Dear Family, Friends, and Diary,
On the road again, at least a little. The idea is a week driving through the Sierras, visiting friends mostly.
Before leaving, I surveyed the garden we would leave untended and had to notice our "second Spring". The summer heat bakes most plants into submission, especially roses, but with a few days below 100F, some brave blooms appear. Meanwhile, succulents in the shade of our red umbrella do well and the crepe myrtle blossoms thrive. I hope everyone does well in our absence.
We have eight days planned, with two nights at each of our four stops. None of our travel days will be very long, each less than 150 miles. It is our slow travel mode. On Day 1, we made it north from Fresno less than an hour, before we had to stop for breakfast in Coarsegold at the Wild Fig Kitchen, a standard of ours. After eating, we walked around the little shops, but found no western kitsch to buy. Other than the restaurant, I do wonder how these places survive.
Further along, we turned north on California Highway 49, the two-lane highway that runs through the Sierra Foothill gold country. We stopped to stretch and shop in Mariposa (I bought a puzzle), but mostly this is just an empty highway winding through ragged hills.
Scenic enough, but a bit longer than we would choose.
Our goal was Sonora and friends Nancy and Ted. A half century ago, Ted and I were at the University of Portland and we reconnected when Marianne and I returned to America a decade ago. Always fun to visit and I will try to add story and pictures tomorrow. My only shot today was of a placard marking the Mark Twain Bret Harte Trail and "Sonora, the Queen of the Southern Mines." Let's see what happened.
Sunday was a very relaxing day. The morning was spent just hanging around the Michaud home, socializing with the dogs Benji and Rascal and being entertained by the hummingbirds. They all get pictures because they are part of the family.
Otherwise, we enjoyed a patio breakfast and conversation. There can not be a better way to spend a Sunday morning.
Marianne paid our hotel and breakfast tab with two recent paintings. (Nancy and Ted have several other of Marianne's works, so we figured it was a good trade.)
For an afternoon distraction, we drove over to Murphy's, a nice drive and a tourist-friendly destination.
We started with a stop at Ironstone Vineyards. For us non-alcoholic people, the attraction was a little museum with a giant gold nugget (44 pounds, with crystal), a pleasant garden (with cute little bug), and a brows-able store.
Down in the town of Murphy's, we window shopped mostly. Almost all the buildings had a Gold Rush story, but now it's restaurants, shops, and hotels that have replaced the assay office and such. Among touristy towns, I think I like this one. (Other than the 19th Century sidewalk layout - not scooter friendly) We weren't ready to dine, don't drink, and avoided buying gee gaws, but it was pleasant.
Back home it was more conversation, although we all faded pretty early. We are all "of an age" and even pleasant, relaxing days can get past our stamina. Oh well, it was all good.
Early the next morning, I filled up the Tesla with electricity from a new, weeks-old, station. These were the larger new dispensers, with nozzles the size of old gas hoses and I think I don't like them, but having a fill-up place here in Sonora is certainly convenient. We'll have to visit again!
I used the stop to plan our trip east, over the mountains, but that's another story.
Stay tuned.
John and Marianne