We took advantage of the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend to drive up Highway 49 in search of prime real estate in the Gold Rush Country with running water, pastures and plenty of trees.
We stopped in the holy city of Oakhurst to load up on some breakfast at Pete's Place before taking the 49 north. I have the Denver omelet while Pam has the Veggie Scramble.
Located on the right at the first light as you head up north to YNP.We stopped in Mariposa to load up on some coffee.
The views in this area were spectacular at this time of year. Green all around. The roads were curvy after we hit Bear Valley. My arms and right foot got a good workout from the left and right-hand turns and applying the brakes on the downhill.
We passed through towns of Coulterville, Mocassin, Chinese Camp, Jamestown, Sonora, before stopping for a rest break to visit the Mark Twain Cabin just outside of Columbia, CA.
Mark Twain cabin (replica).
Mark Twain Bret Harte Trail sign.
Mark Twain Cabin marker.
Pam at the cabin.Then Tuttletown, Melones, Carson Hill, and then we drive through...
Angels Camp.
If you are into Mark Twain and are visiting or living in California, then you have to stop here when they have their jubilee.
Angels Camp.
Downtown Angels Camp.Then, off to San Andreas (no relation to the infamous fault line), Mokelumne Hill, Scottsville, Jackson, Martell, Sutter Hill, Drytown, Plymouth, River Pines, Aukum, Somerset, Tiger Lily, Placerville, Coloma, Pilot Hill, Cool, Auburn, and Grass Valley.
It was at Grass Valley that we decided enough was enough. We head west on Highway 20. Off in the distance it looked like smog. As we got closer to the valley, the fog was the result of the rice fields!
We stop in Yuba City and stay in a hotel room for the night. So much for roughing it! We go to Chili's next door to get in our dinner before retiring for the night. Food was pretty lousy.
Sunday, January 18, 2009:
After stopping at Raley's and Starbucks, we drive south on the dreaded 99 towards Sacramento. There is no hope for the 99 if the state and federal lawmakers decided to make the 99 an interstate freeway. Too boring a drive because it is too flat. If the 99 gets interstate status, they would have to re-do many of the exits to comply to federal regulations.
We stop at Elk Grove to cash in one of the Sport Chalet gift cards we received. We get a cast iron pot and a sports bottle. One less card to carry. Fresno desperately needs a Sports Chalet. With an REI and Herb Bauer in town, why not?
Then, Manteca for the highlight of our trip today...Bass Pro Shop. Wow! You walk in there and it is another world. To take a simple concept as a retail store and make it into a sportsman's paradise!
Quite an amazing place to shop and browse around. You want it, they probably have it. We looked at rifles, bows and crossbows mainly. Just shopping to get ready when the "you-know-what" hits the fan. With our Bass Pro Shop gift card we got a couple of sporks to replace the ones that were inadvertently thrown away at Tuolumne Meadows back in September 2008, some shirts and jewelry for Pam. Another card less to carry. Definitely worth another trip should we be given another Bass Pro Shop gift card!
Bass Pro Shop in Manteca, CA! Finally!After heading west on Highway 120, we head east. Destination Yosemite National Park via Big Oak Flat and Groveland to look at more land closer to home.
We stop for some photo opportunities of Half Dome before taking Highway 140, the Yosemite All-Year Highway, out of Yosemite National Park into Mariposa and eventually home.
Half Dome. I should have used my telephoto for this shot but we were burning daylight and anxious to get home.
The Dome in the back.
Me...After passing an "idiot" stopped in the middle of the road for no apparent reason near the tunnels, we make a right turn and head towards El Portal and Mariposa. Again, Pam and I have never been this way. Pam spotted the waterfall as we passed by, so I did a U-turn so we can stop to take a look and to take a couple of pictures.
As we drove we couldn't help but notice the sizes of the boulders that fell from the canyon walls. Would hate to have one of them land on us. Would make for a bad day.
There is a stretch of road where a bridge was constructed to bypass the massive landslide that closed this road into Yosemite National Park in June 2006 until the detour was opened in August 2006.
At the falls at Highway 140.
Me, too.
I was almost tempted to stop and spend the night in Mariposa, but we decided that since we were so close to home, why would we want to stay in a hotel in "our backyard?" We did stop to pick up a real estate brochure just south of Mariposa.
It was a fun time. We got to see a part of California's rich history. I am sure Huell Howser would agree.
Wherever I may roam...
