UP TO DOWNIEVILLE

THE NORTHERN MOTHER LODE

      Back in the gold rush days, Downieville was so tough to get to a wool shirt cost $50. The trail was so impassible the taverns in the mining camp town never had mirrors.

After gold was discovered at a north fork of the Yuba river, Major William Downie led a party up the canyon to set up a camp.

By mid 1850 some 5000 miners had made it up to the camp. It was then named for its founder. Today Downieville is  the seat of Sierra County. 

Some 300  people call Downieville home. Many of the buildings date to the Gold Rush.

The town straddles the Yuba and is at about 3000 feet in the Sierra in the area of the Tahoe National Forest.
The bridge is one lane.

The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church was built in 1858.

The steeple, visible below, is from the Protestant Church built in 1855.  It is the oldest Protestant Church in California still in use.

Like so much of the town, the school is also built on a slope.

Gold Rush era buildings, the rugged setting and raging river give Downieville a frontier feel.

About 50 miles north of Nevada City and Grass Valley, Downieville still requires a little effort to get to.
The mountain road twists and curves through pine forest and along the roaring Yuba River that once gave up gold.
Some still look for more.

See you down the trail.

THE CAPITOL UP CLOSE

"OFFICIAL" CALIFORNIANS NOW

        It's hard to figure.  I've covered major events in the US Congress, spent endless hours in the Indiana State House, have been in State Houses before as well as numerous federal buildings, but even after all these years I am still thrilled, moved even, to be in a building dedicated to the transaction of the people's business. The State House in Sacramento did it to me as well.

It is a magnificent building.  

History hides in the shadows.

You have to wonder why the behavior is not always as grand as the chambers.

The Capitol in Sacramento was constructed from 1860 to 1874 and has been well maintained.

The Capitol is bounded by a beautiful park and memorial grounds.

Silly maybe, but we feel like we really are Californians now that we have stepped into a place of history.
Coming up-Gold Country.

See you down the trail.

ROAD TRIP

THE FIRST TRIP SACRAMENTO

      As spring blooms in California, we hit the road to see new places and scenes.

      On the way to Sacramento we stop to the see the historic mission in San Juan Bautista.

 The mission was founded in June 1797.

By evening we got our first glimpse of the California Historic  Governor's Mansion

After years of covering politics and government back east and in the midwest, I wanted to see the California Statehouse.

The Capitol Grounds include a beautiful park

First impression of Sacramento-

a good one.
Coming-a closer look.

See you down the trail.

SPRING IN THE WINE COUNTRY & A BEE UPDATE

ANOTHER VINTAGE

       April brings buds.   The vineyards seem to wake while sun, earth, mineral and tending mingle to begin a wine.

        This is how it looks in the West Side of the Paso Robles 

appellation as growers assess the damage of the early April frost.

Beautiful at Pipestone

 tiny bud of a Viognier

this couple helps winemaker Jeff Pipes

Further east in the west side

The Bees are working

It was time check on the status of the colony.

(see the April 8 Post-"We've got Bees...")

 Evidence of building, and signs the queen is at work.

 As we've heard since our childhood-"busy as bees."

So far, so good for these Italian bees from Glenn California.

See you down the trail.

THE WEEKENDER :) POWER OF TIME AND TIMELESS BEAUTY

MENTAL STRETCHES

       We are sharing a couple of fascinating items today.

A little creative recreation for you.  

LINK HERE FOR A CREATIVE LOOK AT THE SECRET POWER OF TIME-REMARKS BY PHILIP ZIMBARDO AND ILLUSTRATION BY RSA ANIMATION. THIS IS A STIMULATING FEW MINUTES.

HERE IS AN EXTRAORDINARY VIRTUAL VISIT TO THE SISTINE CHAPEL IN THE VATICAN.

This technology permits you to be alone in the Sistine Chapel and view every aspect of Michelangelo's work.
Click and drag the arrow in the direction you wish to see, right, left, up, down and at your speed.
In the lower left is a + or - key to allow you to zoom in and out.
LINK HERE FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY VISIT-ALONE IN THE SISTINE CHAPEL


ENJOY.
SEE YOU DOWN THE TRAIL.