Category California

Foresthill Bridge

View from the west side of the Foresthill Bridge.

The Foresthill Bridge (aka Auburn-Foresthill Bridge & Auburn Bridge) is the tallest bridge in California towering 730-feet over the North Fork American River in Placer County and the Sierra Nevada foothills

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Tuttle Creek Campground

A Cotton Candy Sunrise, Overlanding On Movie Road, And Campfire Cooking In The Alabama Hills - Lone Pine, California

After tearing through the American west, it is a relief to finally take a bit of time to relax in the Alabama Hills. Those familiar with the location are envious. Those who are not familiar probably question what a place called “Alabama Hills” is doing outside of the state of Alabama. But, I assure you, you are familiar with these hills, even if you didn’t already know it.

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Islay Creek Campground

The Islay Creek Campground is a primitive wooded campground Montaña de Oro State Park, near Morro Bay, California. The grounds include 50 camp sites, some of which sit right next to the eponymous Islay Creek. Most enjoy some degree of shade from the surrounding oak trees. The camp grounds have a wide selection of unoccupied camp sites on the off-season weeknight that we visit.

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Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Hiking the North Grove Trail in the snow of Calaveras Big Trees State Park in the Sierras outside of Murphys, California and Highway 49.

The Sierra Nevada mountains range is host to a stunning range of natural diversity. With the ocean to the west, the desert to the east, and glacial mountaintops in between, there are new surprises to be encountered with each change in ecosystem. At about 4,700 feet in elevation and just off Alpine State Highway is a collection of giants that can grow to 325 feet tall and 33 feet wide - some as old as 2,000 years. Despite a turbulent, tragic, and occasionally uncertain history, these giants are now protected for all to enjoy in the Calaveras Big Trees State Park.

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Mark Twain Cabin

The Mark Twain Cabin on Jackass Hill, Tuttletown, California was home to Samuel Clemens while writing "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County"

I thought my directions were wrong when we turned up a steep incline and wandered down a rough but clearly residential road. I don't expect historic sites to be flanked by rural homes with horses and chicken coops. Yet, standing across the street from the accusatory glare of a neighboring donkey is the Mark Twain Cabin.

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Murphys, California

Camping in the Acorn Recreation Area

The California foothills are full to bursting with beautiful historic towns but Murphys takes a place of special prominence. The "Queen of the Sierra" is quintessentially Californian. It traces its origins to the California Gold Rush but retains its relevance thanks to its proximity to the outdoor draws of Calaveras Big Trees State Park and Bear Valley Ski Resort while surrounded by vineyards. Over two dozen wine tasting rooms line the main street. While the rest of the world visits Napa and Sonoma, Californians in the know visit Murphys and other neighboring appellations .

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