Juniper Lake, Lassen Volcanic National Park - (Chester, CA)

We were ready for a day off and we needed to get away from the campground.  Linda was ready to get away from people altogether and just relax - no hiking, no sightseeing.

She said, "Let's throw the boat in the Jeep along with the loungers and go up to Juniper Lake.  We'll take something to read and I'll make us a lunch."

Juniper Lake is fourteen miles from Chester.  The narrow road is paved for the first seven miles.  Then it's a gravel road the rest of the way.  There is one pretty rough stretch, but it doesn't require 4WD or high clearance.  Once you enter yet another access point to Lassen Volcanic National Park, the road improves for the last three miles to the lake.

When Juniper Lake comes into view through the trees, the blue of the water is striking.  The book "Paddling Northern California" calls it a "sparkling mountain lake".  It sits at almost 6,800 feet elevation and has five miles of shoreline.  

At the end of the road is a parking area, a few trailheads, and a very clean pit toilet.  We walked out onto the beach area past a couple of picnic tables to take a look.  There was no one else there.

There was a light breeze, but the water was pretty calm and so clear.  It was a great place to launch the boat.

I threw the boat-in-a-bag over my shoulder and carried it down to the shore.  Linda pumped up the Sea Eagle SE330 and we were ready to paddle.

We simply paddled straight out toward Mt. Harkness (in the background above).  The clear water was gorgeous.

In the shallows, it looked like we were in the Caribbean.

Where's my mask and snorkel?  :)

As we got into deeper water, it was a beautiful ocean blue.

We were mesmerized by the water, the color and the clarity.  We'd paddle awhile and then stop and float.  We saw two other canoes (one with a sail), and one kayak on this large lake.  Apparently they had come from the tent campground on the east shore.

We didn't see any cozy little coves or interesting shore features, so we just stayed out in the middle of the lake.  We were pretty far from our beach and the breeze was blowing back in that direction.

So what did we do?  We slapped on some sunscreen, laid back in our little canoe, and took a nap.  The rocking of the boat and the sounds of the waves lapping lightly against us made for excellent sleeping.  And if we slept too long, we should end up back on the beach where we launched.  :)

Aaaahhhh.  Talk about relaxed.  :)  Eventually, the wind picked up a little and we were rocked awake.  We had floated quite a ways, but we were still pretty far from the beach.  By then, we were getting hungry, so we paddled on in the rest of the way.

Once back at our launch point, there were a few people and a couple of dogs on the beach, but everyone was just quietly enjoying the surroundings.

Linda got the cooler and I carried our loungers down to the water.  We sat back and had our lunch with strawberries for dessert.

After that, I went for a walk with the camera while Linda reclined with her latest book "Fearless Fourteen" from Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series.

With my water shoes on, I waded along the shoreline to the left.  The cool water was so refreshing.  I watched the minnows school up and scatter as I got too close.  It was as if they were making sure I wasn't a big, stange-looking, awkward heron stalking them.  :)

Eventually, I turned around and headed the other way.  Linda wasn't budging as I passed back by her.

As I moved around the beach, everyone else left.  We had the shallow cove completely to ourselves.

I continued to walk along the west side of the cove past four or five cottages tucked back in the woods along the lake.  I assume they were grandfathered in before the lake became part of the National Park.

There were no power lines, so we guessed they were using solar or generators for electricity.  One of them had a little plank dock and a couple of old wooden boats.

I continued on to a rocky point where I sat on a large volcanic boulder in the water.  I dangled my feet and took in the beauty of the lake as the clear, shallow water turned into so many shades of blue as it deepened in the direction of Mt. Harkness.

I sat there a long time .... pondering as I often do.  This, .... this is what we were seeking when we first thought of going on the road.  Together in a lovely, natural setting far away from the hustle and bustle of "normal" life.  Letting the beauty of nature nourish our souls.

In our four years on the road, we've had so many of these moments, these experiences.  Yeah, we're having to "work" and stay in one place a little more than we'd like, but maybe, ... just maybe ... that makes days like this even more precious, ... more memorable.

I took one last picture before heading back to our spot on the beach.

I'm a water guy.  I'm not the best swimmer in the world, but I love being around water, being in water, listening to water - whether it be a waterfall, a rushing stream, or waves, big or small, breaking onto shore.

On my walk back, I waded, ever so slowly, all the way, feeling the subtle changes in water temperature on my legs, noticing the schools of small fish and watching their synchronized movements.

I thought about the people long before us, and how in tune with nature they must have been to survive here.  Through our love for nature, we feel a kinship, some sort of spiritual connection with the primitive people of the past.  They may have been short on comfort and life expectancy, but they certainly lived through their hearts and souls.

Taking a shortcut through deeper water, I finally made it back to our loungers.

I joined Linda and reclined looking out over the lake.  The heat of the sun was offset by the breeze.  The breeze caused gentle waves and their soothing sound.  The only other sounds we could hear were the echoes from woodpeckers rapping on hollow trees.

I delved into the book "The Back Of Beyond - Travels To The Wild Places Of The Earth" by David Yeadon.  It was published in 1992, but it still provides great stories of twenty-two adventures through thirteen countries.

In one chapter, as the author writes about being in the jungle of Costa Rica, he eloquently writes:

"In that tiny boat I felt like an openmouthed intruder, hardly understanding anything of what I saw, irrelevant to the place, almost envious of the jungle as an unquestioning participant in the enourmous rythyms of life, responsive to a far deeper purpose.  The little tribulations of our conscious lives and the apparent inability of us human beings to find a common harmony with all the myriad life systems around us seem to leave us spinning on the surface like flotsam, so tangled in our petty patterns that we fail to comprehend the larger whole of which we are a part.  And while we're trying to understand what we dimly sense unconsciously, we slowly destroy ourselves and the earth too ..."

Wow!  There was a time when I would have read that and said to myself "What the heck is he talking about?"  But now, especially today, in our hidden paradise far away from our former "petty patterns", that passage was completely clear to me.  :)

At the end of that chapter, he talked about camping on the beach and watching Green Turtles coming ashore and laying their eggs.  By chance, he helped scare off some turtle poachers that night.

It reminded me of the day we were asked to drive to South Padre Island to help rescue sea turtles suffering from "cold-stun" back in January 2007.  You can read the entry called Operation Turtle Shuttle.

Maybe our adventures haven't been nearly as exciting or far-reaching as Mr. Yeadon's, but we certainly see some parallels in how we have stumbled into some extraordinary experiences while exploring the back of beyond in the good ol' U.S.A.  :)

I was a happy man sitting there reading.  But between our nap in the middle of the lake, and her time spent reading while I was walking around, Linda felt she'd better get out of the sun.

She moved up and read in the shade.  It wasn't too long before I joined her.  There we sat, still with no one around, reading our books in complete peace until the hunger pangs started.

Reluctantly, we deflated the boat and put it back in its bag.  We loaded up the Jeep and began the ride back to Chester.

We spent six and half hours at Juniper Lake, most of that time with no one else around.  And every minute was worth it.  It was just what we needed ... time to relax and reflect and appreciate.  And with that, I'll leave you with this thought from Mr. Yeadon.

"That the wildest places of all are deep within and there's no end to the exploration and enjoyment of their mysteries and magic."    

---

 

Comments

[Zoa Dillman]

Now that's the Howard I like; you were back to your wonderful writing style that I came to love.
I felt I was there with you guys while reading today's entry.
Love you both,
Linda's Mom

[foxriverguy]

This is the kind of journal entry that has to bring people to the conclusion that being a full-time RVer is a very special thing. Your journal entry was beautiful and brilliant. A very soulful and enlightening revelation as to what RV-Dreams are made of.

Thank you, Howard.

[andree foucault]

Great post! The kind I love to read, just love the way you describe everything, its as if I was there. I can almost feel the same peace. Cant wait to be on the road and feel it myself. Thank you Howard.

[Bill Malefyt]

Howard,

Today's journal entry brought tears to my eyes! I envisioned being there along with my Linda enjoying that beautiful place. I hope I live long enough to enjoy what you and Linda felt at Juniper Lake!

Bill

[Alice]

Howard, you are so inspirational! I glean tidbits from every posting and look forward to your insights. Thank you for taking the time to share your journey.

[Arlene Sullivan]

Loved it Howard.. What a beautiful lake. Thanks for sharing it with us....

[Susan Anderson]

Simply the BEST!

[Ron]

Now,if you could only write so eloquently about cleaning toilets we would all be work campers. Great job as usual. Thanks for the visual and mental images you provide that allows us to feel that we are really there.

[Kevin]

Howard - Two great posts in two days. Terrific job. Have you ever pondered how you have been spending your lives?

The American Dream is to own a house. You spent years helping others realize that dream.

Then you became enlightened and realized that the American Dream is far greater than owning a home. It is owning your life. Now you spend your time helping others realize that dream.

You are blessed....

[Kathy Salsbury]

Beautiful!

I was only going to write that one word, but then I read Ron's comment and I BUSTED out laughing! Thanks Ron!

And Thank You Howard and Linda

Kathy

[PWdestiny1]

Howard, thanks for sharing your day as I was reading and and viewing your pictures I was praying that one day I could experience this with my own eyes.

[V4Vagabond]

Aaaaahhhhhhh, YES!

Vee

[Dan Walden-Turek]

Hey, is that a new format for display of the journal when you access it through the website? I don't recall seeing the title and subtitle so prominently before. If so, did you change programs or just parameters?

[Dyonasis]

There is no power in the cabins. Any lights or appliances run off of propane. Yes, the cabins are grandfathered. There used to be a resort on Juniper back in the day and eventually the owner sold off lots and people built the cabins. What land remained was traded to the NPS for land elsewhere. It is one of the few pieces of privately held land within the boundaries of the NPS system. The cabin owners cherish this little piece of heaven and are very protective of the area. I value the time I get to spend at the cabin and cannot wait to share this place with my infant son. He will be the fourth generation to experience this very special place.

[Rich A]

back when I was in high school my foster family and I used to frequent Juniper lake every summer.
i was fishing on the lake one time and someohow ended up with the lure in the boat and my pole in the water.
sitting there i actually watched that six and a half foot long white fiberglass pole sink all the way to the bottom.
from where I was in the boat that pole looked like it was about three inches long.
fortunately i was able to pull the pole back up, but it took me almost ten minutes.

[Nadine Cronkhite]

Hi,
My sister sent your writing to me and low and behold there are our family boats in one of your pictures. Glad you had a great trip. I too enjoy being out on the water and like to just sit there listening to the water, wind and birds.
Nadine