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Written by: Editor

Published: 16 May 2008

Created: 16 May 2008

Last Updated: 16 May 2008

UPPER LAKE – Cowboy Hideaway Ranch is offering a new wine, culinary and equine vacation package in the Wine Country of Northern California.

“After a day of riding one of our gaited Rocky Mountain Horses through the beautiful California countryside, there is no better way to spend an evening than returning to the ranch for a glass of fine wine, a wonderful meal and conversing with friends,” said Cowboy Hideaway co-owner Jeff Irvine.

Guests at this unique new equestrian venue discover California’s Wine Country and its dramatic scenery while enjoying private tours and tastings of award winning wines. They ride horseback through vineyards, ancient redwood groves and glide through the ocean mist along the rugged Mendocino Coast. Guests sample wines from Napa, Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties as they traverse some of the most spectacular landscape the West Coast has to offer.

Guests at Cowboy Hideaway ride exclusively gaited Rocky Mountain Horses born and trained at Mountain Magic Ranch in Montana. These wonderful riding horses have an even temperament and an ambling four-beat gait to ensure even novice riders an effortless ride. With your horse as your companion for the week, guests experience the pleasure of these rare, beautiful animals with their strong hearts, natural endurance and smooth level ride.

Each day’s ride explores a new and different facet of the countryside. A day may begin with a vineyard ride and a talk on the viticulture of the area. One day is spent touring Ridgewood Ranch home of Seabiscuit’s miraculous recovery to win at Santa Anita with the exclusive privilege to ride the same trails as that famous stallion. One ride is on miles of beaches along the Mendocino Coast with winery stops on the way back to the Ranch and another into the quaint town of Upper Lake and lunch at the classic Blue Wing Saloon.

After riding guests have private winery tours including Jim Fetzer’s new winery Ceago del Lago and Francis Ford Coppola presents Rosso and Bianco. Guests return to the comfort, pleasure and warmth of the lodge on the 750 acre Cowboy Hideaway Ranch to savor exceptional regional cuisine. Some evenings include a private tasting or a massage while the sun casts its evening glow on Clear Lake, California’s largest natural lake. The three-story lodge offers luxury accommodations, a great room dominated by a towering stone fireplace, an enormous gourmet kitchen and a view from every window.

Guests not only have the opportunity to experience a variety of local California wine, they learn about different growing techniques, the production of different varietals and the philosophies of diverse wine makers. The different wines are paired with meals prepared with the finest of local ingredients by either the staff or perhaps a new and rising star of the culinary world.

Corkscrews and Horseshoes – need we say more?

The California Wine and Equine Tour includes:

• Three to six nights lodge accommodations and most meals.

• Two to five days of guided trail riding, winery tours and private tastings.

• Available in 2008 from April through November.

For more information contact Cowboy Hideaway, telephone 707-328-3192 or visit www.cowboyhideaway.com.

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Written by: Betty Strach

Published: 08 May 2008

Created: 07 May 2008

Last Updated: 07 May 2008

There’s no doubt that life jackets save lives. In the United States an average of nine people a day die as a result of drowning – deaths that could have been prevented.

But a life jacket or flotation device that does not fit properly can put a person at risk of drowning. Proper fit is imperative for safety on the water.

The US Coast Guard Auxiliary has a few tips to follow when choosing a life jacket.

– Choose only a U.S. Coast Guard- approved life jackets and flotation devices, and the correct size for the weight of the person. The USCG stamp of approval is required by law. Notice the size, whether it is for a child or an adult and be aware that the appropriate weight of the wearer should be listed inside the jacket. A person’s chest size and stomach size may come into play when selecting the right life jacket.

– Use the “touchdown” test to see if your life jacket fits properly: Lift your arms above your head as if calling a touchdown. The chest portion of the jacket should not touch your chin when you look left, right or over your shoulder. If the jacket passes this test, it most likely fits. If possible try it out in shallow water. The life jacket should not ride up on your body. However, ride-up may happen if your stomach is larger than your chest.

– Weigh a child and measure for chest size under the arms before shopping for a child’s life jacket. A properly fitting jacket should be snug but not tight.

– Check for proper fit of a life jacket on a child. Wearing the jacket, the child should stand normally with arms at his or her sides. Grab the jacket at the shoulders and firmly lift up. The jacket does not fit if it moves more than three inches up and down the child’s body during the test.

– Ensure a life jacket for an infant or child has a crotch strap to help keep the life jacket on, an oversized float collar to help keep the head out of the water and a grab loop for easier water rescue. All straps should be intact and fastened at all times.

So what is the safest life jacket?

In terms of risk of drowning, the safest life jacket is the one you’re willing to wear!

There are many good choices to keep safe on the water. Some of the choices are better for certain situations than others, and therefore the choices are explained in the "Think Safe" life jacket pamphlet that is sold with every US Coast Guard-approved life jacket.

By reading the pamphlet, you can understand how to safely have fun on the water. For more information about life jacket types visit www.safeboatingcampaign.net/types.htm or www.boatingsidekicks.com/lifejackets.htm.

So what about the cost? Aren’t life jackets expensive?

Just keep in mind that no one thinks about the cost when they are in the water! The value of a life jacket could be priceless.

Learn more about flotation devices, who has to wear them, why you should wear them and what other devices are available. Take the boating safety course offered by the Lake County US Coast Guard Auxiliary, May 10 and June 21.

Call Flotilla Staff Officer for Boating Education Betty Strach at 928-9811, or call 513-5122 and leave a message.

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Details

Written by: Editor

Published: 07 May 2008

Created: 07 May 2008

Last Updated: 07 May 2008

CLEAR LAKE STATE PARK – Enjoy watching the wildlife at the Clear Lake State Park this weekend.

On Saturday, May 10, park Docent Leona Butts will present Joy of Birding I in the park's auditorium from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

What is that bird? Where can I find it? Through dialogue and slides, learn about some of Lake County’s 308 species. Learn names, points of identification and where to look for them. The presentation will be followed by an open discussion.

Follow the Joy of Birding with a bird walk at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, May 11, with specialist Brad Barnwell. Meet at the Visitor Center.

There is no entrance fee into the park for visitor center programs and organized walks.

The Visitor Center museum and gift shop will be open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the summer.

Clear Lake State Park is located at 5300 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville.

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