Wanderers in Wonder

Lassen Volcanic National Park informed us that the Campground was not open due to snow. Not only was the campground closed, but most of the park was closed. Quite unusual it is ninety five while I sit here banging on the computer with Lassen Peak in full view to the east. Plan B…

Sycamore Grove on the Sacramento River east of Red Bluff, CA, beautiful camp. Since we won’t be hiking to the thermal hot springs, the Cinder Cone and Paradise Valley in Lassen Volcanic National Park, new adventures must be found.

Diestelhorst Walking Bridge in Redding, CA. First concrete bridge spanning the Sacramento River, completed in 1915. The Diestelhorst Bridge replaced the Reid Ferry which had provided for river crossings since 1872. The North Court Street Bridge, completed in 1997, put the Diestelhorst Bridge out of business. Fortunately, the powers that be in Redding, rather than demolish the Diestelhorst, preserved it as a pedestrian bridge and incorporated it into their vision for the 5.5 mile Sacramento River Trail through town.

We began our hike at the Diestelhorst Bridge figuring we would walk an hour out and an hour back. Little did we know what we would encounter along the way.

The Sun Dial Bridge across the Sacramento River. Designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the bridge a cantilever spar cable-stayed bridge. Completed in 2004, the northern terminus forms a sundial.

Across the bridge…what a find!

Anything strange about this sculpture of a turtle?

Carettochelys Insculptis, Pig Nosed Turtle, native to Australia and New Guinea…endangered. It is the only living member of the family Carettochelyidae, which are related to softshell turtles.

Often referred to as the ugliest turtle on the planet…not certain about that.

Due out 19 September 2023.

For the young ones and those with an artistic soul…already available.

As you are aware I am a fan of the writings of Sy Montgomery and her husband Howard Mansfield. Sy, the ‘Turtle Pig’ and ‘The Good Good Pig’, Christopher Hogwood…the coincidences was simply too much to resist pecking out a few words.

Incidentally, Howard and Ben Cosgrove created a wonderful musical ode to the White Mountains. Howard reads selections from his chapter on the White Mountains from his wonderful book ‘Chasing Eden’. Ben, an accomplished pianist, creates music from Howards thoughts and words and his own view of the mountains. I purchased a copy at the Toadstool bookstore in Keene, NH. Wonderful way to spend an hour, and later another hour, and later another hour.

Well, our two hour hike turned into an adventure of several hours.

Peace…Wanderers in Wonder.