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| Steve Weldon in Redwood National Park |
In late spring, I was on track to do a 4-day, 3-night backpacking trip on the Trans Catalina Trail. Disappointingly, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down that plan. Luckily, I live in a recreation wonderland and have been able to hike and backpack close to home. So far this summer, I've gone on two memorable backpacking trips -- one in the Emigrant Wilderness and another in the Hoover Wilderness. Mosquitoes and incredible scenery were plentiful! I was also able to take a bucket-list day hike: Mt. Dana in Yosemite National Park. The view at the 13,000' summit brought me to tears (and even a little press! See Guy McCarthy's article here: https://uniondemocrat.pressreader.com/@Reader13800290/csb_J-7a1dqPdaovGRW7ycr233vuHE9eCFa85jKWk8Ijro1OfSrl8uGPMyY21NJ6gxIR?fbclid=IwAR0dVn0jXZn-SpRpjvwwdl7OPRJH5chczIetB5OrwaKBTQ4avbbgn1By3RU).
Still, the Trans Catalina Trail trip was the hiking version of "the one that got away." When I learned that there was a TV show about it -- an episode of a program called "Walkin' California" -- I jumped on the chance to experience the route virtually. To my surprise, I recognized the name of the host: Steve Weldon. Steve is a Tuolumne County personality having hosted a radio show on KKBN (Twain Harte) years ago then running "Doc's Dogs" hotdog stand outside Cost-U-Less grocery and "Doc's BBQ" restaurant on Stockton Road in Sonora. It seems Steve (Doc) has retired -- to hiking and hosting at TV show! All of a sudden he was everywhere I looked, and listened. Steve's back on the radio on Monday and Tuesday mornings from 7-9am on KAAD-LP's "Gold Country Gold" show when he spins classic country records (yes, records. He's old-school!). So, I used all my wiles (meaning, I wrote to the station manager) to line up an interview. Steve was more than willing and went above and beyond what with an original song AND commitment to provide a "dividend" for $1000 donations to the radio station! I've gotta say, it's the most fun I've had with my hiking boots on in a while!
Steve says the Walkin' California website is down for maintenance but there's a work-around if you want to watch any of the episodes (there are 7: Yosemite, Redwoods, Murphys, Catalina Island, Placerville, Pismo Preserve, and Montana de Oro). Do a Google search for "Walkin' California," and the videos all come up at the top. I accessed them through the PBS source:
Trail Heads, stay safe during these days of COVID-19. Entice your immediate-household members out for a walk on hiking trails near your home and be sure to slip your mask on for close encounters with other hikers. Let's not lose anyone so we can all get out together again soon!
