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Lassen-Applegate Emigrant Trail Ride participants snake through a narrow passage in the High Rock Canyon. Participants in the Lassen-Applegate trip will follow the original wagon trail used by pioneer Peter Lassen in 1849. Photo submitted

Feather Publishing

  Wagons ho! Just imagine a sport-utility vehicle trek for the entire family that traces the same route used by 8,000 early pioneers in more than 1,500 covered wagons from 1849 to 1852 that brought a flood of immigrants to California, most of whom had the Gold Rush fever. The overland emigrant trip would take five to six months, crossing mountains, deserts, rivers and some of the most hostile country in the world.

  Owners of SUVs and other four-wheel-drive vehicles can now relive the Gold Rush era as they travel the famous Lassen-Applegate Emigrant Trail, marveling at such sights as the beautiful Black Rock Desert, the majestic High Rock Canyon, Double Hot Springs, Soldier Meadows and so much more.

  Memorial Day symbolizes the start of summer for individuals, families and their pets.

  But before pet owners start planning trips to the beach and summer getaways, they should keep in mind that it’s important to plan ahead for pet travel and always keep the best interests of their furry, four-legged friends in mind.Traveling with a pet can be a wonderful and bonding experience or a not-so-pleasant one. It’s all a matter of proper planning and preparation.

Dan McDonald

Temblor centered near Canyon Dam followed by dozens of aftershocks

  The earth moved in Plumas County, and it was felt as far away as San Francisco.

Bottles and cans lie smashed open on the floor after a 5.7 magnitude earthquake shook them off shelves into the aisles at Wally’s Peninsula Market in Lake Almanor on May 23.  Wally’s wine room was also heavily damaged by the earthquake, but employees worked through the night to clean up the mess and opened their doors early Friday morning.Photo courtesy Wally’s Peninsula Market

A 5.7 magnitude earthquake, centered near Canyon Dam, struck at 8:47 p.m. on Thursday, May 23. The temblor was followed by dozens of aftershocks, including a 4.9 jolt at 1:10 a.m. Friday.

  It was the largest earthquake to hit area in nearly 40 years.

  No injuries were reported. But the quake caused power outages, minor structural damage and rock slides and caused things to fall off of shelves.

  Plumas County Office of Emergency Services Director Jerry Sipe said up to 600 homes in the Lake Almanor area were without power for several hours.

  He added that the Lake Almanor Mutual Water Co. sustained a water main rupture, emptying the storage tank located at 600 Clifford Drive.

  Lake Almanor Country Club office manager Bea Kohfeld said the line was damaged when the earthquake hit.

  “The line from the water tank broke just before the shut-off valve and 360,000 gallons of water was emptied,” she said May 24.

  The Clifford tank is one of four that supply the Lake Almanor Peninsula.

  The tired firefighters of the Peninsula Fire Protection District were back at the 801 Golf Club Road station by 8:30 a.m. Friday morning to take a break from their night patrols.

Ellen Hollifield rides FRC Breezalita Lace during the auction portion of the 15thannual Feather River College Production Horse Sale. Lace went for $10,700, making her the top-selling horse of the sale, much to the excitement of her hardworking student trainer. Photo by Carolyn Carter

Extreme Rescue Makeover pairs needy horses with talented trainers and loving owners.

  These were Cinderella horses: unwanted, unhandledand, for the most part, unpedigreed. Their situations ranged from less than ideal to deplorable; some were days away from slaughter.

    On Sunday, May 26, these same horses and the trainers who rehabilitated them will demonstrate what a throwaway horse can do, given the chance. The first place trainer takes home a $5,000 cash prize. The winning horse, and its fellow equine competitors, graduate to forever homes — complete with love, care and very likely lots of carrots.