Once More Into the Breach - Day One

I again set out to conquer my "Counties Visited" list, intent on four more northern California areas, which all lay along the route of Gold Miners in the Sierras.  It was another unique trip, geologically, historically, and scenically.  I bombed down the road to gather my counties on the first day, and then used that afternoon and the next day to see some sights in person, and to hike a bit.  I really liked this section of my home state, I must admit.  I also liked that it gave me time with other people, unlike my trip up into the high desert areas on the eastern side of the Sierras, which was virtually people-less.

Back on the road again, this time heading east from Sacramento

California oaks will be a major part of this journey

Check one!

This is not the high desert, nor is it the wide central valley.

Old ruin

Check two!  I am crossing the Mokelumne River (pronounced moh-Kuh-lumnee, accent on the KUH)

Ah, California

Church in Angel's Camp

Angel's Camp

The southern end of Angel's Camp

Onwards into the hills

Approaching the New Melones Lake

Check Three!  Tuolumne County line

This is the tiniest part of the huge reservoir, I later learned, but it sure was big to me from here.

Downtown Sonora, which I will pass through for now to go get my final county line checked off.

Back out into a big valley after the small canyon-nestled Sonora

Pretty barn

Crossing the Don Pedro Reservoir

This is the Don Pedro Reservoir.  Water stored for California's needs.

Iconic view of the Hwys 120/49 split.  This road goes to Yosemite.  I'm not going that way today.

Instead, I'm going to take the car-sick road up into no-man's land on a trek with not one guardrail in sight.  Thinking of you Aunt Biddy.  Feeling just like you did.  Needed a shot of Wild Turkey after I got back down the hill.

Check Four!!!  Yahoo!  Now I can go enjoy my surroundings and clear the wooozies from my head.

Oh dear, first I have to go back down the 20 mph road

Into the big divide and down to reality again

The Don Pedro powerhouse and the road to hell.

The house that announces I'm in Chinese Camp

Main Street Chinese Camp.  Most structures are uninhabited, but there are people still living in a few of the houses.

Another picturesque but abandoned home

Jamestown is another place I'd like to return to and investigate further

I've arrived in Columbia California, a preserved town where no cars are allowed on the streets.

The way from the parking lot to the town

The Masonic display was almost a bit frightening in it's pomp-and-ceremony way, but this beacon was cool.

A bit 'o history

You can pan for gold here

Main Street

Each building has it's own display to show off inside

Here's the bowling alley

I took this because the pins are photogenic, and also in honor of sister Lucy, who would've taken a photo of these, I just know it.

The fire station (hi Jim and Casey Fewell!)

I offer this as a glimpse into my own past.  Remember when you took your film-rolls to the store to be developed?

This was a cool store, with a costumed older character behind the counter.  I'd have photo'd him, but he didn't invite such, so I didn't.

One view

The view towards the front of the store.  The clerk is behind all that stuff on the counter.

The Native Sons of the Golden West display

The Quartz Mountain Stage Coach office

The Sonora Inn-Hotel, where I stayed the night

One of the tile-framed windows

One of the various long hallways on the 2nd floor

Up the stairs, there's a skylight above, and multiple hallways where I got lost finding my room

My room (bad photo)

The deck, where I could simply step out of my room for a smoke rather than going downstairs and out onto the street

My room is the first window from the right

View of the pool from the deck

Looking at the front building from the deck

My bathtub

One more view, looking up towards the third floor and back towards the hallway where my room is.

The top of the Tuolumne County Courthouse

The white domed building invites investigation.  I'll do that tomorrow.

Had to photograph the famous church on my evening walk about town

The requisite "looking up" shot.

Loved this fabulous mansion!

Another part of it.

It's the Dentist's office (and home, I'd assume)  Lucky dog!

I totally felt like this was my store, but it wasn't open.  Dorothea's Christmas.

The comfort of a ramen bowl at the end of the day at Yoshoku.  Very very tasty!

Hope this wasn't "over-kill", because I have more to show you tomorrow!  (evil laughter?)  Perhaps you can tell that I really enjoyed this day, especially after I'd gotten Mariposa Co. under my belt.  See you in the next post!