ANGEL’S CAMP NOVEMBER 2013
Diary (in brief) of a trip from Surprise Valley to Angel’s Camp and surrounding towns.
A good, uneventful trip to Reno. Checked in. Had dinner at the buffet – it was quite surreal to remember Pam and her crazy departure. Ate too much, were both horribly uncomfortable afterwards. Actually, I just had salad and chicken and veg, so feeling so awful was undeserved. Slept well.
This morning we had our coffee, a quick breakfast at the café and headed for the highway by 9am. And what a highway!
The new one, with the gorgeous bridge, going towards Road/route? It must be one of the most Beautiful roads in the world. Its exciting to think that Lake Tahoe is just on the other side of those bleak mountains.
Mountains, 24% grade, glorious trees and buttes and rocks and valley and alpine lakes and sunshine and some snow, even and fall colours on the other side when we reached oak level. Can’t wait to get back to Murphy’s it looks so quaint and fun. Also Ironstone winery. Aso the caves and the Big Trees. What a week we have ahead of us.
Went shopping a little to get fresh fruit and veg and some Rite Aid beer and ice cream.
Boob has been a bit sore and I couldn’t help wondering when it wilL be better or if it could be the beginning of something else? I do hope not, with all my heart. I love Russ, I love it here, so much. Not ready to leave yet!! Wish I could show all this to my children. Must make dinner now. Goodnight.
November 2 2013
That was a fun day…..sales pitch in the morning, then to Sonora via Vallecita. Quite lovely winding country roads with this golden California hills and Oak Trees dotting the landscape. Sonora is picturesque, quite a few closed shops and ENDLESS traffic. Found a yarn store and got new batteries for our watches. We cross the Stanislaus River along the way, a beautiful bridge and alarmingly low waterline on the dam. Got some earrng cards for the shop at Joannes and couldn’t resist picking up some beads.
3 November 2013.
Murphy’s. It was VERY busy and a little strange. Congested streets and people everywhere, very few In the shops or carrying lots of shopping bags. Much like Pilgrims in South Africa. I think the marketing approach to tourist towns needs some serious rethinking. One can only buy so much garbage before the penny drops. We visited Ironstone winery and that was lovely. I particularly liked seeing the gorgeous garden again. Everything planted in old wine barrels. HAVE to try that approach at home. It will be much easier on my back!
Empty parking lots at Ironstone. Took some pictures I really like. Supermarket, knitting, TV, dinner. More TV. A great massage for my destroyed shoulder. I wonder what ELSE is going to turn up hurt after that silly summer.
Monday November 4 2013
Another perfect day. Slept late, had a lazy bath while Russ napped. Easy smoothie for breakfast. Then we went to the railroad museum place. Saw some astonishing pieces of equipment. Some of it rusted almost to death, but the thought of the men who built them and then managed them was quite humble making. Gorgeous trains, too. Then to Columbia and wandered around the buildings a little. Took some pictures. Bought a charm and some silver earrings. Found a marvelous soap and candle factory. Some soaps for the Cottage and bricks of beeswax for the Shop Quite thrilled with that
THEN we went to the Roaring Cave. Goodness me! The spiral staircase to the bottom of the cave is a miracle in itself. The cave, awesome in the truest sense of that word. Glorious formations, stunning statistics, unbelievable nature. Still. Again. The steps were many and steep. I felt quite nauseous coming out, but managed not to embarrass myself! We tried to find a high spot from which to watch the sunset, without success, but it was fun trying. A quick stuffed squash and kale for dinner. The end of a perfectly lovely day with my wonderful, loving, helpful, sweet, fun husband. How lucky can one girl get? Goodnight. Going to start a shadow knitting project for my shop now. Found out later that the stairs are eleven stories high!!!!
Note to self : remember my table (sugar bowl, butter dish and dressing jug) timeshares never provide the finer things…..found a gorgeous dress, a pr of khakis and a red sleeveless pullover while we were about it. Then, supermarket to get provisions for dinner with Lou and Linda tomorrow night. Brought it all back and set off or Calaveras Big Trees. It was so lovely to walk and chat in the forest and fool around with the camera and play and snog and walk some more for what seemed like hours and hours. Not another person in sight. Came home via Sheep Camp Road around sunset and ended up in the backdoor at Murphy’s. Home, folded laundry, had a sub for supper and quickly made a chard pie for tomorrow, Now watching some dome thug movie with Hugh Jackman and a robot! Sheesh. Lovely lovely day with Russ. Goodnight.
November 6 2013
Spent the morning busting around “stylng” for Lou & Linda’s visit. What a pleasant surprise! They preferred to stay here and have lunch instead of dinner – perfect decision. I feel like Linda and I have been friends for years…..food worked, spinach pie, and conversation was unstoppable. They have the same children/grandchildren heartaches we do. Who wrote this world??
7 November 2013
Today was a last day sort of a day. Went to explore that lovely dam we saw from the road. Postoffice, few supplies, dollar store, back to sheep ranch road towards San Andreas (underwhelming) and home, to watch TV and eat roast vegetables. Strange how many things we’ve watched, pertaining to California and this part of the world. Tonight was Jack London, and his farm in Sonoma County in the Valley of the Moon. To bed, to pack and drive to Reno tomorrow. Goodnight. God bless us and keep us safe.
Friday 8th November 2013
And he did. Keep us safe. Another fabulous drive over Ebbett Pass today. Lovely vista pictures, good weather, no incidents only memories and pictures to take home. Then chortled around Reno looking for this and that, dinner at Applebees and a short visit to Walmart for sweaters. After that, World Market and home to Circus Circus, our Reno home. Oh yes! And we spent some time looking at cars. Chevrolet. Car salesmen are car salesmen. Everywhere.
Got on the road bright and early the next day, stopped at Walmart for food n stuff, and into the desert and the most beautiful road on the planet. Still. After twelve years of travelling on it. Home was safe and sound and the weather was kind. We usually just make it home with a ghastly storm on our tails!
