When the soldiers came home from World War II, they brought back a new perspective for a new America. Rather than continuing a rural existence, most citizens were ready for a modern lifestyle supported by technology — dams, suburbs, shopping malls, interstate highways — and all the natural resources that could be gobbled up.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is quite a mouthful of a name. Once, it was simply Big Trees.

Summer may be winding down, but we still have lots of great outdoor weather to enjoy for several more months. This means more time to spend outdoors in the garden relaxing, entertaining, and cooking on the grill.

On Sunday, Aug. 31, Scotts Valley residents Virgil and Donna Kannall will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary with an intimate dinner with their immediate family.

So far this year, my travels have taken me up the coast of California and parts north. Then I headed a bit east to explore the Sierra Nevadas.

When one thinks of the small mountain community of Brookdale, various things may come to mind such as the Brookdale Lodge, ghost stories, celebrities, or swimming holes. One thing that certainly falls to the wayside is trout.