Apples, Bats, Butterflies, and Lizards

Apples are in. 

There are apple festivals and harvests going on all over, up here in far Northern California. 

So we moseyed on over to the Camden House in the Whiskeytown National Recreational Area, just outside the old mining town of Shasta. 

They had some apples—we could taste them and sample some of the entries for the baking contest.

One apple I tasted was a northern California apple called a pink pearl. It's a pink-fleshed apple that is one of the best apples I have ever tasted. Stores don't sell them. I was told there is one farmer who occasionally brings them in from her farm but you never know when. 

In Northern California, Albert Etter spent years developing a unique apple variety descended from the "Surprise" apple, known for its pink flesh. It became known as the Pink Pearl apple. In 1945, the apple seed was patented and officially named "Pink Pearl," marking a significant milestone in apple cultivation history.

The California Gravenstein apple is my all-time favorite variety. Its rich history dates back to the 17th century. I have fond memories of visiting the Gravenstein apple harvest in Sebastopol during my childhood, where we would wander through the orchards and bring home a crate filled with apples.

Sadly, "Big Apple" or "Big Wine" began phasing out native apples in favor of apples that were more cost-effective, easier to ship, and, of course, grapes for the wine industry. 

The Mystery of the Apple Caper 

I was told that they didn't have as many apples as they usually do. Apparently, all the stored apples were stolen! They had to get apples from neighboring Manton. 

Sounds like an inside job! 

Camden House is so vulnerable - it sits all alone off the side of Hwy 299. 

Just before they cut into it - giving everybody their fair share...It was yummy. 

Then we saw the old Camden House - 

What the heck? 

The upper windows of the house were completely boarded up, which was unexpected because when we last visited a few months ago, the windows were not covered. We were looking forward to taking a tour of the house.

It looks like they have totally abandoned the house. 

Here, you can see the upper windows 

are not boarded up.

APPARENTLY 

There are bats inside this historic house

 that is 172 years old. 

I was informed that these bats are an endangered species.

So I asked what they planned to do—were they going to sacrifice a 172-year-old historic home to save the bats?

I have a deep love for all of God's creatures, including bats. There is a humane way to remove the bats from the house safely without harming them. Our ancestors knew the benefits of having bats. So now, this situation has created a significant mess inside the beautiful home, which is quite distressing. After seeking information from various officials there who seemed reluctant to share with me - (what's that about?) I finally was told that due to the presence of these endangered bats, this will now require additional taxpayer funding to safely remove the bats according to environmental guidelines - then carry out a complete renovation of the Camden House, which is estimated to cost millions of taxpayer dollars - due to the bat infestation. Seems it would have been a lot cheaper just to remove them in the first place. 

Speaking of bats - 

The other day, my husband made an interesting discovery: he found a baby bat nestled inside the folds of our patio umbrella. Although he startled it, the tiny creature remained perfectly still. We decided to bring our dog Laydee inside, and once we did, the bat took flight and disappeared. We caught sight of it again at dusk last night, so we've decided to purchase a bat house in hopes that they will choose to make our yard their permanent residence. Bats are incredibly effective at controlling pests, and we also find them quite adorable.

Has anyone ever read Stella Luna to your children?

Walked over here to sit and relax for awhile. 

During moments of tranquility and stillness, the butterflies emerge. We sat among them and enjoyed watching then flutter about.  However, amidst this serene setting, a stealthy lizard made it's presence known as well.  First time I observed a lizard deftly extending its tongue to seize a delicate butterfly, consuming it with swift  efficiency.  

Poor butterfly.

In this area there was quite a sprinkling of pyrite or fool's gold scattered

 all around; in the sand, on the rocks. 

Happier times. 

2011 was probably one of the last years before the Carr fire when they opened it up for the community to enjoy.—You could tour the house and walk through the 150+ year-old apple and pear orchards. 

Now its gone to the bats!

Until next time -

Debby