If you are new to Mountain Valley Living Magazine, welcome! Thanks for picking up our latest edition. We publish six times per year, writing about places to go, things to do and ways to make life simpler or better. We are proactive; we aren’t here to tell you what has already happened but more about how you can make something happen, whether it be by taking an outdoor adventure, going on a road trip, or just taking a trip out to dinner, we have some ideas we think you’ll like, and a regional calendar that’s packed with things to do across the region. From homemade recipes and home improvement ideas to recipes and helpful household advice, we think you’ll also like our expanding Home & Garden section.
We write for the people who enjoy living in and visiting the mountains and valleys of Northeastern California. We are here to celebrate the relationships between the communities we serve, encouraging readers to get out and experience the areas around them. In each edition you will find a Road Trip, Dining Review, outdoor adventure, critters and more. If you are looking for real estate, check us first for some of the best buys around.
If you want to see what we’ve been up to for the past 5 years, take a trip to MountainValleyLiving.com. Click on Road Trips to see every place we’ve ever stayed with everything from staying in a Forest Service lookout to 5 star hotels. We’ll show you some great hot springs, point out wild horses, great hikes, and kayak spots.
We’re always ready to bring you the best in racing, motorsports and Offroad Vehicle recreation. Fishing and hunting are also part of the fun at MountainValleyLiving.com. So cruise on over to our website to plan your next adventure.
Editions are published bi-monthly on the 15th and are delivered to all areas by the 20th. Watch for our upcoming editions:
May 15 – July 15: SUMMER ADVENTURE 1st edition
July 15 – Sept. 15: SUMMER ADVENTURE 2nd edition
Sept 15 – Nov. 15: FALL edition
November 15 – Jan 15: WINTER Edition
Jan 15 – March 15: ROAD TRIPS Special Vacation Planners Edition
March 15 – May 15: SPRING Edition
If you have a business, let us show you why advertising with Mountain Valley Living really pays off. We urge you to visit our great line up of advertisers. It really helps our magazine and I know you’ll love all the great things they have to offer.
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By Eileen Majors
Flipping through the channels of the radio, I stumbled upon some commentary about Make a Difference Monday. I did not catch all the details but did overhear callers talking about what someone had done for them for no reason at all, like paying for their groceries on this so-called Make a Difference Monday.
I was in awe of the idea. It reminded me of the Pay It Forward movie which promoted the same theory. (Do you know there is still an active website promoting the Pay It Forward concept?)
Anyhow call it Pay It Forward, Make a Difference Monday or any other name; just use one that will encourage others to follow the theory. There are plenty of people out there struggling and there is no shortage of a guy who could use a quick, unexpected hand, a kind word or even just a smile! It is always heart warming to hear stories of people jumping out of their comfort zone to help someone else, some in small ways, some huge.
Here is my favorite story to this day. It’s huge and it is the story of Victor Perez, who was an unemployed construction worker and father of two in Fresno CA. After a day of scrapping metal last October to raise some food money, he and his cousin split up the $42 they’d raised and made a big batch of chicken soup for their extended family. The next day the two jumped into a truck to chase down a vehicle that fit the description of a kidnapper they had seen on TV. The next thing you know, The Governor is honoring Perez, handing him a full scholarship to contractor’s school and people from everywhere are sending him gifts and money. A mother in tears thanks Perez and calls him her little girl’s guardian angel after he chased down the kidnapper, rescuing her 8 year old daughter. Perez is troubled by the attention and asks people to instead donate to the family of the little girl who needs it more. Her dad had lost his job too and after losing the family car they had to travel by bus to the girl’s counseling appointments needed after being held overnight by her captor. The Fresno Bee set up a fund for that family. Perez noted the most memorable donation as one which came from a lady in a rest home. She sent $8 because it was all she could afford and she had an eight year old granddaughter.
Just goes to show no matter how down and out you are, there is always someone out there in worse shape. And the bottom line is, there is no need to wait till Monday.
Blessings!
Eileen
source: Los Angeles Times, Oct. 13, 2011 - Diana Marcum, K-Love Radio,
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From Our Publisher
Eileen Majors
One thing about the beautiful area we live in, we have every opportunity to notice and welcome the changes of each season. When it is winter, you know it! When the first signs of spring emerge, we celebrate. When summer arrives it offers an all new myriad of outdoor adventure, and now already, once again the onset of fall has many of us scrambling to get in those final summer adventures.
The magnificent colors of autumn will soon light up the valley, painting their way up north to decorate mountain lakes and streams. As we all get out to experience more of the season’s best offerings, we at Mountain Valley Living are working hard to reach more of you. We have been around now for almost four years. We enjoy writing about travel and outdoor adventures across the region, and promote ideas for places to go, things to do and ways to make life simpler. We make our way to the small town events, major attractions and out-of-the-way places we think you might find interesting. We take you on a monthly ‘Road Trip” and invite you to our table for our monthly dining review. We include recipes and interesting features while continually encouraging our readers to support the small, ‘mom and pop’ businesses and producers that make up our unique communities.
Now, as a new season approaches, we too step into a new season at Mountain Valley Living, a season of reaching more readers. Our base circulation in Lassen and Plumas Counties will not change; we will simply deliver more magazines to more places. We are excited to share the mountain experiences with our new valley readers and are also anxious to engage new readers who are interested in rural lifestyles and adventures.
We were thrilled to hear from some of our new readers in the valley, and to welcome the work of these local artists, writers and photographers who sent us stories about some of their favorite places! One thing about the changing of the seasons, both hurrying us to enjoy the now, and moving us toward new adventures, it delivers a sense of well-being. We hope you will notice and welcome the changes at Mountain Valley Living.
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FROM OUR PUBLISHER
Eileen Majors
Whatever your favorite summer adventure is, it is about time to get on it. Why on earth do I procrastinate on those kayak rides, and hikes and bike rides that I really do enjoy so much? Probably because I am just like everybody else with about a thousand things already on my plate every day and I don’t have time (or take time) to enjoy more.
I often look back on how simple things used to be. I spent a little time going through an old journal from a happy week of entries about ten years ago. It was good reading and a good reminder when I read about one day when I was (just like now) buried with deadlines and commitments. I had decided on my way to work that I would just take a few minutes to pull over near the top of the mountain pass to enjoy the beautiful scenery and be thankful for it all.
I was a little out of sorts and something I really did not do on the way to work, but I did it anyway. I reflected on how thankful I was and pondered all that was good in my life. The journal entry went on to point out that after devoting those 10 or so quiet minutes, it had seemed to bring about a huge difference in the day ahead. First off, several clients decided not to make any changes to their program which was a huge time-saver for me. All day long, things just kept falling into place, the easy way.
Thinking back, I remember how important that time became to me and how much it seemed to change everything. And HOW did I ever end up with no time for it. Absurd, Eileen, get on it!
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Mountain Valley Living – April 2011
 We can’t thank you enough for continually reading Mountain Valley Living, whether you are reading online or reading our magazine in print. We are seeing the vision come together for Mountain Valley Living and the charm I have come to believe is just that, mountain-valley living. We write articles for the rural people, who enjoy simple lifestyles, the hunters and fishers, the adventurers and the homemakers, the goers and doers who make up our little corner of the world. We are quite a group who enjoy the mountain-valley lifestyle. The mountains are ours to explore and the valleys nearby welcome us and welcome opportu nities to visit the mountains too.
Mountain-valley living is a lifestyle I would not trade. Whether you can enjoy it for a lifetime, for retirement or for a vacation, welcome!
Eileen
Melissa Wynn has shared in the vision and direction of the magazine. She contributed this poem way back when and has been writing articles for us ever since.
MOUNTAIN VALLEY LIVING
By Melissa Wynn
A nesting pair of barn owls live in the tree next door.
There’s no stop light on the way to work, but I pass Lake Almanor.
Sometimes the water’s choppy and low clouds hide the view.
Other days it’s smooth as glass, Each day is something new.
My town does not have fast food. I always have to cook.
I’ll trade the convenience for my ‘kitchen window look’
There is Dyer Mountain, cloud topped and draped with snow
Come spring it will be emerald green and a-hiking we will go.
A deer in the yard is normal; they are barely shy,
Hawks and Eagles, Canadian geese, always flying by.
In the evening the frogs and crickets play a serenade
We sit beneath the apple tree and listen in the shade.
I know most all my neighbors, some for 30 years or more.
If I miss the high school football game, someone knows the score.
They know who did the yelling and who did the forgiving
Pull up a chair and join us… It’s just Mountain Valley Living.
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One Pioneer Ready to Weather Another Storm
With all the sunshine lately, I’d forgotten about winter, until early this morning, when I awoke, home alone and craving that first morning cup. The winds had crashed against the house and trees all night and I completely understood why the room was entirely black with no time flashing at me in red from the alarm clock on the night stand. No power! It had snowed well over two feet and it was still coming down. Hmmm… it is still always kind of fun when I get the chance to put that pioneer spirit to work and make do. My first idea was to put last evening’s leftover coffee in a pot on the wood stove, which I quickly remembered, I had left unattended when I’d drifted off to sleep. No fire either! I hustled out for some small dry pieces of wood and had the fire going in no time. I placed a couple of big frozen items in the frig touching the milk and cream to keep things cool and filled two pitchers of water. Ever since that one year when the power stayed out for days which caused the water to eventually quit pumping, I know the routine.
Hmmm.. I thought. I do have a tiny generator in the garage which has proven successful in making fresh coffee. I’m going! I slip on my highest boots and head out to get it. Half way, no way; my boots are filled with snow. I reach for plan B: new boots with elastic bottom sweats that will cover the top of the boots in deep snow. Me and the dog make our way to the garage with a flashlight and find the all-of-a-sudden-not-so-tiny generator. I can barely lift it, let alone be sure to not once drop it in the deep snow. On to plan C: find a box to fit it in, like a sleigh. Cardboard worked fine as I lifted the box with one hand and pushed it with the other across the top of the snow piled high next to me as I walked in the driveway. Huffing and puffing, I made my way to the porch and set up this bad boy. Whew. I started it up and headed in for the coffee maker. Oh no, why don’t I keep ground coffee on hand? I stumble through the house dimly lit, looking for a hammer. I had already placed oil lamps outside by the windows on the porch so I could enjoy the light without the smell of kerosene burning. I ventured with a lantern in hand, to the cement floor of the laundry room with my coffee beans in a plastic bag and hammered them to oblivion. Ahhh… almost there.
I threw the coffee in the awaiting filter and grabbed the whole contraption as I heard a new sound… silence. The generator was out of gas. I was not discouraged yet as I tended to the fire and put a pot of water on to boil. Good news! It was last evening’s coffee I had placed on the cold stove when I first woke up. It was now heated to a steaming perfection. I quickly poured a cup, and seasoned it with my usual fare of half and half. ” Ahhhh..”, thankful, I sat and enjoy this pioneer moment, giggling inside.
I say giggling and pioneer because all the fun reminded me of a funny story. When I was young and new to mountain dwelling, a guy once told me, “I’m from a town where the men are men… and so are the women. All the guys laughed. I had no idea what he meant but was immediately offended for my gender until he explained. “No, not in a bad way, they are pioneers. They can start a fire, chop wood, shovel buckets of snow, whatever it takes. It didn’t sound very good to me at the time, but after decades of life in the mountains, I get it. I even enjoy it I thought, as I thoroughly enjoyed my long-awaited cup of coffee. The sun was just coming up to light to the room as lights everywhere came on abruptly. Quick, I started the coffee maker and ground some more beans. While this is one pioneer always ready to weather another storm, I am awfully quick to jump back to those modern comforts as soon as the storm is over.
Happily awaiting Spring!
Eileen
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Valentines and Weddings are just some things that come to mind during the month of February. It is that one time of year designated to feeling the love in the air. Of course, it is always there surrounding us in many forms. I think we just notice it more on valentines day because we are putting it out there more.
It is almost like getting a valentine when a 3rd grade art project is proudly made and delivered to a busy mom who takes time out from making dinner to rave and enjoy it. So happens since it is the day of love, that mom just happens to be making a fried chicken dinner with mashed potatoes (pain that it is), just because it is her husband’s favorite. And while she’s busy doing nice stuff like that, on this grand holiday of love, her husband stops to pick them each up a special treat. It is a vicious cycle, that love. If only we concentrated on it THAT much EVERY day.
Join us in February and March as we celebrate the season of love. Stop by our booth during the Premier Bride Showcase on March 20 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. We will showcase WEDDINGS IN THE MOUNTAINS.
We will also be taking our March edition BEST MOUNTAIN ROAD TRIPS & WEDDING SPOTS to both the Anderson, CA Sports & Recreation Show and the ‘Reno Outdoor Sports and Recreation Expo March 25 -27 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. Stop by our booth. If you are an advertiser, we are representing YOU at the shows. You can still get your ad in. Hurry though, before our March edition goes to press!
Happy Valentines Day!
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