Personally, I am thankful to have 2021 in the rear view mirror so to speak. Though I do have to state it was a memorable one and unfortunately the scars of the Sugar and Dixie Fires will be around for a long, long time.
During summer’s intense heat and smoke, I was able to get several months of daily posts done in advance. Then again, I did have a lot more free time since I was no longer on the Lassen County Planning Commission or the Lassen College Board. Whatever the case may be, hopefully I will be able to produce a few self guided walking tours for 2022.
The latest storms residual moisture and lack of wind is the perfect combination for a pogonip, also known as a freezing fog. . A true pogonip is when the fog freezes coating everything with ice crystals. The name is from the Native American community when translated means white death, due to the number of Indians who would contract pneumonia from this weather condition.
There are varying types of pogonips. The most common form is when the high pressure holds down the cloud inversion. Thus, in many instances, one only has to travel a few hundred feet above the valley floor to bask in the sunshine. The pogonip season usually runs through December and January. The longest recorded duration, locally, lasted for six weeks in the winter of 1859-60.
On a final note, the National Weather Service states that there is a storm front headed our way tomorrow. There should be enough winds to break up the inversion, and may be we will see a little sun shine in the afternoon.
Grant Smith’s tunnel works, Eagle Lake, 1922–Courtesy of Lola L. Tanner
Without archives, we would not have records about our past. Some readers might find this a bit mundane. Since we are approaching the end of year, some focus on tidying things in the record department.
In 1996, a colleague of mine and dear friend, Francis, better know as “Fritz” Riddell desired to assemble all collections of the Baxter Creek and Tule Irrigation Districts, i.e., Bly Tunnel and have them deposited with California State Archives. Riddell’s father, Harry, was hired as an engineer in the late 1920s to see if he could find a remedy to the problems of Bly Tunnel. He had all of his father’s records. In my possession were the district records by two of their attorneys, Hardin “Finn” Barry, and J.A. “Gus” Pardee. There was a third piece, the County of Lassen, which the Planning Department had stored boxes of the irrigation districts records. The County was agreeable and mission accomplished.
Drakesbad, 1939
During the early 1990s, I came into possession of the Sifford papers. This material primarily generated by Alex Sifford and his son, Roy. In 1900, Alex Sifford purchased what was known as Drakes Springs, and later transformed into Drakesbad resort located in Lassen Volcanic National Park, that was created sixteen years later. They, too, needed a permanent home. In May 2021, they are now part of the archives of Lassen Volcanic National Park.
This calendar is unique in a different kind of way. Four of the photographs featured I purchased on Ebay. One of the most unique is that of Homer Lake taken in 1918. Where the photographer took the photograph was impressive. As usual it is an interesting collection of historical photographs of the region.
One has three options to purchase calendars:
1) Locally, you can purchase them at Margie’s Book Nook.
2) You can purchase direct online by clicking here
3) You can also email me to place your order, and it will be sent with an invoice.
Standish Water Company’s pumping plant on the east side of Honey Lake, 1911. C.R. Caudle collection
First of all, I am not a very good prostitute when it comes to self promotion whether it books or this website. As subscribers know well, I do not push subscriptions, and they are also voluntarily. This is just a simple request, if you know some one who might be interested, spread the word and with a little nudge encourage that friend to subscribe.
Thank you, and tomorrow, will resume the regularly scheduled programming.
Sail Rock, Fort Sage Mountain, June 7, 2018
Not sure what to give that special someone, but want to keep the budget balanced too? Why not a gift subscription to tipurdy.org. At five dollars a month it is a bargain. You can decided whether for a month, quarter or even splurge for a year.
The recipient not only receives email notification six days a week, and sometimes seven, of the latest topic, and can always request a topic, too. Many subscribers can attest that it is a great way to start the morning.
In addition, don’t forget the 2022 calendar, and books, too!
Information on subscriptions is found right here. Have a question drop me a line at tim.purdy@icloud.com
An interesting map of the Dixie Fire Courtesy of CDF
It is nice to be able to report that after burning more than 100 days the Dixie Fire is 100% contained. The fire burned over some 963,309 acres. There is, however, a lot of work to be done, but at least one phase is finally over with.
This calendar is unique in a different kind of way. Four of the photographs featured I purchased on Ebay. One of the most unique is that of Homer Lake taken in 1919. Where the photographer took the photograph was impressive. As usual it is an interesting collection of historical photographs of the region.
One has three options to purchase calendars:
1) Locally, you can purchase them at Margie’s Book Nook.
2) You can purchase direct online by clicking here
3) You can also email me to place your order, and it will be sent with an invoice.
Tim
P.S. – Initial supply is limited to fifty calendars.
On a quarterly basis, I ask you the reader, if there is something you would like to learn more about or maybe its something you heard, but question its validity. So here is an opportunity to participate. I will do my best to answer any questions. It should be noted, it may take awhile for the answer to appear as a post. The primary reason, many of the daily posts are done nearly a month in advance. So by the time you read this I am already working on posts for the middle of November, or at least I should be. Whatever the case may be, I look forward to hearing from you. Of course, it should be noted that paid subscribers requests receive priority. In addition, you can always send a request at any time.
