Where's Huell? (May 23-29)
This week: Some of the largest living things in the world, everything you ever wanted to know about menudo, the 1942 air raid, and more!
Monday - May 23, 7:30pm: Trees of Mystery- The giant statue of Paul Bunyan greets visitors to this family run road-side attraction that has been open since the 1930's. Huell hops on a ski lift for a tree-top tour through the impossibly tall California Redwoods. On his travels, he comes across some well known Redwoods: the Cathedral Tree — nine trees tightly knit together through overlapping roots; and the Brotherhood Tree, which, even after losing the top 74 feet in a storm, is still one of the largest living things in the world at19 feet in diameter, 60 feet in circumference and 297 feet tall. This tree makes even Huell seem small. Today there are great efforts to preserve these forests, but in California's not-too-distant-past, Redwood logging was a far-reaching and profitable business. Here's a 1947 reel about California's booming Redwood lumber industry.
Tuesday - May 24, 7:30pm: Old Wood- Huell takes us on a time travel whirl as he introduces us to some of the oldest giants on Earth and a bridge that dates back to 1863. Here's some good ol' fashion wood working techniques to give you an idea of the skill involved.
Wednesday - May 25, 7:30pm: Alameda County Fair- Huell visits the Alameda County Fair which originated in 1859 in downtown Oakland as a Floral Fair. The first modern-day Fair in Pleasanton began in 1912, and has been held annually (with the exception of the war years) ever since. One of the main attractions of the fair that is still a highlight today is the one-mile horse racing track. Here's a sneak peak:
Thursday - May 25, 7:30pm: Menudo- Huell spends day at Juanita's, where he finds out everything you ever wanted to know about menudo (tripe soup). Huell ends the day with a nice bowl of menudo at El Rancho Mexican Restaurant in Colton. Would you like to make your own menudo? Here's a quick how to:
Friday - May 26, 7:30pm: L.A. Air Raid- Huell visits the Fort MacArthur Museum in San Pedro to relive the Great Los Angeles Air Raid of February 1942. What was really seen in the skies that evening? Here's one idea:
Saturday - May 27, 7:30pm: Chico- Huell visits Bidwell Mansion, The Orient Flume Glass Studio, the Sierra Nevada Brewery and the National Yo-Yo Museum on this road trip to Chico. How does a yo yo work exactly? And where did they come from? Let's take a look:
Sunday - May 28, 7:30pm: Aircraft carriers- California has a rich maritime history and has been at the forefront of naval warfare since the beginning. In this special one-hour adventure, Huell visits two aircraft carriers that are now museums in the waters of California. First it's off to San Diego to visit the USS Midway, which has steamed through a 47-year career of service. Next it's off to Alameda to visit the carrier USS Hornet that is a national treasure, having participated in two of the greatest events of the 20th century -- World War II and the Apollo 11 manned space mission. Here's a sample of the sights you'll see in San Diego: