Picks and Pans – Chico, CA

Bidwell Park offers many good reasons to spend your day outdoors — a huge natural swimming pool formed by damming the creek that runs through the park, large shady fields for lounging, picnicing or playing and miles of trail for walking, jogging or biking. We managed to spend two afternoons with fellow Reedie, now Chico State prof,  Brian taking full advantage of Bidwell Park’s bounty.

Sierra Nevada Brewing has, for some reason, decided that their delicious Pale Ale should be their only emissary from Chico the wide world beyond, but after sampling some of the 20 other varieties on tap at the brewery, I say it’s time to broaden their diplomatic mission, or at least make the bitter available in grocery stores. For now, though, if you want to try all of the Sierra Nevada brews you’ll have to go to their taproom, and, while you’re there, order some food, which is sourced locally, including the burgers made from local beef fed mainly on grain left over from the brewing process. Mmmmmm, drunk, happy California cow burger.

What could be better than a delicious Sunday brunch at a cozy locally owned cafe? Why, Sunday brunch at a cozy, locally owned cafe with mimosas that are frequently topped off by your attentive waiter, of course.

While in Chico, we also got the chance to see our friend, Alan, who has known Sean since he was about 8 years old. To celebrate the gathering of old friends, we went to Cocodine, a local Thai restaurant. Hidden beneath its strip mall facade, Cocodine serves up some spectacular Thai fare. We especially enjoyed the green curry with tofu and the chicken in peanut sauce served on a bed of broccoli.

Sean says: Thanks to a fabulously full harvest moon and Brian’s intimate knowledge of backroads and lesser used highways around Chico, we had a great opportunity for a midnight ride around Chico. Brian and I rode a ~12 mile loop through the orchards and along the Sacramento River with the bright yellow cast of the full moon lighting our way. Although I’ve driven through the various orchards near Chico numerous times on my way to and fro Reed, riding a bike by full moon is by far my preferred way to celebrate the coming of the harvest.