mantonnews

Welcome to Manton Wineries

2011-10-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

It's harvest time in the hills and this year the grapes are coming in late. What a great time to visit the small family wineries of Manton and share in the excitement of the season! The redbud and black oaks are beginning to turn color and there's an evening chill in the air. This is a wonderful time of year for touring a few tasting rooms and sampling the finely crafted wines produced in the volcanic soil of our area. I've noticed a few signs advertising apples too, tart and crisp from local orchards. The owners of Manton wineries are all my friends and believe me, my wife and I really enjoy the local award-winning wines. These wineries are small and friendly. You'll get to talk to the owners in person and get the latest tips on current vintages. I have links to the Manton wineries on my website which is www.mantonproperty.com or just click on the links below:

www.indianpeakvineyards.net, for Fred and Donna Boots
www.algervineyards.com, for John and Linda Alger
www.ringtailvineyards.net, for Rob Carrillo
www.cedarcrestvineyards.com, for Jim and Corey Livingston
www.shastadaisyvineyards.com, for Carroll and Lorna Knedler

These are some of the nicest folks you could ever hope to meet and the wines of Manton are truly superior. Enjoy the harvest season at our Manton wineries!

Tom Knight, Broker
MANTON REALTY

The Tale of Two Squirrels

2011-09-23T15:05:00.000-07:00

When it comes to weather, I'm a junkie. Even the music on the weather channel is appealing. It's very soothing in between the segments on tornados and severe thunderstorms. Weather is a common topic of discussion down at the Diner, especially this time of year. People are edgy. It's hot and dry. The afternoon winds blow strongly as the seasons change from Summer to Fall. Our worst wildfires take place in August and September. We all hope to just make safely through these days until the first rains arrive, usually around Halloween. Winter sounds attractive, and discussions sometimes focus on the Farmer's Almanac and what we can expect.

The squirrels know something about the weather. I learned that last year. They had the uncanny ability to foretell a huge winter. Something unusual happened which I did not understand at the time. The gray tree squirrels absolutely shredded the pine cones on the large Ponderosa which borders our patio. Never happened before. The debris littered the ground and was so deep I had to use a snow shovel and my largest wheelbarrow to remove it. Then it came... the biggest snowfall in years. One measure of winter's fury is how long it takes for the park service to open the loop road through Lassen Park. Quite often it is open by Memorial Day. This year: not until after the 4th of July! Was it just coincidence, or do the squirrels somehow know what's coming in the weather department? I'll take the squirrels over the Farmer's Almanac. Not just any squirrels, mind you, just the gray ones with white bellies that fly through the trees with the greatest of ease.

Then there are the other squirrels in Manton, the dumb ones, called ground squirrels. Their highest perch is a rock. These daredevil fools invariably wait along the side of the road until the very last minute as you approach, then dart in front of your car at the last second when there isn't a chance in hell you can avoid hitting them. Squirrel carcasses litter the road from Dale's Corner to the Manton Post Office. What are they thinking? Maybe it's a sport. If so, it's CARS: 1,756, SQUIRRELS: 3. One thing you can be sure of when you see all those ground squirrels: there are rattlesnakes nearby. Nests of baby ground squirrels are the gourmet ghetto for rattlers. I'll pontificate on that topic in another blog. Suffice it to say, lightning's much more likely to get you.

It seems to me, judging by the pinecone shredding operation now underway, we are in for another big winter. But before it arrives, there is one big party in town about to take place. It's by far the biggest event of the year in our small community, the annual MANTON APPLE FESTIVAL. Always the first Saturday in October, this year it is October 1st. If you like homemade apple pie a la mode as much as I do, perhaps I'll see you there. Wonderful local crafts will be available for purchase and live music to entertain you. It's free admission and revenue generated from the event goes to pay for scholarships at the Manton School. Come join in the fun.

Tom Knight, Broker

MANTON REALTY

www.mantonproperty.com

Grass or Squaw Carpet?

2011-09-12T06:29:00.000-07:00

I was chopping some humongous poison oak the other day. You know what I'm talking about: an inch in diameter with twenty foot long runners intertwined through a trellis of dead manzanita. Industrial strength poison oak! My wife says "Buy the poison spray and don't come in the house... ever!" Fortunately we have a secluded residence, so I can disrobe outside and drop every stitch of clothing in the washing machine on the way to the shower. So far, that routine has worked out pretty well. Just a tip: it's a good idea to leave the boots and gloves outside.

When engaged in such enjoyment of our property I think about the land we own, all fifteen acres of it, a veritable lifetime of potential cost-free aerobic exercise, and I ponder larger questions. Why join a gym when I have yards of poison oak, or possibly even miles of it? I am amazed by some of my neighbors and dearest friends, no names mentioned here, who have expansive tracts of beautifully watered, mowed and manicured green grass lawns. Boy, that sure looks terrific. But wait... we're not in the city any more, we're many miles out in the country. Isn't a lawn a city thing?

I've had my fill of mowing and have the scars to prove it, ten stitches at a time to remove basal cell carcinomas my dermatolgist says are from years of mowing grass with my shirt off. Hey, I was once young, strong and stupid... why not mow without a shirt? Now I know why. I'm older now, less strong, and hopefully a little less dumb, so I'll take the poison oak and wear a shirt rather than the grass with no shirt.

My thoughts wander thus as I do mindless physical labor. It's such a luxury to just let them go that way, unchanneled, unobstructed, unfenced, undisciplined... free to roam. I thought of my art school days, a beginning sculpture class where we learned the two basic approaches to creating sculpture: additive or subtractive. Never good at math, I still was able to grasp it. Additive is when you get a lump of clay and keep adding more lumps until you arrive at an object of recognizable beauty. Subtractive is like Michelangelo taking a cube of Carrara marble and chiseling away until a David emerges.

I realized that my approach to land management falls into that latter category: subtractive. I tried the additive method once... planted 2,500 pine seedlings. All but 50 died in the first dry winter. Subtractive methodology is a lot more fun. You just look at what you've already got and remove what you don't like. However, I am finding that's more easily said than done.

In my case, I have discovered amidst the tangled jungle of poison oak and manzanita some interesting and, to my mind, more desirable plants such as redbud and lilac. Western redbud is indigenous to our California foothills and a tough survivor. It has heart-shaped leaves with a pleasant blue-green color in the summer. In the fall the leaves present a panoply of autumn color, from copper hues to crimson. I always relish the drive on Wildcat Road just along the western edge of Black Butte Cinder Cone... such a spectacle of nature's palette where the redbud abounds. It is equally showy in the spring, before the leaves appear, when redbud becomes a fountain of pink to violet blossums, usually around Easter time. So I set out to liberate my redbud... performing subtractive sculpture.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to eliminate all the poison oak and manzanita from fifteen acres of land. I like a little exercise. I'm not a gluton for punishment. Besides, I've come to realize by observation that some critters in the forest actually eat manzanita berries. Not sure if anyone eats poison oak. But I like the foxes, coyotes and other creatures who call our place home. And I have to admit, poison oak in the fall can also put on a spectacular color show. Older manzanita often is spectacular as well, the shiny twisted trunks resemble red ebony free form sculpture. I just want to have some redbud and lilac along my driveway. It's already there, so I'm just encouraging it by removing the competition.

As for squaw carpet... probably never heard of it, right? It's a low-growing evergreen ground cover prevalent at our foothill elevation, between 2,500 and 3,000 feet. In the spring it erupts in a carpet of lavender blossums which transform the forest floor for a few weeks. My wife's step-dad says the Native Americans who lived here for thousands of years used this ground cover as a portable playpen. A blanket or animal skin was placed down on the squaw carpet, the baby set on top of that, while the mother went off to gather berries. Squaw carpet has very prickly leaves, so when the infant crawler approached the edge of the blanket, it would venture no further. A perfect mobile playpen. Clever.

Perhaps this was a case of something subtractive having an additive value!

Tom Knight, Broker
MANTON REALTY

Country Comfort

2011-05-25T09:01:00.000-07:00

Followers of my blog, I appreciate YOU! As you know, I prefer to write about the wonderful events in our little community and the very interesting people who live here. I hope you will allow this blog about my current listing called "Country Comfort." You'll see why if you care to continue reading.

Situated on forty very private acres, this spacious 2,450 square foot home is truly designed with convenience and comfort in mind. Not a cookie-cutter tract house, the single story floor plan was carefully designed by collaboration of the owners, Ken and Tina Haws, and the local builder of custom homes, Barry Zimmerman. Built in 2005 this three bedroom, two full bath home has the latest features such as tankless hot water system, central vac, and dual heating. The high ceilings with recessed lights accentuate the drama of the central living area. Fifty miles distant, the snow-covered Yolla Bolly coast range mountains sparkle in the morning sun, framed by the gracefully arched west-facing windows of the living and dining rooms.

An entire paragraph could be written about the kitchen. This one probably has more cabinets than you've ever seen in a kitchen and they are beautiful alder with a cherry stain. A central cooking island adds even more counter space in this working country kitchen, and with two ovens you can easily manage a large turkey and several pies at the same time for Thanksgiving. There is even an appliance garage, something I have never heard of before, and of course a wine storage cabinet convenient to the formal dining room. The window over the sink looks east through the blue oaks, welcoming the morning sun at breakfast time.

Looking for a home with a private master suite? The split bedroom floor plan provides the ultimate privacy for this spacious master. As you would expect, a large walk-in closet is nicely situated opposite the master bath which features a separate shower and jacuzzi tub. Soak in comfort as you gaze out the window through the oaks towards Shingletown Ridge. It's totally private, not another house in sight.

One of the great ideas for a country house, especially one with horses such as this one, is a mud room. This one even has a sink. While most mud rooms are just large enough for a coat rack and a bench to remove crusty boots, this one is so large it has morfed into a family room frequented by the Haws family grandchildren. The perfect play area totally enclosed by north and west-facing windows, it's light and bright. The cement floor is indestructable for those vigorous kid activities.

The laundry room has a nice window over the folding counter letting in plenty of natural light. This room also serves as a pantry and has an amazing amount of storage space with floor to ceiling cabinets on both walls. You can fill up the truck or van at Costco... you'll not be able to fill up all these cabinets. And for the gardener and home canner, there is ample room for all those home-canned goodies you put up at harvest time. The fenced garden area already has several fruit trees.

A small ranch needs a workshop, and this one includes a half bath in the spacious 900 square foot double door garage. Bring all your tools and your big pick-up truck. It all fits nicely in this beautiful garage/workshop, attached to the main house by a covered walkway.

The well is protected by an attractive pump house. There is also a large covered area for the storage of tractors, a wood splitter, rider mower, four-wheeler and other ranch equipment. You'll never need to buy firewood. This forty acre ranch has gently rolling grasslands punctuated by dozens of blue oaks which burn long and hot. The house does have central heat powered by propane if you prefer, but nothing beats the warmth of a wood fire. The wood stove in the living room is designed with an enclosed wood storage area for convenience.

Every ranch needs a barbecue set-up, and this one is sweet. Very well situated on the west side of the house to enjoy the panoramic views, this outdoor patio is spacious and comfortable with a large picnic table and lots of lounge chairs. Those warm July evenings will soon be upon us, so put that beer on ice and fire up the barbie! This is the place to really enjoy the property. While you're grilling, the kids can play on the tire swing or try out the hammock strung between two oaks.

Horses? This ranch has a couple. The pastures are fenced and cross-fenced, so rotating the critters to the area with the greenest grass is a piece of cake. The dirt trails and unpaved roads in this area make riding a pleasure. It's a rural area with few other houses and spectacular views in all directions.

Bottom line: This private ranch and custom home, only two miles from the Manton store, school, post office and diner, is the perfect place to discover your own "country comfort." Check it out online by clicking on the "my listings" tab at www.mantonproperty.com or better yet, arrange for your own private tour of the property by contacting the gracious owners Ken and Tina Haws. They'll be happy to show you around. To make an appointment, just call them at (530) 474-3653. Welcome to Manton Volcanic Wine Country! Oh, I almost forgot... priced to sell quickly at $599,000.

Goodbye Bruce Barron, Creator of Waterwheel Park

2011-03-20T05:26:00.000-07:00

Just a hand-written note hastily written was thumbtacked to the Manton Post Office bulletin board, "Bruce Barron Has Died; Services Pending." When I returned to my Cedar Ridge Road home with the mail, as I stepped out of the car I heard that distinct but faint call of honkers high in the sky. The white puffy clouds were racing north with an approaching storm and I squinted, searching for the source of the sound. Then I saw one V-shaped string, high, high above, just little specks riding that fast-moving jet stream straight as an arrow to the north country and home. That must have been Bruce calling out his Farewell to Manton, I thought quietly to myself.

I try to remember when I first met Bruce and saw his marvelous gift to the Manton community, the fabulous oasis called Waterwheel Park. It was in the early '80s when Bruce cooked up a huge kettle of beans for the annual Volunteer Fire Department Barbeque. It was so typical of Bruce, always doing something to support the community. Bruce and his wife Elna took their land which they called Lassen Ox-Shoe Ranch and dedicated a portion of it for a community gathering place, a spot for weddings and Grange picnics, a place to meet your neighbors and sip a cold beer while catching up on local news. No other place in Manton existed for such a thing.

Waterwheel Park was his finest creation. In a beautiful creek bottom with giant sycamores and oaks, Bruce built a waterwheel to capture the energy of falling water to turn the spit on which he roasted meat for the hungry hordes. There was cookhouse and picnic tables, a covered bridge adorned with horseshoes and Bruce's welded whimsical creations for entertainment. Fiddle and guitar often would accompany barbecued beef and beans at so many community and fraternal gatherings. Bruce built community and loved doing so.

The plaque which commemorates Waterwheel Park states it best: "Bruce and Elna Barron established the Waterwheel Park in 1961 to serve in conjuction with the Manton Frontier Days Rodeo and Barbeque. Launched by Beef, Beans and Cowboys, the Park was designed to preserve our Western Heritage and pay homage to the memory of our Native Americans and early California Pioneers. May People in future generations continue to appreciate the beauty and serenity of this bucolic park area and enjoy giving remembrance to those venerable traditions of the Old West." Though now privately owned and only occasionally opened for public events, the memories of good times together will always remain as Bruce's legacy for so many of us.

This short blog could not possibly relate all the many adventures and accomplishments which characterize Bruce's ninety years on this earth. Fortunately for us, Bruce was also a superb raconteur who chronicled many of those entertaining life stories in a book he wrote titled "Fabulous Memories of a Truly Adventurous Life--Short Stories You Will Long Remember." This paperback is rich with tales of local history, cowboys, rodeos, and unexpected and unusual events of yesteryear. It is available at the Manton Museum, a place where you can see a display of twenty different kinds of barbed wire, donated by Bruce. Of course, there is much more to see in the museum. To acquire Bruce's book and see the wonderful displays in the museum, contact the President of the Manton Historical Society, Pat Grag at (530) 474-5219. Bruce was a big supporter of the Historical Society and would certainly have welcomed your support of this local treasure.

In conclusion, again I will quote a few lines of poetry from Bruce's book:

After feeding hungry cows
all those hefty bales of hay
A cowboy saved that wire
Twas a sin to throw it away!

Having extra haywire around
just made a lot of sense
He might be needing it someday
to fix that busted fence.

.....

Oh, alack and alas,
when it's my time to expire,
If a cowboy can be found,
who my widow can hire,

I'll feel safe from the devil
and his eternal fire,
If he'll just seal my tomb
with that old baling wire.

May you rest in peace Bruce, and thanks a million for all the memories. Services will be held at the Allen & Dahl Funeral Chapel in Palo Cedro, Wednesday, March 23rd at 11 a.m. It is located 1/4 mile south of Highway 44, phone (530) 547-4444.

Winter Tracks

2011-01-09T18:03:00.000-08:00

After years of drought, monster snows have returned to Lassen Peak. Even Vulcan's Throne, the 500 foot high black lava mole on its southwest face, is blasted white, a rare sight. Meteorogolists for the California Department of Water Resources tell us that the water content of the snow pack is the most EVER for this early in the season. Truly, nature's bountiful precip bodes well for fish and fowl in 2011. There's no telling if the snowflakes will continue to bury the mountains for the duration of winter and into the spring, but it's a most encouraging start.

Winter in Manton. There is snow, but not too much to travel. There is cold, but just enough to make the apple trees and grapes go dormant. New Year's Eve was the perfect example. We got two or three inches overnight at our place, elevation 2,700 feet. It stuck to the trees, covered roof tops and transformed the woods into the proverbial winter wonderland, a perfect Christmas card, just one week late. There's some excitement to driving without chains, to be the first traversing Cedar Ridge Road, hidden by a white blanket, vaguely outlined by the walls of trees on either side.
Slipping and sliding, we glide on home more like a sleigh than a car.

While snow hides the usual landscape, in a strange and wonderful way it reveals the history of things unseen and mysterious: animal tracks. I'm no expert in determining the authors of these various marks in the snow, some small, some unsettlingly large. I know we have rabbits, squirrels, skunks and foxes. Large prints are more intriguing. I have learned that dogs cannot retract their claws, while mountain lions can. We have both wandering by our master bedroom, silent in their nocturnal prowling.

Seldom seen icicles are also a treat. Like mushrooms, one day they just suddenly appear. The sun comes out and with a chorus of watery drips they vanish again until next winter. For whatever reason, most likely the usual manic overload of holiday activity, I had failed to check my rain gauge for awhile. It's mounted on a fence post about chest high, well away from the house. What a surprise! Never saw this before: my rain gauge contained a fourteen inch tall perfectly cylindrical and transparent ice popsicle. I removed it and carried it bare-handed back to the house where I displayed it proudly to my wife Donna through the living room window before dropping it on the cement patio. It shattered into four or five smaller popsicles.

I find comfort in even the usual and expected aspects of our Manton winter... The Christmas tree lit up at night down by the old fire station. The sign on Highway 36 just leaving Red Bluff stating the loop road through Lassen Park is closed, buried now in packed snow measured in dozens of feet. Eskimo Hill at the summit of Highway 44 is popular again with kids on inner tubes and makeshift sliding devices. But most of all, there is just the joy of the land at rest, the silence and serenity of the snowy woods. The mittens, neck scarf and wool hat come out of the bottom drawer and get regular use for a few months. A piping hot cup of hot chocolate or tea is enormously welcome. Cards from distant friends catch us up on another year gone by.

This time of year the dreaded dense and frigid tule fog fills the great central valley of California like a gray/white lake. From numerous vantage points in Manton we can look down on this vast winter sea and across to the snow-covered peaks of the Yolla Bolly Wilderness of the Coast Range. Between storms the sun still has some warmth, though the clear blue sky is crisp and cold, particularly in the shade. When the snow returns, it can be mesmerizing. There is a very strange sensation I experience sometimes when gazing out the window at a particularly heavy snowfall in progress. Giant flakes cascade straight down like millions of white moths falling from above. Suddenly I feel as though the house is rising up and the trees as well are rapidly ascending. One could even say, it's an uplifting experience!

Happy New Year to One and All!

Tom Knight, Broker
MANTON REALTY

Winter Camp

2010-11-08T08:37:00.000-08:00

The second large snowfall of the season has covered Lassen Peak in a cystalline white blanket. The air is cool and fresh, scented with pine. Distant sounds of buzzing chainsaws echo through the woods. Winter is descending on our little foothill community. The nights are long. After work, men gather 'round the wood stove in the Manton Saloon, warming their hands by the crackling fire. At home, summer's harvest sits on pantry shelves in long rows of brightly colored Mason jars.... tomatoes, beans, peaches. The grapes are all picked, now slowly bubbling in fermentation vats, soon to be labeled pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, syrah.

I marvel at the thought of local tribes wintering in makeshift streamside villages this time of year, scarcely more than one hundred years ago. How did these people survive the cold winter nights for even one month, let alone the thousands of winters they occupied this land we now call Manton? Little remains of their culture which might shed some light on the answer, for their culture was simple and nomadic. Evidence of their daily lives has been decimated over the years by plunder of ancient village sites. Treasure hunters have dug up mortars, pestles, metates and arrowheads and taken them home to languish as souvenirs in dresser drawers and backyards. A few items are found in dusty display cases in corners of seldom-visited museums, a brief footnote in California history.

An interesting recently published book which describes in some detail the tribal culture of the southern Yana indians who called Manton home has the strange title, "Ishi's Brain," by Orin Starn, professor of cultural anthropology. I just read this book at the suggestion of my dear friend Scott. He and his hiking buddy Phil backpacked into the Ishi Wilderness last month in search of Grizzly Bear's Hiding Place, the last known winter camp of the Yahi band of indians. While they were unable to find the exact spot, they did have a great adventure in the difficult-to-access Deer Creek canyon, the last known habitat for a native American population still "living in the wild."

While Scott and Phil packed in their provisions and had the latest camping gear, Ishi and his companions had none of that. They lived off the land by their wits. However, Nature was bountiful. Winter run chinook salmon, some forty or fifty pounds in size, splashed up the creeks to spawn this time of year. The Tehama deer herd, still the largest migratory deer herd in California, came down off the mountain to enjoy the tender green shoots of new grass which always pop up after the first rains of the season. Abundant acorns at this lower foothill elevation were ground up and prepared as mush in tightly woven baskets. I learned that this cooking was accomplished by taking hot rounded river rocks from the campfire and putting them into the acorn mush. For shelter, simple huts were fashioned from the supple branches of creekside trees. Capes made from fox or raccoon pelts provided body warmth. Volcanic glass we call obsidian was used to make the necessary tools for hunting and cutting. These people lived close to nature, in harmony with the land and only took what they needed to survive.

During the dramatic influx of settlers to California in the 1850s and 60s, native American culture in northern California was largely destroyed. During this tragic time of transition, men, women and children were brutally murdered and forgotten. In the recorded instances of Indian resistance or retribution, white settlers were whipped into a frenzy of violence against the so-called "uncivilized savages." These brutal episodes are buried in the history books, but linger on in such local place names as Massacre Flats, Blood Island and Battle Creek.

I was very moved by the story of Ishi and what I learned about the plight of his people. As someone who lives in the same place occupied not so long ago by the southern Yana, I am haunted by their shadows and souls. I finished readng the book about the same time Scott and Phil emerged from their wilderness adventure in the heart of Ishi's homeland. As a result, I penned the following poem, which I hope you will enjoy.

Finders, Keepers...

Crossing the Milky Way
A shooting star splits in two...
Celestial heartbreak, then disappears
Foretelling heartache, pending fears
Near Grizzly's Hiding Place.

Coming up canyons to caves,
Sport-shooting, treasure-hunting,
They came to take baskets,
Volcanic glass blades to skin otters,
Raccoon capes, acorn grinders.

There are no more reminders.
Southern Yana left no trace,
Shivering in snow, watery graves.
Secrets of the Tuscan soul
Buried in black water hole.

Salt tears now wash far distant shores,
No footprints in warm sand remain.
Chants of brave hunts, fresh game galore,
Are silent in cold ash rain.
Vanished Yahi, red dust stain.

Tom Knight
October 22nd, 2010

Trick or Treat

2010-10-16T07:45:00.000-07:00

With the rapid approach of Halloween in our small rural community of Manton, California, we can soon look forward to hearing "rat-tat-tat" on the front door and the delightful sound of enthusiastic young voices calling out "trick or treat."
I always buy Reese's peanut butter cups and hope there will be some leftovers. For "grown-ups" who still like to dress up for the occasion, the Saloon at Manton Corners will be having a party. As always in Manton, there's something for everyone.

The remainder of this blog is about "trick or treat" in the Manton real estate market, so read on at your own peril. Anyone who has owned property for the past three or four years has been subjected to a cruel trick: the massive decline in value of equities, particularly real estate. Many contractors are out of business, including our nephew, and the remaining ones still standing are renting out spec houses they can no longer sell. It's a familiar story just about everywhere. A shockingly large percentage of homeowners who have a loan now owe more than the house is worth. Five years ago nobody even knew the words "short sale" or "REO." Now most sales are distressed properties. Can anyone say the words: "Half Price?"

Like everything in life, there is a flip side to this story. Patient savers who were priced out of the sizzling market a few years ago (does anyone remember 20% a year equity gains?) are now able to do some bargain hunting. We have become accustomed to "half price" sales of furniture and clothing, but real estate? There is a catch, of course. It helps if you are an all-cash buyer, because the banks are sitting on their cash. It's very hard to get a loan and it's very hard for rural real estate to appraise for the loan amount. However, buyers with excellent credit and a lot of perseverance can find a real Halloween treat: fine property is available in some cases at half the price it sold for five years ago.

If you are thinking about making a purchase, here's one more thing to get your mind around: the interest rate on a conventional 30 year fixed rate mortgage is 4.19%.
NOT A TYPO. As of the week ending October 15th, the advertised rate is 4.19%. If you want to pay a point or two, it's likely you could lock in a rate under 4%. OK, I'm not saying it's free money, but it's the best rate I've ever seen. Some day that forgotten word "inflation" may return, and when it does, that current rate lock will look like a stroke of genius. I don't have a crystal ball, but it seems to me that the decline of the dollar will continue as long as Uncle Sam keeps printing money out of thin air. As far as I know the word "real" is still in "real estate." And then there's the phrase real estate agents love: "land... they're just not making it any more." Perhaps that doesn't apply to the big island of Hawaii.

One more treat to keep in mind: those unadvertised properties known as "pocket listings." This term refers to properties which are not currently for sale, but owners have told a licensed broker that they would like to sell if they could get their price. Why would a person who wants to sell decide not to advertise in the open market? There are many possible reasons. Sometimes buyers are so discouraged by the "soft" market that they give up trying because they doubt they will receive the price they want or need. Sometimes a potential seller has tax considerations which might delay a sale in the current year. Sometimes the seller has signed a long-term lease which runs with the land and could dissuade an offer from a buyer who wants to occupy the property. Sometimes there are personal reasons related to issues of health or relationships. Whatever the reason, in most cases these potential sellers will let go of their property if the offer price is sufficiently attractive.

As a practicing real estate broker in Manton, I am aware of several such pocket listings. Properties I know about range in size from one to fifteen acres. Some are bare land, some have houses which are custom-built. For obvious reasons I am not able to describe these properties in such detail that they could be easily identified. However, if you are a serious buyer who has been waiting for the right time to pick up a special Manton property at a special bargain price, perhaps this is the time to TREAT yourself. Just give me a call and describe your dream property. I just might have what you're looking for in my pocket.

Happy Halloween!

Tom Knight, Broker
Manton Realty
(530) 474-1335
DRE#01441406

Manton Apple Festival - Family Fun for Free

2010-09-26T17:02:00.000-07:00

Good food, good fun, good cause... it's a great time to visit Manton, California for the annual Apple Festival, all day this coming Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 at the Manton School. Bring your hat and sunscreen. This local celebration takes place outside on the grassy athletic field. If you attend, what can you expect? FREE admission. FREE parking. FREE live music. If you want to eat, well that will cost you a modest sum, but much of the proceeds go to the scholarship fund for Manton School students. This is a wonderful way to support a brighter future for rural school children and enjoy some fabulous homemade apple pie a la mode at the same time. How can you beat that?

Many local artisans with their handmade wares will be exhibiting reasonably priced and useful items for sale under a myriad of those familiar white pop-up tents. There will be pottery and jewelry, woodworking and clothing. No commercial items are permitted, only authentic crafts from local artists. And what about apples? There will boxes and boxes of just-picked local apples, including some older hard-to-find varieties. It's been a good year for local orchards. Come and sample for yourself. Additionally there will be a variety of homemade jams and jellies, apple butter, applesauce, possibly some of Sue Young's wild blackberry jam if she hasn't already sold out. You will surely find something special to enjoy.

It's a family affair with wagon rides for kids, pie contests for all ages, and lots of good music under the big tent. Walking around looking at all those interesting booths can make a person hungry. No problem. There will be a number of food booths too, offering an assortment of savory items prepared fresh while you wait. Just a tip: you might want to get in line early. For those who have already discovered the local wineries, most tasting rooms will be open for business, affording the opportunity to take home some award-winning Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon. There are a few excellent whites available as well, for your late summer sipping pleasure. I know it's Fall, but it just doesn't quite feel like it yet.

Come on up the hill and enjoy this marvelous Manton tradition. You'll be glad you did. And did I mention, it's FREE!

Tom Knight, Broker
MANTON REALTY
www.mantonproperty.com

BIG FISH... Worth the Wait!

2010-09-03T06:32:00.000-07:00

In our instant gratification digitalized consumer culture there are still a few good things worth the wait. After ten years of countless meetings, negotiations, frustrations, wrangling and horse-trading, work on the Battle Creek Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Project has finally begun.
Talk about a triumph over institutionalized bureaucratic inertia, i.e. "excuse me, this is my turf," just imagine getting agreement between federal, state, and local governments, then add to the mix the largest private trout hatchery in California, corporate P. G. & E., more than a few crusty old ranchers and a small rural community which hasn't seen much change in a hundred years... it makes watching cement dry look positively thrilling. Now that's an accomplishment worth celebrating, and indeed, the celebration is happening soon, September 15th to be exact.

Cows still graze the oak-studded pastures, but suddenly there are enormous cranes piercing the horizon leaning out over the sheer black basalt canyon walls, helicopters buzzing all day like angry potters wasps, and strange bright yellow work trucks all bellied up to the bar at Julia's Diner for Blue Ridge Burgers at lunch time. What in the world is going on in Manton, and by the way, where the heck is it? Never heard of it. Is it in California?

Yes, Manton is in California. It straddles Shasta and Tehama Counties in the foothills of Lassen Volcanic National Park, close to 35 miles east of Red Bluff and about 45 miles east of Redding. Manton is smack dab in the middle of the Battle Creek watershed, famed for its cold water springs and hence, the prime ancient breeding ground for chinook salmon and steelhead trout.
This was the home to native americans who feasted on deer, fish, rabbits, blackberries, and who always had an ample supply of acorns and cold clear spring water. Water is the key and Manton has this precious resource in abundance. That is why it was chosen for the Restoration Project.

When Shasta Dam was completed in 1944, this second largest dam in the United States was a magnificent achievement for flood control, power generation and water management for agriculture, but it meant the end for an equally magnificent fishery. The historic spawning grounds in the fabulous Upper Sacramento, Pitt and McCloud Rivers were lost forever, resulting in a precipitous decline in chinook salmon populations. In response, the federal government created the Coleman National Fish Hatchery near the mouth of Battle Creek. The State of California also noticed the terrific potential in the Battle Creek watershed and built Darrah Springs Fish Hatchery to supply numerous lakes in northern California. Mt. Lassen Trout Farm, a private enterprise, has more than twenty facilities, many situated on cold water springs. It is the largest private trout farm in the state. You can frequently see their semi-trucks heading down I-5 with thousands of rainbow trout destined for southern California.

The old-timers, and sadly their numbers are dwindling these days, tell tall tales of chinook salmon swimming up the rocky canyons of north and south Battle Creek, forty and fifty pound fish driven to return to their ancestral spawning grounds just below Angel Falls or Whispering Waters, sheer rock barriers beyond which they could not pass. Perhaps it's just a bit of nostalgic hyperbole, but these old ranchers say you could hear them coming upstream a quarter mile away and once they arrived in spectacular fashion you could practically walk across the creek on the backs of these giant fish. Could those legendary times ever return to Battle Creek? Perhaps they will, or at least, those are the hopes and dreams of all the many hard-working folks who have labored over the past ten years to make it happen.

P. G. & E. has agreed to remove five dams and take a reduction in hydro-electric power generation revenue. Hatcheries have made extensive and expensive adjustments to their operations. New and better-designed fish ladders are being installed where dams remain. Ranchers and private landowners have agreed to allow water channels to be routed through their lands. A very complex system has been designed to greatly increase water flows in Battle Creek and restore habitat to resemble more closely what it used to be long ago. Will the big fish return to Manton? Many believe they will.

To celebrate the beginning of this awesome project which will take years to complete, a private groundbreaking ceremony is planned for Wednesday, September 15th, followed by a public gathering at the Manton School with an excellent free dinner provided to all. It is the annual meeting of the Battle Creek Watershed Conservancy, beginning at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m., followed by brief presentations on the dramatic events taking place right now on Battle Creek. The public is welcome. And one last comment: Welcome back BIG FISH!

Tom Knight, Broker
MANTON REALTY
www.mantonproperty.com

Manton Fire Department Barbecue and the Jaws of Life

2010-08-05T14:03:00.000-07:00

Of all the wonderful community events in our small town of Manton, my favorite is just about to take place this coming Saturday, August 7th: the Annual Manton Volunteer Fire Department Barbecue. It is the best attended local event, with the possible exception of the Manton Apple Festival in October, so I know I will get to visit with lots of friends, some of whom I haven't seen since last year's BBQ. It's a great meal for ten bucks: BBQ Tri-tip or Chicken, Veggies, Salad, Beans, Roll and a Soda or Bottled Water. And don't forget the fabulous homemade desserts which are available for just a little bit more.

The proceeds go to a most worthy cause, the purchase of additional equipment for the fire department. This year the goal is to raise money for The Jaws of Life, a heavy duty apparatus used to extricate persons trapped in vehicles following a collision. As a former volunteer firefighter myself, I can testify that this equipment would be a great asset to the emergency responders. Most of the traffic accidents in our area involve high speed encounters with immovable objects. In such cases, major structural damage often occurs, making the extrication of victims quite difficult. Put very simply, the Jaws of Life could help save lives. Donations are welcome and greatly appreciated by the volunteers.

Perhaps the most enjoyable moments of the annual barbecue follow the meal, when the raffle begins. My wife has been known to buy $100 worth of tickets, and I'm sure she's not the only one. Raffle prizes range from locally produced bottles of award-winning wine to getaway weekend trips, but there is no doubt what my wife is going for: the handmade quilt! Seems like that's the prize everyone wants and I swear, one of these years she's going to win it!

Whether you are a local resident of Manton or someone just visiting from out of town, it's hard to beat the good vibes, community spirit, and just plain down home fun of the Manton Volunteer Fire Department Barbecue. As always, the location is at the Fire Station on Manton Road just as you come into town and the food is served from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Don't miss it! But if you do, the 32nd annual BBQ will be the first Saturday in August, 2011. Put in on your calendar now! See you there, this year or next.

Tom Knight, Broker
Manton Realty

Miles of Color, Manton's Spring Secret

2010-04-21T11:19:00.000-07:00

The battle rages between Winter and Summer. This Spring has been spectacular, the best in years, due to copious rains interspersed with balmy warm spells. The result is evident on Manton Road (Tehama A6) right now: miles and miles of wildflowers in full bloom. Between Dales Station where one leaves Highway 36E and the crossing of the south fork of Battle Creek are wide flat plains dotted with vernal pools and now painted with color. The open vistas are compelling, mile after mile of yellow and gold fields stretching to the horizon. The normally barren rocky lava flows have been transformed into veritable oriental rock gardens.

As one continues towards Manton after the Battle Creek crossing, the scenery changes with the increasing elevation. Blue Oaks and Digger Pines mingle with the white-blooming Buckbrush and deep pink Western Redbud. Small meadows between the trees are currently violet in color with Squaw Carpet or sunshine yellow with some other brilliant ground cover. It's a field day for anyone wishing to learn about California wildflowers. For those of us a little too busy to "stop and smell the roses," the spirit is lifted just being in a "surround sound" of vibrant color. This year is a treat not to be missed, and it won't last long. Keep your eyes open for bald eagles in this area.

All too soon the blazing summer sun will win out over the blustery winter rains, and the fabulous colors of Spring will quickly fade to a brown mirage, shimmering in the heat of July. Many a traveler on the Manton Road has turned back towards Red Bluff in the mid-summer heat, unaware of Manton's Spring Secret: for a few weeks only, mile and mile of brilliant color transport the spirit back to the unbridled glory of Spring as witnessed by very few of California's urban population, quietly on display in an unspoiled and still largely undiscovered corner of old California. The deep snow glistens white on distant Lassen Peak, the southern-most Cascade volcano a superb backdrop, and the promise of cold clear water in the creeks late this summer. Gratitude is my Attitude!

2010 San Francisco Wine Competition: Manton Winners

2010-01-22T07:33:00.000-08:00

"And the winners are..." With these words, wineries from all over the United States took home awards for their fine wines in the nation's most prestigious annual competition. It's a no-holds-barred blind tasting contest, which means the smallest family operation with just a few acres of vines can go head to head with the biggest and best known names in the business. Certainly Napa Valley wineries took home a hefty share of the medals, but many tiny vineyards also produced superior results. It is especially sweet when an unheard of community in an obscure corner of northern California can proudly boast three winners in the last few years, two of which won numerous awards this year. I'm talking about Manton, California.

Manton's first ever Gold Medal was awarded this year to Ringtail Vineyards for its red grape port style dessert wine "Sweet Petite," a particularly impressive feat given the fact that this was the very first year Ringtail entered the fray. Congratulations indeed! Ringtail also won bronze medals for its Petite Sirah and a Late Harvest Chardonnay. I might add that my wife loves the Ringtail Gewurztraminer. There's a bottle in the frig right now! The other Manton winery winner, Indian Peak Vineyards, won two Silver Medals last year and brought home four awards this year: Silvers for Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, Bronzes for a Zinfandel/Abstract Red and another Cabernet Sauvignon. Locals just love "Donna's Dessert Wine," a port style after dinner treat which is flying out the door by the case.

Prior to this year's competition, Alger Vineyards won awards four years in a row for its Syrahs and Petite Sirahs. John and Linda Alger are eager to pour the award winners in their spectacular tasting room, featuring local handcrafted art and panoramic views of the vineyards which stretch towards the distant Yolla Bolly Mountains of the Coast Range. Truth be told, all the wineries in Manton are small family affairs. Fred and Donna Boots of Indian Peak Vineyards will host you most any time, against a backdrop of barrel upon oak barrel stacked to the rafters. Rob Carillo and Donna Delgado of Ringtail Vineyards have a tasting room in their home, with an elegant wooden bar and views of Lassen Peak.

Another winery which I expect to win awards soon is Shasta Daisy Vineyards, owned by Carroll and Lorna Knedler. Their Pinot Noir is well worth the drive and their tasting room overlooks the gorgeous meadow at Forwards Mill, as well as the remnants of the old lumber mill. They also have cabin rentals for those who want to enjoy the incredible serenity of the mountains and see the Milky Way from horizon to horizon. Jim and Corey Livingston expect to open their doors to Cedar Crest Winery later this year, and Alain Teuschmann of Mt. Tehama Winery can be reached by appointment only, see links below.

Visiting Manton is to discover old time hospitality, visit hard-working folks who will treat you right, and taste some very excellent award-winning red wine. Rollings Hills Casino in Corning has published a brochure which features a tour of local wineries. It describes this area as Manton Volcanic Wine Country, as it is situated just west of Lassen Volcanic National Park and has fabulous views of the snow-covered volcano most of the year. An area known for its apples and celebrated each year with the Manton Apple Festival (first weekend in October), Manton is now taking on a new identity: one of California's latest undiscovered award-winning wine regions. Watch out Mondavi, there's some great wine coming from the Cascade foothills!

Links to Manton wineries:

www.algervineyards.com Alger Vineyards (530) 474-WINE
www.indianpeakvineyards.net Indian Peak Vineyards (530) 474-5506
www.ringtailvineyards.net Ringtail Vineyards (530) 474-5350
www.mtwinery.com Mt. Tehama Winery (530) 474-3304
www.shastadaisyvineyard.com Shasta Daisy Vineyard (530) 474-5262
Site under construction Cedar Crest Vineyard and Winery (530) 474-1387

Retire to Manton Volcanic Wine Country

2010-01-07T13:19:00.000-08:00

In a few weeks I will turn 65. Unbelievable! Retire? No way! I'm loving my real estate practice and plan to continue on for years to come. But for many Boomers the reality of retirement is looming large. After years of grinding out the mortgage and getting the kids through school, couples are looking forward to some very large lifestyle changes. Questions arise: where to live? what to do? how to afford? This New Year, 2010, will present many opportunities, possible new directions, great times ahead!

Some retirees will no doubt choose to stay put, having paid off the family home and developed local lifetime friendships. On the other hand, some will sell everything and purchase a home in a foreign land (check out the Living Abroad Guides published by my wife's company at http://www.moon.com/). I suspect quite a few folks will be ready to cash in their urban equity for a more relaxed, quiet and comfortable country lifestyle. Enough with mowing the lawn. Time to grow a few tomatoes instead.

Potential retirees in northern California who are seeking the country life may wish to consider the Manton area which hosts such "old time" events as the volunteer fire department barbecue in the summer and the annual apple festival in the fall. Current residents of Manton take a certain glee when telling people where they live, because most folks out there in the "real world" have no idea where Manton is. How cool is it to live in a yet undiscovered spot? Yet it's not that remote. You can be driving on the I-5 in 45 minutes or board a commercial aircraft in less than an hour. But who would want to leave a place with numerous wineries, a wild horse sanctuary, and a dramatic view of a snow-covered volcano? Want to camp with the grandkids in an uncrowded national park? It's only 45 minutes to the fabulous Manzanita Lake Campground in Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Pulling up stakes after many years in the same place is a daunting task for the future retiree.
Perhaps the best way to scope out a potential new home is to actually go there and spend some time. In a rural area with no hotels or motels, this can be a challenging proposition. The solution: http://www.vrbo.com/, vacation rental by owner. The are currently four listings in the Manton area and several more in the Lassen vicinity. I would recommend vrbo #14909 at Shasta Daisy Vineyards. Your hosts Carroll and Lorna Knedler are as gracious as you will find anywhere and have great knowledge of the area history, flora and fauna. Don't miss the dozens of hummingbirds on the tasting room deck! If a bed and breakfast is more to your liking, the Weston House (http://www.westonhouse.com/) in Shingletown has an incredible view overlooking the entire Manton area.

For guided tours of the Manton wineries, contact Donna at Ringtail Vineyards (http://www.ringtailvineyards.net/). If you are ready to view properties for sale or get the insider info on the various features of Manton, I would be delighted to give you a personal tour. Make your appointment in advance by e-mail: mantonland@frontiernet.net. Tom Knight, at your service.

It's a great time to lock up that perfect country home for your retirement years. Prices are fair once again, interest rates are at historic lows for those who might need a loan, and Manton still is the "secret" hideaway with undiscovered family wineries. How long hidden? Our award-winning wines are sure to attract attention sooner or later. An article in VIA or Sunset, and the prices will be going one way: UP! Way up. Retirees may find the perfect home in Manton. It's worth a visit!

Harvest Time in Manton

2009-09-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

I picked merlot and cab grapes at Indian Peak Vineyards on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend with about 49 other volunteers who enjoyed this year's cooler weather, comraderie and lunch. Friendly banter rang out from amateur pickers in neighboring rows with such comments as "I thought that was you... I recognized the butt." A wonderful tradition at Indian Peak, this year's pick was far more bounteous than last year's when a severe late frost in April greatly reduced the yield. Fred Boots, Indian Peak owner, further rewarded the work crew this year by serving up his excellent homemade meatball and spaghetti dinner that evening, with plenty of wine and beer to go around. This event has become so popular that reservations must be made in advance to work! Go figure. No pay, but excellent fringe benefits do apply. Fred and Donna Boots have turned a backyard hobby into a career and shown us all how to "follow your dreams."

Most of Manton's other small family owned and operated vineyards are currently picking, and when not picking they are serving the ever-increasing number of visitors at local tasting rooms. I was quite surprised to turn in Rob Carrillo's driveway last Tuesday with the intention of picking up a couple more bottles of his tasty gewurztraminer (my wife's favorite after work summer wine), but a huge tour bus was disgorging passengers at 11 in the morning. "What is Manton coming to," I thought. Later, I made the rounds to the four tasting rooms open every Saturday and Sunday: Indian Peak Vineyards, Alger Vineyards, Ringtail Vineyards and Shasta Daisy Vineyard, all on Forward Road. I left my business cards at each for those visitors who decide after a couple glasses of wine they would like to move to Manton (Tom Knight-Manton Realty). Little by little, wine lovers are discovering Manton's award-winning wines, wine competing successfully against the "big boys" in the prestigious Chronicle Wine Competition.

One giant boost to Manton's recognition as a wine-producing region is the just-published brochure available from Rolling Hills Casino (on I-5 in Corning) called Tehama Trail, An agricultural journey through Northern California's Tehama County, also available online at www.tehamatrail.com. The map and info included is an excellent guide to what is now being called "Manton Volcanic Wine Country." For those who have never been to Manton, one look to the east tells the story: a splendid view of Lassen Peak, over 10,000 feet in elevation, the southern-most Cascade volcano, complete with bubbling mudpots, sulphur works, boiling lakes and even a geyser. With significant eruptions from 1914 through 1917, Lassen may well some day again provide more excellent volcanic soil for grapes. But for the moment, it is dormant.

The grape harvest in Manton is likely to continue well into October, particularly for late harvest varietals which may end up as dessert wines quite similar to Spanish ports. Donna's Dessert Wine at Indian Peak Vineyards is one of the most popular, but others are getting into the act, such as Ringtail Vineyards Sweet Petite. Be sure to ask for a taste of these delicious after-dinner treats when you visit. For those planning to explore the Manton Volcanic Vineyards, you may wish to visit a convenient website for more info on lodging, fishing, and of course, the wineries: www.visitMANTONca.com. Excellent tours are available by a highly knowledgeable local at www.northstatewinetours.org. And if, after a visit and sampling of the excellent local vintages you wish to relocate to Manton and start your own small family winery, please check out local listings at www.mantonproperty.com. Tom Knight, at your service.

The crush is taking place now, but the fall colors have yet to begin. November, particularly around the time of Thanksgiving, is perhaps the best time to visit Manton for color in the vineyards and black oaks. No need to wait that long for a visit. The biggest annual event of the year in Manton is about to occur: The Manton Apple Festival takes place on Saturday, October 3rd. If you like fresh foothill-grown apples or anything you might imagine made from apples (especially outrageously good homemade apple pies), this is the place to be. Follow the signs to the Manton School for a day of great food, live music and everything apples. It's a free community event not to be missed. The wineries will be hosting special tastings on this day as well. You won't soon forget a visit to Manton, home of Manton Volcanic Wineries and the annual Manton Apple Festival!

Wildflowers Galore in Manton

2009-04-23T14:52:00.000-07:00

While the grass just outside Red Bluff is rapidly turning brown and the annual Round Up is over, Manton is prime time for wildflowers, particularly the deep pink western redbud which lines many roads in town. Some of the best views are on Wildcat Road near Black Butte, but my favorites are on Rock Creek Road heading east with the snow on Lassen and Brokeoff as a backdrop in the distance. Soon appearing will be the native white dogwood in the creek canyons, particularly where Ponderosa Way crosses Digger creek, and also on Forward Road near the mill pond. For those willing to get out of the car and walk through the woods, there are many natives blooming. The lavendar squaw carpet is wrapping the ground like a big Easter egg. The brilliant yellow mariposa lilies people call gold nuggets are popping up everywhere. There are many others, the names of which I have yet to learn. Just a word of caution: the first new red/green leaves of poison oak are shiny with a full dose of oil. Stay away! My clothes go directly into the washer when I get home.

I failed to mention that the apple orchards on Alfalfa Hill are in full bloom. Last Sunday I was admiring the beautiful blossums in Bob Lenkner's apple orchard and wishing he were still around to enjoy them. Bob and I were members of the Manton Volunteer Fire Department together. At that time he was a Captain, so I always called him Captain Bob even after he became Chief. Much of the credit for the new fire station is due Bob. The flag was flying at half mast when I drove by, a fitting tribute. Bob was very active in the Grange and Manton Community Church. He will be missed. As much as I enjoy the wildflowers in Manton this Spring, I am reminded by Bob's passing that what really matters to me are the wonderful residents of our little town who contribute so much to the life of the community. Farewell Captain Bob!

A White Christmas in Manton

2008-12-22T07:46:00.000-08:00

This year Manton truly resembles a Hallmark Christmas card. The ground and the roofs of homes are white with the sparkling crystalline blanket of new snow, with more on the way. The continuing cold temps have kept the roads icy and the woods white. Time for some fresh eggnog... pass the brandy please! To all those residents who have taken the time and trouble to climb ladders and put lights along the eves: THANK YOU. The relection of the lights on the frontyard snow is breath-taking. And I also appreciate the manger scene in front of the old fire station, a reminder of the origin of Christmas and the hope brought into the world with each new baby. The holidays are a joyful time of family reunions and parties with friends. Gratitude is the state of mind and attitude of heart we renew this time of year. The winter solstice has just passed, so in these dark stormy days we can at least cling to the notion that the days are starting to get longer once again. But for now, the snow is so very welcome. We need every bit of the moisture we can get in this third drought year, so the song in my mind is "let it snow, let it snow, let it snow." All is quiet in the vineyards now, so picturesque, the endless rows of pruned vines in white winter rest. As we take time out from our busy lives to be together, let us give thanks for all our blessings and remember to do somthing for those less fortunate who really need our support this year more than ever. After all, the old saying goes "it is more blessed to give than receive." More satisfying too. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family!

Fall Color "Treat"

2008-10-27T07:26:00.000-07:00

As young "trick or treaters" fine tune their costumes, Mother Nature is already displaying her best garb. It's my favorite time of year in Manton, and as anyone who heads up in the hills now will discover, a visual treat is in store. The apple trees of Bonnie's Orchard at the corner of Forward and Graham Roads are a flurry of green and gold. The black oaks are yellowing and the roadside western redbud along Rock Creek Road are fabulous shades of red, orange, copper and maroon. Down in the cool creek bottoms the large leaf maples are lemon bright and the elusive dogwood is crimson. There's more to come. Japanese maples in my yard are deepening in color, but the flowering pear is still mostly green... just a few renegade reds showing up here and there. For the most part the vineyards are still green as well, which means the show will go on from now until Thanksgiving. It's a great time to visit Manton and tour a few of the local wine tasting rooms such as those at the Alger Vineyards or Indian Peak, both on Forward Road just uphill from the Manton School. For those who might be interested in a tour of properties available for purchase, Manton Realty is available to guide you. Contact Tom to set up an appointment at mantonland@frontiernet.net. Happy Halloween!

Flowers Marching Uphill Following Water

2008-06-07T10:53:00.000-07:00

June is such a great month to be in Manton. Leaving Red Bluff on 36 the grass is brown and dry, almost all the way to Manton. But head east up the hill from Manton Corners on either Rock Creek Road or Forward Road and you will return to the emerald world of green. Numerous flowers line the road, one of my favorites being the pink wild peas. Last week while driving on Forward Road I noticed hundreds of yellow iris. It is spring NOW at Forwards Mill.

Up in Lassen Park it is still more like winter. The loop road through the park opened early this year, but was recently closed due to a late spring storm. It may be open again now, but if you go, take a sweater or jacket because the wind can still be biting. Eventually spring will come to the park, usually in July. The largest migratory deer herd in California follows the green grass up the hill, just as the native Americans used to do. The southern Yana tribes knew when the deer left the rapidly heating lowlands it was time to break camp and seek cooler climes higher up.

With the Governor declaring this week that California is in a drought he is only stating the obvious to those of us who have lived in the state for more than fifty years and cannot remember a drier spring. A friend who lives in San Francisco called me yesterday to ask if I knew of any property for sale in Manton which has tillable land and WATER. It is clear that we are running low on oil, food, and now water. Yikes! It's enough to make even a normal person think about becoming a survivalist.

Water is definitely a critical consideration when moving to the country. Manton is blessed to be situated in the Battle Creek Watershed, a unique water resource due to its proximity to Lassen Peak, the southern-most Cascade volcano. For whatever reason, Lassen Peak seems to get far more snow than the High Sierra. The snowmelt creates year-around springs, of which there are
at least nineteen in the Manton area. The lava tubes underlying Manton carry this cold clear water many miles from Lassen Park before they surface in areas like Bluff Springs and Eagle Canyon. Wells drilled in the Manton area can vary greatly in depth, depending on the distance from the surface to these underground water sources.

Water ditches are another water resource in Manton which is somewhat typical of the California foothills. These are diversions from area creeks such as Battle Creek (north and south forks), Digger Creek, Bailey Creek and Rock Creek. P. G. & E. has the largest ditches which you can't miss when driving around Manton. These water diversions lead to penstocks for the numerous small hydro power plants in the Battle Creek Watershed. Some diversions on local creeks have served domestic needs for decades, the largest and best known being the Boole Ditch which is sourced from Digger Creek. Our house and trout pond receive water 24/7 from this system.

In conclusion, as cool spring turns to hot summer and the wildflowers retreat up the mountain, thoughts of dependable water in this drought year become more pressing. Manton is uniquely situated in a very favorable and enviable position: an abundant water supply in both lean and fat rainfall years. Not a bad place to be! And to answer my city-slicker friend: YES, there are places currently for sale in Manton with abundant water. Call me to find out where.

Vernal Pools on Manton Road at Easter Time

2008-03-21T07:47:00.000-07:00

Here we are, already experiencing days longer than nights with the vernal equinox just celebrated March 20th. I always feel better knowing that the days are growing longer and warmer. There's still plenty of snow in the high country, but the earth is waking from its winter sleep. In the valley we have been enjoying weeks of yellow mustard and the various shades of pink seen in flowers of almonds, quince, peach and redbud. Now the white blossums of buckbrush, pear and prune are getting going. Driving east from Red Bluff towards Mineral on Highway 36 we see the oaks sporting their first new leaves of the year, a pale lime green color, as opposed to the much darker green of the tall lush grass just beneath them. Last year for the first time I noticed that the shades of green will soon be reversed: the grass will become a lighter shade of green as the warmer winds of Spring blow, while the oak tree leaves will darken with age. The grass and the trees just switch! Another thing of note... the roadside ponds are full, and though the whistling swans (also called tundra swans) that grace Hog Lake (with the fabulous view of Mt. Shasta in the distant north) have flown back towards the cooler climes of Alaska, there is a special treat for those who turn at Dale's onto Manton Road: ten miles of vernal pools which can best be described as one giant Easter egg. The lower pastures are brilliant yellow with butter & eggs (that's the flower's name), buttercups and yellow tidy tips, while the slightly raised portions have purple flowers, the names of which escape me. There are several places to pull off the road and walk out into this fantasyland of flowers. Manton locals look forward to this treat every year on their weekly grocery trips to Red Bluff. Also included, free of charge: panoramic views of two snow-covered volcanos, Shasta and Lassen. In fact, there is snow on all the mountains this time of year: Burney Mountain, the Siskiyous, the Trinity Alps and the Yolla Bollies. You could easily believe you are in Montana or Wyoming as you cruise along through this fabulous panorama without a car in sight, but no, it's just Manton Road and one of California's best kept secrets! Enjoy it while it lasts, because it will all be gone by May Day.

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

2008-01-04T09:57:00.000-08:00

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!

Holiday Wine from Manton

2007-11-16T13:27:00.000-08:00

As the Thanksgiving Day feast will soon be here, thoughts may now be turning to special bottles of wine to accompany those fabulous culinary creations. Our little town of Manton is blessed with exceptional quality wines which would grace any table. Three different locations offer locally grown fine wines for purchase. All provide superior handcrafted vintages sure to please the most discriminating palate.

As one drives up the hill on Forward Road past the School, Church and Grange Hall the first location for wine sales is on your right, Indian Peak Vineyards. There you will have the pleasure of meeting Fred and Donna Boots, friendly owners and proprietors of Manton's first winery, who will be happy to introduce you to the many fine wines they produce on site from grapes grown on the property. Fred loves his Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and will gladly provide a free sample of each for your pleasure. If you like a sweet port you will also want to sample Donna's special dessert wine. Another great wine available here is a Petite Sirah made from grapes grown nearby by Rob Carrillo, manager of the Dobson Vineyard which provides organic grapes to Fetzer in Hopland. Rob's Petite is one of my personal Manton favorites.

Continuing up Forward Road just a short distance to the east one encounters the gated entrance to Alger Vineyards on your left. You will notice that guests are welcome, deer are not, so please close the gate behind you as you continue up the gravel road to the tasting room. By the way, Alger Vineyards is open weekends 10 to 4 and by appointment, (530) 474-WINE. John and Linda Alger are gracious hosts who will provide samples of their award-winning Petite Syrah and Syrah, as well as winemaker Bob Marr's fruity Zinfandel. The Alger Tasting Room has great views over Manton to the coast range and you will be treated to locally produced art also available for purchase. Sign up for their seasonal gourmet wine dinners if you wish. Check out their website at www.algervineyards.com.

As you continue east up the steep hill on Forward Road notice how the blue oaks and digger pines are replaced by black oaks, ponderosa pines and cedars. Soon you will pass the large vineyards on your left which provide organically grown grapes to Fetzer. Just after a sharp left turn a large metal gate on your right marks the entrance to Mt. Tehama Winery which is housed in a rather ordinary-looking metal building overlooking the vines. Owner Alain Teutschmann produces the grapes which go into just released award-winning 2005 Shiraz.
Call to schedule an appointment, (530) 474-3304. More info at www.mtwinery.com.

By now you may have worked up an appetite. Fortunately Manton is home to Julia's Diner, located on Manton Road just west of the post office. This is a great place to enjoy a burger and shake for lunch, wonderful homemade pies, and very satisfying comfort food dinners. If you happen to be around on Saturday evening take advantage of guest chef Jack's chargrilled steaks. This ol' cowpoke knows how to cook 'em and you'll probably need your boots if he's in a talkative mood. Don't have any? Jack makes exceptional custom boots, just in time for winter.

In summary, the future of Manton's wine industry looks bright. I am told that at least three more wineries are in the planning stages and more vines are going in all the time. Manton will never be the Napa Valley (thank goodness) but will very likely continue to gain recognition as a small niche wine region with exceptional quality hand-crafted vintages for the wine connoisseur.
I raise my glass, a toast to you: "Thank you for visiting Manton and sampling our fine wines. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!"

Yours Truly,
Tom Knight - Manton Realty

Vineyard View Property Just Listed

2007-11-04T10:45:00.000-08:00

How about ten acres overlooking a vineyard right next door and nearby winery (Mt. Tehama Winery, www.mtwinery.com)? The well is in and the property has power and septic for a small rental currently occupied. You could watch the changing colors in the vines this time of year or run next door for a good locally grown petite sirah. Discover one of northern California's newest wine regions with three wineries bonded and more on the way. Some big trees and panoramic views make this parcel a prime property for your future dream house. Whether you are a retiree or an investor, you will find that this property has wonderful potential. Just listed at $174,500. Call me for a private tour at 415-246-4429 or set up an appointment for a showing by e-mail, mantonland@frontiernet.net. It's not my listing, but since I live next door I am probably more familiar with it than the listing agent. Learn more about Manton or me as your potential agent by visiting my website at www.mantonproperty.com.

Giant Salmon Flying Through the Air

2007-10-19T14:33:00.000-07:00

Fall is certainly a glorious time of year in Manton, California. Most of the grapes have been harvested in local vineyards, the annual Apple Festival has just concluded, and the acorns are falling from golden black oaks. Perhaps the most dramatic of all annual events is now occuring in Battle Creek, the return of the Fall run Chinook salmon. After four years in the Pacific Ocean, these magnificent creatures have magically returned to their birthplace, somehow negotiating many hazards from the Golden Gate Bridge to the northern Sacramento River. The Coleman National Fish Hatchery on lower Battle Creek, near Cottonwood, is the place where their lives will end, but not without revealing a heroic passion to continue their race. You may have watched shows on the Discovery channel with stunning footage of bears wading into mighty Alaskan rivers to catch the returning salmon. A similar scene, minus the bears, is now on view right here in northern California. It is truly thrilling to see these fish, some 25 to 35 pounds in size, hurtle themselves up the creek and into the hatchery fish ladder. Saturday, October 20th marks the "Return of the Salmon" celebration. For more info, go to www.fws.gov/redbluff/coleman . Check out the area on my website: www.mantonproperty.com