Adventures
The Preston Castle: a tragic blend of mystery, history and horror
Perched on a hill overlooking the town of Ione, Ca, is an ominous presence that screams horror film and haunted encounters. Known as the Preston Castle, this menacing structure’s eerie appearance takes on a whole new level of frightening charm after one learns of its ghostly past. What had started out as a reform school …...
Point Reyes Lighthouse: 308 steps to the edge of a coastal abyss
Point Reyes is the second foggiest place in all of North America and the windiest place on the Pacific Coast. If you ever visit Point Reyes when the fog sets in, it’s as if this California lighthouse sits on the edge of a cliff that overlooks a lifeless grey abyss. This all-encompassing fog contributed to …...
Victorian Village: the historical elegance and charm of Ferndale
Ferndale, where both charm and elegance resides, is a hidden treasure of California and one of the state’s most preserved villages. Finding Ferndale Getting to Ferndale requires a bit of patience. From Highway 101, take the Fernbridge/Ferndale exit. Immediately, turn onto Fernbridge Dr. which cuts through the tiny, historic town of...
North Bloomfield: a charmingly preserved ghost town
History According to local lore, in 1851, after three miners discovered gold nuggets on the San Juan Ridge, one of the miners bragged about the findings at a local saloon and was unknowingly followed by other prospectors to the discovery site. Unfortunately for the followers, they didn’t find any gold and in disgust, named...
Markleeville: a small rural mountain town with history and hot springs
But, hopefully after reading my experience and seeing some of the pictures, you would recognize and be inspired to see this town’s unique blend of quaintness, picturesque landscapes, history and hot springs. History In the early 1860’s, Jacob J. Markley founded a toll bridge crossing the Carson River and eventually purchased...
An exciting journey from Echo Lakes to Tamarack Lake and beyond
Echo Lake, also commonly referred to as Echo Lakes, is typically frozen during the winter due to its elevation of over 7,400 feet. The services located at Echo Lake are seasonal and are open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. These services include the popular Echo Chalet and the boat taxi. The trail from lower …...
Iowa Hill Road: A thrilling voyage from Colfax to Iowa Hill
Gold Country is well known for its historic gold mining towns, legendary tales of the Gold Rush and the meager beginnings of some of California’s most prominent figures. But, one thing that’s unknown to most people is the adventure that’s experienced when actually driving on the winding roads that twist, turn and...
Lake Jenkinson: Sly Park’s crown jewel and premiere hike
Sly Park holds a special place in my childhood. During my 6th grade year, my class, along wither other classes, went to Sly Park for a week. It was an adventure like any other. For most of us, this was the first time we spent a week without our parents. On a more personal note, …...
Lake Clementine Trail: All the makings for a beautiful hike
Typically, I only embark on hiking trails that offer scenic views of a lake, a waterfall, a river or a cool landmark like an old bridge or historic building. And, rarely do I ever find a hike that offers all of the above. So, when I discovered that the Lake Clementine Trail had all of …...
Auburn waterfalls: exploring the Black Hole of Calcutta Falls and Hidden Falls park
Auburn is a wonderful town filled with a wealth of history. Additionally, it also has one of the state’s finest recreation areas. There’s so many places to visit in the Auburn State Recreation Area, that a week wouldn’t be long enough for visiting all that this region has to offer. A day was barely enough …...
