Miners Ravine Nature Reserve

I like to visit this hidden treasure along Folsom-Auburn Road in Granite Bay on cool autumn mornings. The trail is a relatively short loop (0.9 miles), but thanks to the terrain, it doesn’t feel especially crowded. I think those who come here are looking for a bit of peace and quiet and are happy to allow fellow visitors a bit […]

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Blair Lake

We came across this quiet little lake at Malakoff Diggins State Park, and naturally the Big Guy couldn’t leave without making a few casts! I had time to explore most of the way around the edge of the water while he focused on the fish. Although there were plenty of bass and bluegill to be seen, they turned up their […]

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To the Schoolhouse

This old schoolhouse was built in 1884 by George W. Call, the wealthy rancher and businessman whose family made their home on the Fort Ross property from 1874 until the 1920s. It continued to be used as a school building for many years even after being relocated, and it now sits in the North Meadow at Stillwater Cove Regional Park. […]

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A walk in the woods

Our visit to Stillwater Cove Regional Park was one of the very best parts of last week’s coastal trip. I wanted to hike to the historic Fort Ross schoolhouse, and even though the trail wasn’t very long, we got a pretty good workout climbing down one side of the Stockhoff Creek ravine and up the other. I also struggled because, […]

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