There were a few pigeons near the dam spillway but they were very elusive. They just came out long enough to be noticed but not long enough to get a picture. I suspect they just wanted to show that not all city birds live in inner city parks.

Facilities include bathrooms with showers, a laundromat, general store, and boat docks (which you are allowed to fish from), all of which are handicap accessible. There is also a playground for children.

As you hike along, there are scenic stream crossings (don't worry, there are log bridges), beautiful little ponds and amazing views. Take your time to enjoy it all. The trail gets quite rocky at times, but make sure you don't just look at your feet as you hike here.

The details of this kidnapping are as surreal as the way the captor's of this horrid crime were caught. A female officer with "mother's intuition" used her instinct as a cop and mom which resulted in finally closing the chapter on the nightmare this child (now an adult) had survived through. Kidnapped by Garrido and his wife, Nancy, in 1991 from the bus stop in front of her South lake tahoe home, Jaycee, now 29, lived, along with the two children she bore her rapist, in tents on a compound like setting behind his Antioch, Calif., house for 18 years.

Some call the Brainard Lake area the four lakes region. The four lakes are: Mitchell, Blue, Long and Isabelle. The trail to Long and Isabell Lakes starts at one trailhead. (Hike report here) The trail to Mitchell and Blue Lakes starts at another trailhead. Visitors can park next to Brainard Lake and picnic and enjoy the lake.

The Lake Casitas Recreation Area is in a valley of 35 miles. The recreation area is shaped like a human made reservoir and supplies the water for Ventura county. There is absolutely no swimming, but guest are allowed to go fishing. There is a variety of fish to catch, such as bass, trout, crappie and catfish. There is a snack bar, small grocery store, boat lake and playground on the he premises. In 2006 Lake Casitas Recreation Area added two new water Adventure area and picnic grounds.

The Bay City lake recreation is located at 3582 Park Drive in Bay City. For more information, stop by the Saginaw Bay Visitor Center, located within Bay City lake recreation, or call 989-667-0717.

Where do you sit? If you are a climber then head towards the largest stone around, the Umstead Park stone (as locals call it). There you can sit like a lion basking in the sun.