| One visit to the Mt. Shasta area in California will | | | | is also home to the Lake Shasta Caverns, which is |
| convince you that it is truly a vacation destination | | | | open all year round. In order to view the underground |
| that will appeal to almost anyone, from golfers to | | | | caverns, visitors are taken on a 15-minute catamaran |
| skiers, and yes, to those seeking a more spiritual | | | | cruise across Lake Shasta, where they then board a |
| path. | | | | bus which carries them up a mountainside, more than |
| Mt. Shasta is home to, well… Mt. Shasta, a | | | | 800 feet above the lake, where the caves are |
| 14,179-foot volcano, the second-highest peak in the | | | | accessible. All this for only $20; $12 for those 3 to 15. |
| Cascade Range. Yeah, it's big. And beautiful. And, | | | | Call 1-800-795-CAVE for more information. |
| some claim, home to a vortex which attracts "New | | | | If the size of Lake Shasta is too overwhelming for |
| Age" types. A drive down Mt. Shasta Blvd. in Mt. | | | | you, as it was for me during one visit, you might |
| Shasta City reveals a vast array of spiritual shops | | | | want to visit a smaller lake near Mt. Shasta City, Lake |
| and assorted healers. You can buy singing bowls and | | | | Siskiyou, a 430 acre recreational and sailing lake, |
| tuning forks, divination tools, yoga supplies, vibrational | | | | which offers some of the best bass and trout fishing |
| sprays and magical jewelry. You find can all types of | | | | in Northern California. You can purchase a cheap day |
| spiritual healers, such as those offering psychic | | | | pass and swim, picnic or rent pedal boats, or you can |
| hypnotherapy, reflexology, Reiki and energy work, | | | | rent RV or camping space, or a cabin at Lake |
| vibrational healing and massage. If you're into mineral | | | | Siskiyou Resort and Camp (1-888-926-2618). The |
| baths, you can drive a few minutes north of Mt. | | | | resort is open April 1st - October 31st and is very |
| Shasta City to Weed, where you'll find therapeutic | | | | family friendly, with a great swimming area, sandy |
| mineral baths at Stewart Mineral Springs | | | | beach, and nightly movies in an outdoor amphitheater. |
| (530-938-2222). | | | | The lake is actually closer to Mt. Shasta than Lake |
| Those of you wishing to take vortex tours are | | | | Shasta, and you can swim with the beautiful |
| definitely in luck, as there are numerous guided tours | | | | snow-covered mountain looming in the backdrop. |
| to choose from, including Shasta Vortex Adventures, | | | | Close to Lake Siskiyou you'll find Mount Shasta |
| which offers Mt. Shasta Guided Tours all year round. | | | | Resort, home to a championship golf course, as well |
| You can choose from guided hikes, healing earth | | | | as luxurious cabins and a day spa. |
| journeys, bus tours and winter outings, such as | | | | Skiers will delight in skiing Mt. Shasta at the Mt. |
| snowshoe, cross country or telemark ski outings. Call | | | | Shasta Ski Park, where you'll find 31 trails on 425 |
| them at 530-926-4326 for more information. | | | | acres of skiable terrain. Night skiing is also provided |
| For those seeking outdoor activities and adventure, | | | | on 14 trails and 3 lifts. The terrain level of difficulty is |
| Mt. Shasta does not disappoint, no matter what | | | | 20% beginner, 55% intermediate, and 25% advanced. |
| season in which you're visiting. During the warmer | | | | There is also a cross country ski and snowshoe |
| months you can hike or visit the many lakes which | | | | center for those wishing something other than |
| dot the area, including, of course, Lake Shasta, 10 | | | | downhill skiing. And for beginners, the ski park offers |
| miles north of Redding, the second largest lake in | | | | ski, snowboarding and telemark lessons. |
| California, after Lake Tahoe. Shasta Lake is a very | | | | Whether you're looking for a place to get pampered, |
| popular destination for boating, water-skiing, camping, | | | | a place to enjoy the outdoors, or a place to explore |
| and fishing. They also claim to be the houseboating | | | | the metaphysical, Mt. Shasta does truly have it all. |
| and wakeboarding Capital of the World. Lake Shasta | | | | |