(Let it be known that I visited Lassen Volcanic National Park a full week and a half BEFORE Darwin…He tried to steal my thunder with his recent Instagram Post….)

Bowie and I recently found ourselves close by Lassen Volcanic National Park. I was not familiar with this park (as much as I hate to admit) and being less than an hour away, Bowie and I had no excuse but to check it out. Knowing that National Parks are not particularly dog-friendly I did some research on how I might enjoy exploring the park that was safe and comfortable for Bowie. As luck would have it, I found that Lassen had created an audio tour. It is formatted like a podcast with numbered episodes corresponding with various numbered stops along the main road of the park. With all my needed Lassen Episodes downloaded and the Clydesdale back to working order, we were off.

I had some hesitation at first on just driving the park. I had always felt that a National Park could only be truly experienced by getting out of your vehicle and exploring. I had to accept my limitations and experience what I could, how I could and it was honestly really great. Did I miss out on some up close and personal sights? Yeah. Did I miss out on some awesome hiking opportunities? Sure Did. But I did learn a lot beyond what the Visitor Center could provide me.

When I parked by a trailhead to a thermal pool, Bowie and I were still able to breathe in the strong odor it emitted as we listened to our audio guide tell us why it smelled so bad. When I was staring in awe of Lassen Peak, I was also learning more about it thanks to my audio guide. When I was parked right in front of Chaos Crags I was at the same time, being taught exactly how it was formed.

Some of the areas that were part of the audio tour I probably would have passed up without being directed to them; they simply blended into the park if you didn’t know any different. The audio tour made me go slower, and really take time to learn about the amazing formations around me. I found myself eager to see what the next stop was all about. I learned about the first woman who summited Lassen Peak, Helen Tanner Brodt and took in a breathtaking view of the lake named after her, Lake Helen. I was told about B.F. Loomis, another important figure of the park’s history and development. He put his life on the line to explore the forest floor and document what he could before Lassen’s last eruption in 1917. I was shocked to watch so many cars drive on passed these amazing spots.

Thanks to Bowie, I was forced to explore Lassen Volcanic National Park in a way I have would have never freely chosen to do before. I learned more about the area than I ever would have with just a map and a stop at the Visitor Center. My restricted visit to a National Park turned out to be yet another amazing learning experience.

As for Bowie, although limited to where she could actually walk around, she seemed to also fully enjoy the sights, smells, and the wind in her face as we drove to our next stop.

(From Left to Right: View of Lassen Peak from Helen Lake, Chaos Crags, Reflection Lake, View from Random Pull-Off,  View the Park from Outside Kohm Yah-mah Visitor Center)

Things To Expect In Up Coming Blog Posts & Other Stuffs:

Check Out This Video From the LNT Center on 10 Essentials for LNT in National Parks!

I’m Updating A Few Of Our Product Reviews, To Let You Know How Things Are Going:

Lifestyle Review: ROAM Silicone Rings

My Book! Mini Mis-Adventures Is Currently In The Final Editing Stages – Coming Soon! In mid to late July, is the goal!

Cool Thingys That I Also Do:

Our Etsy Store: TravelandTrail – Newly Dropped Prices On Several Items! 

Instagram: The_snuggle_diaries

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

A Traveling Fear Comes True: Part I

In Defense Of Bowie: A Leashed Dog