Klamath Falls

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Klamath Falls was on our itinerary for the bird watching at all the various marshes and wildlife refuges. We are staying at the Runny Y Ranch. http://www.runningy.com/

We got into town in good time, checked out the visitor center to get oriented and maps. Then headed to Lower Klamath & Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuges in northern CA. Spotted a Spotted Owl fledgling sitting on a houses yard as we approached Lower Klamath NWR. They had a nice information center and a hike around a small pond...lots of birds. Then we took an auto-tour around Tule Lake. If this is what they have off-season, can only imagine during the spring/fall migration season. This should definitely be on your radar if interested in bird watching. http://www.fws.gov/refuge/tule_lake/

Adjacent to Tule Lake is Lava Beds National Monument http://www.nps.gov/labe/index.htm . Another fascinating landscape. This facility has several interests. The volcanic activity not only created the moonlike landscape, but created many caves for exploring. These caves are actually remnants of the lava tubes during the various episodes.

Then there is the evidence of the efforts of CCC during the middle to late '30s. Seems like we have run into many places where the efforts of CCC has left a legacy of infrastructure and building all over the country. Makes one pause after considering the most recent period of high unemployment.

Additionally, the area has historical importance. Known by settlers as the "Devil's Homestead," U.S. relegated the Modoc Native Americans to this area as we settled the area. The war was 1872-3...surprising to me that doesn't seem that long ago. http://www.nps.gov/labe/historyculture/index.htm

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