Before getting to this weeks desktop, I want to fill you in on why the last weekly update is around 20 months late, I do think any one checking here deserves it.  First, the afternoon I sat down to do the July something 2006 update, a freak storm blew through here, 100 mph straight line winds, lots of damage, and for me, four days without power.  Three weeks of doing necessary repairs, then three weeks on a vacation out west, followed by two months with a medical issue along with completing repairs I left, and finally 16 months of procrastinating pretty much puts us right here, March 2008.  I think the break has cleared my perspective on displaying my photography, I know the site started to be a real grind back in 2006.  I am confident the regular weekly, Wednesday update will be appearing as it should, every week, and I hope you come back here weekly to experience the new Semi-Charmed Life.  Enjoy!

Above is this weeks free desktop.  Technically, this is a return visit to a park previously featured here, but with a total of only two shots featured (one 5 years ago in March 2003 and the other in January 2006, I doubt if anyone really remembers this wonderful place. In any case, once again enjoy the wonder of Lassen Volcanic National Park. Located in northeastern California, the landscape of Lassen is filled the reminders of a turbulent past and showcases just how active it still is today. The eastern portion of the park sets on a large lava plateau with many small cinder cones present. The painted dunes and lava bed remnants around Butte Lake are very impressive and there will be a shot from here in the future. The western portion of the park contains very active volcanic elements - mudpots, boiling pools, and steaming sulphur vents (but no true geysers here) and the world's largest plug volcano, Lassen Peak which just so happens to be where this weeks shot is from. Lassen Peak stands an impressive 10457 ft tall, and if one is up to the task, offers a magnificent perspective for viewing a major portion of the park. Now, if the entire 5 mile round trip all the way to the top is a bit much, one can still enjoy some truly great views on shorter hikes with this weeks shot being a good example. Taken less than a mile up the Lassen Peak trail in early September 2005, this is looking south with Helen Lake clearly visible below center along with the peak of Bumpass Mountain (center then left, the light peak with the main part behind the ridge). What you don't see is the storm coming in from the north which ended my day about right here and made for an interesting night for me back at my campsite (can you say lots of rain, wind, and hail  (; ). With a centrally located scenic road for easy sight seeing and over 100 miles of trails to explore, Lassen Volcanic is a great adventure just waiting for your visit.