Marshall Pike takes us jet skiing on Shasta Lake on one hot waverunner!

A woman once said, “I love California. It’s as green as Ireland.” I responded, “You must have visited in March.” “Yes, but how did you know?” she answered.

From March through May, California’s Central Valley – particularly along its eastern foothills — is carpeted with lush, verdant grasses and wildflowers. However, the show is shortlived, turning to gold in June as grasses dry and remaining such until the following spring, but for those few months, it’s easy to imagine – as my acquaintance did – that California is always dressed in Irish green.

I spent the last couple of days in such a place… Lake Camanche, a recreational area operated by the East Bay Municipal Utilities District, approximately 50 miles southeast of Sacramento.  I’ve been there in the heat of summer and there’s little comparison to the bucolic scene to be enjoyed at this time of year. Camanche is now surrounded by undulating grass-covered hills that are forested with Valley oaks whose newborn leaves decorate dark boughs in bright yellow-green. Across these emerald pastures, black Angus steers graze in languid ecstasy likely unaware that such perfection will soon enough be desicated.

The fresh snowmelt that has filled Lake Camanche has turned the lake and its nearby neighbors (Pardee and New Hogan reservoirs), yet few anglers or boaters were out on the lake, and those that were had the idyllic scene and trout and bass to themselves. In summer, it’s a much busier place. Full body contact is allowed (jet skis, wakeboarding, towables, etc.) which attracts folks out for wet, cooling excitement.

Located between SR 88 to the north and SR 12 to the south, Lake Camanche is midway between Lodi and the Gold Country.  The lake offers tent campsites and cottages on both shores of the lake with RV hookups on the south shore, only. Onsite convenience stores and marinas and snack stands on both shores provide the basics or you can shop or dine nearby or drive 20 minutes to SR 49 for Gold Country restaurants, shops and casino action.

More about Lake Camanche is found at www.camancherecreation.com