Category: Environment

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Heritage Day at Burney Falls

World famous Burney Falls is about an hour drive East from Redding. We went up for their Heritage Day festivities, and it was great fun. Here is Burney Falls:

Here’s an image of the event:

There were lot’s of demonstrations and participation for kids in various “Pioneer” crafts like wood cutting, branding irons, and (my grandson’s favorite) candle making. There was a BBQ food fund raiser by the local Rotary, and some Indian Tacos. Speaking of Indians, there was some Indigenous Dance demonstrations by (I assume) the local Pit River people. I read on the flyer where this is the first time they have participated in this annual event, so that’s both progress and sort of a sad commentary on what has passed for “Heritage” around here up until now.

I give it 5 stars, would go again next year. Best of all, admission was FREE.

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The waterfalls of McCloud

With perfect Fall weather, we and the dog spent the day hiking around the 3 waterfalls of the McCloud River you can reach easily from Highway 89.

Upper Falls:


Middle Falls:


Lower Falls:


Just over an hour’s drive north from Redding, this beautiful stretch of river is an easy and dog friendly day hike. Not even a fee to park. The McCloud River begins on the slopes of Mt Shasta, and terminates at Lake Shasta.  It’s a true place of wonder.

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Bold action to protect future generations

To me, the danger seems clear enough. Some won’t agree. Even if you don’t, the potential calamity that awaits our grandkids is too much to risk. And so we must err to the side of caution in any event. This is a step in the right direction. We have a leader who can at least acknowledge the danger of inaction.

As I post this, the forest around Redding is ablaze with massive wildfire and our skies are muddy brown. We are in the 4th year of a terrible drought. Is this just a glimpse of our future?

It’s not worth the risk. We need action now.
Caidence with flag

Climate Rob Elvington

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Cottonwood Creek wet and dry

A study in contrast. The first image, the Interstate 5 bridge at Cottonwood Creek, when it was running at a pretty good clip in 2006.

Cottonwood Creek wetAnd then below, from yesterday in 2014.

Cottonwood Creek dryI’ve noticed a lot of changes in the local creekbeds since the drought began. Much of lower Churn Creek’s riparian vegetation is dying or in distress. I sure hope we get a wet winter.

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Madness, Apocalypse, and redding.com bloggery

Noticed an interesting juxtaposition at the blog section of redding.com this morning. First, Doug Craig posting about the recent wake-up call represented by Hurricane Sandy. Followed by David Benda wondering which corporate chain would be open first for Black Friday, our cultural celebration of consumer excess.
blogs at redding.comMidnight Madness indeed. It seems every year somebody is injured or even killed trying to buy some cheap Chinese shit, on the day after Thanksgiving, no less. Thanks for that. Meanwhile, our entire consumer based economy may be dooming the planet to an uncontrolled science experiment with possible lethal results for ours and other species.

Black Friday indeed.

Climate change isn’t on the agenda this political season. Understandable. No pleasant alternatives to the consumer economy come to mind in our current culture. I suppose we are all just going to discover together the results of our present science experiment on this planetary atmosphere. Anyway, thanks redding.com, for the jangling disconnect. I think.

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One thousand gallons of gas

Something of a jarring milestone on my dashboard this morning as I refueled. In the real estate biz, it seems nobody ever wants to ride their bikes over to look at a house.
real estate in redding ca
A clandestine image of a regular supplier of mine. On the street, they call it “gas” or “fuel.” This dealer operates right out in the open. Right on the corner. Even the cops just look the other way, as users line up to make a buy. With this addiction, not even the first one is free.
real estate in redding ca
Not exactly carbon neutral. Real estate sales is a service business. Call me up, and we’ll sip on the next thousand gallons….
Call me up for Real Estate