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KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – With Mt. Konocti in the background, 10 riders and members of the Highland Springs Trails Volunteers group made their way up Dead Horse Trail at Highland Springs Recreational Area this past Saturday, April 16.
The group went to brush back the relentless growth of the chaparral, buck brush, chemise and poison oak that threatens to reclaim many of the 30 miles of equestrian and hiking trails that the Highland Springs Trails Volunteers have recovered over the past 10 years.
Chainsaws, fuel, loppers, handsaws, picks and shovels were packed in on horseback.
All of the volunteers tied their mounts to the brush and left them to munch as they headed off for the task at hand.
After several hours of sawing and lopping in the warm sun, mouths parched and stomachs grumbling, the riders made their way back down the trail, out onto Toll Road and back to the horse staging area in the Highland Springs park to enjoy a gourmet meal of hot fajitas, fresh fruit salad, chips and salsa, crackers and cheese, and homemade cookies along with chilled beverages provided by Barbara Claiche and served by other volunteers.
Revived by the fantastic food and drink, the boisterous group swapped stories, watched the dogs play, the horses graze, took a big group sigh and decided that it had been a great day with much accomplished.
Both equestrian and hikers are welcome to all trail work days. The group has members from Sierra Club, Audubon and the California Native Plant Society, as well as multiple different equestrian groups.
This past trail work day hosted a wide range of ages from teenager to senior. All efforts are made to accommodate all volunteers. These trails are kept open by community support and they need your help.
Upcoming Highland Springs Trails Volunteers events include:
Sunday, May 1: Wildflower hike sponsored by Sierra Club; email Steve Devoto at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve a space.Sunday, May 15: Highland Springs hike for those hikers who would like to learn the trails. No limit.
Saturday, May 21: Trail work day open to hikers and riders. The group is making great progress but need more helpful hands. Please RSVP so they can provide enough lunch.
Sunday, May 22: Highland Springs trail ride for those horseback riders who would like to learn the trails. Limited to 12 riders.
Saturday, June 11: Trail work day open to hikers and riders. Please RSVP so they can provide lunch.
Starting Wednesday, June 22, the group will resume its very successful Trail Work and Happy Hour. They meet for a couple of hours of evening trail work followed by a bring your favorite snack and drink potluck.
For more information, contact Karen Sullivan at
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The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. at McDonald's on Todd Road in Lakeport.
The group will meet in the meeting room at the back of the restaurant.
Bring your friends and talk about your experiences.
Chip Saucer is back and will be conducting the meeting.
Everyone is welcome – all ages from any planet.
Visit the club's Web site at http://meetup.com/lcflyingsaucerclub. Sign up on the Web site and get meeting reminders.
Call Chip for information at 707-263-3391 or email at
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“Many Americans are trying to make more environmentally conscious decisions, and that is especially at the top of their minds this week, as we near Earth Day 2011,” explained AAA Northern California spokesperson Matt Skryja. “There are a lot of things a driver can do to lessen his or her environmental impact while behind the wheel, and those things will also save them some money.”
Go easy on the pedals
The easiest and most effective way to drive “greener” is to simply change one’s driving style.
Instead of making quick starts and sudden stops, go easy on the gas and brake pedals.
If there is a red light ahead, ease off the gas and coast up to it rather than waiting until the last second to brake.
Once the light turns green, accelerate gently rather than making a “jack rabbit” start.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, aggressive driving can reduce a car’s fuel economy up to 33 percent.
Slow down
The fuel efficiency of most vehicles decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 miles per hour. Each five miles per hour driven over 60 miles per hour is like paying an additional 24 cents per gallon for gas, reports the U.S. Department of Energy.
Keep your car in shape
A car that’s not properly maintained can produce more exhaust emissions and consume more fuel than necessary.
Minor adjustments and repairs can effect emissions and fuel economy by up to four percent.
More serious problems, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can reduce gas mileage as much as 40 percent.
Choose a ‘greener’ car
When shopping for a new car, consider the wide variety of “green” vehicle options now available.
Also, if a household has more than one car, use the “greener” one for errands.\
For more tips on greener driving visit www.aaa.com/greenerdriving.
Think and plan ahead
Try to combine multiple trips into one. Several short trips starting with a cold engine each time can use twice as much gas as a single longer trip when the engine is warm.
Also, plan the route in advance to drive the fewest miles, eliminate backtracking and avoid heavy traffic times and areas.
The free AAA TripTik Mobile iPhone app can help by giving motorists turn-by-turn navigation with audible directions. In addition, the app lists daily fuel costs at gas stations near a user’s location.
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The sale will take place from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Lower Lake Historic Schoolhouse Museum, 16435 Main St. in Lower Lake.
This event will occur rain or shine.
Items are being accepted for the sale during the museum’s regular business hours, 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday.
Please, no large appliances or clothing.
For more information or to arrange for a free pick up of items, please call the museum at 707-995-3565.