SeeCalifornia.com

Get Along Little Turkeys: Long time SeeCalifornia.com subscribers know nearly every Thanksgiving we post one of our favorite California turkey drive stories from historian Craig MacDonald. Miners and townspeople in Carson City, Nevada were ecstatic to get a most unique holiday gift from California in 1866–turkeys for dinner! Read about the turkey drive that brought food and joy to our neighboring state.

In contemporary times Californians hold turkey drives to raise money and provide turkey meals for others who may not be so fortunate to enjoy them otherwise. Recently Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services and KCRA 3 hosted one such event. Also Westside Food Bank in Los Angeles, KCOY on the Central Coast and countless other organizations, companies and groups have done their best to serve up a warm, hearty holiday to those in need.

While turkey dinners are on the minds of most, we received an email from a friend whose sister and husband need re-uniting after the Camp Fire in Paradise. Here’s the gofundme link to explain: https://www.gofundme.com/kathy-and-clark-paradise-fire

AAA tallies turkey drives in another manner. They say over 6.8 Californians are making a “turkey drive” as part of their travel plans this Thanksgiving. That’s a 5.1% increase over last year. Top destinations:

1. Las Vegas
2. San Diego
3. San Francisco
4. Grand Canyon
5. Anaheim

More than 54 million Americans are traveling nationwide this Thanksgiving, a 4.8% increase over last year.

Whether participating in turkey drive or turkey trot, the promise of friends, family and a welcoming meal are driving people out and about this year. If you’re one of those who hasn’t purchased an electric deep-fried turkey cooker and plan to do the outdoor adventure, check out the tips and video supplied by Big Bear City Fire Department!