{"id":8169,"date":"2018-09-13T18:39:47","date_gmt":"2018-09-14T01:39:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelingboy.com\/travel\/?p=8169"},"modified":"2024-10-17T05:45:12","modified_gmt":"2024-10-17T12:45:12","slug":"two-interesting-california-vacation-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travelingboy.com\/travel\/two-interesting-california-vacation-ideas\/","title":{"rendered":"Two Interesting California Vacation Ideas Just for YOU"},"content":{"rendered":"

First there\u2019s the fact of two million birds. Yes, two million. An equally astounding number is that the lake where they hang out is over one million years old. Then there are those names: Wilson\u2019s phalaropes and red necked phalaropes, Warbling Vireos and Sage Thrashers. Implausibly, they\u2019re the colorful appellations of just a few of the birds that inhabit Mono Lake.<\/p>\n

\"one
California Gulls depend on brine shrimp, and brine shrimp depend on a healthy Mono Lake. This species of brine shrimp, found nowhere else in the world, produces tiny cysts at the bottom of the lake. California Gulls are a good ecological indicator, helping us understand how well Mono\u2019s overall natural system is functioning.<\/span> Courtesy Photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Located 13 miles east of Yosemite National Park, and near the town of Lee Vining on California\u00a0 Highway 395, Mono Lake is also the stop over point, so a local historian told me, \u201cfor between one and two million birds that rest at Mono Lake each year.\u201d Fascinated by this fact, I discovered that this remarkable and to me at least, strange lake, is one of the best places for those who are captivated by all things related to birds. So if that\u2019s your passion, you\u2019ll be in bird heaven here. In fact the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network has recognized its international importance as a major location for migratory birds to rest and have a meal.<\/p>\n

\"tufa
Mono Lake was formed at least 760,000 years ago as a terminal lake. The lack of an outlet causes high levels of salts to accumulate in the lake. Among its most iconic features are the columns of limestone that tower over the water\u2019s surface.<\/span> Courtesy Photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As a photographer I was spellbound by the calcium-carbonate spires and weird looking knobs that have formed on Mono Lake, and are known as \u201cTufa Towers.\u201d As I gazed out in silent wonder at this inexplicable assemblage of nature at her oddest or finest (depending on your point of view) a local inhabitant proudly told me the lake covers an area of 65 miles, so you can see all those birds have plenty of room for their R&R.<\/p>\n

Even though my birth took place countless years later, I wish I\u2019d been present at the inauguration of Stephenson\u2019s Rocket Engine in England in 1829. I\u2019ve always found trains intriguing, especially the complex and intricate mechanisms of steam engines and their wheels, pistons and rods, and how they\u2019re all designed to work in unison. Knowing this fact, and soon after arriving in colorful California many moons ago, a good friend told me about the Skunk train. Well, it just so happened that the previous day I\u2019d had the misfortune to see and smell my first skunk – and related fragrances. So you can imagine how surprised I was to hear about a train called, yes, the Skunk Train.<\/p>\n

\"the
For over a hundred years the Skunk Train has been transporting passengers on the World Famous Redwood Route, with depots in both Fort Bragg and Willits, in Mendocino County. The nickname \u2018Skunk\u2019 was coined by people who lived along the line, due to the train\u2019s pungent fumes, the result of gasoline powered engines and stoves burning crude oil. \u201cYou could smell them before you see them.\u201d<\/span> Photo courtesy of Skunk Train<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In three words \u201cit’s marvelously magical.” The Fort Bragg and Willets, California location is right out of what I\u2019d call a \u201cwarm, woodsy fairytale,\u201d because this heritage railroad runs steam and diesel powered trains along 40 miles of track that meanders through glorious Redwood forests. Even more magical for someone like me who grew up in England<\/a> where odd, offbeat names for tourist attractions are<\/u><\/em> the norm, the Skunk train goes along something called Pudding Creek and the Noyo River.<\/p>\n

Photographers and \u201cother passengers” will love the fact that during this relaxing and super scenic trip, you\u2019ll cross some 30 bridges and trestles (if I counted correctly)<\/em> and go through two terrific deep mountain tunnels. If you long for a unique railroad experience, enjoy a ride on the Skunk Train<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

First there\u2019s the fact of two million birds. Yes, two million. An equally astounding number is that the lake where they hang out is over one million years old. Then there are those names: Wilson\u2019s phalaropes and red necked phalaropes, Warbling Vireos and Sage Thrashers. Implausibly, they\u2019re the colorful appellations of just a few of the birds that inhabit Mono Lake.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":8168,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[1561,38,1564,1562,1560,1559,1563,1565],"class_list":["post-8169","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-usa","tag-birds","tag-california","tag-fort-bragg","tag-highway-395","tag-lee-vining","tag-mono-lake","tag-skunk-train","tag-tufa-towers"],"yoast_head":"\nFun Family Vacation Ideas in California | Top Travel Tips<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover fun family vacation ideas in California. 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