I had just completed a mountain bike ride in Whiskeytown (the Chimney) on Saturday afternoon and was covered in sweat and dirt. I plunged into the cool lake and felt my whole body rejuvenate.
As I swam, I looked around and noticed people everywhere. Brandy Creek beach was packed, boats were cruising the lake, folks were lounging on inflatables. My cycling friends and I weren’t the only ones carrying the knowledge that Whiskeytown Lake is a jewel.
To me, Whiskeytown is one of the top reasons for living in the north state.
It doesn’t get much more simple and pleasurable than going for a ride and jumping in a lake. Every time I’ve looked at Shasta Bally with that big, blue body of water in front of it, I’ve been transported to a better place.
After I pulled myself out of the water, I popped open a Sierra Nevada and had a couple of tugs. Now I was really enjoying the fruits of a “stay-cation” — ride, swim, killer microbrew made just down the road.
In other parts of the world, people live in shantytowns and struggle to find clean water. Here, we’re swimming through the recession with a pale ale in one hand and a view of Whiskeytown in the other.
It’s always been a place of sanity for me. When I’ve felt the stress of work or life in general, I’ve gone out there and biked, hiked, run or swam. Sometimes I cruise out on my motorcycle and catch the sunset.
I’ve written out there. Cried out there. Camped out there. Bled out there. If I die tomorrow, I hope someone buries me out there.
Nothing against Shasta Lake. It’s a great place to go as well. And there’s so much of it.
But it’s not Whiskeytown.
Recently, I’ve seen the reflection of tough times through a number of people’s eyes and stories. I guess that’s why I’m bringing this up — fun doesn’t have to be a vacation across an ocean or on a beach south of the border. A 15-minute drive west of Redding can take you away from it all for a good stretch of time.
But, then again, most of you know that already. That’s why the banks are packed and plastic rafts will always sell in Redding stores.
It’s a darn good thing some dams were built. JFK once spoke at the particular one I’m thinking about right now.
I wonder how much sanity has been restored as a result of it?
