊 And no, I don’t mind if you add tips section on your blog 😊
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Thank you 😊
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I’ve only seen the Shasta area by driving through it on the I-5, though that much was beautifully scenic. Never took time to explore the lake or dam – could be worth a stop!
Usually I use the 101 for North-South travel as it is a more scenic drive and frequently goes through smaller towns, but I do use the I-5 when I need to cover distance quickly. The 101 is more for ambling. If you ever do take the 101 route, stop at The Apple Farm in San Luis Obispo and get some apple cider. They freeze quart jugs of it. I take a cooler with me and keep it in there, drinking it as it begins to melt. You can add a bag of ice if your trip is going to be too long to keep it cold. Yum!
Your posts keep giving me wanderlust, all the more so for being ‘close to home’!
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Oh wow the apple cider from the Apple Farm sound great. I will try to make a stop there next time. Shasta is definitely worth a stop. The area is amazingly gorgeous and you’d love it just as much as I did. Thanks for the tip. 😊
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Great capture…
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Thank you 😊
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Most beautiful place of Northern California🌹🌹🌹🌹
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There are so many beautiful places 😊❤️
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I know the beautiful and some mystic places in USA.i want to see all but USA is situated far ahead from my country-INDIA.❤
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I’m sure there are equally beautiful places in India. I want to visit your country in the future too 😊
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Welcome in my colourful and magical INDIA with love,dear!!🌺🌻🌼🌷🌹🍁💕💕💕💕,
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I am surrounded by small lakes and large ponds here in the foothills of the Blue Ridge…Love them and your post.
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Thank you! You’re lucky to be surrounded by such beauty. I would never want to leave.
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I love the photo’s. It’s great to see countryside from a different part of the world. Some of the landscape reminds of places I’ve visited in Australia.
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Thank you! Yes they are similar in landscape. I haven’t been to Australia but I’ve seen a lot of beautiful sceneries from pictures and movies. 😊
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Oh, Bel, I love your blog! It inspires me to find ways to see things on a budget. Gorgeous photos!
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Thank you for your kind words! Yes, I prefer traveling on a budget…😊
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Captivating and charming, for sure! Thanks for sharing.
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It truly is a great place. Thank you 😊
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Wonderful photos, especially the one of the Sundial Bridge at night. And I love the quote at the beginning! Nice work!
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Thank you! Appreciate it 😊
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Amazing pictures of the lake. I would love to visit/ tour a dam also.
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Yeah, it’s pretty awesome 😊 Thank you!
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Hey have you visited Europe or Asia. Waiting to see a blogpost on any of these places. Like the way you write!
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Yes I have 😊 But I only started this blog a few years ago and would like to focus on the US for now but I will definitely write about it in the future. Thank you 😊
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I used to go to Shasta years ago for a yoga retreat. Loved it there. Hope to go again sometime.
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Yoga in Shasta sounds awesome. I hope you get to visit again 😊
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Nice post. Never visited California but it looks great. Always thought it was just desert??? Being an Englishman.
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California has the best of both worlds – mountains and oceans ❤️
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It’s been years since I visited there – and it was during a drought when the water was so low. Nice to see it looking its beautiful self again. You captured it magnificently. I’ve never seen it at night before. Loved the shot with the lights on the bridge! And the comment about the bridge/bench. Wonderful!
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Yes the lights on the bridge was pretty cool at night. It was really quite scenic. Thank you 😊
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Beautiful blog! I’m impressed by the wonderful layout!
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Thank you! Appreciate it 😊
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A Shasta Dam tour sounds like so much fun! I’ve never heard of surf fishing either…what exactly is it?
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You just stand on the shoreline and use a fishing rod while catching a fish. No boats or anything 😊
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Beautiful pics, thank you for sharing your adventures!
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You’re welcome. Glad you liked it 😊
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That lake is so beautifully blue, Bel. Summer is a little late this year and I’m anxious for those blue skies. The sundial bridge is fascinating and the night photo is cool. Thanks for sharing your visit. I hope you have a wonderful season of adventures. ❤
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Thank you Diana. Redding was pretty awesome and I feel I haven’t even scratched the surface. I need more time and funds 😂😂 I hope you have an amazing summer with tons of blue skies 😊
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Your pics and the emotions of your writing are evocative and I always enjoy your posts!
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Thank you! I really appreciate the kind words and support 😊
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Great post
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Thank you 😊
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We stoped at the dam on a road trip back in 2012 and, strangely, there was a turkey hen hanging out on a low wall near the visitor’s center. 😀
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That is strange! I’m sure it was a great road trip for you 😊
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Beautiful scenery and photos!
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Thank you! It was really a beautiful place 😊
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When I visited the lake was lower. But it’s beautiful up there. Redding ain’t a bad town to stay in. And those mountains run north south for a few hundred miles. Thanks for reminding me to get up there again.
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Definitely a lovely town to stay in! I love the drive all the way to Oregon. It was scenic and unforgettable. It’s worth another visit for sure 😊
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That’s exactly what I’d like to do too. Larsen and then further north. Crater Lake has to be on the list too. Cheers and bon voyage!
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Yeah I loved that drive and I was glad I got to experience it. Crater Lake was amazing! I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I did. 😊
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Crater Lake is gorgeous. Just be wary of the bugs – they’re huge! I’m sure you’ll love the drive as much as I did when I went there. 😊
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Thanks. Hope to get there soon.
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I’m sure you will 😊
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I enjoy visiting small towns. They are like hidden gems just waiting to be discovered and enjoyed.
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Yes, there’s a certain charm about it that draws me in every single time 😊
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What a beautiful place to spend the day! I love going into nature and exploring. Do you think you’ll go back and explore some more?
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Yes, I probably will. There’s a lot to explore in the area 😊
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Nice pics…have a nice day!
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Thank you 😊
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I lived in Redding in 2007-2010. Those pictures brought back memories. I appreciate that you discovered the charm of the north state. Hopefully, you’ll explore Whiskeytown Lake and Lassen Peak next time.
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Lassen Peak has an area that is closed for the entire year – but I will definitely be back when it’s fully opened. I wanted to go to Whiskeytown but there was an entrance fee and I was on a tight budget. Hopefully, I get to visit next time. Thanks so much 😊
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Beautiful photos!
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Thank you 😊
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I visited Mt. Shasta 30 years ago, but barely remember anything except how the mountain stood out.
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It’s a great area and I barely scratched the surface. Time is always an issue 😊
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It sounds like you had a nice sampling! 🙂
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I try my best 😊
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🙂
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For me, that boundary is the LA county line. I count my vacation as officially over when I cross it.
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True! It’s definitely back to the grind for us…😕
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Great post! The scenery is beautiful. The west coast is on my bucket list. Thank you for the inspiration.
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There is camping in the area too! You would totally love it 😊
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I will be pondering this to come up with a word. For now, I would say “relief”. I feel tense in the city, but the tension diminishes incrementally the further I get from it, building into joy as I near home.
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Yes, I get exactly what you are saying. I am so stressed in the city but at peace when I am in the mountains 😊❤️
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Bridges and benches are a great combination – bridges to connect and collect and benches to reflect. Nice shots!
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Oh wow! I never even thought about it that way. Thanks for the insight 😊👍
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Thanks for the inspiration!
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You’re welcome. Thank you as well 😊
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love the night shot of the bridge
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Thanks! I love the lights 😊
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🙂 🙂
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What a mountain range! How much fun did you have?
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Way too much 😊 I’m missing it already ❤️
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