Chapter 18

Hawaii was the topic in Chapter 18, which is a place unlike Crescent City. Like the whole Pacific Northwest region rainfall is common in Crescent City, yet not like it is in Hawaii. Some places in Hawaii receive hundreds of inches of rain a year. Crescent City seems like a dried up lack bed to the 400+ inches/year Mount Waialeale gets.

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Mt. Waialeale (Source: http://informationcentral0.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/kauai-hawaii-mt-waialeale-and-hanalei-valley.jpg)

(source: http://thedestinationcenter.com/images/tourimages/84861000_1240272173.jpg)

The temperature reaches the the 80s in Hawaii, yet Crescent City may reach mid 70s in a heat wave. The lows for Hawaii are around the low 60s, yet Crescent City routinely reaches 20 degrees less then that during the winter.

Hawaii is known to many as paradise because its small temperature range, warm ocean waters, great surfing and the overall relaxed feel on the islands. However, many ignore the cost of living on the islands which is significantly higher then that of Crescent City. Some also seem to ignore the fact that there is a lot of rain in many parts of the beautiful state of Hawaii. Another feature of Hawaii that some find attractive and give it its paradise feel is all the volcanoes, yet there are also individuals that find this a turn off because they are scared of them.

Kilauea (Source: http://media-3.web.britannica.com/eb-media/33/91933-004-DAEEF82A.jpg)

Mauna Loa (Source:https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkwFVFUAI4TLZL4daLRzLInojq5p8QJMm2DnG3GpYjEn6ZJeeVYwjrbVkrGN9ZeWL6VaJ3CX1QRY7gO2qUFAqVAgznk5yBx7hlT8B7oRLGJCnhcLYUZ6fkSWNyScFZYYq2KkjRMPp0eSW/s1600/11.+Mauna+Loa+Volcano%252C+Hawaii.jpg)

Chapter 16

The North Pacific Coast, home of Crescent City California. This region stretches from norther California all the way up and into Alaska. If I had to pick one word to describe this region it would be "cold" or "wet" It averages 75 inches of rain a year and has very mild summers, with cool winters. Most of the rain comes in the winter time, particularly in Crescent City. Other areas of this region do experience rain in a more average amount year around in the northern in the Washington area. Snow however, is uncommon in this region south of Vancouver. The lack of snow is nice though, because there are high winds in the region especially in northern California and Oregon which would could cause white-out conditions like those seen in the mountains or Alaska if it did in fact snow regularly.

(source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/96/OlympicMountainsWashington.jpg/800px-OlympicMountainsWashington.jpg)

This region you could say is dominated with mountains and the start of this domination is with the Klamath Mountains which are those near Crescent City. These are the mountains that many of the citizens of Crescent City use as their hiking land, picnicking area and even hunting grounds. The mountains conitnue south down out side of the region known as the Pacific Northwest.

(source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bb/Rogue_River_Oregon_USA.jpg/800px-Rogue_River_Oregon_USA.jpg)

Like much of this region, Crescent City has a strong sense of hunting and gathering. Deer, salmon and berries are popular meal time foods. This also has to do with the fact that this region was the last area almost to be explored. Since in was the last region to be explored, excluding the poles, it is the region to have a influence by Europeans. Many places in our country show an influence of the people who explored them, but this influence has been there longer.

(source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/MouthSmithRiver.jpg)

Chapter 15

(source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/01/Flag_of_California.svg/800px-Flag_of_California.svg.png)

Spacious California was the topic of Chapter 15, which if by now you don't know this is where Crescent city is located. With that said, if you don't know that I do suggest you start back and my very first post and read them all again.

Moving on though, I would like to talk about the differences with Crescent City and other main areas of California; starting with the southern areas of the state. Southern California is known for its sunshine, "It never rains in southern California" is a statement made by many, but yet is not even close to the truth. Although, the amount of rain received in the southern portion of California compared to that of Crescent City is significantly less. Also in the southern portion of California, many are familiar with the desert portions. These desert portions can become extremely hot during the day, triple digits, where Crescent City does not come close to those temperatures. Many of the kids in Crescent City get excited if a day hits mid 70s (F) because it is so rare.

As you move further up the state, San Francisco/Sacramento area, you start to get somewhat closer to what life in Crescent City is like. Although the bay area is much more diverse than Crescent City, climate-wise it is similar to Crescent City due to the rain and fog. The mountain areas recieve snow, where as Crescent City is usually not cold enough for it to snow, but when it is the snow does not last long on the ground.

Snowy Mountain Road in California (source:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/Snow_on_the_mountains_of_Southern_California.jpg/800px-Snow_on_the_mountains_of_Southern_California.jpg)

Vegetation also varies between Crescent City and much of the state, redwoods are the dominating vegetation in Crescent City. Lowland southern California and eat of the Sierra Nevada-Cascade range sage, creosote bush and chaparral are the main vegetation and the high elevations have pine, fir, hemlock-fir and the great sequoia. The central valley and valleys on the coast Rnages are grassland, where as the Santa Barbara-Monterey bay and around the central valley is mixed open forests of live oak and pines. North of Monterey Bay is where the redwoods begin to tower over the land.

There are a variety of things that make each location within California unique, that is what I love most about this state. Hopefully this has given you a small look at how diverse California is and just because you may live in California, it does not necessarily mean you have experienced all California has to offer because each area of the state has something new and different then the others.

(source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e1/California_Topography-MEDIUM.png/558px-California_Topography-MEDIUM.png)

Chapter 14

Unlike the southwest boarder area discussed in chapter 14 of our text, Crescent City lacks a strong Mexican influence. Not having a strong Mexican influence has impacted the area by not having that unique cultural experience one sees when visiting the southwest area. Instead, visitors see a more traditionally view laid-back American culture.


The climate is also very different with the southwest being arid and full of sun. Yes Crescent City does have sun, but the storms that roll in from out over the ocean dominate the land. This makes Crescent City a not so good flying area, and in fact the local small airport has not changed much over the years because many people choose to fly out of other cities in the region even though they have to drive a good hour or so. It is simply a choice of going some where that is a good flying area.

One thing that the southwest does share in common with Crescent City is Native Americans. The southwest has a higher population, but it is one of the few similarities they do have. The quest for gold in each of the areas is also a common feature of them.

Chapter 13

People who live in Crescent City have a special opportunity to live a unique life of being so close to the wilderness, yet still be right by the ocean. The mountains to the east of Crescent City are filled with amazing wild life that loves to adventure down into the properties of the families living on the outskirts of the town. I grew up watch the deer eat the blueberries off the bushes in my backyard. It always upset me because I loved the blueberries and never wanted share with them. I remember nights being outside on the back porch sitting in the jacuzzi with my sisters and parents watching the bears cross the backyard. Going on hikes throughout the mountains gave opportunities to also see such wildlife. Elk were also a popular animal to see, although they were a little but further south, we would on occasion have the chance to see one stomping through.

(source: http://cloudwalker.wildriverproductions.com/wp-content/gallery/deer/crescent-city-elk-2.jpg)

Much like The Empty Interior disscussed in chapter 13 of our text, Crescent City and the area around it was "empty" not much outside trees and wild life. This said "emptiness" provides hours, days and weeks of entertainment though. From hiking, hunting, fishing, camping, and even rafting. There is never a dull moment living so close to such a gorgeous feature of our country.

Chapter 12

The great plains and prairies region of our vast country is typically described as plain and empty. It is greatly different then Crescent City just based upon its appearance. The great plains is prodonianly vast open land with many farms and open fields. Crescent City has more trees then anything, yes there is open "fields" but they would not be considered fields after someone comes from this region. The only farming that really goes on in the area is personal farming of some residents who chose to grow their own foods.

(source: http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRq-oY4sq1-MESvwc1hum7FGeDBoMmuWcKFasJCDxQHy4wtl4T6ww&t=1)

The weather on the other hand does have one similarity. Thunderstorms are all too common for Crescent City as discussed previously in my blog. Many of the residents enjoy the thunderstorms and often spend time watching the lightening and listening to the thunder roll. Sitting on the back porch in the rocking chair bundled under a blanket drinking hot chocolate while listening to the the rain and thunder and watching the sky light up is one of my fondest memories of living in Crescent City.

Unlike the great plains, Crescent City rarely ever receives snow, only once in my 9 years of living there and it last maybe an hour before melting. The winds pick up at times, but the redwoods block most of it if u are out side walking around. Along the beach the winds can be strong at times but nothing like the chinook.

Chapter 11

Chapter 11 talked about the agricultural core and I would like to take the time to talk about a family farm in Crescent City that provides to the local areas. Alexandre Family EcoDairy Farm is pasture grass based, grazing their organic cows on organic pasture all year long.  They also have organic eggs from pastured poultry, grass-fed beef and pastured pork.

(Source: http://www.ecodairyfarms.com/images/index%20Cows%20on%20grass.JPG)

The Alexandre's believe that the future of dairying in this cool coastal climate is highly conducive to sustainable organic grass and milk production. They strongly believe that cows raised on a grass fed diet and free to roam in the pasture, produce one of the most healthful foods known; milk. Pasturing cows nourish the land, recycle nutrients and reduce erosion. They do not treat their cows or feed with antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, or chemical fertilizer. Grass-fed meat is naturally high in health promoting essential fatty acids, vitamin E, vitamin C, and Beta Carotene, Cancer protecting CLA. Meat, eggs, and dairy products from pastured animals are ideal for your health and compared with commercial products, they offer you more "good" fats and fewer "bad" fats.

(Source: http://www.ecodairyfarms.com/images/Beef2a.jpg)

 The chickens that are raised on the Alexandre Family's organic dairy pastures are free-range. They eat a wide variety of plants and insects from the dairy's organic pastures and their diet is supplemented with a mixture of organic grains and minerals. 

(source: http://www.ecodairyfarms.com/images/eggs%20DSC00641.jpg)

 The Alexandre's are fourth generation dairy farmers, and their children have the opportunity to become fifth generation. They work hard to maintain their beliefs in regard to farming and how to hand the animals when it comes to raising them. They even allow students from the local schools come to tour the farm and learn about the farming techniques they use and about the animals.

(source: http://www.ecodairyfarms.com/images/Eggs.h4.jpg)