Checking in from Northern California!

Redding is a media heavy town. I am sure you have already been briefed on how your face will be on TV and have your name in the paper a lot, often by a hostile reporter asking loaded no-win questions (but you knew that when you took the job!). Probably also been cautioned about your personal social media presence. As a member of the management team everything you say or do as a private individual can impact the Forest Service and thus your career.

When it warms up you can add Ahjumawi State Park to your list. Accessible by boat only as it is surrounded by private land on three sides. Short paddle to one of the campsites. With all this water I expect the 1000 lakes Wilderness and Caribou to be mosquito nightmares until after the first few Fall frosts. Lots of caving in the area. Lava Beds NM has the largest concentration in the area, but lava tubes are all over the place. Even the most detailed topo map shows only a fraction of them. I seem to find a new one every year or so in my wanderings off trail. Subway Cave on Lassen NF is all touristed up with stairs and interpretive signs. Lassen NP is considered by some to be among the best day hike Parks around, but you can string together some easy 2-3 day loops. One of my faves is Butte Lake to Cinder Cone. The last 1/3 mile is a real grind -- like walking up a giant sand dune -- but the view from the top is world class.

Depending on how far south you want to wander I have other suggestions. I am in the Almanor area.

 
Eh, not so much. Media heavy for sure because the forest is so important to the community, but not nearly as intense as So Cal. And every reporter I've dealt with so far is so friendly compared to down south. And not a single loaded question so far. Most seem actually quite new to the reporter gig and ignorant about forest matters, so it's mostly been educating them! I have not been on TV and really that's not the goal of a PAO - the goal is to have the person most familiar with the topic on hand to be the face of the issue. And the public is much friendlier to the FS than NE Oregon, same with the county sups, so I'm enjoying it so far. I did talk on the radio today, but only for a few seconds because I lined up 3 others to talk who knew more about the subject than me!  

Nice! Congrats on the promotion and move! I may be passing through in September, I'll let ya know!

Greg? Sure do How have you been??

Still down in So Cal?

Tarol, you are in a beautiful area. Some summers we get over that way and if you want to get to the coast, this is a video we just did at my school that is mostly an art for the sky project but shows a lot if the Crescent City area. I'm really close to Jed Smith redwoods and you could camp here for free.

vimeo.com/215610458