The great out doors! Yes, more time alone among inspiring landscapes. It's a much needed break at times. While others may fish, hike or climb, I go to take take pictures. Seeking out and capturing those inspiring outdoors moments that I enjoy sharing with my family and friends. I'm even more excited now that I'm not just stuck on the ground but now have the ability to capture images in the air giving me a new perspecitve in familiar places.

Brokoff Mountian - DJI Inspire 2 - 30mm f1.7

The forest area around Lassen National park is my favorite place to hide out in as I know I can get away from any crowds, or quickly be in the National Park if I'd like. To be honest, I haven't really explored the park much besides Manzanita Lake and a few other places, normally due to wanting to stay away from the crowds. I hide out in a number of my go to spots waiting for night to fall. When night comes, it's time to enjoy the show. This time of year I was able to capture the milky way above Brokeoff Mountain.

On this trip, I was granted access through a cropping of private property and pointed in the direction of a hidden waterfall. Super stoked to have had this access as I've been so curious as to what was back behind this gated area in the middle of nowhere. It was a treat as this waterfall sits right on the edge of Lassen National Park. The boarder of the park seems to be at the top of the falls. Pretty cool. Now I'm itching to explore more of this area if granted access again.

I stayed a few nights and spent time exploring the network of fire roads taking pictures. This lead me to an outcropping and great view of Mt. Shasta, which then led me to thinking I needed pick up the family and explore the Shasta area. It's a place I haven't spent much time in but have been curious about. I had a few places on my list to check out.

First stop was to stay in Dunsmuir and travel up to Castle Lake. It's a small beautiful high alpine lake with minimal crowds. There is also another small lake just above it that i've been wanting to explore but wasn't able to this time. Hoping I can make it before winter comes this year. Looks to be even more spectacular views than what I found on this trip.

Speaking of views. The view coming down from the lake at sunset is pretty spectacular. You can see all the way into Oregon as Mount Ashland lines up with Shasta and Black Butte mountain.

Last and final stop on our trip is a scene out of one of my favorite movies, Stand By Me. I found out years ago that the train scene was shot in Burney, near Burney Falls state park. The track is currently blocked up with large cement blocks and barbed wire trying to keep people from walking the track. It's always great to visit a place that is familiar to you in the movies and be able to see it in real life. Wonder what's on the other side?