In addition to collecting information first hand from numerous trips to Death Valley, a big thanks goes out to the Death Valley National Park guide books, the guides at Scotty's Castle and park rangers for helping supply information for this article. Flash Flood, Panamint Valley - waters flowing down to the very seasonal Lake Levart Mojave Brown, always be careful hiking or biking near rocks in cooler weather in Death … [Read more...]
New Zealand, South Island – Lake Wanaka
Lake Wanaka (www.lakewanaka.co.nz) is the gateway to Mt. Aspiring National Park - but one should also spend some time in town exploring the diversity of attractions and experiences available. Besides its scenic location near Lake Wanaka it is a bustling tourist town with plenty of shopping and small little cafes and restaurants. As with most of the popular tourist towns in New Zealand, lodging will be extremely tight if you do not have prior … [Read more...]
Mammoth Lakes, CA
Mammoth Lakes is a year round playground offering world-class high altitude skiing over a diversity of terrain in the winter months and sometimes even into early summer, rugged natural beauty, a variety of lakes and unique geological formations including Devils Postpile, numerous fishing opportunities, hiking and hot springs. Mammoth Lakes has two distinct seasons, summer and winter. Highway 120 (Tioga Pass) is used as a primary highway for … [Read more...]
Mammoth, CA – Devil’s Postpile
Devil's Post Pile is a unique geological formation well worth taking the time to visit. Access from the 395 is via Highway 203 which runs through Mammoth Lakes and past Mammoth Ski Resort - eventually turning into Postpile Road and then Minaret Summit Road which leads to the Devil's Postpile Trailhead. The drive will take about 45 minutes from Mammoth Lakes. On your way to Devil's Post pile be sure to stop at the little visited Earthquake … [Read more...]
Mammoth, CA – Nearby Lakes
CONVICT LAKE Located only about 20 minutes from Mammoth Lakes, Convict Lake is 'hidden' from view from Highway 395 yet is only 2 miles from this highway. Nestled at the base of dramatic mountains - popular for it's scenic vistas and and fish (well-stocked to keep up with the demand of fisherman). Produces some large Rainbow trout - two annual fishing derbies are held - “Round Up at the Lake” in spring and “Ambush at the Lake” in fall.The lake … [Read more...]
Key West, FL – Attractions
Audubon House & Gardens is located at 205 Whitehead Street. Phone 305 294-2116. This house was the home of a 19th century Key West Settler named Captain John H. Geiger. This building was restored in 1960. The reason it is named the Audubon House is because Mr. Audubon the naturalist visited Key West in 1832. Special exhibitions are shown in the second floor gallery. Be sure to tour the gardens where exotic plants are growing. The Audubon house … [Read more...]
Redding, CA – Nearby Lakes
KESWICK DAM Lake Shasta gets all the recognition, and rightly so, but less then 15 minutes from downtown Redding is another 1940's era dam and reservoir. Keswik Reservoir was named after Lord Keswick, the president of a mining company. This area is rich in mining history (and we have even discovered some small pieces of gold in the surrounding region). Located directly south of Shasta Dam, this reservoir stretches for miles and it's width is … [Read more...]
Redding, CA – Museums
Redding is not a hot-spot for museums - there are only several in town that are open to the public. We have visited and highlighted a few below. Behrens-Eaton House Museum is highly recommended for a personalized tour and look back in time - to the life of prominent judge Judge Richard Behrens Eaton who lived here until he died in 2003. Upon his death a trust he established stipulated that his home and grounds be turned into a museum open to … [Read more...]
Mt. Lassen, CA
Lassen National Park - the "invisible park" is in the northern part of the "Lost Sierras". The great combination of these two words in the same sentence, invisible and lost, often makes for relaxing free-of-crowds getaway destination, even on popular American holidays such as Memorial Day weekend in May and Labor Day weekend in September. Lassen offers a little bit of everything. You could bag Lassen summit by mid morning, hike to the sulfur … [Read more...]
Mt. Lassen, CA – Directions
Mt. Lassen National Park is located in northern California north east of Red Bluff and south east of Redding. Lassen is about a 4 hour drive from Sacramento and about a 1 hour drive from Red Bluff. Highway 89 bisects the park and is the same road that winds along the spine of the northern Sierras all the way down to Lake Tahoe. From the town of Red Bluff take Highway 36 (the turnoff is about a 1/4 miles east of the city limits). This highway … [Read more...]