An unscheduled weekend fell my way, made even more unusual by the hubs having plans. Three buddies were heading up for what was a decidedly guy's weekend. So while their big plans were to dash from thing to thing, first the shooting range, then golfing and possibly tossing a fishing pole in the water at Lake Almanor, the dog and I headed out on a weekender.
I mulled over what to do with the time. Friends offered a couch, but I wanted some much needed solitude and the Gold Country seemed like the place to find it, especially with it being off season. That of course meant being a stone's throw to Calaveras Big Trees National Park which is one of my lifelong favorite destinations.
Last week's weather had been wet and stormy with thunder and lightning, but Saturday was a hang yer head out the passenger car window kind of day. We loaded the back seat with gear and set off without much of a plan.
A long, windey road leads to Jamestown, and there we found a vintage 19th century hotel on Main Street, checked in to cottage 3 which consisted of a bed and a toilet and tv. Plenty for us. It was vintage old, not vintage quaint, but the walk along the wooden plank sidewalks and peering into closed antique shops was fun. There was a handmade sign at the Jamestown Hotel, CLOSED, with a for sale sign. When the hotel opened almost 200 years ago, I'll bet the settlers could never envision this hotel not to be the anchor and jewel in their thriving town.
Most everywhere in the Gold Country is on a slow bleed, except for Sonora that embraced growth and change in a side-by-side set up, leaving the old downtown undisturbed but offering modern conveniences and medical access. The other Sonora has thriving neighborhoods, shopping, upscale restaurants, a theatre, modern hotels and a hospital. Those who can afford to, come here to retire.
Early on Sunday after a light breakfast we arrived at Big Trees Calaveras around 8, no one around, not even the park rangers. I tucked the $8 day use fee in an envelope and dropped it into the slot. Calaveras was covered in the most glorious blanket in snow!
The south campground was impassable, so we parked near the lower trailhead at North Grove. Our footprints were the first of the day in the fluffy, dry powder that drifts along the sides of the path, on this sunny and warm morning. This was Sam's first time...
Let's say she took to it. We hiked and played and stopped to take photos sans collar and leash. She zigzagged the trail leaping up and over logs and hopping through snow like a bunny. She went crazy over the snowballs dissolving in her mouth and dusting her face. It was so beautiful, so quiet. Every rustle and breeze, with snow falling from higher branches from too heavy a burden, and trickling little creeks that formed from the runoff, it was interesting and new.
On the way back we met hikers - families with little people, and some guys from South Dakota with eyes glued on the redwoods. Everyone was dressed warmly, but we were comfortable in tennis shoes and jeans with only a sweatshirt. Like I said, it was a glorious day.
One more quick detour before leaving, to White Pines Lake, and a stop at Starbucks for some fruit and cheese to share, and we were on our way, unwinding ourselves back to onto the interstate. Sam leisurely napped and I made a big pot of soup and tossed my tennies in the dryer.
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