We woke Friday morning and all scurried about to make sure the house was clean for the next arrival. We were surprised to see that it started to rain just before we packed the cars. It wasn't a heavy rain but enough to get us wet if we stayed out too long. After everything was in the cars, it not only slowed down but eventually stopped. Just as we drove off, we could see a spot of blue in the sky south of us. The rest of the day had good weather.
Other than the beauty of the forest there aren't many historic stops until Auburn. At the intersection of route 50 we made a left and went about a mile, followed the signs and arrived at the Gold Bug Mine. This was an actual working mine many years ago and is now set up for visitors to actually walk inside and learn about it. There was also a stamp mill on premises. For so little money, it was well worth the cost and our time. We all learned something.
Back in the car and off we went back on 49 south. It is so interesting how the scenery changes as the altitude changes. Because we had a later than expected start, we missed visiting the Moaning caves and the live historic town of Columbia. I have been there many decades ago when you could actually drive down the street of the historic town. About 15 years ago when our family visited, the town was closed to drive through. All of the shops were open and the towns people actually dressed in the old dress of the time period when gold was found. We stopped anyway and walked on the old boardwalks to a family saloon that was still open. Most of the other shops had steel doors preventing us to look in. One day we will come back on a 4-day weekend.
After we ate our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, we were all back in the cars and off again. It was now nearing the sunset and the hills were beautiful. We were so blessed to drive at this time of night. When it was time to go through the barren and usually hot land, it was dark except for the full moon and cooler. We stopped at one of our favorite places to eat a real dinner. That's Applebee's for those who don't know us.
It was a long drive after this. We had decided to go all the way home instead of stopping at another motel. My angels kept me going, fer sure! We arrived home at my house at 3:30 am. (Steve and family still had to drive to Nipomo, ten minutes away) After we unpacked the car, I got into my pj's and was out, asleep, dead to the world.
Saturday I did my best to sleep in. I did very little Saturday as well as today. Although I have tried to catch up on everything, I've only managed to read and respond to my emails, go through my mail, eat, and only put away any food we had. My receipts are still on desk waiting for me to enter them into my finance program. And my bag is still packed! I am going slow but the trip was worth feeling like I do.
Our friend had gathered our mail from our post office boxes for the past two weeks. That was one of the reasons Steve stopped here first before going home. He picked up all of his mail. Well, Steve came over this morning to exchange a piece of mail that wasn't his. He said something that I had also felt. He said that he had stayed up for quite some time when he got home. He cleaned out old clothing and organized his desk area. I too came back feeling that life was too short to live with unnecessary items in my life. I can't explain it but it was as if this trip was an epiphany for some of us. It truly was an adventure. Go out and make your own!
It has been interesting in the challenge to blog, but worth it.
C
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