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Where's Huell (June 6-12)

June 7, 2011
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This week: Delicious pastrami, the oldest structure in Yosemite Valley, and America's first large-scale integrated hydroelectric project dating back to 1911!

Monday- June 6, 7:30: Circus Trees-Set within 600 acres of rural countryside in Gilroy, California, Bonfante Gardens Family Theme Park combines beautiful gardens, amusement rides and a little bit of history to create a unique attraction. Before the show, take a ride on the Park's Quicksilver Express.


Huell is on a special quest, however, as he searches for the Tree Circus. Bonfante Gardens is home to the last remaining trees created by an extraordinary man who literally wove Sycamores, Box Elders, Ash and Spanish Cork trees into works of art.

Tuesday- June 7, 7:30: Pastrami- Huell stops in at Langer's Deli on Alvarado Street which has been slicing up pastrami sandwiches since 1947. The he visits Johnnie's, a Culver City landmark since 1952 famous for their hot dogs, hamburgers, and of course, their pastrami! Check out this tribute to the delicious pastrami from way back when.

Wednesday- June 8, 7:30: Amador County Fair- Huell travels to Plymouth California to visit the Amador County Fair. This fair has all the great food, rides and entertainment you'd expect, but what really sets it apart is their incredible living history areas. There is a wheelwright shop, steam powered sawmill, and even a Miwok village where you can visit with members of the tribe and learn about their beliefs and traditions. Another fun event is the daily tractor parade filled with antique farm equipment chugging down the main street. Or if bluegrass music is more your thing, the Amador County Fairgrounds is also the site for the annual Bluegrassin' in the Foothills Festival.

Thursday- June 9, 7:30: Yosemite Railroad- Join Huell as he takes an exciting 4-mile railroad excursion on Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. Ride into history where powerful locomotives once hauled massive log trains through the Sierra mountains. Where mighty lumberjacks felled the timber and flumes carried lumber to the distant valley below. The Sierra National Forest's majestic woods provide the backdrop for the narrow gauge journey back in time. This old steam train is a wonderful ride into the past.
Below is a taste of some of the art and music inspired by the breathtaking back drops seen in Yosemite.

Friday- June 10, 7:30: Yosemite Buildings- When most people think of Yosemite, they imagine towering peaks and cascading waterfalls, but there is an amazing human history that is told through some of the many buildings that dot the valley floor.In this adventure, Huell discover two small buildings that are very historic and very beautiful.


He visits the Yosemite Valley Chapel, which was built in 1879 and is the oldest structure in park. The little chapel continues to serve as a place of worship for residents and visitors alike, as it has done for over 125 years Next it's off to the LeConte Memorial Lodge, a National Historic Landmark, which was built by the Sierra Club in 1903-04. The unique structure honors eminent University of California geologist Joseph LeConte, an early Director of the Sierra Club who died in the Valley in 1901. This beautiful stone structure is a real gem.

Saturday- June 11, 7:00: Ferndale- Road Trip! Join Huell and step back in time as he takes a Road Trip to Ferndale - an entire town that officially holds the distinction of being California Historic Landmark #883!
Among the many stops Huell sees some of the beautiful Victorian architecture, gets some refreshment at the westernmost bar in the continental USA, visits a historic pharmacy, a Gingerbread Mansion and meets all the wonderful people who live in the community.
After the Road Trip is over stay tuned for a bonus visit to Clendenen's Cider Works in Fortuna - home to some of the best fresh squeezed apple cider in the state!

Related: Take a virtual tour of Main Street with this comprehensive list of historic redwood storefronts or what feels like a perfect day spent in Ferndale with this fantastic video:

For additional information on Ferndale, please visit their Chamber of Commerce's website.Sunday- June 12, 7:00: Big Creek- Huell travels to the mountains above Fresno to tour "Big Creek"' which was America's first large-scale integrated hydroelectric project, begun in 1911. This massive engineering marvel consists of 23 generating units in nine powerhouses with a generating capacity of approximately 1,000 megawatts, and six major reservoirs with a storage capacity of more than 560,000 acre-feet. Not only do we get a behind the scenes tour, we'll also meet and hear some great stories from a one of the first families that worked at this remote Edison outpost. www.edison.com

Related: A vacation video of a family fishing on Millerton Lake, an aquifer that feeds part of the “Big Creek”, set to some good old country music:


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