With many youngsters on their Christmas vacation, a number of parents are exploring ways to entertain them for the next two weeks. Lake County actually has many opportunities and it won’t cost a lot of money and you don’t have to even leave the county. Whether or not the weather will cooperate is another question.
At the top of the list should be a visit to Clear Lake State Park. Without question this is one of the best state parks in California. The park has literally something for everyone. One of the most entertaining things is a hike through the back country. The park has more than 10 miles of trails where you can see an abundance of wildlife. The Indian Nature Trail shows how local Pomo Indians used native plants and other resources. Deer, otters and even an occasional mountain lion have been sighted in the park. There are also foxes, bobcats and a wide variety of birds. On weekends you can also visit the Visitor Center. The center features interpretive displays focusing on the lake’s natural, cultural and recreational resources. There is also an aquarium displaying some of the species of fish that swim in the lake. The park is located on Soda Bay Road.
The Mount Konocti County Park is an excellent choice for eager youngsters. The hike from the parking lot to the summit of Wright Park takes about three hours but it’s well worth the effort. The best part is the weather is now cool, which makes the hike a lot more enjoyable than on a hot August morning.
One of the highlights of the trip is a visit to the cabin that Mary Downen lived in back in 1903. Each sunny day at precisely 2 p.m. she would take a mirror and signal her son-in-law and daughter, both of whom lived in Lakeport, that she was OK. If her daughter didn’t see the mirror flash, she would ride up the mountain to the cabin on horseback to make sure her mom was OK. The cabin still stands and is located only a couple of miles from the parking lot.
Even if you don’t care to do the walk you can still enjoy some spectacular scenery and never leave your car by just driving to the parking lot. To reach the parking lot, take Konocti Road out of Kelseyville and follow the signs. The parking lot is about four miles from downtown Kelseyville. Be sure to take a pair of binoculars and a camera.
If you really feel adventurous, a trip to nearby Lake Pillsbury is a beautiful drive and a great place to take a lunch and enjoy the scenery. To reach the lake take Highway 20 west to the Potter Valley turnoff. Take the county road into the lake. The road is gravel but is in good shape and can be traveled by auto. There is a herd of approximately 60 tule elk at Lake Pillsbury, including everal large bulls. They can normally be seen on the airport at the north end of the lake.
If you have access to a boat, a leisurely trip on Clear Lake is an excellent choice. You can see all types of bird life ranging from white pelicans, grebes, osprey and even eagles. Have the youngsters count and identify how many different species of birds they see.
Another option most of youngsters would enjoy is a fishing trip. Trout are being caught at Upper Blue Lake and you don’t even need a boat. The shoreline at Highway 20 offers easy access to the lake and all you need is a fishing rod and some Power Bait or nightcrawlers. For a small fee you can fish from the comfort of the docks at either Pine Acres Resort or the Narrows. Catfish and bass are being caught off the docks at Redbud Park in Clearlake, Lakeside County Park and Library Park in Lakeport. The best bait is either live minnows, nightcrawlers or cut mackerel.
The best part of all this is you get to spend some quality time with your youngsters. In today’s world that is more important than Christmas presents.
