Redding, California

August 14, 2013

We started the day off by visiting the Sundial Bridge here in Redding.

This is a pedestrian bridge that spans the Sacramento River,

with parkland on both sides. At one end is a huge sundial

that is incorporated into the support of the bridge with cables. The ‘floor’ of the bridge is a sort of glass block. On the ground at the end with the sundial is the arc with the times of the day and it’s pretty accurate!

From the bridge we headed to Whiskytown National Historic Site, which is part of the larger National Recreational Area. This is an area that was heavy with mining back in the 1800’s.

Part of the recreation area is Whiskytown Lake. At the end of the lake, near the dam is a concrete funnel called the Glory Hole.

We have never seen anything like it, and just looking at it gives the impression of a flying saucer floating on the water. The funnel drops straight down, 260’ before turning to go under the dam. Its purpose is to drain flood waters from the lake into the Clear River, below the dam.

Very hot here in the valley of central California, pushing 100, so we made it an early day.