BALE GRISTMILL, Calistoga, CA 2013

What a great find.  This mill is AWESOME.  I'm so glad that a group of people from Napa County  stepped forward to keep this mill open.  It was one of the 70 State Parks that California decided to close.  We are open Saturday and Sundays and an occassional Tuesday when we have school tours.
On the weekend the miller actually gives a tour of the mill and gives milling demonstrations.  We sell 7 different products that are milled here.  Polenta, Cornmeal and Buckwheat, Spelt, Rye, Bread and Pastry Flours. I usally make something out of one of the products for visitors to sample and they seem to enjoy that.  I made Hot Water Cornbread for the first time.  Just cornmeal and boiling water mixed together and fry into little pancakes.....YUMMEEEEE.  The woodburning cookstove works great.  I haven't mastered the oven yet...but I'm a wiz at stove top cooking.  Dale is really enjoying
his time as the Miller's Dusty (assistant)

                                                           Mill Creek - creekbed

                                             Burnt out tree along the path to Old Bale Mill   Redwood Tree at Mill Creek