At the Cabin, -June 19th

We ended up staying up later than expected, I wished Lizz a happy 21st at midnight. We finished the movie, VHS, and then all scrambled off to bed. It wasn’t too hard to fall asleep with such a long day yesterday.

I awoke several times in the morning. My eyes open as soon as the sun shines through. But this morning I chose to close them again and try to sleep a little more. Every time my eyes opened I could hear a soft bang or two. When I finally rose out of bed and did the morning thing, I saw Steve in the kitchen. He was cooking bacon, cutting potatoes with onions and those colorful bell peppers, and getting things ready for a very filling breakfast. What a treat to not have to cook! After every one meandered in and filled their bellies, I didn’t mind taking over and washing dishes. I should wear a sign, “will work for food”!

Christopher and Jeffery were in the living room watching a movie (kids), Grandma Diana was in her room with Destiny doing a puzzle, Don’t remember what Lizz and Amy was doing but before I knew it Steve and Salome were ready to take us too town for a tour. All but Diana, Jeffery, and Christopher went.

On the road was a turnoff where we got out to see an old cannon. It’s sitting on a hill facing the oncoming southbound traffic. It’s quite a historic town. They have an historic gallow still standing. It was built but only used once. The gent that got hung had a trial that lasted almost a year. I guess from 1851 when Juanita was lynched to 1854 when this man was hung laws changed.

The other lynching the museum guide told us about was for the only woman who was ever hung. Here name was Juanita. She was a… a…. a woman of the night. When sleeping one night, yes sleeping, her door was unlocked. A drunk came into her room and scared her so she stabbed him. Guess the “self defense” rule didn’t work for women because they found her guilty and hung her within a few days, but not from the gallow. Which means in 1851 they didn’t have the gallow yet. Juanita was lynched from the local bridge. Ewww, what a claim to fame for this town. But then again, it is history. And this little town is full of it, history that is. But when you read the brochure it turns out Juanita’s name was really Josefa. The man she was with was her husband. The gent she stabbed was a drunken Scottsman who broke into their home. They didn’t realize when he returned the next night it was to ask for forgiveness for breaking in and damaging their home. When she saw him that night, she was frightened and was defending her property. Because of her unusual strength for such a petite woman, the town’s people had no mercy. The town was so up in arms they actually hurt her attorney. After the quick trial, they hung her immediately from the top of the Jersey Bridge. Years later her husband filed a claim with the US government under the conventions of 1868, 1871, & 1876 between Mexico and the US. He was wanting to return to Downieville to reclaim his property, but was denied. People from all over heard about it. The London times wrote a severe article on the subject. They might not have let the husband back and received no apologies but life certainly changed. I’m glad the brochure clarified the event but that’s interesting how the museum lady had it wrong!

The town is quaint but the tourist aren’t. We walked around town and actually found a spot that Lizz’ cell phone would work. She needed to make a call but when she turned her phone on, she had several texts to wish her a happy birthday. That was a pleasant surprise for her. We caravanned around the town and then drove back to the cabin.

When we got back Jeffery had restarted the movie because he knew we liked it. We all sat around watching while Grandma Diana finished her puzzle and Salome was out on the porch preparing the fish bate.

Movie was over, tackle was ready, kids and Steve ready for a swim, and off they went through the neighbors yard to the edge of the Yuba river, about 50 feet away. We are so close to the river we hear it rushing by when ever we are quiet in the daytime or sleeping at night. How restful to wake to the greenery around, the sun light gently peeking into my window in the morning, and the sound of the water flowing by.

Steve wanted to do something special for Lizz’ birthday. Steve, Salome, Amy, Lizz and I drove into town to eat at a steakhouse Steve had been boasting about all trip long. He couldn’t wait to treat us. And Amy told us of the fabulous food she remembered when she ate there last. I am so thankful we are flexible people. We drove up to the restaurant and it looked dark inside. A waitress from the Mexican restaurant was sitting on a bench so we stopped to ask her about the steakhouse. Turns out the owner had health issues this past year and could no longer work it. Unfortunately the waitress was sitting on the bench because she was done for the day and so was the restaurant. It was 8 pm and every one rolled up their carpets and all were closed. We happen to see a sheriff and asked him about a restaurant the waitress had suggested, but it was in Sierra City about 12 miles away. He wasn’t sure if the restaurant there would be open because it is the start of the summer season and tourism isn’t busy enough for businesses to stay open after 8 pm. What a thoughtful man, he called ahead for us.

Back home to the cabin where Amy and Lizz made tacos for dinner. I am so blessed that Lizz doesn’t mind not making a big deal of her birthday. I know she would like to do something really special but she understands it doesn’t have to be on the actual date. We will do a day in Reno but during the week. The weekend is for staying close to home and not mixing with the tourists.

We watched a movie Lizz chose, “While you were sleeping”. I started to nod off but managed to hold on ‘til the end. All scattered off to bed and her birthday was over.

Today we plan on driving to Loyalton to a bazaar/farmer’s market. After we hope to find a nice restaurant to celebrate Lizz’ birthday. Steve was looking forward to the staff singing happy birthday to her. But that will be for another time, or maybe later today. I am writing this Sunday, June 20th. We’ll bring our laptops along so we can upload our blog. We type it out in word and then do the ol’ copy and paste onto the internet, when we get it.

Happy Pappy’s Day!
C