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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake resident Bill Morgan took a different kind of vacation this year.
Instead of packing a suitcase and heading for the Mendocino Coast, Las Vegas or some other destination that comes to mind for a sexagenarian, the 62-year-old Morgan took a trip that would make most 20-somethings cringe: An 800-mile walk from Sonoma to San Diego along El Camino Real while visiting the California Missions.
Starting from Mission San Francisco de Solano in Sonoma in mid May, Morgan made it to Mission San Diego de Alcalá in 47 days, averaging 16 miles per day.
His path took him to 17 of the 21 old missions, following as closely as possible the same path trod by the Franciscan missionaries who founded the missions starting in 1769, seven years before the United States of America revolted against Great Britain.
“There aren’t many places where the original trail still exists,” said Morgan, “having been paved over by highways, freeways and streets in the past 244 years.”
Much of the original “King’s Highway” lies under or near Highway 101.
The story is that El Camino Real was originally a series of Indian paths. After the Americans came it was renamed Stagecoach Road, then in 1915 it was paved with concrete and named Highway 101.
There also are dozens of roads and streets named El Camino Real in cities up and down the state.
When asked how he could tell where the original road lay, Morgan explained that when lacking in historical sources he would follow the same pathfinding rules that were used by the missionaries and the soldiers who accompanied them: Follow the most level route close to water.
“The missionaries had to stay close to water sources,” Morgan explained, “to be sure of water for drinking and cooking and forage for their animals. You have to remember they were carrying tons of supplies with them: Seeds and vine cuttings, resin for incense, tools for building the missions and growing the crops and making wine. There would have been dozens of pack animals and herds of cattle and horses for the military escorts.”
Morgan, a California native who has lived in Clearlake for 11 years, says the idea for what he calls “The Walk” popped into his mind in early January and was a nearly complete concept within minutes.
“I’m retired,” he said, “and was trying to think of a way to get in shape, lose weight and do something challenging to show that I’m not done with life yet.”
He had always wanted to hike the Pacific Crest Trail or the Appalachian Trail, but recognized he was in no condition for that sort of effort.
“The idea was that I would be walking through urban or suburban areas for the most part, so I didn’t need to carry a month’s worth of food,” he said. “If I got hungry I figured I could eat at Denny’s and if I got tired I could stop at a Motel 6.”
In reality, Morgan found that a huge amount of California still looks much like it did when the missions were being established.
“I sometimes walked for hours without seeing a store or even another human being,” he said.
In his planning for the trip, Morgan was surprised and inspired by reactions from people he told about he trip. From the management at Lake Naciemento Resort to California Highway Patrol Area commanders to the sergeant major at Camp Pendleton Marine Base, people have been unfailingly helpful and supportive.
There also is a small community of self-titled peregrinos, or pilgrims, who have made the journey, and who offer help and advice to those making the trip.
There is hope that the El Camino Real may someday become the American equivalent of the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage route in northern Spain. Many of the dozen or so people who have completed the El Camino Real had also walked the Camino de Santiago.
“I’m not a religious person,” Morgan said, “but some of the experiences I had on the trip made me think that something was watching over me.”
He told of all the times strangers came to his aid, from the chemical engineer who saved the day in San Francisco, to the skateboarder in Los Gatos who seemingly appeared from nowhere and provided the encouragement Morgan needed to complete the day’s walk, to the 80-something lady who thought to herself, “That old man shouldn’t be walking in this heat” and gave him sanctuary at her RV group’s campsite.
A couple from the San Gabriel Valley whom Morgan has known for 40 years took the day off on their wedding anniversary and drove all the way to King City in southern Monterey County to surprise him with a picnic lunch.
Arriving at La Purisima Mission in Lompoc, Morgan was greeted by a State Parks ranger who inquired, “Are you Bill?” It turned out her girlfriend had been following Morgan’s blog of the journey on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bills-Camino-Real/548421088530757?ref=hl .
“Everywhere I went” Morgan said, “I was astonished at how well people treated me. Crossing an intersection with a pack on your back draws smiles from the drivers stopped at the lights. Truck and bus drivers pulled over to give me space and always returned my waves. On several occasions I was treated to a room upgrade by friendly hoteliers, in one case to a penthouse suite overlooking Doheny Beach.”
Delays caused by minor injuries combined with unusually hot weather in May and June caused Morgan to bypass two stretches of the route, but he plans to return this fall and complete the journey.
“When I walked into Fort Hunter Liggett on June 1st,” Morgan relates, “the thermometer at the main gate was reading 108° F.” That was at the end of a 24-mile uphill walk.
Ironically, the worst injury he incurred on the trip resulted from tripping while walking down a flight of stairs. He badly strained his back and, after covering 10 miles the next day had to pack it in for the next three.
And of course there were the blisters. “I had blisters on top of blisters,” Morgan laughed. “Two friends drove down from Clearlake to meet me in Pismo Beach and were aghast when they saw the bottoms of my feet. I enlisted their help to cut away the dead skin and spent three days walking barefoot on the beach.”
Morgan told his friends that, after the first hour or two of walking his feet got numb and didn’t hurt anymore.
“That really wasn’t true,” he said with a smile. “You just get to the point where the pain isn’t that important anymore and you focus on other things. I was trying to make them feel better!”
Asked why he decided to undertake such a journey, Morgan deadpans, “Well, there was nothing good on television that week,” then waits for the reaction.
Most people, he said, seem satisfied with that.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee will hold its next regular meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 4.
The committee will meet from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
Among LEDAC's agenda items are reports on a branding campaign for Lakeport and regional economic development.
Rick Gunier, broker for North Coast Wine Grapes, and Phil Smoley, broker and owner of CPS Country Air Properties, will give LEDAC informational presentations.
Updates on committee member reports and business outreach efforts include North Bay Made – Carol Cole-Lewis; Lakeport Main Street Association – Kathy Windrem; and Lake County Chamber of Commerce – Melissa Fulton.
LEDAC's Oct. 6 meeting will include a site visit to WorkForce Lake at 55 First St. and a talk by Jack Long, Lake County economic development manager. The Nov. 6 meeting will feature Debra Sommerfield, president of the Lake County Winegrape Commission.
The committee advocates for a strong and positive Lakeport business community and acts as a conduit between the city and the community for communicating the goals, activities and progress of Lakeport’s economic and business programs.
Committee members include Carol Cole-Lewis, Bill Eaton, Melissa Fulton, Barbara Johnson, George Linn, Nina Marino, Wilda Shock, Taira St. John and Mireya Turner, with ex-officio members includes Lakeport City Manager Margaret Silveira and Planning Services Manager Andrew Britton.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A report of a weapon being brandished led to five arrests Monday morning on a variety of charges.
At 9:45 a.m. Monday, Clearlake Police officers were dispatched to Trombettas Resort at 5865 Old Highway 53 on the report of a male and female subject in a small silver hatchback vehicle brandishing and threatening the reporting party with a handgun, according to a police report.
Officer Andrew Adams arrived on scene in less than one and a half minutes following the call to police and located the vehicle parked in front of a residence at the entrance to the resort, police said.
Five subjects – Jason Lord, 32; Antonio Aguirre; 40; Kindra Wertz; 26; Ignacio Montano, 32; and Kristein Feliciano, 27 – were in or standing next to the vehicle, according to police.
Once additional police officers arrived, officers began to detain the five subjects so the reported crimes could be safely investigated, police said.
After three of the subjects had been detained in handcuffs and placed in patrol vehicles, Montano fled from the vehicle and ran to the residence where police said it had been parked.
Police said three of the five officers on scene ran after Montano into the house while the other two officers remained with the vehicle which still had one occupant in it.
The officers caught Montano inside the residence and attempted to take him into custody. Montano resisted arrest and began punching the officers. After a moderate struggle Montano was arrested for resisting arrest and resisting arrest using force, according to police.
During a probation search of the residence, police said Montano was found to be in possession of approximately half an ounce of methamphetamine. Montano was additionally charged with possession of a controlled substance for sales.
Lord, the front passenger in the vehicle, was found to be on active post release community supervision out of Oakland, police said.
During the investigation it was discovered Lord had gone to a residence in the west end of Trombettas Resort in error, thinking the residence belonged to Montano, according to police. Lord went there to collect money Montano owed him for something he would not divulge.
While at this residence Lord allegedly brandished a firearm at the victim and demanded to know where Montano was, according to the police report. When the victim stated she did not know who Montano was, Lord stated he was a “Norteno” – a criminal street gang – and then allegedly threatened to kill the victim.
Police said Lord and Feliciano then left in the vehicle and ended up locating Montano’s residence at the other end of the resort as Officer Adams arrived.
Lord was found to be in possession of a loaded .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol, a quarter of an ounce of methamphetamine, packaging material and a pipe used to smoke controlled substances, according to police.
Lord was arrested for possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, convicted felon in possession of ammunition, possession of a controlled substance for sales, transportation of a controlled substance, criminal threats, brandishing a firearm, participation in criminal street gang, possession of drug paraphernalia, post release community supervision violation and being under the influence of a controlled substance while in possession of a firearm, police said.
Feliciano, the driver of the vehicle, was found to be in possession of 2 grams of methamphetamine, a pipe used to smoke controlled substances and pepper spray, police reported.
Feliciano was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, transportation of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, drug addict in possession of tear gas and possession of a loaded fireman in a vehicle, according to police.
In addition, Feliciano was charged with possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle due to the fact that she knew that Lord possessed the loaded firearm in her vehicle, Clearlake Police reported.
Police said Aguirre and Wertz were arrested for outstanding warrants.
All five subjects were transported and booked into the Lake County Jail, police said.
Anyone with information regarding the unlawful possession or sales of controlled substances or the unlawful possession of firearms can contact the Clearlake Police Department at 707-994-8251. Callers may remain anonymous.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Saturday, wine enthusiasts, community members and fairgoers blind tasted Lake County's highly acclaimed wines and cast their ballot to determine the “People's Choice” at the event's new venue this year, the Lake County Fair.
Building on the competitive and prestigious Lake County Wine Awards event that took place in July, People’s Choice participants tasted the top medal winners in each category, as determined by an elite panel of professional wine judges, and selected the following wines to receive the coveted People’s Choice Award.
People's Choice overall winners were the 2012 Langtry Sauvignon Blanc, Lillie Vineyard, for the best white wine, with best red wine going to the 2012 Steele Shooting Star Barbera.
The list of category winners follows.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE BEST OF CATEGORY WINNERS:
BEST Sauvignon Blanc (<$17): 2012 Chacewater Organic Sauvignon Blanc;
BEST Sauvignon Blanc (>$17): 2012 Langtry Sauvignon Blanc, Lillie Vineyard;
BEST Chardonnay: 2011 Wildhurst Vineyards Chardonnay;
BEST Viognier: 2012 Steele Viognier;
BEST Riesling: 2009 Gregory Graham Riesling, Roumiguiere Vineyard;
BEST Dry White: 2012 Chacewater Orange Muscat;
BEST Rosé: 2012 Steele Cabernet Franc Rosé;
BEST Zinfandel: 2010 Wildhurst Vineyards Zinfandel;
BEST Italian Red: 2011 Rosa d'Oro Vineyards Aglianico;
BEST Syrah: 2008 Gregory Graham Syrah, Crimson Hill Vineyard;
BEST Pinot Noir: 2010 Steele Shooting Star Pinot Noir;
BEST Petite Sirah: 2010 Chacewater Petite Sirah;
BEST Merlot: 2010 Wildhurst Vineyards Merlot, Plunkett Creek Series;
BEST Rhône Red: 2009 Sol Rouge Gypsy Rouge;
BEST Cabernet Sauvignon: 2010 Langtry Cabernet Sauvignon, Tephra Ridge Vineyard;
BEST Cabernet Franc: 2009 Sol Rouge Cabernet Franc;
BEST Malbec: 2011 Steele Writer’s Block Malbec;
BEST Barbera: 2012 Steele Shooting Star Barbera;
BEST Bordeaux Blend: 2010 Gregory Graham Magma Red, Snows Lake Vineyard;
BEST Tempranillo: 2010 Robledo Family Winery Tempranillo, The Seven Brothers;
BEST Proprietary Red Blend: 2012 Dalliance Red Blend;
BEST Dessert: 2009 Robledo Family Winery White Riesling, Limited Edition.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has five cats available for adoption this week.
Ranging in age from 6 months to 2 years, they will be altered and vaccinated before being sent to their new homes.
In addition to spaying or neutering, cats that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are microchipped before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets there, hoping you'll choose them.
The following cats at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (other cats pictured on the animal control Web site that are not listed here are still “on hold”).
Domestic short hair mix
This female domestic short hair mix is 6 months old.
She has a black and white coat, and has not yet been spayed.
Find her in cat room kennel No. 1c, ID No. 37540.
Dilute calico
This female domestic medium hair mix is 2 years old.
She has dilute calico coloring and blue eyes, and has been spayed.
She's in cat room kennel 6a, ID No. 37510.
Male lynx point mix
This male lynx point mix is 1 year old.
He weighs 9 pounds, has a long coat and has been neutered.
Find him in cat room kennel No. 19, ID No. 37517.
'Tigger'
“Tigger” is a 7-month-old female domestic medium hair mix.
In she has an orange and white coat, weighs nearly 6 pounds and has been spayed.
She's in cat room kennel No. 74, ID No. 37464.
'Mom'
“Mom” is a 2-year-old flame point Siamese mix.
She has a medium-length white coat and has not yet been spayed.
She's in cat room kennel No. 90, ID No. 37619.
Adoptable cats also can be seen at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Cats_and_Kittens.htm or at www.petfinder.com .
Please note: Cats listed at the shelter's Web page that are said to be “on hold” are not yet cleared for adoption.
To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
NORTH COAST, Calif. – A Cloverdale man was arrested Sunday on suspicion of setting a number of fires around Sonoma County, including one that burned near Healdsburg on Saturday afternoon.
James Novak, 28, was arrested Sunday morning after hunters near Pine Flat Road saw him setting fires and detained him, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.
Officials reported that at 3:30 p.m. Saturday the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a possible arson in the area of Dutcher Creek Road in Healdsburg.
A witness saw Novak throwing flares into a canyon off of the paved road. The witness was able to give a good vehicle description with a license plate number, the sheriff's office said.
At the time Cal Fire was in the area working several small fires believed to be caused by an arsonist. Cal Fire said the Dutcher Fire burned 21 acres before being contained Saturday evening.
Several deputies responded to the area and began looking for the suspect. They also responded to the vehicle’s registered owner’s residence on North Jefferson Street in Cloverdale but were unable to locate the vehicle or suspect, officials reported.
At 9 a.m. Sunday the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office received a call of a possible arsonist in the area of Pine Flat Road who had started at least three separate fires and was being detained by four hunters, the agency said.
The hunters were in a remote area off of Pine Flat Road when they observed a subject with a dog. They observed the subject bend down and a short time later they observed flames. The hunters responded to the area of the fire and detained a subject who told them that he was, “Doing a controlled burn,” according to the report.
The hunters detained the subject and called the sheriff’s office. Deputies arrived on scene and took the subject – identified as Novak – into custody, officials said.
Detectives were called out to conduct a followup investigation along with Cal Fire personnel, the report said.
Another arson fire that occurred on Saturday – located behind Novak's residence in Cloverdale – also is being investigated. Officials said a backpack was located in the area of that fire with Novak’s personal information in it.
The investigation is ongoing, according to sheriff's officials.