Category Archives: California

State Parks

“Take a Walk Through Time” at Bidwell Mansion

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park will be hosting the celebration of John Bidwell’s 195th birthday on Sunday, August 10, which is being sponsored by the Bidwell Mansion Association. The celebration will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Visitors will be taking a “walk through time” and participate in an evening of interactive entertainment. People in period costumes will re-enact daily lives from the Victorian era, and will include past residents of Bidwell Mansion. The celebration will conclude in the Visitor Center with a birthday cupcake for visitors, and the opportunity to enter to win a lovely gift basket in the opportunity drawing.

An original watercolor painting of the Bidwell Mansion by Nell Chapla will be on display in the Visitor Center for a silent auction. Bidding will begin at the time of the event and continue until the BMA Members Holiday Event on Dec. 5.

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Wildlife

Fish Gun: Salmon shooting coming to a dam near you

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

You’ll believe a salmon can fly…

It sounds like something from a Monty Python skit or maybe even from a Sunday night Fox cartoon: launching salmon across a room.  It’s not.  It’s a business.

From  Adventure Journal:

Many Pacific Northwest dams, both large and small, lack fish ladders – effectively closing off hundreds of miles of habitat to endangered salmon and steelhead runs.

Now, biologists in central Washington are testing a new technology they hope could eventually transport salmonids to currently unreachable rivers: vacuum-pressurized tubes.

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National Parks

Pinnacles National Park entry fee increases August 1st

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

On August 1, 2014 the 7 day entrance pass for Pinnacles National Park will increase to $10 for passenger vehicles and motorcycles; bicycle and pedestrian entry will increase to $5.00.The Pinnacles Annual Pass will also increase on August 1 to $20.00. This is the first fee increase at the park since the 1990s.

Park managers are planning to utilize the fee revenue generated by this increase to provide better customer service in several ways: increased shuttle bus service within the park during busy weekends, improved shuttle bus stops, and improved trip planning information.

Purchase prices for Golden Age and America the Beautiful passes will remain the same.The free Golden Access and America the Beautiful Annual Pass for Active Duty Military personnel will continue to be offered.

You can find out more about Pinnacles National Park HERE.

State Parks

Nothing says opulence and Hearst Castle quite like a porta potty

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Hearst Castle Visitor Center to Close Public Restrooms in July for Water Conservation

Chemical toilets with hand sanitizer stations will be made available

According to a press release from the California Department of Parks and Recreation, starting on Monday July 7, 2014, the Hearst Castle Visitor Center will begin implementing water conservation measures to reduce water usage and comply with Governor Brown’s Executive Order to redouble drought actions across the State. All day-use restrooms will be closed and chemical toilets (or porta-potties) with exterior hand sanitizer stations will be placed at the Visitor Center. Thirty standard chemical restrooms plus eight Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible chemical restrooms will be available to accommodate all visitors. At least six hand sanitizer stations will also be available.

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State Parks

Free tickets for the Palm Springs Aerial tram!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Okay, you knew there’d be a catch.  But it’s a good catch!

The California State Parks Foundation sponsors the Park Champions Program, which – from their website – “…holds volunteer work days in state parks across California. This program was created in response to the unprecedented budget cuts that California State Parks face right now. In partnership with California State Parks, Park Champions provide consistent, sustainable volunteer support in the areas of park maintenance and beautification.

Park Champions projects improve the quality, safety and preservation of our state parks. Projects in the past year have included trail repair, invasive plant removal, habitat restoration, the rehabilitation of an historic orchard, fence construction, bridge construction, and re-painting park structures. If you enjoy volunteering outdoors, want to work with a fun group of people, and you want to make a difference in our state parks, then become a Park Champion and join us for the next work day happening near you!”

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