As the train ascended the tight curves of Bear Mountain in Santa Cruz, California, it began to sing. Harmonic tones rang out among redwood trees as the projecting edge (flange) of the train’s wheels pressed up against the inside of the rails. “This railroad has tighter curves than almost any other railroad in the country,”…

FORT BRAGG, Calif.—Along Northern California’s coast, the world-famous Skunk Train attracts visitors to Fort Bragg from near and far. A cheery man wearing glasses, blue overalls, a black T-shirt, and a black cap drives the steam train. He is Stathi Pappas, the Skunk Train’s general manager. The Skunk Train line includes five historic trains and…

A Quaker colony tries to save the giant sequoias from a timber baron. Credit: Public Domain Movies – Feature Films: Cinema collection: epochcinema.com Epoch Original content: epochoriginal.com Feature Films: www.theepochtimes.com/featured-films * Click the “Save” button below the video to access it later on “My List.” Follow EpochTV on social media: Twitter: twitter.com/EpochTVus Rumble: rumble.com/c/EpochTV Truth…

By Christopher Reynolds From Los Angeles Times You seem to be shrinking. You’re hiking through dense Northern California greenery, passing from a dirt path to an elevated walkway. And the trees are getting taller. Somewhere nearby, a bird calls and Mill Creek burbles. But those elements are only bit players in this drama. The main…

By Louis Sahagún From Los Angeles Times Los Angeles—Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz County will partially reopen to the public on July 22 for the first time since a wildfire tore through its towering ancient groves nearly two years ago. Closure of the popular summer destination was needed to hasten the recovery…

Dear James: My kids are getting older, and a backyard deck would be great. I am on a limited budget and want to build it myself but have no idea where to start. Any tips? — Maria S. Dear Maria: The addition of a deck, usually adjacent to a sliding glass door, is one of…

By Melody Gutierrez From Los Angeles Times LOS ANGELES — After the once-secret location of a famed grove of ancient redwoods in Northern California was made public, visitors flocking to see the towering trees caused significant damage looking for the off-trail behemoths. Now, a new 1,300-foot boardwalk through the Grove of Titans will give visitors…