Category Archives: California

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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National Forests

Mount Whitney on this day in history – July 3rd

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

In July of 1864, a California State Geological Survey led by William H. Brewer, indcluding Charles F. Hoffmann, James T. Gardiner, and Clarence King, named the culminating peak of the Sierras “Mount Whitney.”  Named forJosiah Whitney, who was the State Geologist of California and benefactor of the survey.

With an elevation of 14,505 feet Mount Whitney is the highest summit in the contiguous United States, and is the boundary between Inyo and Tulare counties.

On this day, July 3rd, 1926, Sequoia National Park was expanded to include Kern Canyon and the West slope of Mount Whitney.  The summit is the southern terminus of the John Muir Trail, while the eastern slope is in the Inyo National Forest in Inyo County.

National Parks, News

Happy 150th Anniversary, Yosemite!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Under a towering canopy of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, the National Park Service, Yosemite Conservancy and public officials today celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the Yosemite Grant Act, the legislation signed by President Abraham Lincoln to preserve Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove, by breaking ground on a landmark project to protect the ancient sequoia trees and the extraordinary experience they make possible.

“On the 150th Anniversary of the Yosemite Grant Act, we stand in awe among these giant trees that are thousands of years old and are reminded about the importance of protecting our natural resources so that future generations can experience what John Muir called ‘nature’s forest masterpiece,’” said National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis at public ceremonies attended by thousands.

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State Parks

California State Park’s 150th Anniversary

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Monday, June 30 is the 150th anniversary of California’s state parks system.  Rather than celebrating this incredible achievement in California state park history at one of the hundreds of venues available throughout the state, the California State Parks Foundation and Gavin Newsom will be at Yosemite National Park.  Because, y’know, it’s a national park, not a state park.

Whatever.

Our California State Parks have been under attack for so many years – from hidden money to threatened closures to this latest snub by the government of the state – that it’s amazing that we’ve reached this milestone.  But don’t let that stop you from getting out and visiting our beautiful state and the state parks; there’s something for everyone!

Find a California state park near you HERE.

The California State Parks Foundation sent out this notice:

On Monday, members of the California State Assembly are expected to vote on a resolution by Assembly member Olsen (R-Modesto) that recognizes the 150th anniversary of the California state parks system and urges Californians to join in celebrating this important anniversary.
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Interesting Places

Santa’s Village to reopen

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

One of my most cherished childhood memories was when my Dad piled us all into the ol’ 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 and we took off before sunrise from Dana Point, heading up to the San Bernardino Mountains.  This is back in the day when freeways were six lanes, Crown Valley Parkway was four lanes, and seat belts were those things stuck under the seat cushions.

I’d sit up front on the folded down armrest so I could see out the windshield and we’d drive for what seemed like hours until we finally reached the base of the mountain.

Up the road we went, clawing ever higher around the curves, Dad turning the steering wheel, me sliding between his shoulder and my Mom’s.  Up, up, and up into the clouds we drove until we finally emerged through a break in those rolling mists to see the bright Technicolor red rooftops of Santa’s Village.

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