David and Marlette came down for part of the weekend.  We took Marlette (and the dogs) down to the Sundial Bridge - her first time there.

I've started quilting Emma's quilt - and I think I like it!  I have quite a bit to go, but I think the finished quilt is going to be a hit.

It's the end of the road for my garden - at least until I get a winter garden in.  I'm so bad - after the tomatoes are done (and this year they finished up pretty early because of the heat in June) I tend to ignore the garden and it shows.  On Sunday, I pulled out the tomato plants and what was left of the peppers, tomatillas, etc., so I'm back to an empty garden.  I'm hoping to pick up some lettuce and spinach plants this weekend to put in, but we'll see.... 

I finished the quilt top for Kody's baby girl.  I think she's due to arrive the first part of November, so I still have time to get it quilted.  If not - they get a quilt AFTER the baby arrives!

I had some help putting together a storage container this weekend - just in case I needed it.....not!

Book club is this Wednesday, and we read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - the story of the woman whose cancer cells were used for most medical tests since the 1950's.  Interesting story - sad, but interesting.  Bookmarks this month were helix DNA strips - or at least they are supposed to be that....

Cindy and I finally made it to Bumpass Hell on Sunday.  We started talking about it the first year we went camping at Butt Lake (near Almanor) but didn't make it that year, and then they closed the trail for maintenance - for two years!  It reopened on Friday, and since Cindy missed out Mt. Lassen climb, we decided to do the Bumpass Hell trail this weekend.  We also thought we'd try for Kings Creek Falls, too, but....ran out of time.  

Cindy got a late start, and we then spent quite a bit of time with a lady that fell on the trail right behind us and sprained her ankle.  People that go to National Parks are fabulous!  One group went back to the top to get cell reception and call for help, one group actually had medical training, so they assisted her right after the fall.  Cindy and I continued our hike (Rachelle had gone ahead of us, and didn't even know we had stopped, so by the time we caught up with her, she was beginning to get a bit concerned about us.)  

On the way back up, we found the lady where she was resting (in the sun).  We shared our water and snacks with her and her two boys, and got her started up to rest in the shade.  About that time, a nice gentleman came by to let her know that help was on the way - they had to get crutches from the other end of the park, so it was taking longer than usual.  Turns out he was the Park Superintendent, and was taking his wife on the new trail on his day off.  Some day off!  He also went back up to the top of the trail to call in and confirm that the lady was okay, and all that would be needed was crutches to get her out.  Just a few minutes later, the medic arrived with crutches, tape, ice packs, etc.  Our heroes at work!!

Here's Cindy and I at one of the overlooks into Bumpass Hell.

Here are some views from the trail in.

  

This is a panoramic view from the top of the trail.  The hike was much easier than Lassen.  I only got 17,000 steps and 121 floors on my fitbit.  On the Lassen hike, I got 22,000 steps and 161 floors.  (I might have gotten more steps because I was taking much smaller steps to climb, though.....)

  

Cindy and Rachelle in front of me going into the Bumpass Hell basin.

This little guy appeared like magic when one of the hikers took a break on a rock and opened a package of snacks.  I have no idea what he was snacking on, but the bag made a crinkling noise when he opened it - and out popped a chipmunk.  I think he's been fed a few times before....

After the hike, we decided to visit a few other  places on the way back, since we didn't have time for the falls.  We had lunch at Lake Helen - a bit windy, but beautiful view.  Rachelle checked the water temp, just to make sure it was cold....and yes, yes it was!

Then we stopped at Emerald Lake - and per our official water checker, a bit warmer than Lake Helen...

And we stopped at the Sulfur Works

My lantania is attracting some beautiful butterflies - they almost match the flowers!

I'm on the home stretch of the wedding quilt for Emma.  I have the top done, quilting lines drawn, and the quilt basted together.

Though I had a lot of non-helpful help while doing the basting.....

One more picture from the hike....

We made it!  Dave and his girlfriend Marlette joined AJ and me for a hike up Mt. Lassen.  It was a beautiful day - a little chilly at the start, but I had my jacket off after the first switchback.  (I also had to take my first "photo op" breather after the first switchback.  Good thing there was a tree there.....)

 

This about a mile into the hike - the trail is 2.5 miles, all up hill.

If you look very closely, you can see people up at the top of this - that's not even the top of the mountain....

 

We did see a couple of chipmunks, lots of grasshoppers, butterflies, and birds.

You can see my car!!!   

Marlette is as bad as I am about taking pictures....

During one of my 'photo op' breaks, we watched the crows.  The grasshoppers were jumping all over the place, and the crows were grabbing them when they went out onto the snow (easier to see???)

The clouds started coming in- and we were above most of them - pretty cool to see!

A panoramic photo from the top.

Funny thing - I didn't take many pictures on the way down....no need for a 'photo op' break.  After the hike, we headed to Lake Helen for a picnic lunch - fried chicken, potato salad, pasta salad, chips, and for dessert, Marlette brought me birthday cupcakes - though they forgot the candles.  (Thank goodness - the last thing I needed was to start a forest fire by lighting enough candles on a cupcake for my birthday!!).  My view at lunch: