Brandy Creek Hike

 

On Saturday, we planned to hike around Brandy Creek at Whiskeytown Lake, my favorite spot nearby. I also like Lake Shasta, but I prefer hiking here since it’s less crowded. We usually start early in the morning.

I was standing on a footbridge overlooking the creek. The snow is melting now that it’s 80 degrees, but the water is still very cold. 

Today, the temperature is expected to reach 90.

The footbridge

Spring hasn’t fully arrived here yet. Just 20 miles from where we live, it's been spring for several weeks. (it's the micro-climates we have here in California)  It should come this week with the warmer weather, since I can already see some green shining in the sunlight.

Okay, here we go...

Pretty pink flower growing out of the rock. 

I had to cross a bunch of boulders and rocks (very carefully) to reach the creek.

It was definitely worth it. The water was so clear. I have a video that I’ll upload to YouTube since Blogger won’t let me upload it from here. I plan to share it on Wednesday, Lord willing.

We met a nice couple our age and stood talking to them for over an hour. They are from French Gulch (I just love the names of old mining towns... Horsetown, Clear Creek Diggings, Coffee Creek, etc.).

Anyway, their house, which was on the historical registry, burned down in the 2018 Carr Fire. But they had a second home in town that they rented out, and now they live there.

I love meeting new people and chatting. We had so much in common, but somehow we walked away without exchanging phone numbers. They should be easy to find, since French Gulch has only 192 people. His name was Mark, and hers was something like RoseMary, RoseMarie, Rosalie, or Rosalyn???

Nice people.

This is my youngest son, Navy. He was fishing at a lake in Shingletown on Saturday.

He REALLY loves to fish. 

Right now, my husband is getting his fishing license and a burn permit for wilderness campfires. 

There were more rocks and boulders ahead. I had to move slowly and watch out for rattlesnakes that are coming out of their winter sleep. (Brumation)

Rattlesnake season usually picks up from March to early fall on trails, canyons, and open areas. They’re not trying to cause trouble. Hmmm,  I keep reminding myself of that so I don’t get too freaked out. 

It's always a good idea to stick to clear paths and avoid tall grasses or rocky crevices! I realized that on Saturday when I was out exploring. I tried to be careful as I made my way down, but I thought to myself that if I spotted any snakes, I'd definitely want to be a bit quicker getting back out than I was going down. 😱

The best thing is to stay alert, respect wildlife, and give them their space.

I noticed an interesting cloud pattern that looked rippled - 

Husband took this photo, and we left for home for our lunch. 

Such a lovely day. 

Well, obviously, I’m back. When you catch yourself mumbling and drafting a blog post in your head while in the shower, it’s probably time to return. 👍

I'm looking forward to a great week ahead. Nothing special planned, but it's still wonderful to be alive, don't you think? I hope you are looking forward to the week ahead as well. 

Until Next Time, 

Debby

1. Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

2. but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.

3. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

Psalm 1:1-3