We are in fact, about a half hour from Chico, Paradise or Oroville. We have an Oroville zip code, but we are in Yankee Hill. On the other side of the road directly is our mirror community of Concow. There is no real reason in my mind as to why the two sides of the roads have different names, but we do! In Concow we have a small grocery store, in Yankee Hill we have a hardware store. There are a lot of wonderful folks up here and with each passing week, I usually learn about something new that exist in the community. Sometimes it is learned through meeting people other times it is with the dog in the back seat and driving the back roads!
As the weather this year clears, it's time to load up Fenway (the dog) and find new sights, sounds, and even tastes!
If you have never really adventured around this area, you should...you will be pleasantly surprised. For the sake of this blog, let's take an adventure today!
Get on Highway 70 East and plan a short day trip. About three miles past the Lime Saddle Bridge you will have to look fast to avoid missing our "market". Pull into Canyon Lake Store or as it is known around these parts, "The Dome Store." It's an interesting little piece of our community. Two gas pumps, for those of us who forget to fill up "in town" or for the weary traveler who looks down at their gauges to see red; a dusty gravel drive with lots of parking, ice, propane filling, an occasional table in front selling fresh produce or eggs and the store itself. The first thing to warn travelers about is the dust...it might look like nothing gets rotated in the Dome Store, but in fact it does and they even dust! Unfortunately, the dust outside is just too crazy to keep up with...relax...there is nothing to worry about! There is an assortment of goods in the store. Just last night we wanted frozen Zestie French Fries to go with our BBQ burgers I was about to grill...No way did I think they would have them but to my surprise they did. Usually we just stop in for beer if we get word of incoming company or for a cold soda! Beer and soda is no more expensive here than in the "city'! The second thing to make note of is the clientele...let's simply say this, "we are an eclectic group of residents up here!" Enough said!! If this was a mall we would offer the best of people watching in California. Grab a couple sodas here for your little driving adventure. Let's keep exploring.
Speaking of malls...many call the area off to the side of 70 just as you exit the driveway of the Dome Store our Local Mall. In clear weather, one can always find someone on the large gravel turnout selling some sort of goods. Whether it be yard sale like "trinkets', hand made outdoor furniture, tamales, breakfast burritos, Jamaican BBQ or other hand made goods it's worth checking out.
Not too far from here is a surprising little place that I am hoping starts to market their breads and pastas locally...At present, unfortunately you can't buy their goods anywhere but at the Chico Saturday Market. Miller's Bake House is located just minutes from Highway 70. Yum! That said, I do wonder if they take special orders up here?
Another fun little spot that does offer spring time and any time blossom filled delights is Spring Fever Nursery. Everything grown from love; certain photos don't do this place justice.
Up 70 we continue and in seconds you will find yourself at The Pines Yankee Hill Hardware Store. This little store packs a whollop! One would be amazed at just what this store sells. Whether it be hay or bolts, paint or potting soil, dog food or plumbing supplies the store usually has exactly what you are looking for. Our hardware store also serves as our local post office!
Next to the hardare store is a new business. Tropicali brews up tasty coffee, lattes, espresso, and mocha's! According to John the owner and Barista, they are open 8-5 Monday through Saturday and 10-3 on Sunday.
Now with soda or coffee in hand head to Concow Road and enjoy the sights of our wilderness. In about 15 minutes you will arrive at Concow Lake.
Although there are no boats or swimming allowed on the diminutive lake, fishing from the shoreline is not frowned upon. There are many large and small mouth bass that call this reservoir home. I hear that jig fishing and plastic bait is your best bet. Around the lake is a small rural campground with spaces to rent and even a frisbee golf course.
Continue and you will find the quaintest of parks named after a long time local family; Crain Memorial Park. Great picnicking, plenty of grassy area and room to play and frolic.
Head back to Highway 70, aiming east and grab a bite at Scooters Cafe. If you have't been reading my blog, check out the write up of past on its delectable grub. Once you stop, it will have you coming back for more! If you're timing is good you may even catch some live music on their patio! Tell them CC sent you!
Continue on with your journey, enjoy the magical canyon and its almost hypnotic beauty. Stop off and throw a few rocks in the Feather River, photograph architect of its bridges or get out your trout pole and catch a Rainbow! While aiming up you will have to keep your eyes peeled for the little road that reverts backwards on the left prior to 4 Tree Road, but find it and head down it! One of the canyon's favorite summer beaches and swimming holes is at the bottom. Weekends will find a crowd but it's still a fine spot for a dip! Your four pawed pals will be happy as well!
Continue back on 70 a ways and you will come to Belden Town on your right. If you didn't stop at Scooters for lunch or breakfast...stop here...Belden Town Resort offers a full bar, big breakfast, lunch and dinner all over looking the river and nestled directly in the canyon. It's old and its funky but it can be fun!
Belden Town also offers clean and comfy little cabins, a lodge and a campground for those who wish to stay! The water slows here at the bridge and there is a very kid friendly beach area. Summers also bring with it music and festivals.
If you aim up the canyon more you will come to Caribou Road. It's here on the left corner Caribou and Highway 70 that I found my greatest canyon surprise!! Caribou Crossroads is a diamond in the rough of our canyon. It offers an RV park, cute little cabins (where well mannered pets are accepted with a small fee!), a store, and cafe. It's the cafe that caught my attention. It advertised their shakes as "Pacific Crest Trail Famous"...the best in the canyon. I just had to check them out and try them... I was so excited about this buzz, that I loaded the dog in the car and convinced Tara to come along for an afternoon drive! We went...the place is small but clean and very friendly with a simple but tasty looking menu; something for everyone from biscuits and gravy to burgers; even fish and chips.....we ordered...we waited and then our shakes arrived...a fountain glass and extra!!
We both got shakes...and we got a lot! Real Ice cream! Real whip cream! Okay, let's just say I am now close to drooling. This place was not exaggerating about their shakes!
YOU MUST DROP IN!
If you are looking for a cabin, I recommend you call in advance. If you are just passing by...stop and try their shakes! Your pallet will be happy you did!
After our shake we drove back down the canyon and headed home. We actually stopped on the way down at Belden Town because we had a big breakfast at our local Scooters and a shake at Caribou Crossroads. We grabbed a beer and sat on the patio with our dog Fen beside us. We soaked up some sun and simply enjoyed our surroundings!
We hiked around the property and Fenway had a nice cooling off in the river. Then it was back to home sweet home.
So...if you are in the mood for a drive, don't want to spend all day or go too far...try heading up this way. There is so much to see and I only touched upon a few. You can add so much more to your adventure. Swim under the railway bridges, find a secluded beach, hike a small creek way...just enjoy. You will be amazed at the beauty that's only minutes away!
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