Mabel and her bike

Columnist/Blogger Marc Beauchamp posted this interesting image of his maternal grandmother Mabel Frisbie and her bike in Redding circa 1910 in anticipation of a presentation about local bicycling.
Mabel Frisbie1I wondered if I could clean it up. I’m not sure I added any clarity to the subject, but here’s what I ended up with. It was fun work, and I learned a few things.
Mabel Frisbie4The “Women on Wheels” presentation is happening Saturday February 15, at the Shasta County Downtown College Building across the promenade from the Historical Society. It starts at 1:30 pm, and will feature Anne Thomas of Shasta Living Streets. I hope to be there if I’m not working. Thanks much to Marc Beauchamp for sharing the image.

Breakfast in McCloud, at The White Mountain Cafe

McCloud California is about an hour’s drive north of Redding. Here’s The McCloud River Mercantile Hotel and the White Mountain Cafe yesterday.
McCloud Cafe 1280

McCloud Cafe interior 1280
Stop in for a maple/apple crisp and a cuppa coffee. And then outside, Mt Shasta.
MtShasta Feb52014
I don’t recall ever seeing her so quite barren in February. Hopefully, today’s storm brings the snow.
White Mountain Fountain

Click on the image to go to their site and menu. Here’s a note from the hotel proprietor:
“It has been a mild winter, the weather has been great but we need some snow. Please call us for a 10% discount off any room.
The McCloud River Mercantile Hotel – 530.964.2602.”

Lassen gets a bit of snow

Lassen with at least SOME snow, seen today from a familiar perspective for anyone heading out on Hwy 44. Click to slightly enlarge.
Lassen2014
And then, looking back at lovely Redding California from the ridge. We live in a beautiful locale.
Lassen2014a
Even in this dry year, beauty everywhere. It’s Really Redding.

“Don’t look down.”

Saw this tree trimmer mirroring the Sundial Bridge in Redding today.
Tree trimmer
One less tree to water in a drought year, I suppose. Actually this kind of pine tree, when they get that tall, are at random risk of falling over at inconvenient moments. Like when you’re under them. A safety issue too near Highway 44, probably.

League of Women Voters Soup Supper 2014

We like to attend the annual Soup Supper put on by the local League of Women Voters, where Erin is a member. We couldn’t stay for the food, which always great. And we missed the speaker too, darn it. Really wanted to hear from County Clerk/Registrar of Voters Cathy Darling Allen. But it was nice to stop in and say a quick hello to everyone. Here are a few images.

The setting for the Soup Supper is the beautiful Lema Ranch
The setting for the Soup Supper is the beautiful Lema Ranch

Lema Ranch6

County Clerk/Registrar of Voters Cathy Darling Allen (center) and 2 of her staff
County Clerk/Registrar of Voters Cathy Darling Allen (center) and 2 of her staff
Phil Cramer and Rachel McVean, Erin, Talon, and The Lovely Karry.
Phil Cramer and Rachel McVean, Erin, Talon, and The Lovely Karry.

 

Erin, Talon, and Melissa Hunt
Erin, Talon, and Melissa Hunt
Hey, want to see more pictures of my grandkid?
Hey, want to see more pictures of my grandkid? Mmm, crockpots of soup seen in the background.
Such a beautiful setting at Lema Ranch in Redding
Such a beautiful setting at Lema Ranch in Redding, Click to slightly enlarge

Cedar Waxwings get a dry year drink

Before I learned they are Cedar Waxwings, I only knew them as birds with purple poop.
Of that, we can see much evidence. I didn’t know what they were, but I could guess what they ate. A small flock has been hanging around the backyard lately.
Click to slightly enlarge.
Purple poop bird1
Purple poop bird 2

Purple poop bird 3

Purple poop bird 4
It would appear they have no love for Robins.
Purple poop bird 5

I like this shot. Robin gets the Cedar Waxwing Stinkeye.
Purple poop birds. They’re ReallyRedding.

Camden House offers a glimpse of Shasta history

Merry Christmas to you and yours on this holiday eve in 2013.
Here’s the historic Camden House just west of Whiskeytown Lake with some holiday decor.
Tower House Christmas 2013-2Tower House Christmas 2013
There are historic tours listed at the Whiskeytown Ranger led tours page. This from their web site

“Walk In Time (2 hours)

Wednesday and Saturday at 3:00 pm
Discover how pioneers/prospectors Charles Camden and Levi Tower reshaped the landscape to create a home for their families and an “oasis” for many travelers during and after the California Gold Rush. After a tour of the Camden house, built in 1852, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the area, then try your hand at finding gold the old-fashioned way-with a gold pan in the creek! Please bring a bottle of water and extra clothing if you choose to get wet. Meet the ranger at the Tower House Historic District parking lot in front of the bulletin board kiosk.”
Tower Camden House bridge

Bear Mountain Ranch

Snapped this barn while stuck in traffic today, believe it or not. Click to slightly enlarge.BearMtnRanchWell, traffic control actually. There isn’t much traffic out here. They are widening the road, it would appear. Traffic control is the pause that refreshes. Lean over and shoot.
This barn on Hwy 299 looks great all seasons. Here it is in a very dry Winter.
Just a few minutes outside Redding, it’s Really Bella Vista.

Lim’s Cafe celebrates 80 years

Here’s a nice sunset image I captured yesterday. The Lim’s Cafe sign characterizes the Miracle Mile. A beacon to travelers coming into town from the north. According to blogger Marc Beauchamp, Lims Cafe is celebrating 80 years here. Click to slightly enlarge:
Lims
There are lots of images of the Lims sign on the interwebs. Usually shot against a pitch black backdrop. In this image, the neon pales to the sunset sky.
The Miracle Mile was ablaze yesterday evening. I just waved the camera around.
Lims2
Lims 3 Miracle MileSky afire on a Miracle Mile. It’s ReallyRedding.