Hello and welcome to Everyday Adventures in Siskiyou!
My name is Tammy Strobel, and I’m a writer, photographer, and traveler who loves exploring Siskiyou County.
Here’s a little bit about me:
I grew up in Red Bluff, California, 100 miles south of Siskiyous’ beautiful mountains, in the Sacramento Valley. Siskiyou County was the perfect area for my family to escape the scalding heat of the valley summers and the ideal place to play in the snow during the winter. I have fond memories of swimming and camping at Lake Siskiyou as a tween, and racing down the snowy slopes of Mt. Shasta as a teenager.
As a twenty-something college student, life circumstances brought me back to Siskiyou County. I met my now husband, Logan, over 17 years ago in Chico, California, at the Madison Bear Garden, a local Chico haunt. Over two pints of beer, Logan told me about his experiences growing up on a cattle ranch in Siskiyou County. I was intrigued by his stories and eager to see the ranch.
When I visited Logan’s family home for the first time, I was awestruck by the view of Mt. Shasta and the quiet nights. As a young couple we toyed with the idea of moving to Siskiyou County, but graduate school and job opportunities took us to Davis, Sacramento, and then to Portland, Oregon.
In our early thirties, we left Portland and moved back to Siskiyou County to be near our family. My transition from city girl to country girl wasn’t smooth because I missed my friends, Portland’s big libraries, and coffee culture. However, I did fall in love with the people and places in Siskiyou County when I began going on adventures in the region; some of my experiences included long weekend hiking treks or overnight stays at local inns, and other adventures became part of my weekly routine.
Below are a few memories that come to mind:
- Drinking too many cups of Northbound Coffee and eating sweet and savory baked goods at Zephyr Books & Coffee in Yreka
- Taking an annual November hike on the Castle Dome Trail in Castle Crags State Park, followed by a burger and beer at a pub in Dunsmuir
- Hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and discovering Deadfall Lakes and Cement Bluff
- Going on a fishing excursion to Kangaroo Lake with my father-in-law, his friend, and Charlie (the cutest corgi ever)
- Attending the McCloud Mountain Bluegrass festival in Hoo Hoo Park and spending the night at the McCloud Mercantile Inn
- Falling in love with CrossFit at CrossFit Northern Limits
- Trying to eat all the food at Denny Bar in Etna
I lived in Siskiyou County full-time for five-years, and I didn’t get to see or experience everything the county has to offer.
Recently, my husband and I moved to Chico because he accepted a faculty position at California State University, Chico. My love for Siskiyou County hasn’t changed though, and I’m looking forward to visiting friends and family often and exploring the region as a local turned tourist.
What you’ll find here:
- Travel stories about my everyday adventures in Siskiyou County
- Inspiring imagery featuring all four corners of the county
- Tips on the best place to stay, what to do, where to eat, and more
In essence, this blog is a collection of field notes about my adventures in Siskiyou County, and I hope my words and photos will inspire you to visit Siskiyou, California’s north.
With gratitude,
Tammy
