Leaving behind the rainstorms in California’s Central Valley, we arrived in the desert to find blue skies — and 25-35 mph winds, with gusts up to 55 mph. The Big Guy had hoped to go for a walk in the desert in Barstow, but after getting blasted by that gale outside, we opted to run up and down the stairs […]
I’m so glad my curiosity led me to explore this tiny oasis of redwood forest in the middle of Fort Bragg, California, last November. Although it’s relatively small, this park is a priceless gem for anyone wishing to escape for a few minutes and soak in the sights, sounds, and smells of the coastal rain forest: nature at its most […]
I’m sure there are quite a lot of places named Davis Lake (or Lake Davis) throughout the country, but this one is located in Manchester Beach State Park in Mendocino County, a few miles north of Point Arena. I wasn’t even aware I was hiking in an area named Davis Lake Wetlands and Coastal Dunes Natural Preserve until I came […]
Because this week has been a little bit crazy, rather than introducing a new episode I’m taking a look back at a segment of California’s Gold that I featured previously, in February 2020. It’s called Places I’ve Wanted To Go, and it originally aired on February 1, 2009. I do think it’s interesting to note — since I just happen to be visiting the area — that the Palace Theater in Fort Worth, Texas, is actually the home of the second oldest continuously operating incandescent light bulb in the world. Below is the original post: Huell clearly had a lot of fun in this episode of California’s Gold, originally aired in 2009. I love the idea of taking the time to finally go see those places you’ve always wanted to see; my own list includes the Winchester Mystery House and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. But Huell chooses a couple of spots that I had never heard of before, and even though I may never go see them for myself, I’ve discovered a few new things about California’s colorful past. And by the way, if you’re curious to see whether that 119-year-old light bulb is still burning, you can check it out for yourself right here. Join Host Huell Howser on an adventure to two places he’s been wanting to visit for years! First up is a a stop along Highway 395 in the town to Lee Vining to see the […]
A couple of years ago when I first noticed this large sign next to U.S. 101 in Ukiah a wave of nostalgia washed over me. I just knew I had seen it before, in an entirely different location — namely the Sacramento area. It was one of those random childhood memories that leaps out at me when I least expect […]
Every quilt tells a story, if you look deep enough. I’m most definitely not a quilter, but I absolutely admire the intricate needlework and the beauty of the finished products. Of course, many older quilts contain family histories, and they’ve always been a part of the story of American westward expansion. This episode of California’s Gold originally aired January 3, […]
We have a number of options when it comes to driving home from the Mendocino coast, and all of them are at least somewhat winding and scenic. We’ve traveled State Route 20 from Fort Bragg east to I-5 in Colusa County; Highway 128 along the Navarro River to Cloverdale on U.S. 101; and of course the more indirect route, down […]