The Mendocino National Forest provides a favorite launch site for hang gliders on Elk Mountain where you can fly for free! Oh, yes, there is the effort and expense of getting there. But, if you long to soar with the eagles, you don’t care. Right? Other ways to take flight in the clear blue Lake County skies include aerial tours in a biplane, glider rides, and even private flight instruction — all offerings of Solo Flight School and Lake County Biplane Tours (call 263-9920).

GUIDED TOURS — If you’d like some help getting around, from someone who knows the ins and outs, there are a number of guided tours available, serving a broad variety of interests:

Eleven Roses Ranch offers Historic Family Ranch daytrips from April through October, featuring a narrated mule-drawn wagon ride and chuck wagon barbecue with complimentary Lake County wines. Experience springtime wildflowers, warm summer evenings, or brilliant fall colors! Exclusive Lake County wine and vineyard tours are offered year-round by motor coach. All tours are by reservation only. Call 707 998-4471

The Limousine Connection in Kelseyville, AAA Classic Limousine in Lakeport, Luxury Limousine in Middletown , and Lake County Limousine Service in Lakeport all offer chauffeured trips to wineries, art galleries and studios, casinos, restaurants and concert venues. Limos are also available for special events, and catered outings may be arranged.

Lake County Walnut, Inc, has tours in cracking and harvest seasons, Oct-Feb (call 279-1200).

Calpine Corporation, operators of The Geysers, world’s largest geothermal energy source, operates a visitor center just off Hwy 29 at the southern edge of Middletown where they offer interactive geothermal displays, a gift shop, a picnic area, and tourist information. Open Thursday thru Monday, 9 am to 4 pm. (1-866-GEYSERS).

BIRDING — If you just want to look at the birds, Lake County offers Blue Heron, Egrets, Pelicans, Osprey, two varieties of Oriole, Robins, Red Hawks, Black Crows, Vultures, and nesting American Bald Eagles! Excellent locations for bird sightings include Rodman Slough (on Middle Creek where it empties into Clear Lake); Anderson Marsh State Park (Hwy 53, Lower Lake); the Cache Creek access trail to BLM lands (five miles east of Hwy 20/Hwy 53 intersection); Boggs Mountain State Forest (Hwy 175, Cobb); Borax Lake (Sulphur Bank Drive, Clearlake); Clear Lake State Park (5300 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville); Highland Springs Recreation Area (Highland Springs Road off Hwy 29 south of Lakeport); and Lakeside Community Park (Park Drive off Soda Bay Road, south of Lakeport).

HORSEBACK RIDING — Innumerable trails through nearly limitless wilderness areas provide many excellent experiences for horseback riders. The Glen Eden Trailhead into Cow Mountain Recreation Area (near the north end of Scotts Valley) is a popular starting point.

HUNTING — Most of the hunting in Lake County is in the Mendocino National Forest and wild turkeys are the most popular prize. Deer and quail are also prevalent, and there are some bear as well. Those interested in boar hunting will find an opportunity to traverse the approximate 22,000-acre property of Langtry Farms in Middletown (987-2772) with the help of an experienced guide. Hunts generally happen during the cooler months, fall through spring.

HIKING — You say you want to strap a pack on your back and “go where no man has gone before”? Well, we can’t get you quite that far out, but about 30 percent of all the land in Lake County is publicly held, so there’s lots of room to explore, and much of it can best be described as “remote.” Some of the more isolated of these are in the Cache Creek and Walker Ridge recreational areas (both in BLM’s Snow Mountain Wilderness). Trails in western Lake County’s Cow Mountain Recreation Area and in the Boggs Mountain State Forest (off Hwy 175 between Cobb and Loch Lomond on Cobb Mountain) are for the hardier hiker.

BIKING, MORE HIKING — Eleven excursion routes over a range of areas in Lake County have been selected for their unique characteristics and for the scenic, recreational and historic points of interest they encompass. The “Pathways” are rated from beginner to advanced and have been developed in a way that allows for a few minutes, a few hours, or a full day or more of exploration on each adventure. Cyclists, hikers and casual strollers will all find something to their liking. Each Pathway packet includes a map and information about the route including a designation regarding its difficulty, historic points of interest, and a description of the various views one will encounter. Pathways packets may be obtained by calling the Lake County Visitor Information Center (800 525-3743).

GOT ROCKS? — The geologic history of Lake County accounts for the abundance of two distinctive minerals — obsidian or “bottle rock” and beta quartz crystal, otherwise known as “Lake County diamonds.” Native American arrowheads made of obsidian may be found throughout Lake County, however the “diamonds” are concentrated in an area southeast of Mount Konocti. They are most easily spotted after a light rain has washed off the red soil in which they are found. Finding your way around will be easier with maps of local public lands which may be obtained from BLM (468-4000); the Mendocino National Forest office (275-2361), and the Boggs Mountain State Park office (928-5484).