Red Bluff Recreation Area, California

That "laid low" due to a cold comment from the last post should be changed to "laid flat". We did manage to make it to Yuba City, where we intended to visit my brother, but we've been holed up ever since fighting the germs. I'll post later about this area, but need to comment further on our last stop, as it really had a lot to offer.

Sycamore Grove

Though we were a bit low in energy we did manage to look around a little before we left Red Bluff. It really is a target rich environment for exploration. The Sycamore Grove campground itself is packaged with hiking and nature trails, the Sacramento River Discovery Center, a large group camp area with sleeping cabins, and a boat launch and picnic area.

The Discovery Center is geared primary for school children, but has a wealth of information for all ages on the salmon and other wildlife in the area.  There's a nice garden area in back with wildflower and plant information too. Many of the trails have informative signs, and you can pick up a self-guided nature walk guide in the visitors center that highlights 30 points along that particular tail. Who would guess you could find all that just a couple of miles off of I-5.

During our stay we were able to see (and hear) some of our "stimulus dollars" at work in the form of a diversion dam removal project. This will supposedly support increased salmon production when completed. Fortunately the equipment stopped rumbling every day about 4:30 so it wasn't particularly disturbing.

current diversion dam

Red Bluff is an old ranching town, originally platted by Pete Lassen, who obtained the land as a grant from Mexico.  The older downtown section still has remnants of several older brick buildings with nice architectural details, and businesses have done a nice job of maintaining a western town feeling. Other than the downtown area there are few historic buildings in the area.

One exception is the William B. Ide Adobe, in a nice park setting right along the river.... and yes, the Sacramento river does have water in it. People always seem surprised at that!

The park is really nice for picnics - lots of tables and BBQs and well shaded by large trees. The visitor's center is closed Monday and Tuesday, so we couldn't see their offerings, but the restored adobe and outbuildings are available any time. The park was originally established, and the the building protected, because it was believed to have at one time been the home of William B. Ide, president (for 25 days) of the "California Republic", formed after the Bear Flag Revolt of 1846. It turns out, he never lived in or owned this property at all, but live nearby. At any rate, the adobe is nicely restored and during the summer season supports living history presentations, so provides a nice opportunity to experience early pioneer life in California.

See the Red Bluff album for more photos of the park and Red Bluff.