Saturday, August 29, 2009

Drakesbad


Ahhhh, Drakesbad. One of my favorite places in the world, and less than two hours' drive from Chico!
One of the few lodgings nestled in Lassen Volcanic Park, Drakesbad Guest Ranch dates back more than 100 years. In fact, Chico founder John Bidwell and his tiny-but-powerful wife Annie used to vacation there to escape the valley heat.
When my sons were young we often stayed in one of the cozy, rustic cabins for a few days (whatever the vacation budget would allow at the time). What a great family retreat! Rowing on Dream Lake, playing board games in the lodge, hiking up to the boiling mud pits, stargazing from the huge hot spring pool, stories by the campfire at night. And the best thing of all (from a mom's viewpoint): three delicious meals a day at the cookhouse--no shopping/cooking/cleaning! Also, no phones/TVs/video games (in fact, the only electricity is provided via generator to the cookhouse; cabins are lit by kerosene lanterns!) Horseback riding is offered too, but we had our own horse at home so never took advantage of that.
(Click here to view photos from my recent visit to Drakesbad, and click here for some great OLD photos I came across online.) I recently discovered a wonderful opportunity. When camping at Warner Valley Campground (just 1/2 mile from Drakesbad, 1st come 1st served, one can reserve a meal at the Drakesbad cookhouse, and then have use of the facilities all day. Now THAT'S a great deal! (Drakesbad is only open through mid-October; check out their web site or call 1-866-999-0914 and talk with Billie or Ed for more info or reservations.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

I Wanna Take You Higher - Chico Air Show


The 2009 Chico Air Show is happening THIS Friday through Sunday, Aug. 28 - 30, at the Chico Airport. Kicking it off with the "Twilight Preview" show on Friday 8/28 at 5 p.m. is my friend Holly Taylor and her red-hot band "Hot Flash." (Great music; wear your dancing shoes!) For more info, check out this week's Chico News & Review or the Facebook site. And if you haven't yet jumped on the Facebook bandwagon, it's easy and free to register (www.Facebook.com) and start enjoying the wacky comments and fun photos your friends and family post! Click here for an excellent article written by fellow Facebooker Shannon Rooney about local Chico resident and former Blue Angels pilot Vance Parker (one of the coordinators of the air show) in this week's CN&R. (Mom and I got to see the present-day Blue Angels pilots in person during out recent trip to Monterey---quite exciting!)

Sunday, August 23, 2009

The Amazing Getty Museum







On our trip to So Cal last week, Eva and I made a quick tour of the Getty Museum in L.A. It's been a few years since I was there, but the architecture, grounds and (especially) artwork thrilled me again. Click here to view a few of the photos I took. The Getty sits atop a hill. Entrance to the museum is free, but there is a $15 parking fee for the garage and then a tram ride up the hill. Next time you're traveling through LaLa land, check it out. Spectacular!

Tedious?


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te⋅di⋅ous 

–adjective
1.
marked by tedium; long and tiresome: tedious tasks; a tedious journey.
2.
wordy so as to cause weariness or boredom, as a speaker or writer.
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This is an actual sign on Mangrove Ave. in Chico. It just struck me as humorous, so I thought I'd share. Hmmm...thinking about changing "ChicoLauraBlog" to "TediousBlog."

Friday, August 21, 2009

Coast Walk


After consuming some pretty fab ice cream and touring the lovely Stansbury House (see blog entry below), my friends Fran, John and I received a bonus (sometimes it pays to be latecomers!) and enjoyed chatting with a few of the volunteers on the back porch. (What a GREAT ice cream social those volunteers put on every year!) Thanks to Ron (an avid fellow outdoorsperson), we learned about "COASTWALK," an organization which sponsors hikes along the California coast. As their web site boasts: "Twice the fun of the average camping trip...and half the work!" Throw in the "gourmet" food and camaraderie, and it sounds like my kind of adventure! So often I think about how fortunate I am to live in Northern California, with its diverse and astounding beauty.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Ice Cream at Stansbury House!


How long has it been (if EVER) since you visited the gorgeous, historical Stansbury House? It's only been around since 1883! (at the corner of W. 5th St. and Salem) This Friday (Aug. 21st) would be a great time to check it out, during the annual ice cream social (6 to 9 p.m.), another great Chico tradition.
Now the property of The City of Chico and maintained by the Stansbury Home Preservation Association, this wonderful example of Italian-Victorian architecture was originally built (out of sugar-pine lumber) for Dr. Oscar Stansbury and his wife, Libbie. It remained in the Stansbury family for more than three generations.
If you can't make the Ice Cream Social this Friday, tours are regularly held Saturday and Sunday, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Cost is just $2 for adults, $1 for students, and free for children under 10. A real must-see!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Home for Sale: 1432 N. Cherry Street


The front house is a 3 bed PLUS a 9x11' attic loft. A detached "guest" studio with bath, kitchen facilities and heat/air in back. Great location just blocks from CSU Chico and downtown. The main house was recently painted and remodeled with new kitchen cabinets, solid granite counter tops, newer dishwasher and stove, central heat/air, mostly dual-paned windows, and new roof in 2007. The home also features hardwood floors and a deck for BBQs. Check out the extra-deep lot!

For more photos and a virtual tour click on the photos or visit my website: www.ChicoLaura.com

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Adorable Baby Hats


Just had to brag about and share the web site of my niece Kelly, who makes these ADORABLE and unique baby hats. Check out Kelly's web site, "Tiny Tangerines" if you'd like to order one for that special little one in your life. Of course, it helps to have such a charming young model to display her creations! That would be her sweet baby Clementine. Being a long-time arts-and-crafts lover, I'm really getting a kick out of seeing each of Kelly's creations. Next time you're invited to a baby shower and want one of those "ooooh & ahhhh" type gifts, let your fingers do the ordering (while saving time AND gas!).

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Gateway Science Museum



Perhaps you've seen the interesting new building going up on The Esplanade just north of Bidwell Mansion here in Chico these past few months. That would be the new "Gateway Science Museum" being constructed. According to the museum web site, the facility "will be a state-of-the-art natural history museum celebrating the region's natural beauty and resources. Permanent and traveling exhibits, as well as education programs for Northern California's schoolchildren, will further the museum's mission." Click here to view more photos, including interior shots, and here for a description of some of the interesting features and exhibits. Legacy paving stones are available to the public and will help fund the construction of this unique building.

Monday, August 3, 2009

PEACHES! U-PICK!



GET YOUR FRESH, JUICY PEACHES! I don't know about you, but early tomorrow morning I'm heading out (with my mom--it's an annual tradition) to the Chico State Farm to picket a few buckets full of fresh, sweet, juicy, delectable PEACHES! $1 per pound; cash or check only. There are several varieties and plenty of low-hanging fruit, but ladders are also provided for those just-out-of-reach beauties. May not have time to make peach jam like last year (besides, there are still a couple of jars in the freezer), but I can hardly wait to get my fill of fresh ones!
The U-pick station is open from 7 a.m. to noon Mon. through Fri. while supplies last. Click here or call the University Farm at 898-6343 for more info. Click here for directions to the Farm, off Hegan Lane in South Chico. Enjoy!