Chasing Clean Air

Donna Barnett's Chasing Clean Air: Three Rivers and Sequoia National Park

Check out Three Rivers and Sequoia National Park! These destinations are UP! in my favorite getaways stratosphere. And the higher you go, the cleaner the air!

IN the not too distant past, I was developing a Chasing Clean Air TV show with a local PBS station to be distributed to sister stations. While that's currently not happening, due to the recovery time needed from an accident during which time I lost my sponsor, I'll continue to share clean air beauty and favorite getaways like Three Rivers and Sequoia National Park at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.

Kaweah River

This is my first 26-minute episode shot and edited in March 2013, mostly by me - so go easy! I call it Donna Barnett's Chasing Clean Air: Three Rivers. You'll see beauty steeped in pioneer and Native American history and hear awesome original theme music by Canadian composer/singer Paul Malysa. An upbeat, hopeful climate change song.

This Chasing Clean Air episode is also available for viewing on the ValleyPBS website. ValleyPBS by You; Health & Wellness. 

Hiking Clean Air Mt. Tamalpais To West Point Inn

Wearing Sirrus backpack by Osprey

About 10 miles north of San Francisco, I hiked with a local friend to West Point Inn - a 110 year old cabin maintained for public use by volunteer inn keepers. On the upper south slope of Mt. Tamalpais in Mill Valley, the wood cabin towers above Marin County with vistas including Mt. Diablo, San Francisco skyline, Sausalito, Richmond Bridge and blue skies. Kind'a made me feel like an eagle soaring above it all.

We arrived to the West Point Inn on a rather gentle trail with a semi-steep switch back only on last 1/4 mile. Native flowers, trees, and deer were seen along the way. At one point, my friend slipped and fell on the trail because of either an untied shoelace or tree root, which I only mention to remind you to be careful where you step when hiking. And make sure your hiking boots have excellent tread!

In addition to beautiful views, we were met by friendly locals who'd brought their lunches to enjoy and this week's local inn keeper, Don.

I'm on a hiking kick, learning what my body needs on trails depending on weather, duration, and conditions. The most important gear are sturdy hiking boots, trekking poles, and the right backpack.

2014 Jazz Affair in Three Rivers, California - April 11-13, 2014 Weekend

Today the High Sierra Jazz Band hosts the annual 2014 Jazz Affair where top-rated jazz bands from coast to coast will be heard all weekend in Three Rivers, California Friday April 11, 2014- Sunday April 13, 2014.

Enjoy American jazz in the shadow of the great Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, basking in spectacular California sunlight. Above photo of yours truly hosting a Chasing Clean Air episode about Three Rivers and the nearby incredible Sequoia National Park. This TV episode should be on the ValleyPBS web site soon. Details to follow. Meanwhile, to hear my 2013 radio show on Three Rivers, including details on Jazz Affair, click here.

To learn more about this weekend's jazz festivities and line-up, click here. 

I can tell you for sure after hearing the top-rated High Sierra Jazz Band - I recommend Jazz Affair highly!

Until next time, breathe easy and make life an adventure!

To stay connected with my search for clean air & solutions to air pollution...

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Yosemite: Capture Breathtaking Nature Photos! Go Backpacking!

What an opportunity! Do you realize people travel around the world to enjoy Yosemite, which is in our backyard? Approximately 4 hours by car from both Los Angeles and San Francisco, and longer by Amtrak train combined with buses, because few things in California are direct, Yosemite is the geographic gem that inspired John Muir's conservation movement and Ansel Adams' photography.

In addition to the Ansel Adams museum and photo classes, which I enjoyed (one of my photos above!), the park is offering a new guided three-day backpacking "Yosemite Valley Rim Adventure" for $375.00. It's a great opportunity to get introduced to backpacking while enjoying iconic views and hiking trails in Yosemite.

The Yosemite Valley Rim Adventure takes backpackers on a lesser-known hiking trail that starts on the historic Big Oak Flat trail. You'll spend two nights camping on the top of El Capitan and above Yosemite Falls, which is the highest waterfall in the United States, though California's severe drought, well, you'll see if there's water! On the last day, you'll hike back into glorious Yosemite Valley.

For more information on the Yosemite Valley Rim Adventure scheduled June 6, June 13, and September 5, 2014, click here. 

I took photo during my Ansel Adam's photography class in Yosemite.

Until next time, breathe easy and make life an adventure!

To stay connected with my search for clean air & solutions to air pollution...

FACEBOOK LIKE Chasing Clean Air

Subscribe to Chasing Clean Air Twitter

Chasing Clean Air RADIO previous episodes here. TV series coming.

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Three Rivers, California - Gateway To Sequoia National Park!

Searching for clean air near the Sequoia National Park, I discovered a lovely small community at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.

Three Rivers is located in Central California, about a 4-1/2 hour drive from both Los Angeles and San Francisco, and it's adjacent to the Sequoia National Park entrance, where you'll find the world's biggest trees!

Gentle Sequoias inhale carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen about 4000 ft. above Three Rivers, which helps clean the air.

Three Rivers is alive with music, thanks to the award-winning High Sierra Jazz Band. The jazz band hosts an annual Jazz Affair in the second week of April attracting bands and tourists from around the country.

Art galleries, a historical museum, and an infectious pioneering spirit emanating from Three River's warm people round out the up-vibe of this foothill community.

Now spring wildflowers are bursting onto the scene. On mountaintops. At the side of the road. In every backyard. An artist's dream! A kaleidoscope of color!

 

Sequoia National Park

Standing at Beetle Rock in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, I'm in California's Sequoia National Park, where I fell in love.

With the gentle giants--The Giant Sequoia Trees.

The Giant Forest, named by John Muir, had one particular Sequoia that caught my eye and captured my heart. An "old man" you might say. Aged at about 2,200.

Like a fine wine, woman or man--a tree settles into magnificence the more time goes on.

Isn't this  AWESOME?! Or do you have to be next to the gentle giant to truly appreciate its magnificence? If so, please do, GO!

Walking into my favorite tree. Kind of like a woodpecker or squirrel. (I think)

Mmmm. I like a glowing red color, changing shades with passing light.

Here's what John Muir said about the glowing red grove of gentle giants that I was privileged to walk amongst.

"When I entered this sublime wilderness the day was nearly done. The trees with rosy, glowing countenances seemed to be hushed and thoughtful, as if waiting in conscious religious dependence on the sun, and one naturally walked softly and awestricken amongst them."

The air quality was excellent, for it recently rained. This area can be impacted from pollution wafting up from San Joaquin Valley. A combination of cars and trucks, wood-burning, and pesticides. The higher elevations tend to be cleaner especially in fall, winter, and spring. Summer months bring heat and ozone. More info on air quality for area can be found here.

I enjoyed a tour with Sequoia Sightseeing Tours. Our tour included the Giant Forest and world's largest by volume tree, The General Sherman. For parts of the path, we walked in snow, which was beautiful.