Mark, I spent every summer in Nice (clear lake) growing up. My grandparents had a trailer there on the highway and sold antiques through a small shop. Just hearing about clear lake makes me nostalgic, great place for a boy to grow up... the lake and country and clean air... my brother and I would build tree forts and go fishing before dinner, then go to church on Sunday mornings. That kind of place when I was there.
However, as I got older I realized it can be a bit depressing there, maybe the whole meth scene (which is big there). It's a ton cheaper and you can get as rural as you like. Try it out, and if you love it most people stay there for the rest of their lives. Good luck!
As far as the tree work scene goes, I only know of one guy there who I worked with through Pacific Tree Care last summer. He has one truck and a chipper and seems at first sight like a renegade tree guy. No PPE and long hair, pretty clasic character. Anyway, he got up in the tree and was making perfect pruning cuts and did a great job, I loved the contrast! Check out Pacific Tree Care in Calistoga, pretty good company and might make more sense to make the commute and work in Calistoga rather than working for low wages in Lake County (which I am sure you can't make a whole lot up there, tree care isn't on the top of people's priority list I would imagine).
jp
Love you guys.
