Blog

Road Trippin’ on Route 66 in Arizona

By Rosanne McHenry | October 3, 2023
Wild burros walking in streets in Oatman, AZ

Ever since I was a little kid listening to Nat King Cole croon about how to “Get your kicks on Route 66” I longed to travel down that amazing highway, clicking off miles from California to Chicago, stopping in fascinating little towns, enjoying delectable meals in trendy little diners, and seeing the sights across America. … Read more

For the Birds

By Rosanne McHenry | March 5, 2023

Our car is getting dive-bombed with bird droppings. So is our white picket fence. Our brick walkway is covered in pink and white splats. There are birds EVERYWHERE! Why? Because our neighborhood has so many bird feeders. All kinds of bird feeders. Seed feeders. Hummingbird feeders. Large and small feeders of every conceivable variety. Auburn … Read more

Auburn’s Vintage Neighborhoods: Time Portals into the Past

By Rosanne McHenry | September 15, 2022

What is it about older neighborhoods that captivates people? Auburn is famous throughout the West for its Gold Rush history. Folks gravitate here to enjoy the hot spots and entertainment venues illustrated in tourism brochures. But, behind all the colorful shops and restaurants, the backstreets are truly beckon us to explore. The hillsides in town … Read more

Out and About at the Sierra Buttes

By Rosanne McHenry | August 15, 2022
Packer Lake Lodge

The Gold Lakes area near Sierra City, CA showcases the spectacular Sierra Buttes. These imposing volcanic monoliths tower thousands of feet above the river valleys below. Dozens of glacially-sculpted lakes surround the peaks, and streams crisscross through emerald green meadows. Autumn is a great time to be here. Visitors to the area delight in the … Read more

The Mailman

By Rosanne McHenry | June 6, 2022

When I was a kid I remember our neighborhood mailman. He used to read all our postcards and comment on every one of them. He knew all the people in the neighborhood and all about each one of us. “I see that Nancy had a great trip to New York!” he’d say to Mom and … Read more

Gettin’ Old Ain’t Fer Sissies

By Rosanne McHenry | May 9, 2022

My father used to love quoting this line. First attributed to actress Bette Davis, the phrase has been adapted and immortalized into scripts, songs, ballads, and onto countless t-shirts and ball caps. I used to laugh when my dad said this, as he complained about his various ailments. This good-natured take on aging helped him … Read more

Taking Time for Renewal

By Rosanne McHenry | March 29, 2022
Grandson, George Fleck

So much is happening in the world right now. We are in a high state of anxiety. We are all exhausted from worrying about life on every front: the war in Ukraine, wildfire danger, the rising costs of food, gas, fire insurance, and taxes. It’s getting expensive to breathe. Fear can be paralyzing. We need … Read more

Desert Dreamscape

By Rosanne McHenry | November 10, 2021
Toquima Cave Petroglyphs

Nevada is a well-kept secret. Spectacular glacial canyons, ruby-studded mountains, ancient petroglyphs, hot springs, ghost towns, big sky cowboy country, and sparkling blue alpine lakes are just a few of the surprising secrets the ‘Silver State’ holds. Most people think of Nevada as barren, open desert, with little to offer except for the big casino … Read more

Trek to Canyonlands National Park

By Rosanne McHenry | July 6, 2021
Picturesque plaza in town of Ely

My husband Vern and I decided to head out this May in our motorhome ‘Thor’ and our Jeep ‘Axle’ across the Nevada Desert on Highway 50. Aptly dubbed ‘The Loneliest Highway in America’, our favorite part is the stretch from Austin to Ely in Nevada. The road climbs over mountain passes and stretches across some … Read more