Evelyn Panning

It was a brisk 40 degrees out at 6:00 Saturday morning with folks scurrying about at Balloonfest 2008. It was fun watching the balloons spread out and then slowly inflated. I particularly liked the Humpty Dumpty Balloon.

Here are some of the photos that I took early that morning -- I've included a few of my favorites.

The children were all enthralled with the process and the adults were having a wonderful time too. All the balloons were sponsored by local businesses and individuals and balloon rides were also available for a price.

Well, it's here again, Modoc County Balloonfest 2008 is set to take off this weekend. If you've never seen one of these events, you are really missing out on quite a sight. The balloons contrasting so magnificently against a clear blue Modoc Sky -- what a sight to behold. The Alturas Chamber of Commerce organizes this event and does a great job every year. It will be a busy weekend. Here is the schedule of events.

Friday, September 12th, 6:00 pm, Balloonist and Sponsor Reception open to the public at Subway Restaurant at 12th and Main Street

Saturday, September 13th:

6:30 am: Pancake Breakfast, $5 per person at Sharp's Field, 4th & Josephine. It is amazing to see all the volunteers at work during one of these breakfasts.

Sunrise: Hot Air Balloons launch from Sharp's Field.

1:00 pm: Chili Cook Off at the Modoc High School Country Amphitheater

Dusk: Hot Air Balloon "Night Flow" at the Veteran's Memorial Park - weather permitting.

Sunday, September 14th

6:30 am, Continental Breakfast, $3 per peron

Sunrise: Enjoy the Hot Air Balloons flying to music above our community.

If you're in the area this weekend, don't miss this event. If you don't know where any of the event locations are located, don't worry, you'll probably find them driving around -- or just ask someone walking around in town. It's a friendly place and we're happy to point you in the right direction.

Acreage home site 1-2 acres and I don't want to deal with CC&Rs.

Modoc County was originally mostly agricultural and farming lands. In the 1960s there were developers who subdivided larger ranch lands which then became subdivisions like California Pines, Modoc Recreational Estates, Thoms Creek Estates, Wildlife Estates, Pit River Recreational Estates, to name a few.

Often, to get a smaller acreage property in Modoc County you'll find yourself buying in one of these "subdivisions."

What most people don't realize is that these aren't the same "planned communities" that you run into in larger, urban areas. The CC&Rs are geared towards owners getting rid of flammable materials (brush and weeds) from the property (we are a wildfire area), not trashing the property with junk and cars and road maintenance. They don't care what type of house you put on the property (manufactured, yurt, stick built, dome, etc.) as long as it complies with county building requirements. They don't care what color your window coverings are to the outside of your home (I lived in one of those once - what a pain). And, the POA fees are quite low - Only $30 per year, per lot in Modoc Recreational Estates in 2007.

To buyers seeking a smaller acreage property, don't let the terms subdivision and CC&Rs deter you from buying here in Modoc County. It isn't big city stuff here - the rules are softer and the fees are much lower.

Just had a property fall out of escrow because the buyers have no FICO scores, some derogatory credit that they have started to straighten out and no recent open tradelines with any of the 3 credit reporting agencies. The lender was going to put the buyers into an FHA Non Traditional Alternate Credit Score program. Problem: Investors who once would buy these loans in the secondary market have stopped doing so.

If you are buyer trying to obtain one of these loans, you'd better take a second look - you may be out of luck.

Modoc County is an amazing place. We have a real abundance of wildlife here and during hunting season, it is a hunters paradise. You can always tell when hunting season is about to start -- the men start to don camo clothing, get scraggily from not shaving and say things like "I'm going to go provide for my family" -- I guess it's a guy thing.

So, what will you find in Modoc County? A handful of the critters that I've seen around my home include: Pronghorn Deer, Moutain Lions, Bobcats, Coyotes, Eagles, Red Tailed Hawks, Turkey Vultures (ugly, but necessary buggers), Owls (be careful driving at night, you could run into one), ground squirrels (in the spring there is ground squirrel shooting contest -- quite a draw -- no bleeding hearts now -- there are way too many of them, and you'll hate them too if they're in your yard and you sink down to your knees into one of their tunnels), gophers, rattle snakes.

The Modoc National Wildlife Refuge, located at the western edge of the Great Basin, is home to about 250 species of birds and other wildlife. If you're ever in the area, come check it out -- it is a wonderful place. The Great Basin Canadian Geese are an awe inspiring site as they travel through the area.