As you may or may not know (depending on whether or not you read the adjacent article,) the OC Women's Softball team is traveling down south to California on a road trip. What a deal! The players get to enjoy the sun, surf, and sights, all expenses paid by the school.
However, I feel I must inform you that they will not be going to Disneyland, Universal Studios, or Sea World. In lieu of going to boring, mundane places such as those they will instead have the thrill of visiting Redding, Marysville, Susanville, Oroville, and my personal favorite, Weed.
Now, realizing that the women will be on a rather tight schedule, it will, of course, be impossible for them to see all of the sights that these incredible tourist capitals of the world have to offer. Therefore, it's imperative that they spend their time wisely--seeing only the most thrilling and exhilarating spectacles these great cities extend to travelers. In an effort to help the team get the most out of their trip, I have taken the liberty of noting down the absolute BEST sights in these cities--the must see points of interest, that under no circumstances should be missed:
Weed, California. The team will be playing the College of the Siskiyous on March 22nd. While there, don't miss the Sis-Q-Inn Motel. Not only is it the only reputable motel in the city, but it's also the only one with toilets inside the rooms.
Redding, California. After playing Shasta College on the 23rd, you'll definitely want to check out the ever-popular Shasta Dam Visitors Center. It opens at 7:30 a.m., so you'll probably want to show up at least an hour early to avoid the crowds. Don't even bother showing up after 7:30, in fact, as mobs of people will have descended on this fantastic site by then.
Susanville, California. You'll meet up with Lassen College on the 24th, but afterwards be sure and stop by Eagle Lake, the lake that put Susanville on the map. It's the second largest natural lake in all of California that hasn't been drained and had its water shipped down south. Enjoy it while it's still there, but don't drink the water. The taste of pure, untreated, unchlorinated, nontoxic water may be too much of a shock for your body.
Marysville, California. Yuba City Community College is the team to beat here on the 25th, but once you're through rush on over to the Sutter Buttes. What is it? Well, no one is really quite sure. It's not a mountain range, and it's not a pile of rocks--it's somewhat in between. Technically, it's called a "volcanic upthrust formation." Think of it as one step above Green Mountain, and one step below a pile of gravel.
Oroville, California. I'm not sure what to advise after playing Butte Community College on the 26th. There's so many things to see and do in Oroville, it's kind of overwhelming. I mean, there's the Chinese Temple, the Historic Lott Home in Sank Park, the Feather River Hatchery, and of course the Lake Oroville Visitor Center. Hmmm . . . decisions, decisions. I'm afraid you're on your own for this one.
The Southern Division Tournament will be on April 4th-5th. Unfortunately, since I wasn't able to find out where this is going to be held, I can't make any specific travel recommendations. You might try the visitors center (all boring cities have one), or hang out at the rest areas. Otherwise, just ask some of the natives what's hot in that city.
I do hope that I have been of some help to the team. As for the other readers out there, I hope that I have not stirred up any unscrupulous people out there into trying out for the team merely for the travel benefits. After all, there's so much more to playing on a team such as this than the exciting, awe-inspiring cities one gets to travel to. At least, let's hope so.