Corning? What's in Corning, California? Why would you go there? Those are some questions I answered when talking about our family weekend that ended our summer vacation.
The truth is, we never intended to go to Corning. It was a last minute effort when camping near Lassen National Park was impossible due to smoke from the August fires in the park. Lesson, don't believe a campground owner when she says, "It's only haze!" The reality was smoke.
Fortunately, my Son's mother-in-law found a campground on the Sacramento River that just had the right number of cancellations for riverfront sites. What luck!
It actually turned out to be a fun four days with the in-laws. My grandchildren especially enjoyed playing in their blow-up pool (pictures are in the slide show). I did try to shoot a sunset. It came out okay, but I have seen better. I've learned with sunsets that being there at the right place and time is the way to capture a beautiful scene.
The campground didn't offer many photo opportunities, but the local Abbey of New Clairvaux was a photographic treat. I wish I had my wide angle lens at that time, but I made do with my 18 - 55 mm lens. They are in the process of restoring the Chapter House originally built in Spain between 1190 and 1220. Their website tells the amazing story of how William Randolph Hearst bought, dismantled and brought the stones to San Francisco. There is a winery on the grounds and a tasting room.
We also drove into town for the Corning Olive Festival which was disappointing. We had visions of a quaint downtown area celebrating the festival. However, we had a difficult time finding the park that hosted the festival. Reality, don't go to Corning for the Olive Festival go to visit the Abbey!
Now that I have a wide angle lens, I'd like to go back to Corning and the Abbey to re-shoot some of the pictures. If you are passing by the area, do stop in. You won't be disappointed.
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