Buddy’s Lists: This Section provides information about businesses and services that could help save your trip, weekend visit or vacation to northern California, southern Oregon and western Nevada. When something happens that threatens your trip, get in touch with these providers. We’ve tried to think of everything that could go wrong but as you might expect, this Section will always be a work-in-progress. Use the drop-down menus to find the help you need.
| , |
|---|
First West Coast Standalone Hunter Derby set for Franktown Meadows near Reno
Time to saddle up on a Wild Horse Sanctuary Trail; Ride among wild mustangs and burros
Portion of Burney Falls Loop Trail closed for improvements
A portion of the Burney Falls Loop Trail and the Falls Overlook at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park will be closed from May through the fall of 2010. This closure will take place throughout the summer while necessary improvements are made to the switchbacks that lead to the falls...
Full Story
Road closures, traffic controls in place on Pit River
Road closures and traffic controls as well as increased stream flows will occur along the Pit River from April to December 31, 2010, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced on Tuesday, April 27...
Full Story
RMEF picks Top 25 “Conservacation” spots for family getaways
First came the vacation. Then, the “staycation.” Now comes a newly-coined concept, the “conservacation.”
It’s a vacation focused on conservation, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is recommending 25 top educational destinations where families can experience and enjoy learning about elk, other wildlife and their habitat.
Elk viewing areas like Rocky Mountain National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park are well known, but RMEF’s list is a compilation of alternative spots.
“With summer upon us and many families thinking about a getaway, we’re pleased to suggest the following locations,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “All of these places are worth a visit any time of year, but some really come to life when elk are rutting or on wintering grounds. That’s when visitors are most likely to see these animals up close and possibly observe a spectacle of nature they’ll never forget—hearing an elk bugle for the first time has inspired many a new conservationist.”
Of course, hearing a turkey gobble, watching a whitetail doe and fawn, and countless other experiences can have the same effect. That’s why RMEF has long provided funding for educational sites and projects across the U.S., in and out of elk country, says Allen.
Elk are present only seasonally at some of the following locations, completely absent in others, so be sure to Google or call each facility for specific wildlife info before traveling. And don’t forget binoculars and camera!
Here are 25 RMEF-recommended spots for your family’s conservacation!
What about those north coast lagoons?
By Marna Powell, Kayak Zak's, Orick
[Editor’s note: Marna recently sent us this photo of a breach in the spit at Big Lagoon on the Humboldt Coast so we asked her to tell us about these amazing bodies of water and how it is that they are such a vitally important part of the ecological system along California’s north coast. The next time you visit this area give Marna a call at Kayak Zak’s. She always got something going on for those who love to paddle in these beautiful places.]
I'm not a fish biologist, geologist, ocean scientist or any other "ologist" but I spend a whole lot of time outdoors in nature.
A lagoon is brackish water, that's a mix of fresh and salt waters. Key features of a lagoon are a freshwater feeder source, such as a creek, and a bar of sand or reef separating the lagoon basin from the ocean. The sand "spit" may or may not always be above sea level as high tide may sometimes cover the sand bar or reef.
Here in our neck of the woods we have an anomaly in that we have so many lagoon areas in a short geographical space. The lagoon basins were formed as a result of plate tectonics pushing land up on the sides and creating a trough in the middle. If you were able to look at a very wide view of our coastline from the ocean you would see a series of ridges and troughs.
Filling these troughs is Humboldt Bay, Big Lagoon, Dry Lagoon, Stone Lagoon, Freshwater Lagoon, and Lake Earl/Lake Tolowa, along with the estuaries of the Eel River, Mad River, Little River, Redwood Creek, Klamath River, Smith River and a few others. I have to add that humans have really screwed up some of these once fabulous fish habitats through dam diversions (Klamath and Eel Rivers), infilling (Dry Lagoon), road building (Freshwater Lagoon) and the levy (Redwood Creek). The lagoons and estuaries are extremely important habitats for salmonids and migratory shore birds. I could really digress on these topics too!
Full StoryJohnstonville Left Turn Lane Project begins June 15 -- Caltrans
The Lassen County Transportation Commission (LCTC) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announce construction will begin on June 15, 2010 for the Johnstonville Left Turn Lane Project on US 395...
Full StoryWhiskeytown offers two new programs for toddlers
Whiskeytown offers a variety of family friendly ranger-guided activities for everyone from mid-June through the Labor Day weekend. These free activities are subject to change as the park introduces new programs this summer. Visitors must display a valid day use pass or other park pass on all vehicles in the park. Please call the Visitor Center at (530) 246-1225, visit our website at www.nps.gov/whis or call Clinton Kane at (530) 242-3451 for the latest information...
Full StoryWalk-in, pan gold at Whiskeytown
Whiskeytown offers a variety of family friendly ranger-guided activities for everyone from mid-June through the Labor Day weekend. These free activities are subject to change as the park introduces new programs this summer. Visitors must display a valid day use pass or other park pass on all vehicles in the park. Please call the Visitor Center at (530) 246-1225, visit our website at www.nps.gov/whis or call Clinton Kane at (530) 242-3451 for the latest information...
Full StoryWhiskeytown NPS schedules evening programs
Whiskeytown offers a variety of family friendly ranger-guided activities for everyone from mid-June through the Labor Day weekend. These free activities are subject to change as the park introduces new programs this summer. Visitors must display a valid day use pass or other park pass on all vehicles in the park. Please call the Visitor Center at (530) 246-1225, visit our website at www.nps.gov/whis or call Clinton Kane at (530) 242-3451 for the latest information.
Full StoryWater Safety Demonstrations set at Whiskeytown
Whiskeytown offers a variety of family friendly ranger-guided activities for everyone from mid-June through the Labor Day weekend. These free activities are subject to change as the park introduces new programs this summer. Visitors must display a valid day use pass or other park pass on all vehicles in the park. Please call the Visitor Center at (530) 246-1225, visit our website at www.nps.gov/whis or call Clinton Kane at (530) 242-3451 for the latest information.
Full StoryI-5 ALERT: Traffic shift in Red Bluff to last 60 days starting July 6
Redding – Beginning Tuesday, July 6, 2010, all northbound traffic on Interstate 5 in the six-lane section through the Red Bluff area will be shifted to the southbound lanes, creating two lanes of travel in each direction, separated by K-rail or concrete barrier...
Full StoryCrystal Creek Falls area closed temporarily
The Crystal Creek Falls area in Whiskeytown National Park will be closed for restoration starting Monday July 19, 2010. The area will remain closed through September, tentatively reopening October 1, 2010...
Full StoryWhat is an Online Outdoor-News Magazine?
What is an Online Outdoor-News Magazine?
And why you would want to read it, advertise in it, contribute to it or work for it.
By Frank Galusha, Editor/Publisher
MyOutdoorBuddy is an “online outdoor-news magazine.” Why an “online outdoor-news-magazine” instead of an “online newspaper?” There are several reasons:
Full StoryHouseboating offers many options for families
By Frank Galusha
Houseboating is a great way to spend a vacation whether you are looking for physical activity, relaxation or an opportunity to fish one of California’s great lakes.
Houseboats come in a variety of sizes and with a large assortment of amenities. Larger house boats can sleep up to 22 people. This makes it possible for groups, large families or multiple families to pool their resources to make their adventures more enjoyable and economical. You might consider that the next time you are planning a family reunion...
Full StoryPlea for water safety!
By Gary Heffley
Having written the story below about one week ago, I am saddened to be able to use the news out of Louisiana for reinforcement, where 6 teenagers drowned after one (the only one who was saved) was wading in the river and stepped in over his head. 6 others rushed to save him. None could swim and all stepped off the same underwater ledge, went in over their heads and were unable to be saved. 6 young lives lost from 2 families.
Headlines of an 11 year old girl drowns in Clear Creek, a young adult drowns in the Sacramento River, divers find body of drowning victim in Shasta Lake, Trinity River claims another young victim. These are all too familiar headlines for North State residents, and sometimes these are preventable accidents. Tragic accidents will unfortunately occur but sometimes common sense will help prevent them from happening.
The following I hope is some food for thought for those enjoying the water and a reminder that things can happen to anyone at anytime. I have been fortunate on three occasions to be able to react to potentially dangerous situations and pull individuals to safety...
Full StoryKlamath Basin Birding Trail Booklet revised and reprinted
The popular Klamath Birding Basin Trail guide has been reprinted in a revised and much improved booklet format. The booklet features detailed descriptions of all 47 birding hotspots located along the 300 mile birding trail route...
Full StoryKlamath Marsh Comprehensive Conservation Plan finalized
After four years of preparation the Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) has been finished and signed by Regional Director Ren Lohoefener. The plan was signed on June 14th and will shortly be posted on the Refuge web site in the documents section (go to: fws.gov/klamathbasinrefuges)...
Full StoryInnovative pavement project on State Route 299W starts August 10
If you are planning a trip to or from Eureka or the north coast over the next two months, you should expect some delays in the Big Bar area.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 2 will begin an innovative pavement replacement project on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 on State Route 299 in Trinity County near Big Bar...
Full StoryLakes can be more dangerous than oceans
[Editor’s Note: The story related here provides an invaluable lesson for every boater: If a lake or shoreline is shallow or gradually sloping, it can be more dangerous than the open ocean if a wind comes up suddenly. The reason for this is not well-realized by many boaters. In a wind, shallow water creates higher waves and waves of greater frequency. This is because the wind does not have as far to push the water down. Surf, or shoreline wave action, is caused when the wind pushes the water down against the bottom. The bottom then forces the water back up rapidly. The shallower the water is at a given point the greater will be the wave height and wave frequency. This is especially dangerous for you when winds exceed 20-30 mph and are blowing directly into the shore you were hoping to reach. Out in open water it is not uncommon to see waves 3-6-feet high spaced less than three-feet apart. That can spell disaster for any-size boat since the wave height and frequency can flood water over transom, the sides or the bow. Such wave action can also make navigation nearly impossible. This is often how boats are sunk on our big, shallow, wind-prone western lakes such as Lake Powell and many others. Waves that suddenly become high and very frequent can also turn a beach into a death trap for a moored boat. Even those ashore who attempt to manhandle a boat being tossed about by what amounts to an ocean surf can be in great danger as Gregg Phipps describes in this first hand report. Heed his advice by remembering that a lake’s shoreline can become as dangerous as the ocean’s surf when a sudden, high wind comes up. –FG]
By Greg Phipps, Huckleberry Expeditions
My wife and kids and I just got back from a family vacation. Part of the family activities was to spend a day on the beautiful Bear Lake which borders Utah and Idaho . Along the North Shore the beach is long and one is able to wade out a hundred yards or more before not being able to touch the bottom. This is great for children swimming and beach side activities like volleyball and sand castles, but a pain if you have a boat with a prop or worse yet a “V” Drive boat. Well, this is what my brother Mark brought to the lake. A beautiful 21’ Mastercraft’ “V” Drive with a wake board tower...
Full StoryPlaces to visit in Modoc County: The River Center
By Valerie Lantz
The River Center located in the Modoc County Museum at 600 South Main Street, Alturas, California is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors experience interpretative displays featuring watershed concepts, natural resource stewardship, Modoc County agriculture products and a geology display.
The River Center Programs for 2010:---
Full StorySeptember weekend in Modoc packed with events
By Bonnie Sherer, Lorissa Soriano and other Modoc Art Center members
September is a big month in Modoc County especially the weekend of September 17-19. Life’s too short to miss this exciting three event weekend! What could be more fun than a balloon festival, an art festival and a chili cook off – all at the same time?
Mark your calendars now to you won’t miss these events:
— Alturas Chamber of Commerce - Balloon Fest 2010
— Modoc Festival of the Arts
— “Life is Too Short to Eat Bad Chili” Cook Off
Full StoryCA DFG Calendar for September
DATE -- EVENT
6 -- Last day of recreational ocean salmon season (from the Oregon state line to the U.S.-Mexico border). More information is on the Ocean Salmon webpage at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/oceansalmon ...
Full Story“Pink” Caspian Terns found; more tagged & released
By Allison Patterson
In July I asked for help finding two Caspian terns I banded and tagged in Summer Lake. For weeks I have been meaning to post an update on how that turned out... with help from the USGS fish sampling crew and TNC we were able to relocate both birds in the Williamson River Delta and retrieve the data from the GPS tags.
Full StoryCalifornia Outdoors Q&As, August 26: Hazing turkey vultures from rooftop roosts
By Carrie Wilson, CA DFG Marine Biologist
Question: I have 15-20 turkey vultures that have been roosting on my roof. They are congregating and making a mess on my roof and in my yard with their droppings and molted feathers. My house is two stories and the roof is tile so access is difficult. How can I get rid of them? (Lawrence)...
Full StoryWildlife Conservation Board funds environmental improvement and acquisition projects
The California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) today approved more than $21 million in funding to help restore and protect wildlife habitat throughout the state. The 16 funded projects will provide benefits to fish and wildlife species, including some endangered species, and increase public access to these lands. The funding for these projects comes from recent bond initiatives approved by the voters to help preserve and protect California’s natural resources...
Full StoryFull Moon Hike: See Whiskeytown’s wild night life
Visitors are invited to join a Ranger for a hike under the full moon on Thursday, September 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. “Visitors can experience Whiskeytown’s scenic beauty bathed in soft silvery moonlight as we enjoy an easy hike along one of Whiskeytown’s historic water ditches and discover the wonders of the Autumn Equinox,” stated Superintendent Jim Milestone...
Full StoryCalifornia Outdoors Q&As, Sept. 2: Are liquid/spray scents considered “baiting”?
By Carrie Wilson, CA DFG Marine Biologist
Question: I know you can't bait bears but can I use any scents (liquids or sprays)? (Kendon A.)...
Full Story