Graeagle World

A Wedding A-Fair to Remember

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Recently I attended one of the most well-thought-out, and quaint local wedding fairs that combined a wedding venue along with food service, party rentals, event management, massage, DJ service and cake vendors – all located in Plumas County.

Set at the historic Twenty Mile House, this venue couldn't have been any better since the weather was so agreeable on this splendid spring day. It was as if owners Kevin Gage and Karen Steele had personally ordered the warm sun with blue skies and white clouds that drifted overhead. You could even hear the soft chirp of the birds in the distance and the gentle tones of the Feather River in the background. Absolutely perfect.

As I walked around this historic venue, I saw many “would be brides” with their hand tightly clasped in their future husband’s hand, and giddy with excitement as they booked their big day. And I don’t blame them, because Twenty Mile House is simply gorgeous.

Built in 1854, it was a former stagecoach stop that is now set on a private and secluded estate with over 200-acres of riverside property that is surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains. But most notably, Twenty Mile House specializes in hosting all-exclusive eco-friendly weddings – with packages that include exclusive use of the entire estate, spacious grounds and a historic general store.

While I was at the wedding fair, I couldn’t help but think this was a one-stop wedding venue shop, since it paired nicely with some of the finest local vendors around. Through out the grounds and in the general store, vendors offered tastes of fine cuisine and custom wedding cakes. And literally on tap, the local brewery had sips of ale to sample along my fortuitous grazing of appetizers and entrees.

On more than one occasion, I popped the decadent flavors of chocolate ganache, rich vanilla cream and red velvet into my mouth. These mini cupcakes were mere tastings of the possible wedding cakes to come. I also made my way over to the silver chaffing dishes full of main entrées. I sampled local grass fed tri tip beef with marinade and drizzled with house made sauce. Took a bite of free range chicken served with tomatoes, basil, capers and Kalamata olives, and savored the curried coconut shrimp plated along side garlic mashed potatoes with jackets.

But what really struck me was the fact that these local vendors where all under one local wedding venue – it was truly brilliant.

The event almost made me want to be a bride again. Well, maybe not – pretty happy being an old married gal. But, for the up and coming bride looking for a chic, eco-friendly venue along with the ease of retaining fine wedding vendors for planning, food preparation and entertainment - this event was among the best.

I’ve listed the vendors below because I think they are worth mentioning and should be considered for your next Graeagle area wedding event or dining experience, as most of these food caterers have restaurants too.

Twenty Mile House

Mountain Cuisine

Southern Accent

Pangaea Café & Pub

The Brewing Liar

Quincy Cooking Cottage

Traci’s Sweet Surprises

Dishgrace Party Rentals

Mobile Massage Therapy

Wildsmile Entertainment

Joy Simplified – Mountain Weddings & Event Management

Spa at Plumas Pines

Camp Layman

Sierra Sky Lodge

For more information on weddings, visit our Wedding Page.

Graeagle.com Goes Mobile

Sun, 06 Jan 2013 08:00:00 GMT

If you have been a regular user of our website, and subscriber to our monthly news letter, you are probably wondering what happened to our ‘always prompt’ first of the month newsletter. Well, the truth is, we typically post our January news after the first, because of New Year’s Day. However, the extra delay to getting our news into your email inbox is because we wanted to finalize our new mobile version of our website. In other words, you can now view graeagle.com in a more compact and readable mobile format on your smart phone. Why did we do this? Well, the facts are in, and mobile is set to dominate the web this year. In fact, did you know that more people are actually purchasing mobile devices, like phones and tablets, more than desktop computers? Realizing this trend, we felt it was important for graeagle.com to lead the way into this growing frontier. Many of our visitors are coming from out of town, and typically have some type of mobile device with them. So, with the ever-increasing cellular Internet speeds now currently available in our region, we felt it was important to deliver a better experience for our mobile users. While not every part of our website is available in a mobile format (though we are working to convert the entire site to mobile compatibility), most of our essential information is now available in a mobile design. Please take a look at our site on your smartphone and let us know what you think. As always, we appreciate your feedback. Thanks for your continued support of our website!

Sixteen Years of Sharing Graeagle, California

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 08:00:00 GMT

So, here we are in our 16^th year of sharing our passion about Graeagle, California and the beautiful surrounding area, and I look back at how far we have come since the first day we decided to run with this idea. Back then; it was just a few years after the web had been opened to commerce, so nobody really understood what the World Wide Web was about. I remember telling my local clients that I had this fantastic idea to link up their businesses with our site, so other people around the world could see the magic of Graeagle. It was a bit of a hard sell, and only a few of my clients were ready to give it a go. I worked on making the pricing right and gave away a lot of my time to make sure everyone was really satisfied with his or her piece of the ‘Web’ on our site. Back then; we sold pages on our site. You could buy a single page or a multipage section on our website and not worry about paying for hosting or managing a domain. It made sense at the time, and that’s how graeagle.com began to grow as a community travel oriented website.

The industry soon changed as new technology was introduced, and soon our client’s began to understand the value of having their businesses on the Internet. We helped many of them design and develop their own websites, making sure they were still prominently featured in various sections of our site.

Within the last five years, two things have developed that have drastically changed the way people interact with our site: social media and mobile technology. We have a great Facebook Page with over 1500 fans, and we are active on Twitter, Flickr, Youtube, Tumblr and Instagram. We love to chat with our friends, post photos and answer questions about Graeagle and the general area. Almost 30% of our traffic is mobile based, and, we expect that to double this year, as devices get smaller and more powerful, making it easier for the traveler to ‘pocket’ and carry their connectivity tools during their visit to our area. Stay tuned as we add additional mobile features to our site to support this growing trend.

If you have not subscribed to our monthly newsletter, please visit our front page and add your email to the list. We don’t share or sell our list to others, and you have the ability to unsubscribe at any time. Our newsletter is a great way to keep up with everything that is happening each month in and around Graeagle.

But, even if you don’t subscribe to our newsletter, feel free to add a comment below, or on any of our social pages. Say hi, or just simply give us a thumbs-up. We really appreciate you taking the time to let us know you enjoy what we are doing here.

So, here’s to another 16 years and beyond!

Cheers!

Shopping in Graeagle is in the Bag

Sun, 30 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMT

I’m not entirely sure what the working definition of a shopaholic might be, but I probably come close to the classification when it comes to shopping the boutique stores in downtown Graeagle. I’ll admit it, there are a couple of stores, and okay maybe more than a couple, that I just can’t stay away from. And peering into the window just doesn’t cut it.

Every time I stop in, there is something that catches my eye and eventually wallet. Perhaps it’s the targeted merchandising by the boutique owners, keen buying abilities and cleaver display that keeps me coming back.

But I have to say; Briar Patch and Eco Centric are two shops that definitely know their market and deliver.

The boutique clothing line that Briar Patch features is adorable. An eclectic mix of seasonal apparel that right now consists of warm comfy sweaters, hats, scarves and handbags. Both functional and beautiful, the assortment of women’s clothes rivals that of big city boutiques. And with constant merchandise arriving in the store, “must haves” always seem to surface.

Briar Patch also carries a unique product line of sumptuous perfumes, bubble bath and lotions – contained in beautiful packaging with light floral fragrances that smell heavenly.

Two doors down, or up, depending upon the direction you’ve traveled you’ll find Eco Centric. Another one of my favorite stops, because this Earth friendly store carries some of the most amazing recycled and natural products I’ve ever found.

This is another “must stop and see what’s new today” store that I just have make an appearance on a regular basis. Aside from the fact Eco Centric carries my favorite perfume, China Rain this shop oozes fabulous eco-friendly fashion.

Case in point, the selection of Tom’s shoes Eco Centric carries. Think I’m on my fourth pair and counting now, and they even offer a men’s line of this “oh so comfortable” footware.

Again, great lotions, lip balms, soaps, body sugars, and natural care items – it goes on and on. And believe me, you’ll get hooked, because the products are that nice. Not to mention, this is one of best shops for artesian jewelry where you find those one of kind, beautiful pieces that makes for special gifts or personal treasures.

But like I said, these are just a couple of my favorite shops in town, there are so many other boutique shops that carry great merchandise. In fact, I think it warrants my next blog. Until then Graeagle….. see you in town.

Artistic Musings from Young Minds

Mon, 14 May 2012 07:00:00 GMT

It seems a bit understated, that little art gallery situated beneath the tall pines across the green in downtown Graeagle. On the roof, a large sign displays the name “Red House Art” and it has an entrance flanked by metal sculptures and a prominent free standing mobile that whirls in the wind as if to greet you.

I have to do a double-take every time I step inside this gallery because the work always exceeds my imagination. The list of artists displaying work in this gallery reminds me of the same caliber of work seen in the high-end galleries along Ocean Avenue in Carmel.

I’ve visited Red House Art Gallery many times before, but last Saturday afternoon was different. Among the impressive works normally shown in the gallery today, there was something that caught my eye. Monochromatic images, sketches and watercolors of every shape and size hung on the main wall of the gallery. These works of art, unmistakably brightly lit, front row and center, were those of our local, talented high school artists.

So graciously given the chance to be on display at the Gallery by owners Brian and Toni Carl and the local Artists Guild, this collection of work truly shined. It was the student’s day in the sun, as reporters and parents beamed with delight, myself being one of them since my daughter was a featured artist.

Artistic musings of impressionable young minds. This was a gallery exhibit that reminds us to never let go of that inner child. To allow ourselves the freedom to create. To forgo the editing process. An exhibit that marks the beginning. The beginning of the creative process that if allowed to flourish, will eventually end up gracing some of the finest gallery walls in communities that embrace the value of art.

Spring Arrives in Graeagle

Wed, 02 May 2012 07:00:00 GMT

The low hum of the riding lawn mower in the distance, crack of the golf club hitting the ball, and fairways so alive with vibrant color they command your attention as you drive past.

Yes, it is spring in Graeagle.

Everything in the air tells me so. I can feel the warmth of the sun on my face as I walk around the Graeagle Mill Pond watching the flow of fresh water as it rises to the shore line. I know that spring has left its signature every time I reach down to pick one of the hundreds of daffodils that grow wild through out the town.

It is a magical time in this community when the town slowly awakens from its winter slumber. The merchant shop owners unpack their new wares to set on the shelves, the restaurant tables begin to fill with hungry guests and the main street zooms with activity as people come and go.

For residents, it is the reward for enduring a cold winter. It is the gentle reminder of glorious warm temperatures to come. The promise to thaw. And the signal for tourists to venture out and explore Graeagle.

Now, we have officially traded in our jackets for light sweaters. The mittens, snow boots and scarves - all gone.

Yes, it is spring in Graeagle.

It is the time we all embrace the beginning of a new season in this quaint little town.

Dining Vibes in Graeagle

Wed, 02 May 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Succulent free range chicken roasted with mushrooms and capers in a parsley wine sauce. Eggs Benedict served with sautéed country potatoes, and the ever so tempting, twice baked cheesy quesadillas finished with homemade salsa.

These are just few of the many tasty temptations that are quickly populating the restaurant menus for the new season.

Why? Because as a first-rate resort town, cuisine in Graeagle is taken very seriously.

There is an impressive mix of talented chefs with pedigrees that range from the Culinary Institute of America, California Culinary Academy, to less formal accreditations like apprenticeship programs, and basic traditions lovingly passed down by generation.

The reaction for the first time diner in Graeagle is classic. Once the entree is presented it is usually met with a raised eyebrow, quickly followed with the almost inaudible mumble of “that’s really good!”

Uh huh. We already knew that.

But beyond the savory flavors of great cuisine, diners tap into the small town hospitality that could never fit onto one plate. Like red wine to a fillet, the atmosphere cultivated by the patrons enhance the experience of dining in a way that leaves a warm, memorable

feeling with every bite.

It is what small towns do best. There is a common factor among these great chefs and the “vibes” or types of atmosphere they provide diners every time they walk through the doors.

One thing is for certain, the menu selections will lure you in. Then primed and ready to eat, the clanging of the dishes will trigger hunger like the ringing of the bell for Pavlov’s dog.

Yeah, it’s that good.

But taste for yourself. Check out the Graeagle Area Dining Guide for the area’s vast selection of dining options with brief descriptions. With dining in Graeagle, breakfast, lunch and dinner never tasted so good.

Skiing at Johnsville

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

I don’t remember first learning to ski. It’s one of those things that I feel like I’ve always known how to do. But I do know where I learned , because it’s the same place I skied for the majority of my childhood: Plumas Eureka Ski Bowl at Johnsville.

I have never felt the same kind of intimacy in a ski hill as I did there. It was tiny, tucked away in the mountains above Johnsville, twenty minutes’ drive from Graeagle. From the parking lot there was nothing to be seen but trees and piles of snow, and we had to climb a steep hill on foot, hauling skis and poles in our arms and stumping stiffly along in heavy ski boots, in order to reach the lodge. But cresting that hill was like stumbling upon a hidden treasure, seeing the lodge and lifts cupped in a bowl of the mountainside, partially obscured by thick pines and firs. Johnsville was a place I could never imagine without snow. It was an integral part of that place—heaped in mountainous berms around the lodge deck and parking lot, coating the steep roofs of the old red outbuildings, forming deep wells around the trunks of trees that we could crouch inside when we played.

The ski hill at Johnsville had been built sometime during the previous century, and little seemed to have changed since then. There were only two “big” lifts, both Poma lifts, and a bunny hill served by a rope tow that was forever stopping as kids lost their grips and starting sliding backwards into each other, slowing shredding their gloves as they went. There were miles of backcountry with fresh powder for the telemark and cross-country skiers which must have been truly breathtaking, up in that empty, snowbound high country, undisturbed powder glittering under the clear blue California sky.

The lodge was the epitome of all that a ski lodge should be: a big one-story, one-room cabinlike structure built with timbers so massive, they must have come from trees that were hundreds of years old when loggers and miners first arrived in those forests a century ago. Inside it was always dark and crowded and warm, heated by the roaring fire in an enormous round stone hearth that stood in the center of the room surrounded by benches and stumps for sitting. It smelled of wood smoke and damp wool, and was always noisy with the clump of ski boots on the scored wooden floor and people’s voices raised over the roar of the fire. One thing that I remember best is that there were always people we knew at the ski hill—classmates with their families, friends of my parents, neighbors, teachers from school. Skiing at Johnsville was more than just hitting the slopes for a day, it was a chance to mingle with our community and catch up with friends.

Plumas Eureka Ski Bowl closed down about ten years ago, around the time when I started middle school. The ancient machinery of the lifts became too expensive to continually repair, and they couldn’t make ends meet anymore. Ever since then ski excursions for us have required a little more forethought and money, and a lot less community.

They still hold old-fashioned longboard races at the ski hill a few times every winter, when the lodge opens up again and people watch racers on twenty-foot long skis fly down the hill, often in period costume. But for the most part the Ski Bowl of my childhood has been a dormant memory.

There has been a movement in the community recently to reopen the hill, and a committee has been working on getting the funds to buy new chair lifts and equipment. Maybe it will be ready to open next winter, or the one after. If so, I will be among the first to show up, skis and poles on my shoulder, ready to stump my way up that hill and see the old lodge nestled beneath the trees again, buzzing with activity below me. I hope that what they restore is not just the ability to ski in our community again, but also the feeling of being among friends when we were there. I hope that we can keep it a place of closeness and intimacy, too small to be impersonal, with the feeling of history looming everywhere.

*Originally written by Kira Bohm.

Sun And Snowshoes

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Winter in the Sierras this year has been unusually dry; there has been little snow, and more days that feel like spring than like winter. This means, among other things, that a rare set of conditions has held: Gold Lake Road, which is not plowed during the winter, is still open, giving us access to hiking trails much higher up than normally, but there is (or was at Thanksgiving) still enough snow left from the early storms on those trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. So during Thanksgiving weekend my mom and I borrowed some snowshoes, loaded the dog into the car, and headed up the mountain for an afternoon in the snow.

We started at the Round Lake Trailhead, and found that the old snow, which would have been too heavy and sticky for comfortable skiing, was easy to negotiate in snowshoes. The dog had a harder time of it, but his enthusiasm was up to the challenge.

This was my first time snowshoeing, and the day was perfect. The late afternoon sun shone through the tall pines onto the snow, the high blue sky above giving us the best of what a Sierra winter can offer. It was strange to see landmarks and trails I'd hiked last summer covered in snow--I'd never been up here in winter before, when it's normally only accessible on snowmobiles. I marveled at how it all looked both new and familiar. Because of the snowshoes, we could wander over areas that, in summer, would be blocked by dense stands of manzanita bushes, meaning our route meandered over ground on which I'd never actually set foot. At one point we crested a hill to see Long Lake spread out before us, glittering blue among the black and white of snow-covered rock.

Hiking on, we crossed creeks and little open spaces that in summer would be scattered with wildflowers, buried now beneath their blanket of snow. There was no one else but us, the only sounds the crunch of snowshoes, the occasional birdcall, and the sighing of the wind in the treetops. When we spoke, our words were brief and quiet, as if we were reluctant to disturb the serenity of the mountain air.

The shadows had begun to lengthen around us when we reached Round Lake at last, three miles from the trailhead. We looked down at the partially-frozen water cupped in its bowl of stone and smiled in wonder. As we turned and pointed our snowshoes toward the trailhead to begin the return trek, I thought to myself that this might be the only time in my life that I have the privilege of seeing sights like these in late November, and I felt gladness warming my body in the chilling air.

The glow of the sun on the snow and trees turned the world to gold, and our shadows, stretching out before us, guided us toward home.

*Originally written by Kira Bohm.