Why a $46 Campsite Beats the Four Seasons Hotel

We visited Mt. Shasta over the weekend and although some of the other spots we've stayed at were memorable, the view of the snow capped mountain top of Mt. Shasta from Lake Siskiyou is down right assaulting.  Imagine sipping your early morning coffee a few hundred feet outside your trailer and seeing this. 

If you're up for a seriously rugged experience, you can drive a little higher up in elevation from Lake Siskiyou (about 7 miles) and camp on Lake Castle. At this time of year, large chunks of ice were visible. There are no developed camp sites here, just pitch a tent and enjoy.

We treated ourselves to French Toast at Lily's, located on the main road.  I usually don't drink tap water but something about the glass left by our waitress looked refreshing.  It was the BEST tasting water ever.  Better than any bottled water and certainly better than any city water. Our server told us their water comes from the melted snow off the mountain.  She recommended we visit Waters Head where the melted snow meets the Sacramento River. 

And that is why a $46 a night campsite beats a $400 a night room at The Four Seasons. Some of the most beautiful vistas can only be found in our National and State Parks.