We drove our Nissan Leaf over 33,000 miles on nothing but electricity in and around Redding over the last 3 years. 33K miles, 0 gallons of gas.
We have some some observations.
We love this car. It’s incredibly easy to forget gas stations forever. You plug it in at night, and it’s all charged up in the morning. Much like a smart phone.
No smog checks. No oil changes. No burnt hydrocarbon smell. Just quiet, nimble, and torque. Lots of torque. We love driving this car. It’s flat out fun to drive.
And cheap to drive. The Kill-O-Watt meter shows just $4.95 to charge all day. But it takes only a half day to charge on 110 VAC (standard household voltage). By switching energy providers, you might be able to bring the cost down of your electricity consumption; comparing the likes of TriEagle Energy plans with your existing plan can help to reveal which have the most competitive rates available. Of course, you are still going to have to pay the price for costly insurance, but if you have a look at some Progressive reviews, you may be able to find a great deal on a car like this.
But there are downsides to driving electric around Redding.
Lack of charging stations on and around Redding. There just aren’t many around here, and few new ones arrived in the 3 years we drove it. That’s a pitiful reality, for a city that owns its own electric utility.
Range anxiety. It’s real. We always found ways to work around it, but the car becomes less useful the more you “work around” its limitations. It can be a bit of a nervewracking experience travelling across long distances in an electric vehicle which is why many people transport their cars to a certain destination using a service like Cars Relo to avoid the anxiety of running empty along the way.
It ate tires. Okay, so that might be the way we drove it. Torque can do that. If you’re looking for cheap tires, have a look online and look into the benefits of buying tires online over buying them in garages.
Grandson knows you must unplug this car before you can drive it away. My grandkids will inherit a different world in so many ways.
Seriously, we loved the car. And importantly, we discovered that electric propulsion is surely the future of automobiles. It makes for a great driving experience. And maybe the future for the planet, if we are to have a future. It was good not to have a tailpipe.
Right now, the Chevy Volt looks like a better fit for our business and our local geography. As a plug in hybrid, it has a 50 mile range on electricity alone, and also a gas generator to increase the range if needed. So we returned the Leaf at the end of the lease. Will let your know how well our new Volt works.
“If the leaders find that the concept of phasing out all emissions from coal, and taking measures to ensure that unconventional fossil fuels are left in the ground or used only with zero-carbon emissions, is too inconvenient, then, in that case, they could instead spend a small amount of time composing a letter to be left for future generations. The letter should explain that the leaders realized their failure to take these actions would cause our descendants to inherit a planet with a warming ocean, disintegrating ice sheets, rising sea level, increasing climate extremes, and vanishing species, but it would have been too much trouble to make changes to our energy systems and to oppose the business interests who insisted on burning every last bit of fossil fuels. By composing this letter the leaders will at least achieve an accurate view of their place in history.”
Citizens of Redding supply jurors for federal cases held in Sacramento. Perhaps you have received a similar summons, as did the lovely Karry recently. Showing up on a Monday at 8 am is problematic, being a 165 mile drive south. So we went together down to Sacramento the night before. Of course, I captured a few Sacramento images.
“Your honor, at this time we wish to excuse the exquisite blonde bombshell juror for being just too darn distracting to the courtroom,” said an attorney, probably.
Anyway, the lovely Karry was cut loose fairly early on in the proceedings. Her civic duty faithfully executed, we happily headed north to Granzellas for sips and apps.
Sacramento is truly an excellent city to visit, either for duty or pleasure. They even share our river.And as fortune would have it, experiencing the capital of California is a relatively easy 2.5 hours drive down Interstate 5 from Really Redding.
Few northstate activities are more Really Redding than a day on Lake Shasta. So what could be better than a Dinner Cruise on the largest boat in the lake? The lovely Karry and I recently went out for dinner with some friends old and new, on a perfect Shasta evening, and here are some images I captured.
The Dinner Cruise runs Friday and Saturdays in Summer. It takes place onboard the Cavern Queen, which departs from the Shasta Caverns facility up Interstate 5 to O’Brien on Shasta Lake. Reservations are needed, as seatings are obviously limited. A little planning rewards you with a memorable dinner in an unmatched setting. The cruise runs from 6 to 8 pm. The buffet style meal neatly compliments the scenery. We saw deer and eagles, along with campers and waterskiing families out enjoying the 300+ miles of Shasta shoreline. My friend told me that if I wanted to explore other coastlines, it might be worth looking into CruiseAgency and if they are at the standard of the one we just been on then you must check it out.
This available .TIF image is remarkably high resolution for an online photo.
I wondered what it would look like zoomed in. Please do click below to enlarge.
Bikes and their riders going to the movies in Redding in 1940
Hey, remember when you could ride your bike to the movies, and leave it unlocked out front?
I don’t. But evidently, such a scene existed. Lined up to see “Jungle Book” and “Blondies Blessed Event.” (which you can now watch on YouTube)
Closer in yet, a young woman looks right at you. You are a phantom from the future. Click to enlarge.
Evidently Redding folk once dressed somewhat more formally to go to the movies.
It looks like a windy day in Redding, that day in 1940.
The winds of change. Hang on to your hat.
Back then, moviegoers paid a “Defense Tax.”
10% Defense Tax for General Admission. 16% for you Students.
Zooming in. The work of Redding Signs.
Redding Signs.
Coincidentally, another “Jungle Book” remake is currently playing in a Redding theater. Seen below here in 2016 at the Cinemark Movies 14, across town from the Cascade.
Movie admission prices have gone up a bit since 1940.
A discount for seniors now, instead of students. But at least your “Defense Tax” is built in.
Welcome to CookHouse at Bridge Bay. Longtime Redding people will recall this restaurant and lounge as Tail O’ the Whale. Click any image to enlarge.
The main dining area is under great spokes radiating from a center pylon. The large windows to the north allow views of Lake Shasta. The marina is in the foreground, and then past the Pit River Bridge, you can clearly see the Gray Rocks with Shasta Caverns. It’s a visually stunning setting.
Our attentive server Alyssa with delicious Potato Skins. Below, Mahi Mahi Tacos. There’s a full wine list, and beer on tap, including an IPA by Fall River. Mmm.
Above, a Seared Ahi on wilted spinach with salad. This plate wasn’t specifically on the menu, but staff was very accommodating to the special request. The CookHouse menu is online at their website.
There’s also some outdoor patio space for al fresco dining, around the perimeter.
The classic lounge is upstairs. Check out this Bloody Mary, served by Dan!
Outside, the views are captivating. All around you are people coming from, and leaving for adventures on emerald Lake Shasta. And of course, attire is beach casual. But that’s true of most of Redding anyway.
Just outside the CookHouse are dozens of chairs for taking in the scenery. Perfect for observing Bridge Bay resort patrons and their watercraft. It’s a very party-like atmosphere, but also just as laid back as you may desire. Lake life!
When people ask why I live in Redding, I often speak of the natural beauty of our surroundings. Lake Shasta plays a large part in the lifestyle and beauty of our region. Bridge Bay and CookHouse offer an unmatched setting for providing food, fun, and access to the lake. And it’s all a very quick and easy 13 mile drive north of Redding proper via Interstate 5.
That seems entirely plausible. The weathered exterior hints at the rustic interior decor found inside. Also filled with wood carvings, and dozens of taxidermy wildlife mounts.
We recently stopped in for a late lunch. They were cleaning up for the dinner shift, but service was fast and friendly.
Katie serves up a hot pastrami on toasted rye and a french dip Special.
They didn’t have any beer on tap, but no matter.
They do serve the local IPA in a frosty mug. And that totally works.
What time is it?
And they have a website.
Click on the image below to get there from here. Includes menus. They also have some lodging available, as cabins.
“The Rex Club was built in 1938. Located on Main Street in the heart of Burney, California. It served as a dinner house, bar and hotel/motel. For many years it was the main source of entertainment for the local people, bringing in many different musicians and dancing. Our family bought this magnificent old property in 2006, with the hope of bringing it back to its former glory. We enjoy the history of the club and love to hear everyone’s story of “the first time” they came into this place.”
Welcome Fishermen!
With legendary fly fishing nearby, the REX CLUB knows its clientele. The authentic Burney experience, on the main boulevard.
Every year the Whiskeytown Sailing Club hosts a regatta event on Memorial Day. It’s always so very beautiful to see so many graceful sailboats racing on the lake. Here are a few images I captured yesterday. Click to expand.
I made a short video about the event a few years ago, and I’m re-posting it here:
In Redding we are fortunate indeed to have many lakes and rivers so nearby. Among them, Whiskeytown shines as a special jewel. The regatta event runs today, Sunday too. Well worth the short drive to see and experience.
My friend Joe Munoz was kind enough to lend me some of his images from the 2016 Redding Rodeo here at my Really Redding blog. His grandson is the brave Mutton Buster seen here. Unlike some photography that freezes the action, Joe’s images capture a more liquid and kinetic scene. A motion blur of action and adventure. And courage.
