This past weekend we relaxed for a couple days up in Truckee, CA. Good to be back amongst the tall conifers. One of my very favorite sounds is the wind moving through tall pines, redwoods and cedars. Coming home would only be 1 1/4 hours by Interstate 80, but we decided to make a day of it and go back in time along Highway 49.
This scene is outside of Sierraville, and I gave it a vintage treatment to set the mood.
Click on the continue link and I'll take you on the tour!
Our main destination was Downieville, but about 10 miles before that town is Sierra City (everything is Sierra-something up here), which is very quaint. There is a gallery there with 4 photographers, and some really fine work. One of the local shops went through quite a bit of trouble to create all this beauty for themselves and those of us passing through. How nice!
Ah, Downieville! You can read about the town on it's Wikipedia Page. Briefly, this was one of several towns that grew quickly in the 1850's gold rush era. In California, you don't often get the opportunity to stand in a building that is 160 years old. Downieville is one of the few places you can do this.
You won't find a Macy's in Downieville. But you will find an interesting store called the Soiled Doves Parlour. This store specializes in attire that was popular back in the gold rush days, usually worn by ladies that were, well, "soiled doves." Google it.
And no chain restaurants either. The lunch recommendation by the photographers in Sierra City was this charmingly named place, the Wooden Trout.
Now I seriously wasn't going to take any food pictures, but my wife was so thrilled with her asian chicken salad that she wanted me to take the shot. You know what that means, this week I'll be attempting a re-creation! Me being the carnivore I am, I went for the BBQ pulled pork sandwich.
My son decided to go for the cheesecake. Wow was this good. Very soft. This is like being at grandma's, right down to the dishes. He took this shot. Hey, a little more DOF please, junior! Ah, it is probably just right.
The locals were all on edge as The Clampers were spending the weekend. Clampers are a fraternal organization (drinking club) based in Grass Valley/Nevada City. We saw them at the 4th of July parade. It was explained to us that Clampers are the people that were a little too radical to be Shriners. Is that possible?
But at 2 pm, we saw none of them. I think they were still sleeping it off.
The Mountain Messenger, oldest weekly newspaper in the state! I just have to throw a little Topaz at you, I cannot resist.
My attempt at an artsy shot, in the Downie River. Any good?
On the road again, travelling in style (them, not me!). I know this was a diversion from a single (hopefully) fine art shot, but variety is the spice of life and all. Let me know what you think of today's post.
