September 21, 2012
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Road Trip, CA to OR
After a fantastic breakfast, and having made sure the Nuvi wasn't on "save fuel" mode (and how does adding 4 hours by taking back roads really save gas?), I hit the road bright and early Wednesday morning. I got excited when I was on I5, which I was fairly certain would take me straight to Redding, where I'd turn left to get to 101. Cause, yeah, I could take I5 all the way to my house, except for the last 3 miles. But in this case, I wanted to go a different route while I was here. So when the Nuvi had me exiting off I5 soon after I got on, I went with it. Taking the long way, I did get to Redding and took my left west.
And found myself, eventually, here.
Where I spent some time wandering the ruins and wishing one of them had a bathroom.
I found it to be beautiful. 
I wanted to make puzzles 
out of every picture I took. The red ruins and green trees and blue sky made me happy to have stopped and to have had my camera with me.
It was fascinating to see how the bricks were laid. 
The hollows in the walls were interesting to see, and I took some time to imagine how the stores and businesses were originally designed.
And how they couldn't stand upright anymore. 
Along the wooden sidewalk, I saw a single leaf that looked like a heart, and a ramp of bricks that seemed to have no purpose whatsoever.
I also had a brief visit with this guy.
Amazing ruins, arne't they? 
Enough already. After my failed quest to find a bathroom among the ruins, I walked across the street and headed to the rest rooms I saw near some picnic tables and shelters. I barely made it in time....only to find them closed and locked. Next trip, I think I need to bring my own portapotty. Found a store down the street willing to let me use their facilities and I was, well, relieved.
Took a few more minutes in Shasta Historical Part to get another picture or two, then it was time to head west some more.
