Another Wonderful Redding Weekend

We love Redding California. Almost since Al and I moved to Oregon 35 years ago, we have been taking a long weekend a year in Redding. Early on, we met the Huntington Beach part of the family for Memorial Day weekend. We had a favorite motel that we took over for 3 or 4 days of food, relaxation, swimming, the Indy 500 and family reunion. On Monday, we would all go to IHOP for breakfast and a family snapshot then head to points north or south. Once Mom and Dad moved to Oregon we went less often with the whole extended family. However, Al and I and our kids kept up with the tradition and went maybe every other year or so. As spouses were added they too enjoyed the pleasures of Redding. Early morning trips to Starbucks and the doughnut shop, yummy dinners at CR Gibbs, Whiskey Town Lake, the water park, Urban Retreat Day Spa, In-and-Out Burger, Der Wienerschnitzel and a whole lot of hangin' out poolside. We take over a shady corner with lounges, table and chairs, ice chests full of beverages and snacks, decks of cards and good books. Porter even took his morning nap at the pool...Grandpa too. People in Redding think we're crazy for leaving cooler Oregon for their 100+ heat but we love it!

Summer @ Timberline

Hwy 26 to Mt Hood. The first time Al & I saw this view was 33 years ago when we were traveling with A&W. It was just as breathtaking today as it was then.

The rear view of Timberline Lodge and the very bottom of the glacier.

Looking up the Mt at the end of the glacier "run". Amazingly, there were hoardes of skiers & boarders enjoying the only resort in N. American that is open all year round.

If you've never been to Timberline Lodge in the summer, make an effort to get up there this year. It's a fantastic 2 1/2 drive through some of the prettiest country on the planet. On Friday, Al and I put the top down on the Spyder and set out for points north. We took back country roads to Donald/Aurora, hopped on I-5 to Estacada and then Hwy 26 to My Hood. It was a perfect day for travel by convertible so we slathered on the sunscreen and headed out. Timberline Lodge is always a fun place to visit and in the summer you can ride the summit chair lift, hike on wonderfully groomed trails, watch crazy snowboarders and skiers take on the glacier or do as Al and I do... eat!. There are several lovely restaurants with spectacular views of Mt Hood right out your window. Try the BLTA and a brew at the Blue Bull...mmmm. O yea. We did take a short hike in order to get a photo or two but we tried our best not to break a sweat.