Catching up on the steelhead season, motorcycle rides with our crazy-ass dog Bufant and a winter that feels like spring.
The beginning of summer has provided all sorts of nature sightings and discoveries right in front of us. Deer, beavers, otters, frogs and butterflies have all played a part in this spectacular week leading up to the strawberry moon.
Dreamed of catching a really a big fish? This kid did, too! And if you're going to book cabins on the Trinity River for fall & winter steelhead, or the Dunsmuir Fish & Ski Haus for fall fishing or winter skiing, get crackin'!
This is the briefest of newsletters because July is our busiest month and I am lucky if I get to half of my outside and office chores before hitting the river or lake with guests. Here are some important highlights: Bucktail access to put in or take out river craft is now limited to weekends only into September. Trinity River Restoration Project is increasing wetlands above us and will be changing the entrance road to the river. In the meantime, they're adding an alcove just above the Bucktail bridge so we can launch rafts on weekdays. The river's flow may preclude retrievals there, but the main run we do is from our place to Steel Bridge Road, so this works for us. La Grange Cafe in Weaverville is open again! New owners took over earlier this year and we just had a delightful dinner there. Our server was Casey, who was professional, efficient and friendly. Perfect combination. Call them at 530.623.5325 for reservations, or go to their Facebook page. Ignore the sites that say La Grange is closed. Our cabins are pretty solidly booked, but there are some openings. Your best shot is to call us for availability, or wait until the middle of August. The Miner's just got a beautiful new river porch railing with stainless steel horizontal wires below the handrail and custom-framed lattice at both ends. It's the same design as Alpen Glow's deck and it's fantastic. I'd love to put a photo of it in here, but my porch shots are all safely in a new phone I can't decipher and the river's calling; I am nothing if not subservient to the river gods. We are currently taking the Cowells--some of our favorite people--on yet another river trip, which will make 4 in as many days. A few times, I have taken a double kayak so our dogs can join us (they are way too good at guilt-tripping me with scowls as I grab my gear and promise we'll do something fun soon, just not right now). But on the trip when this picture was taken, one and then both dogs hopped on Steph's SUP and he then took on some exciting water. These conditions would be an enormous challenge for anyone on a SUP, but for a leg amputee who has many additional challenges balancing on a SUP and with dogs?! It is such an incredible sight that even as I took pictures, I was agog. They stayed up and dry throughout the run. Bisco and Scupper are experienced river kayakers, though, and their lake SUPs have taught them to respect the reduced stability of a SUP compared to a kayak. So when Steph bravely put them on his board and headed downriver, it was impressive to see how relaxed, yet poised, they were. See you up here! heidi, Steph and the gang
Memorial Day availability, Alpen Glow gets a fabulous new deck (but we'd still like to sell the property and have enhanced the listing!), Heidi gets a new knee and Steph gets the Hero Award.
Seasons merge and you can fish, bike, hike and ski, all in one day. Add daffodils, violets and crocus in bloom; rich green grass; and snow still falling in major amounts on Shasta and you're dialed in. Perfection!
Guests such as the ones we recently hosted at our Trinity River cabins as well as Dunsmuir's Alpine Fish & Ski Haus have reminded us how rewarding it can be to provide cool places and special touches one might not expect. Here is what one couple had to say: "We enjoyed your beautiful cozy cabin & gorgeous nature surroundings. We especially loved walking up Browns Mountain Road with our dog! Thanks for lending your own wading boots - it was Nina's first time fly fishing and we had a blast! We also loved relaxing in the hot tub. Thanks for the immunity powder. [We gave them some spa salts that are supposed to improve immunity, which may or may not work, but they are very pretty purple crystals and they smell great!] Once again, thanks for everything. We hope to be back soon! Best, Ben & Nina" Then there is Anouk, a French-Canadian who just left our Dunsmuir Haus. She and her party were there to ski and they had a wonderful time. We carried on an email conversation during their stay and here are highlights: "Great day of skiing!" "We have been to Shasta before, a few years back, and this past Christmas. I just love it here!" "I want to come back this summer for some fishing; I have yet to see this area in the summer." "Loved having the fire pit last night." "You both have been amazing hosts, thank you so much for the kindness and hospitality! By the way, we love the fleece sheets!" All of our Dunsmuir guests have been there to ski and board now that we have an excellent snow season. Those who had not been to the Ski Park before were utterly amazed at the low rates, friendly staff and wildly diverse mountain that has everything from a cute little bunny hill to steep and exciting black diamond runs. Aouk was sorry dogs aren't welcomed up on the slopes at the Ski Park, and while we'd love to bring them up to the outdoor bar and patios, we understand dogs and novice skiers and boarders don't mix. Our dogs love the social aspects of taking a tour around the parking lots during our ski breaks. They have other dog friends from previous years, so they get to catch up on the news and then there is the occasional runaway hot dog that rolls off a tailgater's BBQ and under a truck. Our dogs have perfected the one shoulder slide and grab. Anouk's group, having stayed over the weekend, only paid about $165 per night, plus lodging taxes and the cleaning fee. Between our rates and the Ski Park's, it is easily the best deal all round. The Haus' kitchen is so well-equipped, you won't want to dine out, but if you do, there are several outstanding options within walking distance of our place. Our Trinity cabins start at $125 a night and while our biggest cabin, Alpen Glow, easily sleeps 7 guests, we have special rates for smaller parties. We are already a bit over halfway booked for Valentine's Weekend (Alpen Glow and the Birdhouse are still available), but as is usually the case prior to a three-day weekend, the weekend before is kind of quiet. So if you're interested in a ski trip to Dunsmuir or a fishing or general re-charging trip to the Trinity River, give us a call or email us. Mention this newsletter and we will throw in a 20% lodging discount! See you up here somewhere! heidi & Steph
With a real winter complete with gorgeous snow, our guests chose many ways to celebrate the end of 2015. From fishing, skiing and hiking to cooking and making snow angels--even a cold lake SUP!--they did it all.
A traditional Thanksgiving on the Trinity River usually includes steelhead fishing, but not this time.