California's Heartland on 4th of July

July 4, 2011, we continued our 4th of July random ride. We camped at Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area, a beautiful spot on the Sacramento River with premier birding and affordable camping for families with kids. What a shame that it is one of the State parks slated for being closed in September due to budget cuts. State parks enrich families and children, nurturing a future generation of nature enthusiasts. They provide recreation, conservation, and a strengthened economy, yet are the first to go in a climate of cutbacks. If I knew of a grass-roots effort to keep them open, I'd be the first to join and spread the word.

Near the town of Corning, the Olive Pit is an obligatory stop for olive enthusiasts like my husband. From there, we found ourselves celebrating American history on the historic Highway 99. Lunch was at The Last Stand Bar and Grill in Willows, which is the last stand-up beer bar and burger joint in the state. The rest of the afternoon was spent exploring Sacramento Valley orchards and, to my delight, birding at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (the auto tour) and the Delevan National Wildlife Refuge. Colonies of tricolored blackbirds greeted us at Delevan, which is exciting now that I'm a citizen-scientist surveyor of the species. But the truest highlight of the trip for me was stumbling upon an active osprey nest near Hamilton City. The chick was standing tall and carrying on with begging calls while its parents were undoubtedly out foraging on the Sacramento River.

For evening fireworks we settled in the all-American town of Red Bluff, the gateway between Lassen National Park and the Humboldt County coast. We had dinner at Shari's, a classic little chain diner. The Tehama District Fairgrounds hosted Motocross and fireworks, in a city-sized-small-town culture so representative of our nation. Sometimes I'm not sure which is more fun to watch -- the event or the people attending it. It was a classic 4th of July.