Willow Creek - China Flat Museum

BELIEVE!  Or don't.  I'm not the boss of you.

Willow Creek - China Flat Museum

Willow Creek, CA

If you ever find yourself in Willow Creek fishing, camping, rafting, or because you took a seriously wrong turn off the 101, make some time for the Willow Creek – China Flat Museum.

Why?  Because this town is known as “The Gateway to Bigfoot Country”.

The Bigfoot Exhibit chronicles an extensive collection of information, footprint casts, photos and other “evidence” of the creature’s existence.  Hundreds of articles document nearly a century’s worth of eyewitness accounts, some which are chilling and some with enough scientific reasoning that naysayers may be forced to at least consider the possibility that there is (or was) something out there.

Don’t miss the Blacksmith Shop and Miner’s Cabin, sure to make you thankful for everyday conveniences like electricity and mattresses more than an inch thick.  Be vigilant upon your departure, and if you see fresh 16-inch footprints anywhere, watch your back!

Larkspur Flower & Food Festival - 05/26/13

Stop and smell the roses...unless you're
allergic to them.

Larkspur Flower & Food Festival
Larkspur, CA

I have a love-hate relationship with flowers.

I loved my high school and college job, working as a cashier in my aunt and uncle’s flower shop inside the Weberstown Mall in Stockton.  When I wasn’t assembling bouquets or fashioning boutonnieres, I was either finishing up homework, glued to whatever soap opera was on the black-and-white TV next to the register, or shoving fistfuls of caramel corn from Mr. Sib’s in my mouth…all for seven bucks an hour.

On the other hand, I also spent an entire college semester gagging for two hours, twice a week, as I was stuck in a classroom with no windows and in close proximity to one particular student, Monica, with a penchant for lavender-scented perfume and the inability to apply anything less than half a bottle right before class.

Lucky for me, Larkspur holds this festival out in the fresh air - at the foot of Mt. Tamalpais, to be exact.  Enjoy the beauty of the flora while sampling the area’s best gourmet foods as locals have done for over 20 years.  Live music and a kids’ corner round out this family-friendly event.

Festivals tend to have at least one BBQ vendor, which is where you’ll find me if I happen to spot Monica in the crowd.  On the other hand, is it considered assault if you Febreeze someone?

Linden Cherry Festival - 05/18/13

Missing this event would be a pit-y!

Linden Cherry Festival
Linden, CA

I must admit that as a young whippersnapper I probably consumed more processed cherries than raw cherries.  A big treat for me back in the day was that crackling of the waxed paper wrapper as I tore open the package of a Hostess Cherry Pie.  I mean, really: soft, flaky crust, encasing juicy cherries and whatever that cherry gel stuff was made of, all glazed with icing.  I want one now!

Now that I’m all grown up (ha!), I try my best not to devour such calorie bombs.  Last summer, I bought a cherry pitter, and officially became a “real” cherry fan.  Full of antioxidants, I ate them by the bowlful.  Did you know that could really upset your stomach?  I didn’t.

Full of cherry orchards and a hub for cherry picking and processing activities, Linden is the perfect small town to host the annual festival, which boasts a car show, parade, bake-off and the ever-popular pie eating contest (not the Hostess ones).  Come to win, because losing is the pits!  Sorry about that one.

Angels Flight Railway

Fun for a buck in L.A.!

Angels Flight Railway
351 South Hill Street

Los Angeles, CA

Don't fret, siderodromophobes: at 298 feet, this will be the shortest train ride of your life.

Located across the street from the Grand Central Market, the Angels Flight Railway puts the fun in funicular!  Depending on your timing you'll board Sinai or Olivet, the two railway cars given makeovers during the last two decades.  Start ground-level on Hill Street and ride the brief, steep slope up to the peaceful California Plaza Watercourt.  At 50 cents each way, a trip on this historic train is a bargain.

Angels Flight originated in 1901 and was refurbished within the last two decades, providing a slick-looking, relaxing ride.  On weekends, the Watercourt is nearly vacant and therefore a nice place to sit and reflect, high above the hustle and bustle of the busy city.  Close your eyes and clear your head, or tear through bags of international food and drink just purchased at the Grand Central Market across the street.  Who am I to judge?

Rubio's Beach Cleanup & Party - 05/11/13

Save the oceans!  You can't surf through garbage.

Rubio's Beach Cleanup & Party
Oceanside, CA

Your favorite purveyor of beach eats is holding a huge party in anticipation of World Oceans Day!

On May 11, Rubio’s will host their annual beach festival in Oceanside, California, launching their “Be a Friend to the Ocean” campaign for 2013. Over 1,000 community members are expected to join in the festivities at the Junior Seau Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre.  The celebration will kick off at 10 a.m. and include free lunch for all attendees, cooking demonstrations, complimentary surf lessons, face paintings, an extreme bocce ball tournament, beach games and art exhibitions comprised of trash from local-area artists. San Diego’s own 94.9 FM will be on hand, as will two Southern California bands, The Little Ones and Jet West, to perform live.

Mark your calendars, do something great for the environment, and get rewarded with lunch on Rubio's!  Sounds like a great way to spend a Saturday to me...

Cloverdale Old Time Fiddle Festival - 05/04/13 - 05/05/13

I have no clue how to use this thing, either.

Cloverdale Old Time Fiddle Festival
Cloverdale, CA

Fiddles get a bad rap.  The same grandmother who constantly told me to “stop fiddling around” also used the phrase “Oh, fiddlesticks!” as some form of cursing…probably those times when I refused to stop fiddling around.

Fact is, it’s a complicated instrument ignored by so many lazy youth who’d rather make fart noises into an autotune machine.  Luckily, the Cloverdale Historical Society works to preserve the fiddling culture and celebrates its heritage each year with a good ol’ fashioned fiddling contest. 

Competition is stiff, and the rules are clear: no performing under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  On the other hand, considering how difficult of an instrument this is to master, I’d actually like to see someone try…