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Burnt Ranch is yet another road stop along
Highway 299 between Redding and the Pacific Coast in
northern California. As the two-lane road twists and
winds in natural breaks between the giant redwood
forests, you're treated along the way to some lakes,
some river streams that run beside the road from time to
time, and an occasional building announcing food, fuel
or river rafting.
Burnt Ranch Gorge
is the spot for some serious river rafting and kayaking.
If there's one thing this area is known for, that would
be it. Kayakers and river rafters from around the
country (and globe) know about this area and add it to
their cache of challenges. Located west of the Shasta
Cascade region, a sportsman's paradise, Northern
California is somewhat of a hidden secret that escapes
the radar of many urban dwellers from Los Angeles, San
Francisco, San Jose and San Diego.
For many of us who
love to explore California, there's not a lot of time to
stop and kayak or take a rafting tour, but just seeing
the towering forests, the old snack shops and buildings
such as the Burnt Ranch shop shown above, makes the
drive along Highway 299 pure excitement and
entertainment.
Can you imagine
living in Corona del Mar and seeing this shop on Pacific
Coast Highway? Probably not. But the character and charm
of such buildings in this neck of the woods where
structures are often constructed of sturdy redwood
lumber, makes them last longer than the stucco houses in
the metropolitan regions.
Longevity is a
word appreciated in this region. Since there's not a
Walmart, KMart or Walgreens for miles around, people use
their resources and tend to keep things, rather than
throw them away. This "green" lifestyle reflects the
surroundings. National forests and parks, rivers and
gorges, hiking, camping and river rafting, plus lake and
stream fishing are some of the activities you can expect
to find in and around Burnt Ranch.
The winters can
bring snow, and it's not unusual to see or experience a
variance of 50 degrees from night to day. Summers are
warmest in July and August where the temperature can
climb to the mid-90's and stay there for a while. But
the air is usually a dry, warm air that's quite
comfortable--and ideal for water sports.
So the next time
you seek a great vacation away from the city, you can
fly into Eureka or Redding on direct flights from Los
Angeles (Alaska Air offers them), rent a car at their
small regional airports and be on your way to driving
along some of the most scenic back roads and byways that
you'll ever find. Highway 299 that passes through Burnt
Ranch between Redding and Eureka is one such
destination.
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