Category: Outdoor Adventure
Running Wild In NorCal
By Molly Barber Photos Courtesy of Tributary Whitewater Tours There’s a part of your soul that’s made to run wild. A part that craves freedom and adventure. For some, just being out in nature will fulfill this need. For others, we crave something a little more adventurous. Either way, Northern California seems to be a birthplace for wild souls. Whether you’re a transplant to the area or born and bred here, this environment is unparalleled soul food. The rivers, lakes, mountains, and valleys that encompass this region allow for as many adventures as the mind can conceive. Hiking trails run...
Read More
TANK
It was a quiet morning at our house, no real plans, it seemed. Oh Mom was running around getting ready for something (as usual). Me and Dad were just sitting on the couch. I kept giving him the “want to play?” nudge but he wasn’t really going for it. My head perched, as always, on the arm of the couch, peeking through the window, looking for some friend. I spot the shimmer of sun off of a car pulling in. Mom lets me out. It’s Molly! She works at my moms office and she LOVES me. She always pets me and throws the ball when she comes over. We like to chill. Maybe SHE wants to play. Oh...
Read More
Holding Babies At Barry Kirschner’s
By Melissa Wynn Photos Courtesy of Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation Close contact with wildlife is an exhilarating experience that reinforces our connection to nature in a way that little else can. Whether it is a lucky raccoon sighting in your own backyard or a paid dolphin experience abroad, you are sure to remember these rare, face to face encounters for years to come. At the Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation, in Butte County, the staff understands the importance of these lasting connections and has implemented a new opportunity for visitors to interact with the baby animals that...
Read More
Fishing Fun In and Around Lake Almanor
By Bob Kopernik, Lucky Grady Fishing Guide Service If you are new to this area and are interested in drowning a few worms or crickets in hopes of having Fish Tacos for dinner, do yourself a favor and purchase a detailed geographical map of the area. I like the Northern California DeLorme Atlas & Gazetteer Map book because it shows most all of the lakes, streams, campgrounds and the roads to get you there. Another good resource is the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website, to see where and when they last planted fish into the place that you are thinking about fishing. You...
Read More
Day Hikes Around Anderson
By Christy Milan The stress of the week resulted in my desire to “blow off some steam.” I did not want to go too far due to time limits. This led me to discover many trails throughout my town, Anderson, and neighborhoods. The sun was finally shining and this made the need to go hit the trails become impossible to resist. I put on my walking shoes, grabbed my bottle of water and sunglasses and drove to a local walking/biking trail. The air was clean and I felt it rush into my lungs as I quickened my pace. Others passed me along the trail with a smile or wave as they enjoyed nature’s great...
Read More
Businesses Welcomed in the Small Town of Westwood
Westwood’s business community is well supported by the townspeople. The welcoming streets are named alphabetically by the names of trees. Streets are lined with old wooden homes, reminiscent of its early lumber days’ history. Retail businesses include three convenience stores, two with fuels, Lassen True Value hardware store, Now and Then thrift shop and Old Town Mercantile, an artists’ collective/Shabby Chic home furnishings & decor store which has been moving and expanding for its new early April Grand Re-opening. The town recently lost its grocery store, due to retirement, as was the...
Read MoreOld Town Mercantile, Westwood, Near Lake Almanor, antiques, crafts, webdirecting.biz
The all new Old Town Mercantile is a quaint retail store and gift shop featuring a variety of arts and crafts, shabby chic, flower seeds, jewelry, and repurposed and recycled items including furniture and home decor. Also, home...
Read More
Back Country Winter Survival Kit
By Melissa Wynn, Photo: Joel Rathje Many of us call NorCal home for the amazing outdoor adventures that the winter season offers. We love to trek through the back countryon snowmobiles, snowshoes, snowboards, and skis. Nature has a special beauty frosted in snow but it also has an increased level of danger. [media-credit name=”Joel Rathje” align=”alignnone” width=”300″][/media-credit] Safety is possibly the best gift you can give yourself or a loved one. You never know when that one minute of forethought might save a life. Every outdoor enthusiast, whether...
Read More
Exploring Our Local Winter Wonderland – Snowshoeing, Skiing, Sledding And More
By Mara Dobyns Photos by Jessica Compton- JCM Photography In this beautiful area of Northern California we are often spoiled with snow which means we have countless opportunities for fun in the outdoor world. In my opinion it would be pretty silly not to take advantage of it. Whether you enjoy snowshoeing, cross country or downhill skiing, sledding, or just exploring your local backcountry, we’ve got something for everyone. When I was a kid having my birthday in January always meant one thing, going to our favorite local hill for play, Stover, celebrating with snow and sledding until our...
Read More
Exploring Ice Caves In Lassen County
Photos and Article by Mara Dobyns “Life is an adventure. It’s not about the destination we reach that’s most rewarding, it’s the journey along the way. So write it down! & treasure the memory forever…” – Barlena Morina While exploring in Lassen National Forest, take highway 36 to Wilson Lake Road 29 & 63, then make a right onto the 29 N 19 road. Next, find the E. Spur Road off of 29 N 19, and if you’re lucky, you’ll stumble upon a tree marked “Ice” in blue paint. From there just ahead you will find an opening with a couch carved out of a tree, a trailhead, and a mailbox...
Read More
$10 Christmas Trees Choose Yours In The National Forest
By Melissa Wynn One of my favorite family Christmas traditions is spending the day wandering the forest in search of the perfect Christmas tree. Memorable adventures are created by simply packing a picnic and making a day of choosing and cutting the tree as a family. Whether you prefer a majestic blue spruce or a spindly “Charlie Brown” style tree in need of rescue, you can usually harvest it from your nearest National Forest with the proper permit. Prices and limits can vary by forest so here are a few of our favorites near you. Lassen National Forest – (530) 257-2151 (Supervisor’s...
Read More
Best Snowmobile Hot Spots
There is nothing like the feeling of a little wind in your face if you’re breaking through fresh powder on the top of a mountain somewhere, behind 700 cc of raw, untamed power. For some, that is exactly why they live where they live and do what they do. For many, a trailer is not even needed as alleys and access ways surround many of the rural communities in Lassen, Plumas and Sierra counties. As soon as the snow begins piling u p, the sleds are warming up. When kids are tucked in and most folks are settled in by a warm fire, you can hear the adventurous few heading out late-night after a...
Read More