Lavender

I have written several times about my trips up north to Mom's. This last trip was the exception to the rule of following Mt. Shasta home. The fires in California were so bad as I started my drive north, that the valley was filled with smoke. Seeing the mountain was not an option. When I got to Redding the smoke was only worse. By the time I got to Shasta Lake and was driving across the bridges, I could not look down and see the water. Not only was the lake very low this year, the smoke had floated in and it felt like strange to not be able to see the earth below me. I spent the entire week at Mom's with out seeing Mt. Shasta once.

One day I was determined to fine the Lavender Fields. I had heard of a farm near Mt. Shasta, and got some general driving directions and started out. As I drove through Grenada, and on out to Big Springs I begin to wonder if there was really fields there. Smoke was again very bad, but as I drove along looking for the right turn off I was not sure where I was. Then I saw the 'Grenada Bridge'. A place where we went to during the years of High School. On past I got to Big Springs, and did not remember there was actually one service station there, defining a small country town. Driving on I found a US Mail Lady and stopped and asked her for directions to the Mt. Shasta Lavender Farm. I followed her directions, turned on another country road, going a certain distance and found a small sign directing me up dirt/rock road. You could only drive at a very slow speed and kept rounding around some scrub trees. I kept thinking I had taken the wrong road. How could anyone have a 'farm' up here in the rocks. The valley was lush and green with farm land and here I was climbing up a rock pile. I realized how far 'up' I had come when I first saw a vineyard and a building came into site with expansive views of the valley below. This is a fairly new farm and turning the last curve brought me into the magical view of Lavender fields. Except for the smoke I would of also had a breath taking view of Mt. Shasta. This picture is the view you first see. It was amazing!! As soon as you exist the car you inhale the wonderful smell of lavender. I also felt like I had entered another country. It has a French country side feeling. The above photo is one that I bought in their small shop. I could not of taken a picture like this as the smoke had filled in around the place. The views would be spectacular if only I could see this.

I did buy some Lavender as it is a great thing to put in with your wool yarn. Deters moths and is much nicer when you pull out a skein of yarn with the smell. Beats using moth balls!!

This farm is open from June 16th till July 20, this year. They close it to the public at that time so they can harvest the lavender and dry it. Groups of painters come to paint the views and the art work is hanging inside the small building. As you enter the building you are handed a cup of Lavender Tea. In the last year they had a wonderful write up in Sunset Magazine.

Now if I had been prepared I could of taken a basket and gone out to cut my own Lavender. I was not! So I purchased some bagged and some lavender still on stems. There is a wonderful fountain there and tables with lavender umbrella's to sit under and enjoy the view. Next time I go I will be prepared with my lunch and such items I need to walk out and cut my own.

The link to this place above, shows you some other amazing shots of the fields and of course the mountain. I bought the small picture I posted above as there was no way I was bringing home a photo of smoke to post.