Touring around our winter headquarters at Coachella Valley

Thursday, November 19, 2015

The view from our window where we live for the winter.

Some of the birds here for the winter, white pelicans, cormorants, Greebs, lots more.

We have learned that the entire Coachella Valley was once an inland sea, a northwest arm of the Gulf of California. Later, fed by the Colorado River, it was repeatedly flooded, creating a huge inland, fresh-water, lake. Shells from saltwater and fresh-water creatures are easily found around the valley and the ancient shoreline watermarks (bathtub rings) can be readily seen on the mountainsides. (Fact is stranger than fiction and Mother Nature makes strange facts!)

Today, we see the valley as a Colorado-Desert garden-spot, thanks to the irrigation from wells and the Colorado River. In the early days of California State, the place was   the dreaded Salton Sink, nemesis of many an early overland traveler. The valley slopes down to the Mexican border, creating the largest below-sea-level area in our country. Thanks to irrigation, the early developers renamed the Salton Sink to the Coachella Valley and the Imperial Valley, attracting settlers from all quarters. Today, we are amazed that this Salton Sink has become the playground of the “rich and famous” AND one of the most productive agricultural valleys in southern California.

From our site, we can see the valley from Indian Wells, Desert Hot Springs, La Quinta, Indio, Coachella, Thermal, and down to the Salton Sea. At night, the unexpected sea of lights, viewed from our site, is awesome. Curiously, regardless of the valley of lights, we can still enjoy some exceptional star-gazing in the cool, clear night air.

We wish all of our beloved family and friends a very blessed and enjoyable Thanksgiving 2015! As we spend our winter at gorgeous La Quinta, California, we persistently have affectionate thoughts of our cherished family and friends, in our hearts and minds, so please keep US in your hearts and minds too? We are fortunate to have your love and support in our “retirement adventures” and we are enjoying every minute of it. Of course, we absolutely delight in having visitors, so don’t miss a chance to visit us at Riverside County- Lake Cahuilla Regional Park, at La Quinta, in the great Coachella Valley.

Hugs to all!

Bob and Terry

Things to do list:

Empire Polo Club Polo Sunday 1-3/4-3 noon and 2pm $10

El Dorado Polo Club Sundays 1-10/4-3 $10

We never cease learning, with our latest geography lesson being that; the Coachella and Imperial Valley both lie in the Colorado Desert, a sub-division of the Sonoran Desert. We have travelled all over the Mohave Desert but never realized that its southern boundary is just north of the Coachella Valley and includes the Joshua Tree National Park. There’s a striking difference between the Mohave and Sonoran Deserts, concerning geography, flora, fauna, climate, minerals, and accessibility.

In the Spring of 1942, the 162-thousand-square-mile Desert Training Center, just east of Indio, was opened, under the command of General Patton, for training US (Armored Tank) soldiers to serve in North Africa. (I think that the DTC was situated, straddling both deserts.) It closed in 1944, having successfully completed its mission. Americans from the entire country trained here. (Do you know of anyone who trained here?) Another interesting fact is that; Calcite crystals, for the WW II, Norden bombsite, were mined at Anza Borrego Desert, another section of the Sonoran.

Friday, November 27, 2015

We took an overnight trip down the valley to the Salton Sea and the Imperial Valley. We passed by the Salton Sea on the west side (CA 86) and drove on down to El Centro, just north of the Mexico border. There’s an obvious presence of the US Border Patrol in this area. The Border Patrol uses the pistol range at Lake Cahuilla and they practice shooting more that the Sheriff’s Department So far, we haven’t heard of the US Border Patrol being involved in any questionable shootings.

This leg of our trip was a busy route with numerous winter “snowbird” residents around the lake towns, and loads of off-road vehicle riders, scrambling about the sand dunes and washes around the lake. We were surprised to see women and seniors riding the ATVs around the area. The riders roar about the dunes and washes and also ride into the towns to grab a burger and refreshments. Quite a site and a huge activity for visitors here. The scenery and sunset were nice and we were glad to get dinner and a comfortable motel, on a cool night in El Centro. Just like the Coachella Valley, Salton Sea and Imperial Valley are contained (surrounded) by mountains that abruptly rise around the valley floor. This makes for a late sunrise and early sunset.

View from shore at Salton Sea.  Lots of white and brown pelicans and many more birds.

Instead of sand the shore is all shells mainly barnacles!  No sand!

Today, we drove up the Imperial Valley and Imperial County, then along the east side of Salton Sea (CA 111). This, my first visit to the Imperial Valley brought back memories of my Uncle Joe’s 1950’s description of the valley, a desert-garden watered by the Colorado River. Also, I remember those colorful produce labels that came on some Imperial Valley products and how, as a child, those pictures told me a story about the wonderful farm-life in the Imperial Valley. Lovely scenery, happy ethnic people and neat rows of green produce extending to the purple mountains. Now, I know that the Imperial Valley is a lot like the Mississippi Delta and other large agricultural areas. Mainly, weathered farms with every piece of equipment, ever owned, (old and new/junk and state-of-the-art) sitting out around the farmsteads, on multi-million dollar farms.

Other curious observations in the Imperial Valley were;

-Referencing the California Dept of Ag before traveling to Imperial Valley, we discovered that cattle are the number one revenue in the valley. With thousands of acres in produce this seemed strange. Strangely, Beef cattle IS the number one crop in the valley. You see a lot of alfalfa and grass hay(corn comes by rail) produced but the cattle are inconspicuously concentrated into feed lots. We saw Superior Cattle Feeders at Calipatria, with a lot capacity of 80,000 head, specializing in cheap Holstein steers (dairy farm rejects) under 20-months old. They feed them out and slaughter them down the road at their Brawley plant, producing high revenue (lower quality) beef products. They export lots of beef to Japan so I guess the Japanese can take tough, not-prime beef and make it tasty.

-In conjunction with the huge feed lots, Citrate Manure Power Plant processes and burns feed-lot cow manure, making electricity. They also sell the ash byproduct to asphalt manufacturers and geothermal well drillers. We were surprised that cattle was number one in Imperial Valley but thanks to a low-visibility, integrated operation, we now see why.

-Speaking of electricity, there are numerous geothermal facilities, producing electricity in the Imperial Valley, along the San Andreas Fault. Using deep injection and production wells, they feed steam-turbine generation facilities. Ironically, ash from the Cow Manure Power Plants is used to corral toxic waste-spills from the geothermal production wells.

-We also observed a mountain of unrefined sugar, waiting to be refined at the Speckles beet Sugar plant in Brawley. Sugar beets are grown and processed in the valley into refined sugar. They plant in Sept. harvest in April and produce 40/tons beets per acre, yielding 14,000 pounds of sugar. Lots of the byproducts go to cattle feed for those huge feedlots.

- Produce crops rank next behind cattle.

It is fun making all the connections between these technological and high-tech operations. It always comes down to maximizing revenue by marketing every possible material, prime or byproduct, and sometimes creating markets through cooperation with your neighbors.

We did enjoy seeing the Imperial Valley and appreciate all the wonderful contributions that they make to the dinner table. Regardless of the roughness, smell, and dust of the ag operations, we are glad that we visited the Imperial Valley.

Along the eastern shore of Salton Sea we thoroughly enjoyed the birds, shoreline, mountain views, and a picnic under the shade of a beach ramada. The beach sand was composed of Barnacle shells. We were surprised to learn that barnacles thrive in the Salton Sea and account for the shoreline material that resembles very coarse sand. Later, we strolled through their Native Plant Garden and identified the local desert plants. We also saw some fine specimens of California’s native Fan Palm. When left untrimmed, the Fan Palms, become large, shady habitat for all sorts of birds and animals.

The unparalleled 360-degree views of the Santa Rosa, Oracopia, and Chocolate Mountains make every morning sunrise and evening sunset an amazing event. Salton Sea, 332 feet below sea level, is a dead-sea, with increasing salt content but its name comes from the Salton Sink. Hopefully, with its critical importance to migratory birds on the Pacific flyway, the Salton Sea can be saved. We’re glad we visited Salton Sea AND the Imperial Valley. 

Bakersfield/LA/Coachella Valley

Monday, November 2, 2015

Neglecting my notes for several weeks, I have much to apprise, impart, and describe, concerning our recent experiences. My primary objective is to maintain a journal of our experiences, for later reference and recall, as our memories are (increasingly) unreliable.

Spending a week with Bobbie was so much fun and she certainly welcomed us with her enormous hospitality. We appreciated the RV hook-up, right at Bobbie’s house and the dogs enjoyed the nice green fenced-in lawn.

Another great treat in Bakersfield was visiting with Bobbie’s family and Terry’s sister Michelle and her family, from over in Maricopa. We enjoyed a superior “Brunch” at the Buck Owens Crystal Palace and a distinctive dinner at the Wool Growers Restaurant in the old downtown Bakersfield. Another constant amusement at Bobbie’s “Crump 3-C Ranch” was “Chipper” her new Maltese/Pomeranian (just over 1 pound) puppy. During our week at Bakersfield, we shopped and explored around Bakersfield and Kern County, enjoying an exciting, informative and relaxing visit.

Departing Bakersfield, we headed south on CA 99 to I-5 and then traveled the “grapevine” over historic Tejon Pass, along the old El Camino Real, California’s first major road. Crossing the Tehachapi Mountains, we drove down to Los Angeles and then headed east to Loma Linda in the Redlands area, for a nice, quiet RV site. The Costco fuel pumps were so busy that we decided to wait for another Sam’s Club or Costco, and they are frequent along I-10. Our membership in both clubs (Us at Costco and Bud at Sam’s) is very beneficial to us, especially the fuel service.

On Sunday, we journeyed to Palm Springs and found a cozy RV Resort, conveniently situated in the downtown area. We enjoyed rambling around Palm Springs in the cool night air, exploring the attractions of this Resort Oasis, in the Coachella Valley. We learned that the Coachella Valley is a collection of nine distinctive cities, offering an unparalleled sense of escape, adventure, and relaxation, in the warm, sunny climate, during the winter months. It is a fabulous winter resort. The “snow birds” are flocking-in and we will be helping to take their money this winter, at the Lake Cahuilla Regional Park, in La Quinta.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Having completed our first week at Cahuilla County Park, we have already discovered numerous interesting aspects of the park and the Coachella Valley. Our associate park personnel and fellow-hosts are very friendly and helpful and make a very enjoyable work-team. We are fortunate in joining terrific people in all our camp-host assignments. The Cahuilla County Park is located several miles south of La Quinta and adjacent to the PGA West complex, so we are surrounded by some elite neighborhoods. This area of the valley has gated, walled subdivisions with beautiful homes and landscaping. Horses are popular and many developments have horse paddocks, stables, and riding trails. The landscaping must represent $billions and it’s well maintained by teams of people. The gardeners are constantly trimming and pruning trees commercial contractors use powerful shredders to grind the debris. We find it amusing when driving behind a truck that’s hauling Eucalyptus mulch, because it’s trailing a potpourri.

The lake is stocked with fish and is a very attractive sports and recreation area, including the wildlife. We have lots of birds, and a variety of mammals. My favorite observations and sightings include ducks, hummingbirds, White Pelicans, hawks, Osprey, Desert Bighorn Sheep, and Coyotes. The lake is part of the Coachella Valley Water District, fed mainly by the Colorado River Aqueduct. The river water is the life-blood of the desert-valley and it feeds $billions of landscaping and agriculture.

The Riverside Sherriff’s Department operates a pistol range on the north side of the park but surprisingly, that does not seem to affect the wildlife. Like Las Vegas, the Coachella Valley can experience occasional high winds, so it’s prudent to watch the weather and pick-up your outdoor furnishings, before the wind blows them away. High winds also carry dust and sand that are a nuisance, for example, having left my truck windows partially open overnight, for ventilation, precipitated a laborious interior clean-up. Below sea-level, we experience 40-50 degree temperature changes over-night, so we wear tee-shirts during the day and jackets at night. This is an ideal winter climate!

Around the Coachella Valley, we have abundant shopping, dining, entertainment, and attractions fulfilling any needs that we may have. We realize now that this is an elite winter playground for the “rich and famous”. We’re also impressed with the lavish, very expensive properties that are only used in the winter months. Our country (and Canada) has loads of wealthy people who come here for the winter!

We’re also discovering some opportunities, providing new experiences for us. For example, Empire Polo Club, Equestrian Park, Date Gardens, Desert Ice Castle, Desert Hot Springs, Sports Bars for watching college football, and casinos for entertainment and attractions.

We have adopted St. Francis of Assisi as our Coachella Valley Church. It literally abuts the Santa Rosa Mountains, with a beautiful facility and landscape. It’s an enormous Catholic Church, serving the La Quinta community but maintains a warm, friendly, small-town atmosphere. The church offers frequent programs for newcomers to get more involved and enjoy the church family. 

Around the San Joaquin Valley

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Driving down California’s central valley is always an interesting experience for us. According to the California Department of Agriculture, 360 different agricultural products are produced in the central valley and it’s done very efficiently. The valley is 40-60 miles wide and 450 miles long, lying between the Cascades and Serra Nevada mountains on the east and the Coast Range on the west. The Sacramento and the San Joaquin Rivers, the two main watersheds of the valley, provide for irrigation, recreation and wildlife habitat. We had a pleasant noonday picnic, under a shady Sycamore, at the city park, in Williams. It was a very agreeable day but we were glad to arrive to a campsite in Sacramento.

We took an RV site, at the Cal Exposition Center, on the American River, California’s State Fairgrounds and Convention Center. Last night, we took a drive-around tour, to the Sacramento Old-Town, the State Capital, Sutter’s Fort, and around town. Sacramento, situated at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers, is a beautiful city with a vivacious personality. We have found the people to be warm and friendly, like a small-town atmosphere. After a full day, we were glad to return to our RV for a quiet, restful night.

After a full-day of exploring Sacramento, we took a walk on the American River, along the River Trail Network, a favorite outdoor venue for the Sacramento people. This extensive trail system, with rest areas, picnic areas, and shady, paved paths, provides access to the rivers, for bicycles and hikers. Everyone that we passed extended their greetings like we were someone they knew. We didn’t meet a single stranger in Sacramento! We could live here!

10-16

On Friday afternoon, we headed down to Stockton and took a campsite on the Sacramento River, in the river delta, just west of Lodi. The campground is situated on Potato Slough, a tributary of the Sacramento River. A large marina is located just adjacent to the campground and there are abundant and various boats moored here, both pleasure and commercial. The river delta has numerous drawbridges to facilitate the movement of these watercraft along the wide, flat delta.

The highlight of our visit to Lodi and Stockton was a nice visit with cousins Deannie and Gerry, in their lovely home. Deannie spoiled us with scrumptious dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings. (Thanks again, cousins)!

We also got to watch the televised football games that we were interested in (LSU, Mississippi, Mississippi State, and Southern Miss).

Another highlight was a trip through the fruit and nut orchards to Linden, Gerry’s childhood home. Driving through the geometrically-planted orchards, with the trees overhanging the roads, was so extraordinary. The predominately family-owned orchards represent several generations of family collaboration and cooperation, and the homesteads are situated in the interior of the orchards. It was also interesting to see the specialized machinery, irrigation, and equipment, utilized in the various orchards. We had fun identifying the crops, and how the particular paraphernalia and equipment was used!

 Who said: "whoever could make two ears of corn, or two blades of grass, to grow upon a spot of ground where only one grew before, would deserve better of mankind, and do more essential service to his country, than the whole race of politicians put together.”

South of Stockton, we saw the old (1832) Hudson Bay Company’s, French Camp, on the San Joaquin River, the southern terminus of the Oregon-California Trail from Fort Vancouver, on the Columbia River.

10-18 Sunday Afternoon

We continued south on CA 99 to Chowchilla, and then east to Hensley Lake, a US Army Corps of Engineers lake and campground. We plan to stay five nights in this remote campsite, in the western-slope, foothills of the Sierra Nevada Range. The foothills have granite and basalt outcroppings that just protrude from the dry, brown-grass slopes, like the backbone of an ancient creature. The campground is surrounded predominately by Live Oaks, some Pines, and a few Eucalyptus trees. The trees host lots of birds and mammals. A large covey of California Quail roost in the brush along the creek every night. We have seen Coyotes, Prairie Dogs, Rabbits, Acorn Woodpeckers, Oak Titmouse, White-crowned Sparrows, Coopers Hawk, Red Tailed Hawk, Golden Eagle, and fortunately, no Rattlesnakes. Quietly observing, we witnessed two Acorn Woodpeckers cooperatively enjoying a cool drink from a dripping water spigot, without their usual bickering and chatter. We also observed them storing acorns in the metal-roof moldings of the picnic sheds too. (Industrious and expedient little creatures)! The flood-control/water management lake is very low and the steep boat ramp slopes down into the dry lake bed, ending far from and above the paltry water level. One could only launch an “air boat” on this lake and there’s plenty of dry air to cruise around on!

Late yesterday afternoon, observing the distant Sierra Nevada’s to the west, we identified Mt. Henry (12,196ft) 50 degrees, East, northeast, in the Kettle Ridge Range, (just south of the San Joaquin headwaters), and Mt. Goddard 90 degrees due east (13,568), in the Ragged Spur Range, and about 60 miles distance is Mt. Darwin (13,830) 71 degrees East northeast, in the Black Divide Range. We wondered if there were any Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail hikers on the trail, up by Mt. Henry and Florence Lake, along the headwaters of San Joaquin River.     

Auspiciously, we have the campground exclusively, with only the occasional USACE Park Ranger driving by. We be chill ‘in!

Just minutes ago, a lone bicyclist came riding in and joined us for a campsite. In talking to this neighbor, I discovered that he is a long-distance touring rider with a lot of experience. He is an interesting fellow and a worthy story to add to our memories. Check him out: Beat Helm BETZGI.CH

Friday, October 23, 2015

Today, we continue south to Bakersfield and a visit with Aunt Bobbie and Terry’s sister Michelle (in Maricopa). Arriving in Bakersfield at mid-afternoon, we enjoyed a visit and delightful dinner with Bobbie. Bobbie’s Crump 3-C Ranch is right in the middle of the huge Ag fields but her home is an “oasis” with large trees and an exquisitely landscaped lawn surrounding the house and farm-buildings. Sam and Daisy seem to relish the freedom to roam and explore the enclosed property. Bobbie’s new dog “Chipper” is getting all the attention and he terrorizes Daisy.

We relaxed and talked on the front porch until dark-thirty and then we retired from a long day of travel in the San Joaquin Valley, on a warm afternoon. Great day!

Sat. 1-24

This morning, we awoke to the crowing roosters, at the Crump 3-C Ranch, reminiscing back to the days when Mr. Thomas Baker settled on the banks of the Kern River (1863) and decided this would be a superb valley for a ranch. So, Baker’s field later became the subject of Buck Owens 1973 hit, “Streets of Bakersfield” song with that famous “Bakersfield sound”.

Buck said, “it goes something like this”:

I came I here looking for something

I couldn't find anywhere else

Hey, I'm not trying to be nobody

Just want a chance to be myself

I've done a thousand miles of thumbin'

I've worn holes in both my heels

Trying to find me something better

On the streets of Bakersfield

You don't know me, but you don't like me

You say you care less how I feel

But how many of you that sit and judge me

Have ever walked the streets of Bakersfield?

Spent some time in San Francisco

Spent a night there in the can

They threw this drunk man in my jail cell

Took fifteen dollars from that man

Left him my watch and my old house key

Don't want folks thinkin' that I'd steal

Then I thanked him as I was leaving, and

I headed for the streets of Bakersfield

You don't know me, but you don't like me

You say you care less how I feel

But how many of you that sit and judge me

Have ever walked the streets of Bakersfield?

You don't know me, but you don't like me

You say you care less how I feel

But how many of you that sit and judge me

Have ever walked the streets of Bakersfield?

How many of you that sit and judge me

Have ever walked the streets of Bakersfield?

Later this morning, I went back to the olive trees and tasted a ripe black olive, right off the tree. It was terrible bitter and I was informed that the olives have to be processed before they become the tasty black olives in the super market.

We also got to watch the televised football games that we were interested in (LSU, Mississippi, Mississippi State, and Southern Miss).

The Willamette Valley, then Southwest Oregon, and into Northern California

First weekend of October 2015

We had a tremendous weekend in Eugene. We visited Terry’s folks and spent some quality time in several local parks. On Saturday afternoon and evening, we watched Corbin play football at the OU Denzen Stadium, home of the “Ducks”, followed by a light dinner at the River City Mall.

On Sunday, we met Don and Bobbie for lunch at an outdoor café on the Willamette River, just next to the University of Oregon. It was a good visit with a high school friend (and wife), who now call Eugene home. We talked so much that we forgot to get a picture. 

Next, we met up with Ariel and Corbin for a farewell walk in the park and made some pictures. Afterwards, Terry and I drove around Eugene and stopped off at the famous Red Wagon Ice Cream Shop on the way home. We had a fabulous weekend and now we are completely exhausted.

On Monday, we departed Eugene and drove up the headwaters of the Willamette River, over Willamette Pass, then down to Klamath Falls. We saw some spectacular fall colors going over the pass. On the eastern slope, we encountered Aspens (about 4-thousand feet), showing their regal, golden fall colors, like a patchwork among the green conifers and Ponderosa pines.  

We plan three days here to rest, relax, catch-up on some chores, and daytrip, etc.

Klamath Falls has no falls, it’s more of a rapid, on the Link River, where the water flows rapidly over the rocks. The dam now controls the flow and there’s seldom any significant rapids. The entire valley is predominately agriculture in the lower elevations and timber up the mountains. Water for irrigation is the most important resource for the farmers and ranchers. Talking to a rancher, it’s not uncommon to get seven cuttings of alfalfa, which is used for winter feed AND trucked to the large dairy operations in California. The area has geothermal features which are used for heating in town and in the country. They just bore a well and immediately, they have an endless source of hot water that can be used for heating.  

What a beautiful place.

The day was cloudy so the blue of the lake was not as pretty in this photo

Aren''t we sweet here at Crater Lake

Wed. 10-7

Today, we head up to Creator Lake and Fort Klamath, for some sightseeing. After a full-day at Creator Lake and Fort Klamath, we were glad to return to the camp for a fine dinner.

Crater Lake National Park is Oregon’s only National Park but it is at the top of the list of Oregon’s seven wonders. The 33-mile drive around the rim reveals the unmatched, dramatic views of the volcanic scenery and beauty of the park. We stopped at the Visitor Center for a video presentation on the park’s significance and the lake’s volcanic past. At the Crater Lake Lodge, overlooking the lake, we had a picnic lunch and made some pictures. The Rim Village Gift Shop had some interesting souvenirs and a welcome coffee shop (it was a cool day). Just outside is a short rim-walk with stunning views of the crater and lake. It depicts the story of how Mount Mazama:

Grew to 12,000 feet over millions of years

Blew 12 cubic miles of volcanic material in a pyroclastic blast 7,700 years ago

Fell or caved in after blast, leaving a huge crater

Filled over centuries to a depth of 1,943 feet of water, six miles across

The lake is a clear, pure, brilliant blue (grape cool-aid blue) at 7,100-feet elevation and has a 143-foor clarity.

At Discovery Point, we fed Clark’s Nutcrackers and Gray Jays right out of our hands (They’re well trained by millions of visitors)! and enjoyed some walks with our dogs. The elevation slowed old Sam but he didn’t stop.

We also visited Fort Klamath (1863), a U.S. Army outpost down in the valley, which provided protection to settlers and the Oregon Trail immigrants. Sixty-five soldiers were killed in the Modoc Indian War of 1867, but they were disinterred from the fort cemetery and moved to the San Francisco Presidio in 1888, after the fort was de-commissioned. Most of these men were Oregonians and, being deceased, had no say in the matter. After 1888, a local church cemetery association took over the graveyard and it’s still in use. The graves of the Modoc Indians, who were executed for killing the soldiers, are the only remaining graves from the military occupation period.  

Thursday, October 8, 2015

After lunch today, we headed south from Klamath, on US 97, and said goodbye to Oregon and hello to California. US 97 is a beautiful drive, with loads of rubber-necking fascinations, like the ag fields of Butte Valley, the basalt-covered hills, the truck-loads of onions, Lake Shasta, the different trees, at varying elevations, but not much “fall colors”.  

Mt. Shasta was in our front view for a long distance and it was a clear day, making it very impressive, with its glaciers and multiple cones. Mt. Shasta is second to Mt. Whitney, but (me thinks) Shasta is more handsome. Along the route, we observed the Castle Crags, a most impressive group of towering, granite spires, rising above the upper Sacramento River canyon. When we encountered Lake Shasta, it was sad to see the bare slopes, which were once covered by the cold, clear waters of Lake Shasta. The marinas have lowered as far as the ramps would allow, and now foot-paths are used to get down to the boats. The huge Dam now looks like a colossal, overbuilt structure because of the very low water level. The Dam is still producing power, providing recreation, and feeding the irrigation district, but it’s controversial.

 

Next, we stopped at Costco in Redding to feed dogs, have dinner, and shop. Our next leg was a climb east, to Shingletown and the Lassen Volcano National Park, where we took a campsite for the night.

Friday 10-9

We spent the day at Lassen Volcanic National Park, situated just south of the Cascade Range, just north of the Serra Nevada Mountains, the Great Basin Desert to the east, and the Sacramento River Valley to the west. This convergence point contributes to the diversity of ecosystems and abundant flora and fauna, found in the park. Traveling from the west into the park, you go from 1000 to 8200 feet over twenty-five miles, on some really exciting roads, with stunning overlooks and access to loads of hiking trails. (Terry was leaning away from the precipices, too long at sea-level, on the coast!) Lassen Peak (10,487ft) is the centerpiece of the park, one of the largest plug dome volcanoes in the world.

We enjoyed a picnic lunch at Manzanita Lake, one of the glacial lakes, where we were joined by a friendly, panhandling Mallard hen.

The park illustrates Earth’s powerful forces in all four volcano types: (Shield, cinder cone, plug dome, and composite), not to underestimate the several geothermal areas, with boiling caldrons, hissing fumaroles, gurgling mud pots, all smelling of hydrogen sulfide. The entire park is like a Mars-scape, with all that rock and material coming from the volcanoes. This was an appropriate culmination of the Volcano Legacy Scenic Byway that we encountered and traveled in the Cascades of Washington, Oregon, and northern California. We loved it!

10 October 2015

We made it back to the Sacramento River at Redding and plan to rest-up on the weekend. We plan to watch college football, shop, dine, church, and sightsee the Riverwalk. We made a trip to Costco and Walmart to stock up on the appropriate supplies.

Sunday 10/11

Last night, we took a walk along the Sacramento River Walk, a favorite recreational asset for the people of Redding and visitors alike, and part of a larger recreation trail network. The walk is situated along both sides of the river, with pedestrian bridges and public parks interspersed along the improved path. We had to walk slowly because our dogs wanted to take in every smell (p-mail).   

We noticed that the low-head dam structures have fish-ladders, so we assume that anadromous fish migrations are still significant. The downtown area was busy with diners, shoppers, and the “Saturday Night Crowd”, in the bars and taverns. 

This morning, we attended Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in the downtown area. The downtown area looked very different on Sunday morning than it did last night.

We have enjoyed our weekend at Redding, Shasta County and the Sacramento River Valley!