Calendar Photo courtesy of Tim Fearington

I just wanted to remind everyone who has not ordered this gorgeous calendar that it is now available to be shipped to your mailbox!

This calendar benefits the Wildlife Center of Virginia & "Buddy". The Wildlife Center is a nonprofit group so you will be able to write off these calendars as a tax deduction too.

The story of Buddy is a heartbreaking yet heartwarming story at the same time...You can read the story and see that the funds from the calendar sales will be used for a great cause!

You can place your order via the Web. Copies of the 2011 calendar may also be ordered by telephone through the Wildlife Center of Virginia reception desk at (540) 942-9453. The Center’s front-desk is staffed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. They accept the three major credit cards - so have one ready when you call to place your order.

Turtle Bay Exploration Park

I found a great place to visit when in the Redding, California area. It is the Turtle Bay Exploration Park. The main reason for my first visit was to see the Bald Eagle nest. Liberty and Patriot are the parents of three bald eaglets again this year...but the reason for this blog is to tell you about many other wonderful things to see and do around the Exploration Park.

You will find a very unique "pedestrian" bridge appropriately named the Sundial Bridge. On the east side of the Sacramento River you will also find the McConnell Arboretum & Gardens with some very different areas.

There is also a Museum, a railroad historical exhibit, a Turtle Pond and a children's playground - plus many more things as seen on the map.

I will also suggest going early in the day if you are visiting during the summer months. It will be much cooler then. You will also be able to enjoy a cool beverage or lunch at the Cafe at Turtle Bay when it is time to get out of the sun.

PS...don't forget to stop and enjoy the turtles in the turtle pond near the river as seen in that slideshow...and here is the other slideshow of the first visit to the Eagle Nest