Friday, January 4, 2008

Finally Winter! Try Eskimo Hill for Fun in the Snow.

The wind is howling. All the news is about the BIG STORM. Blizzard warning for Shingletown! Well, it's about time isn't it? We need the precip now if we want to water the tomatoes next summer. Once all this wintery chaos subsides we can go out with mittens and warm jackets to play in the new snow. One of the best places to go with kids near Manton is Eskimo Hill, a Shasta County Winter Recreation Area on Highway 44 just a mile east of the north entrance to Lassen Volcanic National Park. This NOT for skiers or snowboarders. It IS for sliding on inner tubes, plastic disks and all manner of one-person devices for whisking down the slippery slope. We took our grandchildren there just after Christmas and they had a ball. Parents and grandparents are advised to bring folding chairs, cameras, water and some food to nibble on while watching the action. We noticed that some folks even brought firewood and warmed themselves at adjacent picnic tables. CalTrans keeps the road open nearly all the time, but it's good to carry chains just in case. Plan on an hour or two before retreating to lower elevations for a hearty bowl of soup or hot chocolate. Julia's Diner in Manton is great. Shingletown has Firehouse Pizza and the Shingle Shack Cafe. Take your time on the road and you'll have a great time!