Out West ~ Day 6, Shingletown

Having talked to Karyn Lamb on the phone Friday afternoon, we knew we would meet her at her realtor’s office in Shingletown on Saturday morning with plans to attend the Fun Day event, a fund raising effort for the local volunteer fire department. But, beyond that, we had no particular plans other than to act like tourists.

We met Karyn shortly before 10:00 a.m. and rode in her vehicle a mile up the mountain to the site of the festivities. Fun Day looked a lot like a host of other festivals in rural America with booths of vendors (both crafts and commercial items), the obligatory “car show,” live music, and craft demonstrations. There was even a clown in a wheel chair, who entertained children and adults, alike.

We saw a number of items crafted from pine needles but were told they were part of the demonstration and not for sale until a later date. The three of us had our fingers pricked by a perky lass who tested us our blood for the presence of lead; Karyn’s reading was higher than Barbara’s which was a 3.5 and mine was too low to register a numeric value on the electronic meter.

I found a Pampered Chef sauté pan I really wanted but didn’t want to part with any cash in my wallet. I was told I could purchase it online; now if I can just find the business card of the rep, so she can get credit for the sale.

As noon approached, Karyn shared the possibilities included burgers at Fun Day, a choice of two local restaurants or a place that is awesome.

“I like awesome,” I responded, as did Barbara.

We rode about ten miles down the mountain, as Karyn described the wonder that is Anselmo’s.

“A few years ago,” she stated, “a billionaire, not a millionaire, moved here and started a vineyard. Now, he’s got a winery and a restaurant out there. He’s spared no expense with his endeavors. They raise their own beef, as well. It’s something to see and experience.”

Soon, I was awed by the beautifully landscaped entrance from the county road, the strategic placement of flowerbeds and waterfalls to complement the buildings of Anselmo’s Restaurant and Winery.

The sunny day was gorgeous; the low humidity of the mountain air made patio dining under large fig trees all the more appealing, so it was there we lunched and talked of things old and new, catching up and updating one another on the happenings in our respective lives.

In such idyllic surroundings, one could easily lose himself or herself for a whole afternoon, but such would have to wait for another time, as we would soon return to Redding so that Karyn might make preparations for entertaining other friends and us Saturday evening.

On our way back to Redding, we stopped to peruse the showroom of a craftsman’s works of steel. “The Steel Man” creates realistic looking animals from metal, none of which seemed suitable for my home, but they were nonetheless interesting to see.

Back in Redding, Barbara and I drove a short distance from our motel to see the Sundial Bridge. The bridge is an artistic one spanning the Sacramento River near the Turtle Bay Museum. While it can support vehicular traffic, its beauty is best enjoyed afoot. A single spire rises above the bridge at a sharp angle, reminiscent of that of a sundial, and this spire anchors the suspension cables that support the steel and glass walkway. We were told the bridge is even more beautiful when lit at night.

The base of a mountain is always warmer than its summit. Redding is in the valley of Mt. Lassen, while Shingletown lies a few miles from the top of the mountain. Thus, we found the evening temperatures more pleasant in Shingletown, where we were treated to dinner at the home of Karyn Lamb.

Karyn’s house is set in a wooded area, and her property includes considerable footage along a lake. When I asked about her shingled roof in an area subject to wildfires, she explained her shingles were concrete. Also, the floor of the expansive deck that runs the entire length of the back of her house is fire resistant composite, save for the railings.

Sitting on the deck, looking through the trees and watching the reflection of the setting sun glimmering on the mildly placid waters of the lake, munching hard bread and cheeses, and getting to know the friends Karyn had invited to join us for dinner made for a most pleasant evening.

By now, they’ve probably forgotten the occasion that brought us together and probably don’t remember much of the love of Mississippi we shared with them, but for Barbara and me, our Saturday in Shingletown will be remembered as the best day of our trip, in part for the varied and beautiful sights we experienced during the day, but mostly for the warm and caring spirits of the people we met on August 14, 2010.

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