Wintertime in Mineral

A couple days ago I made a delivery in Mineral, California and this is what it looked like at the delivery point. Good thing I borrowed my wife's 4-wheel drive Tahoe or I would have been in trouble. I owe her big time! (Just click on the pictures for a larger view).

A White Christmas For Platina

Today I made a delivery to the Wild Horse Ranch in Platina. As you can see by the pictures, Platina got some snow last night which is the first winter snow I've seen since Fall arrived. Please note the three deer at the Wild Horse Ranch general store. (Just click on the pictures for a larger view).

The Community of Vina

The sleepy little community of Vina lies just off Highway 99E south of Chico and west of Corning. Its main industry is walnuts and almonds with some fruit orchards. Rowles road is the main street through this little community and my deliveries have taken me down this road many times. The old Vina Tractor store looks like its been closed for years but no doubt was a thriving business at one time. Perhaps the highlight of Vina is the New Clairvaux Vineyard which is the first Cistercian winery in Northern America. Pictured is the main entrance to the vineyard and The Abbey of New Clairvaux. (For a larger view just click on the pictures).

Gas Prices Still Falling

The price of gasoline is still falling at least here in Corning. However, I noticed it has been at this price now for several days so perhaps it has bottomed out.

The Brotherhood of St. Herman of Alaska

Yesterday I made a delivery to the Brotherhood of St. Herman of Alaska in Platina. I hadn't delivered here since the wildfires last June so I asked Father Nicolas if the St. Herman of Alaska Monastery and St. Xenia Skete Monastery had received any fire damage. Father Nicolas was happy to give me their May-June, 2008 publication that told the whole story (see picture of the cover of that issue). I quote from the publication “By the Grace of our merciful God, this (fire) danger was averted and the monasteries were spared”. The monks had to evacuate and for six days could not return to the monasteries. Pictured is Fathers Nicolas and Paisius from the Brotherhood and happy to be back home again. You can visit the St. Herman Press at their website (http://www.sainthermanpress.com/ Just click on the pictures for a larger view).

Harvesting The Olives

The Olive season is over now but you can see by these two pictures how the olives are harvested. Unlike the nut crops (walnuts and almonds) which are harvested by machinery, olives are still hand-picked. Note the strange shape of the ladders used by the pickers. They are wide at the bottom and gradually get narrow towards the top. Olive trees are not allowed to grow taller than the ladders used to reach the olives so pruning is done each year after the harvest. The olive tree appears throughout history and has been found to live more than two thousand years. (Just click on the pictures for a larger view).

Gas Prices Still Falling

I don't usually shop at this station here in Red Bluff but since it had the lowest prices around and I was almost on empty I filled up my tank for $31.01. Its hard to believe that gas prices are still falling but I'm not complaining at all. (Just click on the picture for a larger view).

Overlooking "My" Cottonwood Ranch

A few evenings ago I got this shot of the Cottonwood Creek Ranch and some of its grazing cattle. Naturally since I pass this ranch twice a day I consider it mine. That's Mt Shasta in the background. (Just click on the picture for a larger view).

Gas Prices Falling Even Lower!

I got gas here yesterday and was amazed that I spent only $29.00 for a fill-up. It seems like ages ago that gas prices were this low. But they still don't match the prices I paid back in Texas during the early 1960's. Back then the cost would be $1.95 and I would have gotten 20 time blue chip stamps plus getting my oil, water, battery and tires checked. Did I mention the service also included getting my windshields cleaned. And all this by a man in a uniform. How times have changed........... (Just click on the picture for a larger view).

The Dog Collar Man

Recently I made a delivery of some U-Line material to an address in Los Molinos. After talking with the recipient for awhile I learned that he has an interesting occupation. He makes Dog Collars and ships them all over the world. His name is Preston Smith and he has been crafting leather products for 30 years. You can assess his web site at PrestonLeashes.com but if you are in the market for a quality dog collar, just call him at (530) 384-1930. (Click on the picture for a larger view).

Red Bluff's View of Mt Lassen

Looking East from atop Antelope Blvd as it crosses over Interstate 5 you can see Mt Lassen in the distance. It is nice to see snow on it for a change. (Just click on the picture for a larger view).

Looking For Treasure

Here I am with my friend and colleague, John, metal detecting for those elusive treasures. It was a beautiful day at the Anderson Fair Ground where we did some coin shooting. I found $1.59 but I think John found a little bit more. However, the highlight of the day for me was finding this Deputy Sheriff Shasta County Badge and this Bronze California National Guard Excellence Medallion. Both pieces were buried about 4 inches under the grass & dirt. The back of the Badge says its 3K gold. The Medallion has embossed on the back "For your contribution and support in response to SEPTEMBER 11, 2001". All in all it was a good day for John and me. (Just click on the pictures for a larger view).

Gas Prices are Still Falling

This station in Red Bluff had the lowest gas prices in town. But when I got Corning, the price at Flying J was $1.97. (Click on the picture for a larger view).

Still Lower Gas Prices

Gas prices at this station in Corning dropped 12 cents from Friday to Monday. Hope it continues to come down. (Just click on the picture for larger view).

Gas Prices Still Falling

Gas prices are still falling. Here in Corning it dropped 2 cents from yesterday. This truck stop is one of my delivery points so I filled up while I was here. (Just click on the picture for a larger view).

Gas Prices Are Coming Down

Its been a long time since I've seen gas prices as low as this. These two stations are located in Corning, California across the street from one another and their prices are the lowest I've seen along my travels. I hope the prices continue to go lower. (Click on the pictures for a larger view).

The Walking Man

I see this young man walking the streets of Red Bluff almost daily. From the heart of town to the outskirts of Dairyville and Hwy 99w this young man walks as if he was on a mission. I don't know why he walks or for what purpose but he's out there just the same. Sometimes I see him with a bag in hand but most of the time he is carrying nothing at all. Someday I hope to strike up a conversation with him and perhaps learn the reason for his dedicated walks. (Click the picture for a larger view).

The Maywood Fig Farm

I don't deliver to this consignee very often but when I do its always a pleasure to arrive at this secluded farm located in the Northern California town of Corning. This 265 acre farm (named Maywood Farms) is owned and operated by Bob and Karen Steinacher and you can visit their farm by going to their website at http://maywoodfarms.com/ The pictures show a part of the orchard and figs drying in the sun. (Just click on the pictures for a larger view).

My Greeting Crew

These two are truly old timers and can barely make it out to my van when I arrive at this stop. But they always seem to be so happy to see me and get their treats. There use to be three but one went to dog heaven not long ago. (Just click on the picture for a larger view).

At Last! A Snow Capped Mountain

It is so nice to see snow on Mt Shasta after the long blistering hot Summer we're had here in the Redding area. And the little rain that we had a couple of day ago sure was welcome. This picture was taken from my front car window on I-5 Northbound at the weigh station in Cottonwood (just before the turn-off for Lake California). (Just click on the picture for a larger view).

Lions in Los Molinos?

Yes there are lions in Los Molinos. Well, at least one that I know of. And there's at least one grizzly bear as you can see. The young handsome man in the picture is Mark Brown, President of Brown Precision, Inc. of Los Molinos. Mark and his Dad have hunted all over the world and they have trophies to prove it. Brown Precision is a small family-owned US manufacturer of guns and has been in business for four decades. Mark says their focus is to build the best gun possible for the individual hunter. You can visit his website at http://www.brownprecision.com/. His shop is a fascinating place to browse and I am delighted he allowed me to take these pictures. (Just click on the pictures for a larger view).

Dry Creeks of Summer

These two dry creek beds have looked like this since early August. The one to the left is Dry Creek and it runs from the Pacific coastal range along side of Highway 36 West toward Red Bluff and I believe empties into the South Fort of Cottonwood Creek. The one to the right is Thomes Creek and it runs from the Paskenta Mountain Range through Flournoy, Corning, Gerber, and Los Molinos. They don't look like much now but come the rainy season and snow melts they are like small rivers. (Just click on the pictures for a larger view).

Wildlife Ahead!

When you come to Lake California, please bear in mind that ducks and geese have the right of way. And believe me, they do take their time crossing the street from one pond to another. At times they just pause and look at you as if to say "Hey, I'm walking here!" (Just click on the picture for a larger view).

The Road To Lake California

If you're traveling to Lake California watch out for road construction at the bridge. Finally the old narrow bridge is being replaced with a new wider bridge. The pictures show eastbound and westbound views. (Just click on the pictures for a larger view).

Smokey Mountains of Paskenta

The skies have darkened here in Northern California from the numerous fires that were started by recent lighting storms. This photo of the Paskenta mountain range was taken yesterday when I made a delivery at a ranch in Paskenta. (Just click on the picture for a larger view).

My Petting Friend

This mountain lion makes his appearance each time I make my delivery at this stop in the city of Red Bluff. Lucky for me he is tame and also stuffed. (Just click on the picture for a larger view).

The Rock Walls On Wildcat Road

If you travel West on Wildcat Road just out of Paynes Creek you can't help but see these rock walls (or fences) that stretch for miles along the road. These walls or fences stand about 4 feet tall and 4 feet thick and were erected entirely of Lava Rock which spewed from Mount Lassen when it erupted in 1915. Over the years the ranchers not only cleared their land with these scattered lava rocks but the fences they erected using these rocks serve to separate their grazing fields. (Just click on the pictures for a larger view).

The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians

If you're traveling Northbound on Interstate 5 (I-5) just outside Corning, you will see this newly installed Highway Sign. This portion of the Interstate in Tehama County between the exits of Gyle Road and Flores Avenue has been designated as the NOMLAKI HIGHWAY in recognition of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians who were the original inhabitants of Tehama County. This site was chosen as it is considered the heart of historical Nomlaki homeland. (Just click on the picture for a larger view).

Flournoy Goat Ranch

This goat ranch is just North of the small community of Flournoy along Paskenta Road. A seasonal creek runs through it making it a peaceful setting during Springtime. This area raises both dairy and meat goats. This particular herd is Boer goats raised for meat. Please note the baby goat lying next to its mother. (Just click on the pictures for a larger view).

My Cottonwood Creek Ranch

For most of my young life I would close my bedside prayer each night asking God to grant me a cattle and horse ranch. Well, God in His Wisdom answered that prayer about 16 years ago when we settled down in Cottonwood at Lake California. Two times a day I drive by this beautiful ranch which stretches about a mile along Lake California Drive and see its lovely landscape and grazing cattle and horses. It's easy to pretend that the ranch is mine. (Just click on the pictures for a larger view).