well off the beathen path

  Adjusting Your Water Well Pressure Gauge needs to be mounted vertically to prevent water intrusion. If it gets very cold and water freezes inside the gauge, the Bourdon tube will be damaged. This can cause it to add an extra 30 psi to all readings, which is confusing. Having the gauge upright is better to read and keeps the water out. Oh yeah, if it freezes, it's best if the plumbing is insulated with pipe wrap, or the like.  I learned these lessons the hard way. Well Cap should not be loose. The cap is a sandwich of steel plates with a rubber seal that gets squished and becomes wider, sealing itself in the well tube. It is possible for the cap on a new installation to become loose after the rubber forms to its new shape and takes a set. The fasteners on top (4 nuts on mine) should be evenly tightened. Don't over-tighten it, think valve cover gasket, not lug nuts. Bladder Tank Pre-charge needs to be set correctly. Properly pressurized bladder tank is adjusted to 2 psi belo

California Lake Destinations Record low lake levels at most reservoirs & lakes! The mega drought continues. Don't be disappointed on vacation: Lack of water at your lake destination may leave you mad this season. Know before you go. Check out the California Water Information page for more specific information. Reservoirs listed below are the lakes with the most water in California (as of June 2015). Number represents percent of capacity. WHISKEYTOWN LAKE West of Redding, CA 98% full  LEWISTON LAKE Trinity County, Weaverville, CA 94%  ANTELOPE LAKE Northern Sierra, Susanville, CA 99%  ENGLEBRIGHT LAKE Yuba Gold Co, Grass Valley, CA 95%  BULLARDS BAR Reservoir Gold Country, Grass Valley, CA 59%  ICE HOUSE Reservoir Gold Country, Placerville, CA 84%  UNION VALLEY Reservoir Gold Country, Placerville, CA 81%  LAKE TULLOCH Central Valley, Modesto, CA 96%  INDEPENDENCE LAKE High Sierra, Truckee, CA 95%  PYRAMID LAKE Los Angeles County, Gorman, CA 94% 

Destinations Map of Gold Country All old REGION maps on DESTINATIONS will slowly be replaced this summer with new, customized GoogleMaps. Showing links to small towns, sightseeing stops, hiking trailheads, dining options, cabins and camping. The destinations and links will grow over time with more being added. Sierra Nevada Foothills, Historical Gold Rush California

hite cove trail poppies and South Fork of the Merced River below a photo by Mrs Rachel on Flickr. Is it happening yet? Have you seen them? Where? Zillions of web sites and pages referencing wildflowers in California. The best imagery can be found on Flickr searches, which landed me on this incredible shot by Rachel. Total Escape covers California wildflower reporting starting in March each year.