[Itsed65]

So I decided to head up to Lassen Volcanic National Park this last Saturday. It is not a well known or visited park compared to others, but it is still worth a look if you live out here or are visiting northern California.

First thing though, was to get the X1 nice and clean for the upcoming road trip. Friday I got it all shined up and vacuumed so I stopped at the water for a "before" picture (and a beer at the nearby pub!)


20130802-_DSC0253 by lennycarl08, on Flickr

I was on the road at 6, and stopped for breakfast at Vacaville California, where I-505 peels off 80 to head north to I-5. Leaving town, I was treated to a sight of hot air balloons out for a morning flight.

20130803-AQ4E0962 by lennycarl08, on Flickr

From there it's about a 2 hour slag up 505 and 5 which is pretty boring. Finally at Red Bluff, I turned off the freeway onto CA 36 east, toward the park. (BTW, Hwy 36 west, between Red Bluff and Fortuna is 140 miles of two lane twisty bliss! One of the best motorcycle or sports car roads in the state!). It's still a bit boring at first, but at least there was little traffic

20130803-_DSC0287 by lennycarl08, on Flickr

I did find a trail head that made for a good photo op though.

20130803-_DSC0297 by lennycarl08, on Flickr


20130803-_DSC0294 by lennycarl08, on Flickr

Once you start climbing, the road and the scenery get way more entertaining

20130803-_DSC0302 by lennycarl08, on Flickr


20130803-_DSC0312 by lennycarl08, on Flickr


20130803-_DSC0318 by lennycarl08, on Flickr

After about 3 and a half hours, (including breakfast and gas stops) I got to the park entrance.


20130803-_DSC0321 by lennycarl08, on Flickr


20130803-_DSC0326 by lennycarl08, on Flickr

Being a national park, the speed limit is 35 in most places, but the road is still a pretty fun drive, and there is lots to pull off to see, including Sulphur Works, which used to be a commercial effort

20130803-_DSC0359 by lennycarl08, on Flickr


20130803-_DSC0350 by lennycarl08, on Flickr


20130803-_DSC0377 by lennycarl08, on Flickr


20130803-_DSC0379 by lennycarl08, on Flickr


20130803-_DSC0375BW by lennycarl08, on Flickr


20130803-_DSC0386 by lennycarl08, on Flickr


20130803-_DSC0402 by lennycarl08, on Flickr


20130803-_DSC0443 by lennycarl08, on Flickr


20130803-_DSC0490 by lennycarl08, on Flickr




20130803-_DSC0390 by lennycarl08, on Flickr


20130803-_DSC0454 by lennycarl08, on Flickr


20130803-_DSC0450 by lennycarl08, on Flickr


20130803-_DSC0474 by lennycarl08, on Flickr


20130803-_DSC0477 by lennycarl08, on Flickr

All in all, it was a fun day. As time was tight, I had to go back the way I came, but this could easily be part of a bigger road trip. As much as this trip was to have fun with the Bimmer, I was also trying out a new camera, so with a few exceptions, these shots were all taken with a Sony Nex 6, and I am very happy with the way it performed. So until the next road trip…

20130803-_DSC0480 by lennycarl08, on Flickr


20130803-IMG_8582 by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[Weebl]

Quite a few of those would look wonderful as B & W. They look good and clean with nice contrast.

[Itsed65]

Originally Posted by Weebl

Quite a few of those would look wonderful as B & W. They look good and clean with nice contrast.

Like this one?

20130803-_DSC0422BW by lennycarl08, on Flickr

Yeah the advantage of getting there in the morning, and it being up at 8000 feet or so, gave some nice atmospherics. The Sony RAW files are pretty nice to work with too. Lightroom did a good job of correcting the distortion on the Sony kit lens.

[remmib]

I don't know how you process your pics, but they always has a certain crisp and clear look to them that I really like. Feeling kinda envious .

[Itsed65]

Originally Posted by remmib

I don't know how you process your pics, but they always has a certain crisp and clear look to them that I really like. Feeling kinda envious .

Thanks! I don't do anything real special, but for the B&W, I use Silver Efex Pro as a cs6 plugin, which is awesome. it can also be used with lightroom.

[Dackelone]

LOVE your photos. What an AWESOME road trip!

[woosh]

Great photos mate!

When I go on a road trip mainly consisting of twisties I find it really hard to stop and take photos... how do you do it?! haha

[dcstep]

Nice series.

[Itsed65]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

LOVE your photos. What an AWESOME road trip!

Thank you very much!

Originally Posted by woosh

Great photos mate!

When I go on a road trip mainly consisting of twisties I find it really hard to stop and take photos... how do you do it?! haha

I find it hard as well, but on this trip I also happened to have a brand new camera that I wanted to play with as well, so it was kind of best of two worlds! Plus for a change I was all by myself and could take all the time I wanted to do whatever I wished

Originally Posted by dcstep

Nice series.

Thanks Dave.

[AlexRs]

Wonderful views

[BenTrovato]

Fantastic shots

[gtmassive75]

Fantastic shots..love the clarity in the pics..