UpState California: An Outdoorist’s Dream

The word “outdoorist” doesn’t appear in the dictionary and therein lies the beauty of having my own website: No rules. Especially no AP Style Rules! In early April I had the pleasure of visiting Redding, California and embarking on a weeklong adventure filled with fresh air and endless outdoor wonders, to include a load of mountain biking. The region, covering 20% of California with only about 3% of its population, was full of open road and trail and LAKE all mine for the taking.

There’s one thing that impresses me more than what a region offers in the way of outdoor adventure, the culture. And culture is made up of people; people and what they eat, drink, do and how they behave. I never in my wildest dreams imagined that I would meet such authentic, outdoorsy, friendly people as I did on this trip, and that’s why I chose the Redding article to kick off my “actually sharing my articles on my website” extravaganza. Last year, after Naomi and I summited Denali (oh, that happened) I quietly went back to work, part time, while still tending to my neurological health. There’s much to share, and it’s time I start.

Burney Falls might be the most beautiful on the “Waterfall Loop.”

This trip to Redding and the surrounding area wouldn’t have been possible without several people who straight up volunteered to hang out with me! I jive well anywhere, which I credit, in-part, to being a happa. The kind people say, “What are you?” to, not the kind where you can tell what genetic situation is going on. This wasn’t just getting along, I made friends who I can’t wait to visit. Thanks especially to Brian, Nate, Camille, Ryan, Jamie and Lexie and thanks to the Redding Trail Alliance for all that they do to make Redding the top year-round mountain biking destination in all the land!

You can read the article I wrote for The Epoch Times here. I also stopped by the Jammed Up Podcast, where we had a good, explicit time. Have a listen below.

There’s a lot more to the area than mountain biking. The region offers great road cycling, paragliding, mountaineering, skiing, fly-fishing, paddle boarding, wake boarding, hiking and equestrian activities. And good craft beer! As of now, a visit is affordable, but with the opening of some new hotels, that could change. My last plug, this time around: Lassen Volcanic National Park has all four kinds of volcanoes. For an earth science nerd like me, it’s a pretty rad attraction.

Ryan Schuppert, co-host of the “Jammed Up Podcast,” who is far more talented than me, on the “Enticer” trail. Photo by Mark Ruffell.