With the temperatures cooling down, some might want to check out eastern Honey Lake Valley. In particular there are two Off Road Vehicle Parks—Dry Valley and Fort Sage. The above photograph of Sail Rock is of one of many interesting natural features at the Fort Sage ORV Park. There is a nice campground, a perfect place for a picnic lunch.
Tim
With summer waning on the horizon, I am going to honor the spirit and meaning of Labor Day, so I am taking the day off. However, for those who might be interested, the 2022 Calendar is working its way through the production line.
Here is a link to past post about labor strife at Westwood in 1930s.
Tim
For those readers out of the area, many of the evacuation warnings including portions of Susanville and to the south of town have been lifted as of Sunday afternoon. Westwood and Clear Creek have been reduced from mandatory to warning and now are able to return to their homes. Janesville and Milford, along with Genesee and Taylorsville are still the major hot spots. With cooler temperatures and lighter winds will help with the containment.
Tim
Back in the mid-1990s, Don Manuel, the BLM archeologist and myself as a historian, conducted tours involving prehistoric and historic sites. It all began during Archeology Week during the month of May. The first one was so popular, we did several throughout the summer. For the next several years we did multiple tours—even a special east side Eagle Lake tour, though that was not with Don, but Stan Bales.
The tours had several purposes. One to introduce people to BLM lands and the opportunities of the various places to explore on their own. Equally important was to educate individuals about the importance of preservation of sites. Stops at archaeological sites that had been disturbed/vandalized provided was an opportunity to highlight the message.
Historical sites as well are subjected to vandals and such. One year I pushed to include Great Basin Architecture of abandoned homesteads, knowing full well the elements of Mother Nature would reclaim the property, so it was a rare opportunity to be included. BLM said no, and now the buildings are gone. To be quite honest this ticked me off. The BLM personnel involved in the tours were paid, I received no compensation, but I was half of the tour composition. Enough of my ranting.
From time to time I am asked if the tours can be revived. Those inquiries I relayed to BLM, while receptive, they were non-commital, and the last time was three years ago, but I never heard back.
Tim
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 August, 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.
Tim
For the last two years interest to witness the Belfast petroglyphs at the summer solstice has waned. For those not familiar, there is sunrise chamber that serves as ancient observatory. This event only occurs on the morning of the summer solstice when the sun enters a chamber highlighting a variety of glyphs, among other things.
This year, I decided not to conduct it.
Tim
It is that time of year when I sound the annual alarm to go exploring wherever you reside. It began several years ago when I republished a 1929 editorial that appeared in the Lassen Mail. It summed up that there are so many fascinating natural attractions surrounding the countryside that are easy day trips, yet so few take advantage. The paper cited a wide array of opportunities whether exploring the ice caves of Eagle Lake, or packing a picnic to spend a leisurely day along a mountain stream.
After last years destructive fires in the region, it is even more apparent to get out and about. Sometimes historical landmarks can disappear too, such as burning of the Constantia townsite.
Hopefully, this provides everyone with a bit of motivation. Enjoy.
Tim
First of all, I want to thank those who took the time to respond about the Skedaddle Creek photograph. It will appear in next year’s calendar.
Believe it or not the sketch above would have been the replacement, if the consensus was not to include Skedaddle Creek. Why the sketch? My Mother gave me four different sketches years ago, hoping I would either frame them or use them in some way. If nothing else, this was a venue to fulfill her wishes. They are 8 x 10 in size if anyone wants them. First come, first served.
Tim
This may seem a bit premature since it deals with the 2022 Calendar. It is rapidly nearing completion, so it will be one less project out of the way, so I can get out and explore places with summer approaching.
This particular photograph is giving me some trouble, so I am seeking opinions. It was taken in 1922, and quite unique. When I enlarge it to size needed for calendar, it looses some clarity, if you look at it up close. However, when one looks at it from a distance, like one would with a wall calendar, it looks just fine.
Any thoughts?
Tim
This is something that definitely slipped underneath my radar. Last fall a historical railway society was organized for the preservation of the history of the Nevada-California-Oregon Railroad, more commonly referred to as the NCO. What was even more intriguing its headquarters is that of Alturas. In one sense it is a logical choice that Alturas is home to a NCO depot and also was railroads’s headquarters during its final days, after its departure from Reno.
For the un-initiated the NCO was one of the 20th century’s longest narrow gauge railroads that ran from Reno, Nevada to Lakeview, Oregon. As one observer put it, it was a railroad that went nowhere. Its original intent was to extend all the way to Columbia River with a terminus at The Dalles, Oregon. During its fifty year existence from 1879-1929, there were a lot of interesting characters involved in its operation.
For those who would like to learn more about this organization see their website at: NCO Railway
Tim