Lake County, CA

Highland Springs The Great Sanitarium of the West.

Well maybe in the 1880's and 1890's , but by the late 1910's its prosperity had run its course.  The area boasted over 30 kinds of mineral springs.   Native Americans understood the medicinal value of the mineral spring as are mentioned in their legends.  Visitors came to spend 3 to 4 weeds and stayed in a luxury hotel or elegant cottages.  There was a restaurant with a dinning room that could seat up to 300 people at once.

In the early 1960's Lake County purchased the property for a flood control project.  The 146-acre Highland Springs Reservoir now covers the Highland Springs Resort site.

We took one of the trails for a few miles and enjoyed it very much.  There were wild flowers and wild life to include the the lizard pictured above and the minnows below that we found in a creek.

Among things to see and do, the county fair can always be a big hit.   

County Fairs always have animals to talk to, above Eileen found a Gypsy Horse.  A hearty little draft horse currently used by the gypsies of England and Ireland. Their exceptional stamina allows them to go all day at a steady trot while pulling a loaded living waggon with the whole Gypsy family.

How about a Monster Truck Ride.

The dog park at Lakeport.

With shady areas for both owners and dogs.

The jewel of Lake County is the body of water it’s named for, Clear Lake. The largest natural freshwater lake in California, it’s a popular destination for water skiing, bass fishing and kayaking. Lake County is building a reputation for its fine, affordable Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.

Edgewater Resort on Clear Lake in Lake County, CA

Office and store with Club House on left.

Edgewater Resort, one of the best workamping experiences we have had.  Great place to visit, great places to see near by, and they were wonderful to work for.  Lake County is nestled between Napa, Sonoma, and Medocino counties.  We had easy access to the Northern California coast, the Redwoods, San Francisco, and Sacramento. 

This was our summer of 2011 workamping job.

Tent camping area, and cabin #1

Eileen worked in housekeeping cleaning cabins, supplying them, and doing laundry.

Cabins 2 and 3
Cabins 1 through 7 sleep a maximum of four people with a futon  in  cabin  6 that can sleep a child.
Cabin 8 will sleep a maximum of 8 people.
 

Cabins 4 and 5

 Cabins 4 and 5 are above the maintenance shop and have deck in the back with wonderful views of the lake. 

Cabins 7 and 8 (The House)

 Cabins 7 and 8 can by rented together and have a joining door.

Together these cabins sleep up to 12 people and are wonderful for family reunions.

Fenced back yard of cabins 7 and 8 and RV spaces beyond. 

RV spaces with lake view and the covered deck of cabin 6.

Cabin 6, rear bedroom has privet entry.

My job was maintenance, and some one of my chores was to replace the skirting around Cabin 6. 

Boat docks and lake view from picnic and seating area.

The resort is open year around, but some things are scaled back.  Most of the dock is remove for the winter season to prevent damage from wind and wave action. The part parallel to the pier remains year around.  

Beach, swimming area, fishing pier, boat dock. 

 The rope marking the swimming area is also removed for the winter season.

From the boat trailer parking area you see the boat launch, dock, picnic, and seating area.. 

Pool and patio area.

Heated pool is open May through September.

One of the jobs sheared by all the employees is taking care of the pool.  Covering it at night uncovering it in the morning cleaning it and monitoring the chemicals.

Texas Plus One Year the Gulf to Hill Country

Clear Lake, California

     Clear Lake, largest freshwater lake by surface area entirely in 

     California, 19 miles by 8 miles, average depth is 27 feet.

Soda Bay and the Soda Islands, so named for the Soda Springs.

The lake is fed by a number of small streams as well as springs in Soda Bay. Cache Creek is the only outlet.

The shores of the lake are lined by small towns, private residences, farms, vineyards, and a number of resorts such as Edgewater Resort were we workamped for the summer of 2011.

One of many small towns on the lake such as Lakeport, Nice, Lucerne, and Clearlake.

One of the more secluded residences.  

Clear Lake State Park, among public lands as a county park, historical park, and wildlife sanctuary.

Edgewater Resort, one of many resorts scattered around the lake. 

Small communities of homes and businesses line much of the lake. 

Recreation uses of the lake include all of the following: 

Camping

Boating, Swimming, Fishing, 

and Sailing.

The Clear Lake basin attracts large quantities of waterfowl such as:

American White Pelican

Cormorant

Western Grebe

Always a treat is the Grebe's courtship display.

Clear Lake a place of beauty and peace.

NASCAR Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Our first workamping job for 2011 was here at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  We worked security for the infield RV lot.  First at night watching an entrance gate for the first part of the week.  For the weekend we  work the swing shift in the RV park and during the races watch gates at track side that the emergency vehicles use.  

The Media Center located in the infield, faces the main grandstands.

Jeff Gordon's car gets a check out in its stall in the Neon Garage.

Standing on top of the Media Center watching qualifying.

The 88 car of Dale Earnhardt Jr.  

Our van in front of the Motor Home.

From the Neon Garage, the back straight away. our RV is in the first  row .

Greg Biffle's car being inspected by NASCAR officials.

Owners and High Rollers have their own lot in the infield with full hook-up.  Love to tell you who they belonged to, but they were not telling me.  So if you know, let me know.