Auburn, CA - Apr. 23 - 29, 2008
On April 23 we made the grueling 35-mile drive east to Auburn - separately. Claire was curious about what it was like traveling in the motorcoach, so she rode shotgun with Bill while Susan drove Claire's car.
Auburn Gold Country RV Park is located in the rolling hills north of Auburn, just off Highway 49. It is a quiet park set among oak and pine trees, and within walking distance to shopping and a very pleasant county park. Unfortunately, the owners did not renew their lease and this park is scheduled to close in fall 2008.
The primary reason for our stay in Auburn was to torture Susan. And, the poor, demented girl actually paid to be tortured. We have had the motorcoach for a year and Susan had only driven the Beast about two miles - two totally freaked-out miles in flat, straight Kansas. It was definitely time to take driving lessons.
So, bright and early Thursday morning Frank, the RV Driving School instructor, came a knock, knock, knocking at our door. He wasn't wearing a hood or carrying a whip so Susan foolishly let him in. Actually, Frank was very professional, calming and encouraging. After reviewing the safety checks, instruments and cockpit, Susan cautiously drove out of the park and onto public roads. After four hours behind the wheel and only one emotional meltdown the day's lesson was over. The exhausted student backed into the RV site and gave a big sigh of relief.
On Friday Frank returned for another four-hours of driving on country roads, through small towns and on the freeway. We are happy to report there were no injuries resulting from the two-day lesson and Susan now has her driving certificate (beware America). It was now time for celebration.
That evening we met Toni and Dan for happy hour at Chevy's. Toni works in Sacramento but they live in Auburn so we had an opportunity spend some time with them without racking up a lot miles. On Sunday they came over for a barbecue and a rousing game of bocce ball. Did I mention all the wild turkeys at the park? Turkey droppings makes playing a casual game of bocce ball a bit more - uh, challenging. In spite of the turkey guano, we enjoyed the game so much that we trotted out the next day and bought a bocce set.
We had scheduled a May 9th appointment with the service center at DeMartini RV in Grass Valley for our one-year check up, so on April 30th we took another exhausting 22-mile trek to the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley.
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Grass Valley, CA - Apr. 30 - May 10, 2008
On April 30 we took a short hop north to the Nevada County Fairgrounds RV Park located in tall pines and within walking distance of Grass Valley. The park has few amenities but was adequate for our stay.
The park featured a mascot - a rather annoying, insomniac rooster. We speculated this raucous bird escaped from the fair and in its freedom developed a cocky attitude. Not only would he crow at dawn, he crowed much of the day and during the night. He would actually get up on a post and crow into RV windows.
Grass Valley, and its neighbor Nevada City, are located atop the most productive gold mines in California. The two quaint communities now attract tourist to their narrow, historic streets lined with art galleries, restaurants, historical hotels and mining museums. Bill spent his formative years in this area and attended Nevada Union High, so for him it was a 'blast from the past'.
Susan had long wanted to attend the Foothill Theater in Nevada City, highly regarded for its productions and acting company. We attended an excellent and evocative production of "Doubt: A Parable" by John Patrick Shanley. Shanley notes: "Doubt requires more courage than conviction does, and more energy; because conviction is a resting place and doubt is infinite, it is a passionate exercise." After the play we joined a lively discussion between the actors and audience. We highly recommend this play and the Foothill Theater to those visiting area.
The Yuba River flows just north of Grass Valley, so on a lovely sunny day we traveled to Bridgeport to hike along the river, and to view the wildflowers and the longest, single-span, covered bridge still in existence. The wildflowers were a bit past their peak but the hike was still very enjoyable. We were amazed at the number and size of the trout easily visible from the trail high above the river.
Claire came up for a farewell visit and the three of us toured the Empire Mine State Historic Park. The Empire Mine was in production until 1956. 106 million ounces of gold were extracted during its operation and it is estimated that 80% of the gold still remains. We mused that since the State of California now owns the mine and the price of gold is so high, the State should re-open the mine to cover its budget deficit. Ahhnold, are you listening?
We then cruised down memory lane to Bill's 'teen-hood' home near the area of Peardale, about four miles east of Grass Valley on Highway 174. It is a very attractive rural area of pasture, pines and dogwood. The family home has changed substantially, but after 30+ years mom's little lighthouse is still there in the yard.
We then jumped back to current time and sought dinner at Cirino's in Nevada City and then home. Claire lingered to chat a bit, and then we wished her a sad farewell. Hopefully she will visit us somewhere down the road.
On Friday, we bid adieu to the raucous rooster and moved the Beast to DeMartini's RV service center. After going over the list with the service representative we headed to the Northstar Mine Powerhouse and Pelton Wheel Museum in Grass Valley. The Museum exceeded our expectations and the docent was very enthusiastic. Since we were the only visitors we received a private guided tour and explanation of the powerhouse and mining equipment.
Then we were off to lunch on the patio at Toffanelli's in Grass Valley where we were entertained by the neighborhood cat drinking from the very top of a three-tiered fountain. After drinking its fill and mugging a few diners for morsels, she stretched out and took a nap in the sun.
Back at DeMartini's all of the work was completed except our very needed complimentary exterior rig cleaning. While parked at the fairgrounds our vehicles were pine-pollinated beyond recognition, so we decided to spend the night at the service center so they could wash the Beast the next day. Plus, we had a date with Toni and Dan at Bullard's Bar Reservoir for a day of fun in the sun with friends.
The day at the lake on, what the Captain refer to as the 'redneck yacht', was wonderfully slow and relaxing. Victor and his son, and Paul and Kathy and their two grandsons joined the party. We ate, drank, and then ate some more. Between snacks we watched the kids splash in the lake and build sandcastles.
We stayed longer than intended, which required another night at DeMartini's in our newly scrubbed home. The next morning we were up with the sun heading for Williams, California. Bill dropped me and the Beast at the one and only RV park in the area, and then drove to up to Kelseyville to spend Mother's Day with his one and only.
