Wolf Creek Lodge Newsletter

Adult Cohousing in Grass Valley, CA since 2012

September 2022

In August we cast aside any pretentions to good taste, healthy eating and other sophistications and visit the Nevada County Fair.

Some of our residents take the opportunity to try an EV vehicle, and Matt shares a hike he did with Kelly at Lake Spaulding.

Special thanks to Matt for the Spaulding article and photos and to Lynda for photos and to Maureen W for sharing her EV experience.

Bob Miller, editor

Susan Pollard, staff photographer

Suzanne Marriott, columnist and commas.

2 Bedroom / 2 Bath 3rd floor home “D” Style Floor Plan,1,143 sq.ft.

Square footage is approximate. 

• Large 3rd floor home with breathtaking open space and sunset views
• Cathedral ceilings
• Fully remodeled kitchen in 2021
• Leathered marble countertops, backsplash, and island with seating
• Custom hickory cabinets and light fixtures
• Full-size stainless steel appliances included
• Oak Hardwood floors throughout
• Custom pantry shelving system to maximize storage
• Custom closet storage system in master bedroom
• Private back deck
• Ceiling fans and central air conditioning keep you cool on warm days
• Retractable screen doors in front and rear provide great air circulation
• End unit with large windows and skylight fills home with natural light
• In-floor radiant heating
• WiFi, water, heat, trash, use of common facilities included in HOA dues
• Level 2 electric vehicle charger
• Attic storage
• Premium underground parking and storage space

Sale price $630,000

This is an invitation to receive purchase offers for this unit at Wolf Creek Lodge. To schedule a viewing, email info@wolfcreeklodge.org or phone us at (800) 558-3775.

Nevada County Fair

Less than two miles from Wolf Creek Lodge you find the Nevada County Fairgrounds. A regular venue for many outdoor concerts, festivals, and the annual five-day Nevada County Fair.

The Fair offers many different experiences to the visitor.

The carnival provides scary rides to visiting youths, who for once put down their video games in favor of being propelled in circles, up, down, and upside down.

Those still connected to agriculture will visit the cows, sheep, and goats in the barns. Small kids will be somewhat amazed to discover from where their cereal milk comes.

Gentler folks will enjoy the quilts, photographs, and other arts on display.

Various non-profits and political organizations seek to get their message across to the multitudes.

Horses are much in evidence - Grass Valley is very much horse country.

Don't forget the monster trucks and the demolition derby.

Healthy eating folks must avoid "Treat Street", although we did discover one booth offering healthy food.

Members of Wolf Creek Lodge look for items submitted by members. This year Bob Branstrom entered the photographic competition.

A whole fan club of members cheered on Patricia who, after only six weeks of membership, participated in the display of clogging by the Nevada County Tommyknockers Cloggers.

Susan was there to capture the Fair in pictures.

Your editor suggested to Fair visitors that residents of planet Earth would be well advised to stop emitting carbon dioxide. We did not always get an enthusiastic response, but Smokey the Bear was immediately onboard.

The Nevada County Tommyknockers Cloggers' grand finale

Kelly and I enjoy exploring California. We especially like to hike and camp. One reason Kelly became a member of Wolf Creek Lodge was its close proximity to many trails and campgrounds in the area. 

This adventure took us to Lake Spaulding. The lake was created in 1912 for use in hydraulic mining. The lake has a surface area of 698 acres, and it is surrounded by giant rocks and a thick pine forest.

We left Wolf Creek Lodge at 8:30 am and thirty minutes later we were at the trailhead. At the start there was a 700-foot climb along a series of switchbacks. The trail meandered past swimming holes, creeks, and plenty of pine trees. This was a five mile out-and-back trip.

After arriving at the lake, we realized we were the only two people there. Kelly went for a swim; we had a snack and enjoyed the solitude. 

The trip back was easier going mostly downhill. Another short drive back home made for a perfect day trip. - Matt

Wolf Creek Lodge and the EV Revolution

As regular readers will know, we have level 2 charging stations for electric vehicles at every parking space at Wolf Creek Lodge - that's thirty in all. The stations were installed a couple of years ago by Pacific Gas and Electric. They bore the majority of the cost. This is a radical experiment by PG&E to understand what happens in Multi-Unit Dwellings when you install charging stations.

Currently at Wolf Creek Lodge we have the following electric vehicles:

• three Teslas
• a Bolt
• a Fiat 500e
• a Kia
• an ebike

We also have the following plug-in hybrids"

• a Chevrolet Volt
• a Toyota RAV4

PG&E recently offered members vouchers worth $450 to rent an electric vehicle for the weekend. Maureen rented a Kia. Here is her report.

"I rented a 2020 Kia Niro using the Turo/PG&E promotion for a free weekend EV. Pick-up and drop-off were contactless - I was sent a lockbox code a few days ahead. Knowing I wouldn't get to meet with the car owner, I asked neighbor and EV owner Steve for a charging demo. I drove to visit family in the East Bay Area and had to stop for a charge before returning the car. I used the Electrify America app to find a charging station near the drop-off location and it all went smoothly. The car was a pleasure to drive and nudged me closer to buying an EV!"

Another member rented a Tesla Model Y for a couple of days. She was joined by a Wolf Creek Lodge member who already owns a Tesla. They went on a couple of trips to explore the capabilities of the car. Perhaps we will see another Tesla at Wolf Creek Lodge.

Our experience at Wolf Creek Lodge suggests that the availability of convenient charging does not immediately persuade members to swap a gasoline powered car for an electric vehicle. However, when the gasoline car gets older and is ready to be replaced then the member may well consider an electric vehicle as a replacement.

Flower of the Month

The winner this month was "Goji Berries." Some claim these have amazing medicinal properties, but please stay fully vaccinated.

Quote of the month:

"My humble but correct opinion."

The South Yuba from The Buttermilk Trail. Geoff floats on the S. Yuba

The Nisenan People were the original inhabitants of this area, and the Tribal Families have yet to recover from the near genocide of their people during the California Gold Rush. We support the Nevada City Rancheria Tribe in their efforts to stabilize their people as well as the campaign to restore tribal sovereignty through Federal Recognition. The Nisenan lost status as a federally recognized Native American tribe when, in 1958, Congress passed the California Rancheria Termination Act. The termination was declared illegal in the 1970s, and Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan are still working towards the restoration of their federal recognition.

When you visit the Yuba, take time to honor the waters, winds, and trees of this glorious area that still sing of its original peoples and their tumultuous history.