California Here I Come... Day 7

 

August 12 was day 7 of our California Here I Come adventure.

However since we're heading back to AZ I might have

to change the title of this blog... to Heading back from CA.

As we headed for Reno it was enjoyable for me to see many

of the Mountain Peaks I had hiked during my hiking days

with the Alta Hikers.

The smoke from the Dixie Fire, which started over a month ago

near Alturas CA, has burnt over 620,000 acres 

and is the

Second largest fire in CA history. 

You'll see the smoke in most photos for the next several

days of travel.

Do you know what this hugh crane is doing?  It's

applying a mesh "screen" to the entire side hill to prohibit

rock slides (which could close I-80).

Water was still rushing in the Truckee River.   

Welcome to  Reno NV "The Biggest Little City in the World".

Our destination for this leg of the journey was Gardnerville NV.

As we headed south on bypass 580 (which skirts downtown Reno),

the smoke was still there as far as the eye could see!!!

This bald eagle statue stood tall and proud, ready for take off at

a moments notice.

Next we headed south to Gardnerville, NV.

We spent the night at the Historian Inn. 

which celebrates the rich legacy of the American frontier and offers

 a glimpse into the spirit of the West. The Historian Inn  has

 recently completed a room by room renovation to

 reflect the heritage of the past.  

Since check-in was not until 4 we had a couple of hours

 to kill, so we headed across the street to 

Sharkey's Casino for a bite to eat.

Not sure why Gardnerville Nevada is "World Famous" but

I liked the colorful painting.

And they had a great selection of antique slot machines.

on display all over the casino.

As we stepped outside, we didn't find out why Gardnerville was

"world famous", but we did learn the history of the slot machine.

(Click on photo to read the story.)

AND I did find out about "World Famous" ...

Because of its location along the route to the Esmeralda Mining 

District and Bodie (where a major gold strike in 1878 heralded 

a mining boom), Gardnerville soon came to serve as a feed stop for 

the 24-horse freight teams traveling between 

Carson City and the mining camps.

California Here I Come... Day 6

Aug 11 took us 203 miles to Colfax CA,

 

We followed Vine Hill Road from brother Glen's home to Hwy 17.

It is a was a beautiful drive thru the stunning redwoods

following a narrow winding road till we hit Hwy 17

which took us to Los Gatos, San Jose and finally to Sacramento.

The Tower Bridge is a vertical lift bridge across the 

Sacramento River, linking West Sacramento in Yolo County

 to the west, with the capital of California, Sacramento, in Sacramento 

County to the east. It has also been known as M Street Bridge.  It has

a length of 737' and a height of 161'.  Clearance below is 98'

Construction began 7/20/1934 ad it opened 12/15 2935

We followed I-80 East as we headed up into the foothills to

Colfax.  where gas prices were a little higher than AZ.

(Click on any photo for a larger view.)

Don grew up in Colfax and went to Placer High School in Auburn.  

The town is named in honor of 

U.S Vice-President Schuyler Colfax  (1869–73).

Don poses in the front yard of the family  4-plex in Colfax

where we enjoyed our visit with his brother Bill & wife Petra.

California Here I Come... Day 4 & 5

Day 4 August 9 was a yard cleanup and set up day.

Brother Glen got a lot of help with the set-up from me, Don

and cousin Gary.

And when the hard work began, 

more help arrived for the heavy lifting.  That's when

I fled the scene and photographed the

beautiful flowers growing in Glen's yard.

Of course I've forgotten the names now but 

these gorgeous blossoms loved the cool often foggy

Santa Cruz climate.

(Remember to click on any photo for an up-close and personal look.)

Early on Day 5 we headed to the local Safeway in Soquel

to stock up on beverages  while the catered food was being

delivered by Erik's Deli in Santa Cruz.

We had time to get dressed in our "good clothes" while

Jon & Jim (center) finished  the heavy lifting.

Many family & friends gathered on the patio to visit and

get caught up on each others lives.

And my 2 older brothers Roy 84,  Glen 83 and myself  82, always

pose for the sibling photo whenever we have an opportunity.

This entire gathering was to honor and 

celebrate the life of Glen's wife Ginny Young Cureton.

 

 

California Here I Come ... Day 3

This short 250 mile day took us to Santa Nella &

Santa Cruz CA

The weather cooled somewhat as we headed West

and then North on I-5

We turned west towards Santa Cruz and  drove over Pacheco Pass 

and past San Luis Reservoir, which actually still had some water.

We actually saw tree lined roads...

with cool temperatures in the low 70's all at a very low elevation!!!

And by the time we reached Watsonville, I rolled my window down to

small the cool "salt air" and enjoy light traffic.

Oops,  spoke too soon.  I was born in Santa Cruz

and visited often over the years, but   

I forgot  how heavy summer beach traffic clogged the

highway on a daily basis.

We preserved and finally arrived at my brother's hill top home

for a 2 1/2 day visit.