It’s not the type of terrain I normally fall in love with, but just look at the beautiful sagebrush hills and plains near Lassen County’s Eagle Lake! This is California’s second largest natural lake, and although the lake is low right now, I saw butterflies everywhere I looked. Cattle were bawling from somewhere across the fields. A cool breeze kept the temperature comfortable, even in the sunshine. And instead of the sounds of traffic and sirens, I was listening to birds and the sound of the wind whispering through the pine trees.

Rabbitbrush and pumice stone from Mt Lassen